The handles are super comfortable, the shock absorption features make the landings nice and soft/bouncy, and the locking system is fantastic for preventing the poles from shrinking. I'm an instructor, and I recommend these to everyone. People who arrive with other (cheaper) brands always end up moving up to Urban Poling poles. I regularly see other brands/styles that shrink as you walk, make noise with each landing and/or involve strap/glove systems that some people find more difficult to learn with.
