Black Diamond Women's Trail 

"Bought these for multi-day high-altitude hike. Never used hiking poles before - was told they help prevent knee stress on descent, and practiced using them once before that trip. Ended up using them on steepest portion of descent day (3,000 feet over 4 miles). Knees did not hurt (sometimes I do get knee pain after running), and it was also helpful to lean against them, as they are pretty sturdy when resting, as the descent was tiring. My friend used his poles only one day during ascent, when he was dizzy from Diamox pills taken to prevent altitude sickness - so that's another good use for them. Otherwise he ended up carrying around both our pairs for the other 6 days - helps to have a "special" backpack with "special" loops to attach the poles to. I also liked that length is adjustable, foam handles (my friend had a blister from his rubber handles), and cute fur-lined straps labeled L and R. They are lighter because they are women's, but can't be found online for a good deal discount off retail (only maybe 20 percent off, compared to about 50 off for men's regular black diamond trail). Color in online images (from all seller sites) is too bluish-purple, true color is lighter purple, but it grew on me after the initial surprise. I wish I could find some use for them in the future, as they were pricey for one-time use."