Walking Poles - I hate myself just thinking of them!

[Lightspeed]

What's vile about them?

I always carry a pair of them when trekking

They are a bloody useful piece of kit and have proven critical on numerous occasions.

When trekking heavily laded in mountains they are great aids for stability.

Things to look for are: wrist straps, elastomer shock absorbers, calibration marks on the shafts so that you can dial in your preferred length every time, hardened steel tips, and snow caps. Grips made of cor or rubber seem to be equal.