Seeking budget alum. trekkingpole recommendation

If adjustability is a want and not a need:

A 1970’s-era downhill ski pole for $5 (for two!) at Salvation Army or Goodwill.  Aluminum shaft, usually a plastic handle.  You’d probably want to just tear off the basket.

But why not a more modern, lighter fiberglass ski Nordic pole?  They’ll also be cheap (if used) but they weigh less.

I think the Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber trekking poles at Costco for $35 a pair are a bargain.

Nice ideas, I’ve never owned a trekpole, but read a couple blerbs about carbonfiber shattering, though I don’t get out enough to probably beat one to failure, but I have had a carbonfiber arrow shaft shatter some into my hand, so that’s why I lean more towards trusting metal.

Will have to checkout costco and goodwill, bet theres a ton of ski poles during summer

I switched back to aluminum after breaking a couple of carbon fiber poles. Look at the Fizan poles that Massdrop carries, they are equal to, if not lighter, than many carbon poles (6 oz apiece with straps) and mine have held up well so far.

check out the Outdoor Products Apex Trekking Pole Set $17 at Walmart. I recommend the flick lock style. I have had a set of these for almost 10 years and they still work great. They are identical to my black diamond trail poles, which makes me think black diamond may use the same manufacturer. weight 9.3 ounces per pole minus straps and basket

Outdoor Products Apex Trekking Pole Set

Whatever you get, I recommend flicklock mechanisms rather than the twist lock type. If you just want one, you may be able to find someone that has bent one that would sell one cheap.

The Cascade Mountain Tech poles work well here is a review Andrew Skurka did on them 3 years ago

Review: Cascade Mountain Tech Quick Lock Trekking Poles | Shockingly awesome performance for $30

A 1970’s-era downhill ski pole for $5 (for two!) at Salvation Army or Goodwill.  Aluminum shaft, usually a plastic handle.  You’d probably want to just tear off the basket.

Several years ago I purchased 2 aluminum ski poles for $2 each at the local thrift store. I use them off trail in wooded terrain. The baskets remain on to prevent poles from sinking in the soft layers of vegetation.

Lawson is a handy guy that can modify them to be adjustable :-)

I would recommend Cascade Mountain Tech poles as my seven teenaged grandchildren have been using the poles to date for several years with no issues. I modified four pair per Skurka”s review below and, and the information included in his review concerning the pole you should be alerted to:

https://andrewskurka.com/2015/long-term-review-cascade-mountain-tech-quick-lock-poles/

Costco Trekking poles have worked surprisingly well for several of my friends. One friend has been beating on his for the past three years with no issue.