If you’ve opened this story, you probably already recognize this truth: For backpackers, dayhikers, climbers, mountain runners, and others, trekking poles noticeably reduce strain, fatigue, and impact on leg muscles and joints, feet, back—and really on your entire body. And that’s true no matter how much weight you’re carrying, whether a daypack, an ultralight backpack, or a woefully heavy backpack.

But if you’ve opened this story, you also probably already have a sense of this often-overlooked truth: How you use poles matters. If you use them correctly, you’re gaining their benefits on virtually every step of your hike; if not, they become dead weight. This story provides 10 highly effective tips on using poles, from basics like adjusting pole length, gripping the strap, and moving uphill and downhill on trails, to managing steep terrain, fording streams, advanced tips for aiding balance, and more.

The tips below are based on my experience of many thousands of trail miles and more than three decades of backpacking, dayhiking, climbing, trail running, and taking ultra-hikes and ultra-runs—plus a quarter-century of testing and reviewing gear as a past field editor for Backpacker magazine and for many years running this blog. I believe this story will give you expert tips on hiking with trekking poles that you will not find anywhere else.

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With practice, using trekking poles can become so second-nature that you don’t have to think about what you’re doing—your body works on muscle memory, and your pole plants and movement become more efficient and effective. Mountain runners can even get skilled at rapidly swinging poles to assist with balance and braking when running trails downhill.

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my story “How to Choose Trekking Poles.”

Tell me what you think of my tips, ask any questions, or share your own tips in the comments section at the bottom of this story. I try to respond to all comments. And click on any photo to learn about that trip.

Ready for new poles? See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles.”

#1 Set the Pole Length

For hiking on well-graded, flat to moderately steep trails, adjust the pole length so that your elbow is at a 90-degree angle when holding the pole upright, its tip planted on the ground, right in front of you. On many well-graded (not terribly steep) trails, you may not feel the need to adjust this length setting.

But on steeper terrain or trails, your poles may feel too long when going up or too short when going down. If so, shorten the pole by 5-10cm for hiking uphill and lengthen it a similar amount for hiking downhill. With a little practice, you will quickly learn your preferred length in different terrain.

The adjustable sections of poles typically employ one of two different mechanisms. Here’s how to set each of them correctly:

1. Twist-lock cams tighten and loosen, of course, by twisting them. Don’t over-tighten them: Turn the mechanism until you feel the cam tightening, then secure it with just another quarter-turn. If you’re applying much effort to twist it, you’re over-tightening it.
2. Locking levers have a small screw for adjusting the lever’s tension, so that it’s not so loose that the sections collapse easily, or too tight to open and close the lever. That screw will only require slight adjustment, and depending on the design, you might be able to do it with your fingers, or it will require a tool like a Phillips screwdriver (the size found on many multi-tools and Swiss Army knives) or an Allen key. Take note of whether your poles have shafts whose diameter varies slightly from end to end, so that you find the lever tension setting that’s not too tight or loose with the poles either extended or collapsed.

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#2 How to Grip the Pole Strap

To use poles properly, slide your hand through the strap before grabbing the pole grip, and wrap your thumb over the strap; that enables you to pull down on the strap—and lean onto the pole—without over-gripping and fatiguing your hands.

Pole straps are generally easily adjustable. Set them so that the strap wraps your hands comfortably when holding the strap as described above. Adjust straps if needed for wearing gloves (which is usually only necessary for thick, warm gloves).

A tip: Sometimes when hiking down steep, rocky terrain—when the risk of falling is elevated—I remove the straps from my wrists to avoid the poles getting in my way and somehow worsening injuries if I trip and fall. My concern is tripping over the pole or having the pole cause a severe twist of my arm or shoulder because my wrist is in the strap when I’m falling. Plus, when descending, we primarily lean on the poles and use them for balance and supporting our weight rather than to help propel us forward, so the straps are less important, anyway.

At just about all other times when hiking, without the wrist straps, you lose the major benefit of having poles: their ability to help you move forward and conserve energy

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#3 Use Poles to Propel Yourself Forward

When hiking relatively level terrain or gentle uphills, take a cue from cross-country skiers: Use poles to help propel yourself forward by planting the pole behind your back foot—which is the foot on the same side as the pole you’re planting when you swing your arms in a normal walking gait—and pushing off.

