Anyone Recommend a Good Monopod-Walking Stick?

REI is a great place if you do any of the outdoor sports. I've spent way too much there over the years. You did see that if you get a membership you get discounts on just about everything? When gearing up, it can save a bundle. I have an evil strip mall just around the corner, REI right across the lot from Calumet.

I got the membership, thanks. It's $15 and I will save a ton when my younger boys start doing scouts like their brothers. The older boys have a ton of gear already, but they will take the gear with them when they have their own homes. I plan to get new for the little boys. My husband spent $1000 one time in preparation for a 50 mile hike in upstate NY. It took him 5 days with my older boys having 25-35 pounds on their backs. It rained the whole week. It was a mess, but the gear was well worth the money.

G'day, You should have a look at trekpod, it's a monopod/walking stick/tripod! Don'y have one myself but it looks pretty good.

Here is the link to the Trek-tech web page: http://www.trek-tech.com/

Hope it helps,
Denuto.

p.s Sorry just realized the ad is at the top of the page!

Hi, I found the best walking stick/monopod for me was a wooden walking stick made by www.Whistlecreek.com. Mine is a

[SIZE=2]Tracker Staff 48. I drilled a hole in the top to accomodate a 1/4-20 hanger bolt, it is 1/4-20 screw on one end and a wood screw on the other end. right now I have a lower end ball head on it but I plan on getting a higher end ball head with a quick release plate. The added bonus is if I get caught in bad weather I wont be hiking with a lightning rod in my hand

I took the REI model on my trip to Bryce and Zions and it was a great tool for me, as the stupid Narrows trail was under water and the monopod/walking stick saved me numerous times. Everyone who was happy had a walking stick of some kind that day. The water was rushing and not clear so you couldn't see where and what you were stepping on.

Although this is a very old thread, I'm glad it got revived as it's an interesting topic. I also do lots of hiking with my camera. Foolishly I used my Manfrotto monopod for dual purposes, and it broke on me after only two years of "light" use. I then realized that one shouldn't use just any monopod as a hiking stick no matter how good it may be for photography. When I then started searching for a replacement for the dual duty monopod/stick, one of the things I also wanted to add was a self-defensive feature/weapon, simply because I have ran into wild animals more than once and I'd feel a whole lot better about having something to protect myself and my family with -- just in case (little protection is better than nothing!). The answer was the Gitzo GM-3550 Mountaineer 6X Carbon Fiber Monopod with stainless steel spike at the tip. Initially I purchased a short spike, but I'm thinking about getting one that is 4.7" long. The combo is pricey, but the technology behind the monopod is unequaled and will last a life time.

I have been getting in to camping and hiking more this year and have been thinking about getting a hiking pole, so Im also glad this thread got revived as it is of interest to me now too.