On the left - the Italian Dolomites.
Good trail stewardship is dependent on hiker sensitivity to the effects of foot traffic on delicate ecosystems. In considering the need for safety and enjoyment with that of minimal overall impact, a thoughtful balancing is required. Heavy boots for example, afford support and stability but cause significantly more trail damage than lighter ones. A hiker using lighter boots or shoes can re-gain stability and balance with the use of a hiking stick and still have a lower overall trail impact. The drawback of lighter faster footwear is moderated with the use of low impact accessory gear.
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Images to the left and right show trails in the White Mountains of New Hampshire, USA. In these rocky, uneven footing conditions a hiking stick is most useful. Although these trails are in good conditions, some of the most scenic trails in the wilderness and rocky approaches are now hopelessly scratched by the effect of of aggressively sharp tips of modern hiking poles. Older trails (some that have existed for hundreds of years) have been carefully conserved and maintained over the decades only to become defaced by the use of modern poles. |  |
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The overall performance the rounded point of the Kingfisher Hiking Stick is hardly less effective in gripping ability than a sharp pointed metal pole and there is far less potential to accidentally jab yourself or those hiking behind you. With the reassurance added by the hiking stick it is possible to cover much more ground, avoid the use of sharp aggresive metal poles and rely less on the the heavy, supportive boots that are so hard on vegetation and soil.