This will not, of course, feel or look quite the same as Nordic skiers who are sliding rapidly on skis over snow. The effort shouldn’t, for instance, cause serious fatigue in your arms and particularly your triceps muscles. But thousands of slight push-offs over the course of several miles translates to a significant, cumulative amount of weight taken off your leg and back muscles. Hikers using this technique will notice the energy efficiency gained.

Plus, if your goal is exercise, as with Nordic skiing, this technique will give you more of a full-body workout than just walking.

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#4 Using Poles on Steep Ascents

On steep ascents, plant poles alternately in front of you, swinging your arms the same as when walking gentler terrain (right arm forward with the left foot, left arm with the right foot); but plant each pole close enough that your elbow is bent, so that you can lean on the pole strap to gain a bit of upward leverage. A straight arm doesn’t convey much leverage onto the pole.

Some heavier, more-versatile poles have extended grips on the upper shafts, useful for holding the poles below the grips on exceptionally steep uphills without your hand slipping or holding cold metal. This is most useful for climbers and backcountry skiers.

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#5 Using Poles on Steep Descents

On steep descents—both on-trail and especially off-trail—use poles for balance and to reduce the impact of constantly stepping down. Employ these two techniques depending on the steepness (and follow tip #1 for lengthening your poles):

See my picks for “The 10 Best Trekking Poles” and all of my reviews of trekking poles at The Big Outside.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-book versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

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The Wind River Range, Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, and the Grand Canyon (all numerous times now). Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness, Montana’s Beartooths, and Colorado’s Weminuche. Glacier National Park and the Tetons. The Canadian Rockies. Southern Utah’s Owl and Fish canyons, Buckskin Gulch, and Paria Canyon. The John Muir Trail and Wonderland Trail. Iceland’s Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails. New Hampshire’s Presidential Range and New Zealand’s Milford Track, Routeburn Track, and Tongariro Alpine Crossing.

These are just some of the places where I’ve recently tested the backpacking gear and apparel that I’ve reviewed at The Big Outside—so that I can give you honest and thorough, field-tested opinions that help you find the best gear for your adventures.

And that’s exactly how I came up with the following picks for today’s best backpacking gear.

Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-books to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

Three decades of testing outdoor gear and apparel—including formerly as the lead gear reviewer and Northwest Editor of Backpacker magazine for 10 years and even longer running this blog—have refined my ability to identify gear that’s truly outstanding, at the cutting edge technologically, and a good value.

In this freshly updated review, I share my top picks for a basic backpacking gear kit, from several of the best packs, tents, boots, and sleeping bags, including suggestions for backpackers on a budget—because everyone has different needs and preferences—to a favorite rain shell, the best trekking poles, down jackets, and air mattresses, the camp kitchen, and water treatment.

Much of the gear in this story links to my complete review of it, where you can get more details and find links to online retailers for purchasing it. Purchasing through the “Buy it now” affiliate links below or affiliate links in each complete review supports my work on The Big Outside, at no cost to you—in fact, you’ll usually find the best prices at those links. Thank you for doing that.

Please share your questions or thoughts on my gear picks in the comments section at the bottom of this story; I try to respond to all comments. And please forward this story to other backpackers you think might find it useful.

Want to read about the many places I’ve backpacked while testing gear? See my All Trips List or use the search box (main menu, above), and check out my e-books to America’s best backpacking trips, including the Teton Crest Trail and The Best First Backpacking Trip in Yosemite, and my Custom Trip Planning page to learn how I can help you plan your next great backpacking trip.

Click on any product name to read its review. Click any “Buy it now” link to purchase it.

Backpacks

Best Overall: Osprey Atmos AG 65 (buy it now) and Aura AG 65 (buy it now), both $370, 4 lbs. 11 oz./2.13kg.
Best Weight-to-Performance Ratio: Granite Gear Blaze 60, $300, 3 lbs. 4 oz./1.47kg. Buy it now.
Best Price-to-Performance Ratio: Gregory Paragon 60 (buy it now) and Maven 58 (buy it now), $270, 3 lbs. 12 oz./1.7 kg.
Best-Fitting Ultralight: Osprey Exos 58 (buy it now) and Eja 58 (buy it now), both $280, 2 lbs. 14 oz./1.3kg.
Best For Heavy Loads: Gregory Baltoro 65 (buy it now) and Deva 60 (buy it now), both $350, 4 lbs. 14 oz./2.21kg.

