Yea, the having things in both hands was annoying when I tried using the poles. If I was hiking in difficult terrain for the majority of the time, it would be less of an issue, but around here, not so much. I did end up collapsing them and sticking them in my pack, although a lot of times, for local hikes, snow shoeing, and x country skiing, I use a waist pack with bottles. And yesterday, I was using my Nathan waist pack, which is really for running and doesn't have any way to attach the poles.
If I go somewhere else that has more difficult terrain, I will try the poles again. The main trail at Estabrook is the closest thing to flat around here; a steady 2% grade out and slight downhill back. The rest of the area has more real hills, but I get lost in there and wait until I can go with someone else!