I am considering buying walking poles but have 2 main questions:
1 - do they work?
2 - which poles are the best?

If you arent sure about them try the 12.50 ones from gooutdoors.co.uk

i was a bit sceptical so bought some and now think they are great...might eventually upgrade to some lekki or pacerpoles but for now im stickign wtih my cheapo ones!

Yes, they work.
I use them to help drag my unfit corpse up hills, and to reduce stress on my knees downhill. Also great for added stability over boulder fields and scree, and crossing streams.
Mine are cheap Trailwise ones. I do have some Lekis too, but gave them to my mother.

I found they worked. I'll be leaving my Leki's behind and giving the PacerPoles a go this (long) weekend up Glen Ey.

I agree with the recommendations on buying cheap ones first. I bought one Leki first, as I had problems with a lower leg on some initial hillwalking. Moved to 2 poles when I started walking further distances as the load was spread more evenly.

But I'm not fit, and others get by without them.

I don't use them RS but the ones with handles on the top (like an upside down L) look positivly dangerous.

Every review I've ever seen says Pacerpoles are by far the best. Don't use poles myself though.

try with the cheapest poles you can get first to see if you like them. you may hate the things.

I'm at that unfortunate age where my knees need all the help they can get, and I'm now using poles regularly. I've had them before but not actually used them.

I actually reckon (i) that they do work, and therefore (ii) that you'd be better off getting a good pair now and using them. It's best to save your knees a load of unnecessary angst whilst they're still in good condition, rather than trying to shore up the remains when your walking etc has already done the damage.

The only poles I've been comfortable with are Pacer Poles. If you search on here, and Google, you'll find lots of reviews, but basically the handle is totally different from all the others. It's made to suit the angle at which your hand joins your arm, and that makes them very easy to use. Yes, they're a bit more expensive than others, but I now wish I'd spent an extra £20 first time round for poles I'd actually use. In fact, I wasted money on two sets of poles that only left the house a couple of times (and now my knees are more shot than they ever needed to be).

Just my 10p, but I hope it helps :)

For me poles do work, and make a big difference.
I currently use the Alpkit ones.

The other advantage of poles is if you are using a tarp they can be used with that instead of carrying specific poles or having to worrying about finding something to use.

My wife has just bought a pair of Hiker Anti-Shock poles from Stuart Cunningham (own brand)in Ambleside. They are excellent and @ £25.00 the pair, great value. Tried Leki but the ani-shock system seemed much harder and to me seemed to defeat the purpose. The SC's were just nice. I'm using a pair of original Brasher's non anti-shock which I like, but was very tempted when I tried her new ones.
They really are great VFM.

Just to add little me to the already high percentage of those who like them. I use the Leki Makalu cos they're really light and tho I'm tempted by pacer poles, I bought mine before the pp's were made. I can't add much to the why's cos others have said it all - balance,knees,testing ground, river crossings,knees, pulling up hills,descending aids, oh and did I mention knees?

Don't use poles myself. Tried them but I couldn't get on with them. Do understand that they can/may be of use but there are an amazing number of people out there who like taking their poles for a walk!! I've got enough to do with my hands what with map, compass, GPS, camera, sweets, stile, gate.........

Pacer Poles. Amazing. Win every gear test going. Deservedly so.

Thanks very much for the valuable feedback. I am heading to the shops this weekend so I reckon I'll try a couple of pairs and I'll try pacerpoles.

Check out the Life-Link guide ultralights (currently £49 for a pair at the theoutdoorshop.com). Absolutely brilliant poles, weigh only 7-8 ounces each, and made partially from carbon fibre so they really reduce trail vibration. They love them at backpackinglight.com (and so do I). And you can impress your mates my converting them into an avalanche probe...

and no i dont work for them

Glen Ey on Friday/Saturday, with new pacerpoles and roclites. Nice to have a long weekend break. Nice to have new gear to test and break in.

Used them for years, assumed they were essential with a heavy pack, got sick of faffing around with them and stopped using them about a year ago. Never looked back. Now not convinced they do much to save your knees. Is there any medical evidence for this beyond the assertion of poles manufacturers?

I'd spend the money on some lighter gear.

When I was a PE student many moons ago I remember reading several articles in scientific journals about the biomechanical benefits of using walking poles and how they can reduce stress on ankles, knees and hips.

Just back from 25 miles and 3 Munros in Cairngorm NP. PacerPoles were great.

Walking on flat, they help push (not pull) me along. But, they also did the same going uphill. Someone on an earlier thread described it like pushing on the arms of a chair to help you get out of the chair. I got the reference this weekend.

Also noticed that the poles work at a better angle on steeper slopes than 'conventional' poles.

I'm going to recolour the strings so I can tell quickly which pole is which without referring to the wee plastic inset.

I haven't used them for tarps or tent poles, so review doesn't include that use.

Oh, and the 'pistol grip' is great when tracking grouse exploding from the heather. Sorry, is it just me that does that?

Cheap Tesco poles have been great when knees start burning. No trouble helping 16 stone of me up hill or down, can certainly vouch for the marked difference on legs when using them.