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Best Ultralight Pack

Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider
$379, 1 lb. 15 oz./878.8g

Many ultralight packs lack the support for carrying more than about 25 pounds comfortably. HMG’s Windrider handles up to 35 pounds, its 55 liters deliver the capacity for a week between resupplies, and it weighs much less than some best-selling competitors. Its tough Dyneema Composite Fabrics is fully waterproof and built to survive the apocalypse. The fixed suspension comes in four sizes and the simple harness system works. Its minimalist design, durability, capacity, comfort, and low weight will appeal to many backpackers who prefer hiking over simply hauling.

Read my full review of the Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider and see all of my picks for the best ultralight backpacks.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase a Hyperlite Mountain Gear Windrider at hyperlitemountaingear.com.

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Tents

Best Two-Door Tent That Pitches with Trekking Poles: Slingfin 2Lite, $505, 2 lbs. 10 oz./1.19kg. Buy it now.
Best 2-Person Ultralight: MSR Freelite 2, $465, 2 lbs./907.2g. Buy it now.
Sturdiest and Roomiest 2-Person Ultralight: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Ultamid 2, $699, 1 lb. 2 oz./510.3g. Buy it now.
Best Solo Ultralight: Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1, $599, 16.8 oz./476.3g. Buy it now.
Best Value Solo Ultralight: Gossamer Gear The One, $255, 1 lb. 2 oz./510g. Buy it now.

Great Balance of Space, Features, and Weight

Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2
$550, 2 lbs. 11 oz./1.22kg

For years, the Copper Spur HV UL2 has remained a leading choice for backpackers seeking an ultralight tent that doesn’t compromise on sturdiness or livability. While some would call it merely “lightweight,” semantics aside, it sports an abundance of features and space for a freestanding, two-door shelter well under three pounds, starting with the most conspicuous: two awning-style doors that can be set up in rain to allow cooling ventilation without getting wet inside or rolled up for maximum ventilation and stargazing. The DAC Featherlite hubbed poles create steep walls that make the tent feel roomier than its 29 square feet, 40-inch peak height, and 88-inch length. It pitches easily, the two vestibules are spacious and ventilation excellent, and the Copper Spur has abundant interior pockets. Very few freestanding, two-door tents strike such a space-to-weight balance.

Read my full review of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL2 at backcountry.com or another version of the Big Agnes Copper Spur HV UL series at backcountry.com.

Get the right gear for your trips. See “The 10 Best Backpacking Packs”
and “The 10 Best Backpacking Tents.”

Shoes and Boots

Best Lightweight Shoes: Danner Trail 2650, $190, 1 lb. 7.5 oz./666.2g Buy them now.
Best Lightweight Backpacking Boots: Scarpa Rush Mid GTX, $199, 2 lbs./907.2g Buy them now.
Best Midweight Backpacking Boots: Salewa Alp Trainer 2 Mid GTX, $250, 2 lbs. 5 oz./1.05 kg Buy them now.
Most Breathable and Sticky: La Sportiva TX3, $159, 1 lb. 9 oz./708.7g Buy them now.
Best Trail Running/Ultralight Hiking Shoes: Hoka One One Speedgoat 6, $155, 1 lb. 3 oz./538.6g Buy them now.
Killer Value: Oboz Katabatic Mid Waterproof, $180, 1 lb. 13 oz./822g Buy them now.

