Did yours also end with a spreadsheet nobody understood?

Whole internet's just loud ads now.

Poles are a crutch that keeps your stabilizer muscles weak and messes with your gait. My buddy carried a pair for two seasons and ended up with weird shoulder pain from planting them unevenly, plus you burn extra energy swinging them every step. Real hiking is about building leg strength and balance on your own, not leaning on sticks. If your knees quit at mile 6, that's a sign to train more and lighten your pack, not buy gear to patch the problem.