Get yourself a hiking pole. They come with various tips based on surface such as dirt, rocks, snow, etc. Very important when lots of slippery leaves on the ground. I use the pointed steel tip (comes with an attached rubber cover that snaps onto the tip for storage). Has a strap and rubber hand grip. Very important on steep declines as tripod (2 legs and the pole) is much more stable than bipod. Also less tiring on your legs on steep incline as I use my arm power to supplement my legs.
I got mine at Lidl for 20 bucks for the pair. Couldn't believe it when I saw them as German made, high quality pole. Collapses down to nothing that you can leave in your car and comes with instructions on how to set up (number markings on each section) based on your height and height of your arm pit to ground. They sold out immediately and every once in a while they get them in again. I only need 1 on the trail and it makes the inclines and declines much safer. I use hiking shoes with ankle support.
2nd best 20 bucks I ever spent (well there was this SW I picked up maybe 10 years ago and.......)
Ps. next time you are on the trail take a look at who has a hiking pole and who doesn't. Probably 19 out of 20 will be Asians for some reason.
I got mine at Lidl for 20 bucks for the pair. Couldn't believe it when I saw them as German made, high quality pole. Collapses down to nothing that you can leave in your car and comes with instructions on how to set up (number markings on each section) based on your height and height of your arm pit to ground. They sold out immediately and every once in a while they get them in again. I only need 1 on the trail and it makes the inclines and declines much safer. I use hiking shoes with ankle support.
2nd best 20 bucks I ever spent (well there was this SW I picked up maybe 10 years ago and.......)
Ps. next time you are on the trail take a look at who has a hiking pole and who doesn't. Probably 19 out of 20 will be Asians for some reason.