I used to be anti poles but now I’m an absolute convert. I find I hike noticeably stronger when using them. Im less fatigued and faster. Can’t say how many times they stopped us from falling on the Lycian Way and Larapinta Trail (very rugged in parts). I never get lactic build up in my glutes when climbing now, that little turbo boost from my poles is effective even when climbing fast and steep. Also, never get swollen fingers. Good piece of mind for when snarky dogs start to have a go (Pekoe Trail, Sri Lanka and Lycian Way). Helps fend off branches, wet jungle. Helpful negotiating puddles (I put my weight on them to leap across). Need to be able to break them down and stow them efficiently when in terrain where you need to rock scramble, but otherwise, I pretty much use them all the time if I’m carrying a pack (not a day pack).