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Sleeping Bags

Best Down Bags: Feathered Friends Hummingbird and Egret UL, $549-$629, 1 lb. 5 oz.-1 lb. 9 oz./595.3g.-708.7g. Buy a Hummingbird UL 30 or 20 now or an Egret UL 30 or 20 now.
Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30, $510-$540, 1 lb. 6 oz./623.7g-669g. Buy a Mountain Hardwear Phantom 30 now.
Marmot Hydrogen 30, $399-$419, 1 lb. 9.4 oz.-1 lb. 11 oz./720g-770g. Buy a Marmot Hydrogen 30 now.
Sea to Summit Spark Pro -9C/15F, $649-$689, 1 lb. 11 oz.-1 lb. 14 oz./765.4g-861g, and Spark Pro -1C/30F, $549-$579, 1 lb. 6 oz.-1 lb. 8 oz./619g-672g. Buy a Sea to Summit Spark Pro now.
Best Ultralight: Therm-a-Rest Hyperion 32 or Hyperion 20, $430-$580, 15 oz.-1 lb. 6 oz./425.2g.-623.7g. Buy it now.
Best Winter Bag: Mountain Hardwear Phantom 0, $700-$740, 2 lbs. 7 oz.-2 lbs. 11 oz./1.11kg.-1.22kg. Buy it now.
Best Budget Sleeping Bag: Kelty Cosmic Synthetic 20, $110-$120, 3 lbs./1.36kg. Buy it now. Or Kelty Cosmic Down 20, $170-$200, 2 lbs. 7 oz./1.11kg. Buy it now.

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Best Value Down Bag

Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30F/-1C
$265-$285, 1 lb. 12 oz./793.8g

When shopping for sleeping bags, it’s helpful to compare certain key specs: temperature rating, type and amount of insulation (or fill), total weight, and, of course, the price. Using those metrics, the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30F/-1C looks really good, with RDS-certified, flourine-free, 650-fill-power down, enough warmth for many backpackers on typical overnight temps of summer in most mid-latitude mountain ranges (except for people who tend to get cold more easily), and a cut that delivers more generous space than many bags—all at a weight south of two pounds and it packs down to 7×13.5 inches. Among down bags, this is a good price for a bag of this quality. It also comes in 15-degree and 0-degree versions.

Read my full review of the Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30. 

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase a men’s or a women’s Mountain Hardwear Bishop Pass 30F at backcountry.com, or other versions of the men’s and women’s Bishop Pass bags at backcountry.com.

Click on any product name to read its review. Click any “Buy it now” link to purchase it.

Best Rain Shells

Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell
$189, 10 oz./283.5g
Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Full-Zip Pants
$179, 9 oz./255.1g

Few places test rain gear as brutally as New Zealand’s Fiordland National Park, where rain is almost as prevalent as oxygen. In some of the heaviest and most relentless wind-driven rain I’ve encountered over four decades of hiking and backpacking, on two classic hut treks and one long dayhike—the Routeburn Track and Milford Track and the Tongariro Alpine Crossing—Black Diamond’s Fineline Stretch Shell and Full-Zip Pants performed impressively.

For two straight days and most of a third day on the Milford, the jacket and pants never left my body. While water did penetrate both layers in spots—and in fairness, I believe those conditions would overwhelm any high-quality waterproof-breathable shells (and companions with Gore-Tex shells suffered the same fate)—they prevented me from getting soaked and cold. Credit goes to BD’s 2.5-layer BD.dry waterproof/breathable/windproof technology, which also has adequate breathability for all but very warm three-season trips.

With a one-hand-adjustable, climbing-helmet-compatible hood, the DWR-sealed pit zip vents, a waterproof front zipper, tough 50-denier fabric, and two zippered hand pockets—all at just $180 and 10 ounces/283.5 grams (men’s medium)—the Fineline Stretch Shell is a full-on technical, three-season rain shell.

Read my complete review of the Black Diamond Fineline Stretch Shell and Fineline Full-Zip Pants.

See all of the latest gear reviews at The Big Outside.

Down Jackets

Best Down Jacket: Feathered Friends Eos Down Jacket, $409, 11 oz./311.8g Buy it now.
Best Synthetic Jacket: Black Diamond First Light Stretch Hoody, $349, 14 oz./397g Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Down Jacket: Mountain Hardwear Ghost Whisperer/2 Down Hoody, $360, 8.8 oz./249.5g Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Synthetic Jacket: Patagonia Micro Puff Hoody, $329, 9 oz./255.1g Buy it now.
Versatile Down Jacket: Rab Microlight Alpine Down Jacket, $295, 15 oz./425.2g Buy it now.

