Adjustable poles are absolutely necessary to protect

your knees. They help even out the weight. The pros recommend having 2 poles and know how to use them. And using them are not as easy as it may appear. There are actually some videos of how to use poles while hiking. You are supposed to use them both going up and down.

I find my poles help me with speed and my knees and lower body a lot, ever since I started using them.