Swiss Gear Hiking Pole

My wife and I and another couple trained every weekend with these poles for 5 months to do the Inca Trail, from which we have just returned. We had bought them on-line from Wal Mart for approximately $11/pole and had them shipped for free to a local store. Our excellent Peruvian guides offered to buy them from us several times. We made a gift of the poles to the guides at Machu Picchu. The poles worked flawlessly despite heavy use and looked almost as good as new.

I have bought 4 of these and believe it is a manufacturer defect. Out of the 4 poles, only 1 of these will tighten correctly. The rest collapse even without any resistance at all.

I'm not going to comment on the comfort or other features. Basic functionality is simply not there.

I'd give it 0 stars if I could. Amazon requires at least 1 though.

I recently saw that the Swiss Gear hiking poles were sold at WalMart for a very reasonable price under $20.

Stopped by to see one, that was even in blue to match our mountain bikes.
As I fiddled with the extension and shock absorbing feature, I put some downward pressure on the handle.

You guessed it, the pole snapped off at the lower adjuster. Completely broke in half! So, I'm back looking at Black Diamond with their flick lock and lifetime guarantee, albeit for $70-$90.

But, I can't imagine one of these Swiss Gear's breaking while coming down a trail with too much pressure. Look out below and call the ambulance!

I did report the breakdown to a WalMart clerk.

I bought these poles last year and hiked all through the Austrian Alps and had no problems with them. Since the price was so low I was a bit hesitant to head up for a week of hiking along the peaks of the alps, but they held up just fine. They're not a the lightest poles in the world, but if you're a casual hiker you've got nothing to worry about. These poles are just fine.

I bought two of these for $10 each a year ago just to give them a try. I did not have high expectations since they were so cheap, but they are still on the trail with me. Quite frankly, I assumed they would break or collapse or give out somehow, but such is not the case. I have used them in mud, rocks, and sand from the AT trails in N. Georgia to the sand in Central Florida and they just keep working. I have not had any problems with the tips coming out. I take two of them with me when I backpack and use them for tent poles at night. They do the job and if you leave one somewhere you're only out $10. Works for me.