[kmtrowbr]

It is very similar to the role of walking sticks (trekking poles) in long distance walking -- the poles serve a few functions, in reverse order of importance: 3) Potent threat / weapon agains dogs or strangers (this has only been useful a few times in many years but, still it's nice to have a big stick in your hand sometimes). 2) Keep yourself from falling if you slip or on challenging terrain, which means you can take more risks and move faster.

... but by far the most useful is: 1) As you are walking, you push yourself forward at the top of your stride. There is a moment where the big muscle in your arm can be put to use, basically making walking "feel" about 15% easier. It makes walking into more of a whole body effort, so you can go faster and further without getting tired.

[bin_bash]

Also when descending a hill they dramatically reduce the strain on your joints

[kmtrowbr]

You're right! That's benefit #4.

I suppose it's different for each person, depending upon their age their health.

For me, sometimes it's easier to just kinda, jog or sorta, "controlled fall" down the hill, in this case, the walking sticks should be held in your hand. But at other times, you go slow and lever yourself down with the poles.

Of course, the big downside of the poles if that you're constantly fiddling with them. They're noisy and take effort.

[adhesive_wombat]

Nordic walking (pole per hand) has been shown to be helpful especially for circulation patients with peripheral vascular disease, though the benefits almost all apply to everyone else too[1].

[1]: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/impact-of-cli...

[Fezzik]

Another secondary benefit I appreciate is trekking poles keep my hands higher and assist with circulation/lessen blood pooling in my fingertips.

[kkfx]

Sorry, but I laugh... walking sticks for self-defense? They are light Al, not ancient sword or halberds or modern shock-sticks. The #2 is even dangerous, because if you fall badly on a stick you might get hurt far badly than a direct fall, see ski accidents as an example.

[kmtrowbr]

I am not a violent person. I always seek to de-escalate at every turn & I'm very good at it.

Most incidents turn on the smallest details. A 4' metal pole with a sharp point on the end is a very meaningful thing to have in your hand. 99% of any incidents will be with dogs. So it's more about appearing big and formidable than it is actually needing to fight. Do not run. Stand, brandish your weapon, and make noise. People aren't that different from dogs. This is one of nature's strategies: appear big & scary.

If you were hiking and descending many challenging pistes with slippery rocks and whatnot, you would be happy to have a walking stick to help you.

[lcnPylGDnU4H9OF]

If someone swung a few-feet-long light aluminum pole at my face as hard as they could I imagine I'd try to move my face out of the way.

Granted, I'm assuming that the "strangers" as alluded to in the post you're responding to are not themselves armed. It seems like that is what was communicated.

Also, if #1 is why it's used then #2 and #3 are just gravy.

[kkfx]

They are so light that you can easily just block them without getting hurt with your arm, so to me seems something to avoid at all, instead of de-escalate the "aggressive" usage of a stick seems to be a method to call for physical fight.

Also for dogs, being long, they are far slower to move than the animal, witch means that they can only be used with the intention of trespass the dog skin with the tip, a thing typically not lethal (unless you are a dog killer with exercise) but very painful who likely get more aggressive then before...

If I want to de-escalate with someone much depend on the situation but in general remain calm and clearly indifferent works far better then appear threatening and aggressive. If I need to push aggressive docs I can just ignore them continuing my root OR if they come close enough hit them hard with a single kick, that's far less painful then being pierced by a pointed stick but also far more threatening for them, they feel "throw away" by a so superior force that's no point in keep attacking. If that's not enough hit their head will stop them anyway, if you have no choice a stick will be of no help...

[porknubbins]

My threat model while hiking in the forest is not that a pitbull or attack dog pops up and goes for the kill. Every time I’ve seen a dog it has been a big, just curious dog that probably has an owner hiking somewhere nearby and its reassuring to have a big stick just in case I need to appear intimidating.

[kkfx]

Well, that's perfectly normal and fine, but curious dogs do not need to be threatened... They simply do not assault you so why try to keep them away?