Which puffy should you buy? See “The 12 Best Down Jackets” and
“How You Can Tell How Warm a Down Jacket Is.”

Trekking Poles

Best Overall: MSR Dynalock Ascent, $190, 1 lb. 1 oz./481.9g Buy it now.
Best Ultralight: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ, $210, 12.7 oz./360g Buy it now.
Most Versatile: Leki Makalu FX Carbon, $230, 1 lb. 1.9 oz./508g Buy it now.

Need a good headlamp? See “The Best Headlamps.”

Air Mattresses

Best All-Around Air Mat: Sea to Summit Ether Light XT Insulated and XT Extreme, $219-$249, 1 lb. 1 oz.-1 lb. 9 oz./482-709g. Buy it now.
Best Comfort-to-Weight Balance: Nemo Tensor Insulated Air Mattress, $200-$230, 13 oz.-1 lb. 5 oz./369-595g. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight: Therm-a-Rest NeoAir XLite NXT, $200-$240, 11.5 oz.-1 lb. 1 oz./326-482g. Buy it now.
Best Inflatable Pillow: Sea to Summit Aeros Pillow Ultra Light, $50-$55, 2.5 oz./71g. Buy it now.

What do you really need for backpacking?
See my “Essentials-Only Backpacking Gear Checklist.”

Camp Kitchen

Best Ultralight Pot: MSR Titan Kettle 1400ml, $70, 5.4 oz./153g, or Titan Kettle 900ml, $65, 4.4 oz./126g. Buy it now.
Best Cook Set: Sea to Summit Frontier Ultralight Collapsible One-Pot Cook Set, $146, 19 oz./527g. Buy it now.
Best Solo Stove: Jetboil Flash, $145, 13 oz./369g. Buy it now.
Best Family/Group Stove: MSR Windburner Group Stove System, $260, 1 lb. 4 oz./567g. Buy it now.
Best Bear Canister: Bear Vault BV500, $95, 2 lbs. 8 oz./1.1kg. Buy it now.

Buy smart with my pro tips on buying a backpack, backpacking tent,
hiking shoes or boots, a rain jacket, and a sleeping bag.

Best Ultralight Stove

MSR PocketRocket 2
$50, 3 oz./85g (4 oz./113.4g with plastic case, included)

Backcountry stoves come in a variety of designs these days. But in many respects, the simplest design remains the most versatile and reliable, and the PocketRocket 2 continues to embody everything a backpacking stove should be. It fires up easily every time, boils water fast, has good flame control for wilderness gourmands, weighs next to nothing, and costs less than many of its best competitors.

Whereas some types of stoves have limitations on what you can cook with them, you can use the PocketRocket 2 for cooking almost anything, almost anywhere, for any size party (or more than one stove for a large group). That may explain why it’s so popular.

Read my full review. The PocketRocket Deluxe ($85) adds a piezo push-button igniter, but as with that feature on other stoves, its performance can be erratic.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase an MSR PocketRocket 2 at backcountry.com or cascadedesigns.com.

I can help you plan the best backpacking, hiking, or family adventure of your life.
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Water Treatment

Best Pump Filter: MSR Hyperflow, $150, 9 oz./255g. Buy it now.
Best Gravity Filter: Katadyn BeFree Gravity 6L or 10L Filter, $115-$145, 9-10 oz./255-284g. Buy it now.
Best Filter Bottle: Lifestraw Go, $35-$50, 650ml to 1L, 7.8-8.6 oz./221-244g. Buy it now.
Best Ultralight Personal Filter: Katadyn BeFree Water Filtration System 0.6L, 1L, or 3L bottle, $45-$80, 2.5-3.5 oz./71-99g. Buy it now.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

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Join now and a get free e-book! ]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-backpacking-gear-of-2018/feed/ 23 27582 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-trekking-poles-of-2020/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-trekking-poles-of-2020/#comments Fri, 14 Nov 2025 10:00:00 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=38673 Read on

]]> By Michael Lanza

One of the most immutable truisms about hiking is this: Backpackers, dayhikers, climbers, mountain runners, and others who start using trekking poles almost never hit the trail without them again. No matter how much weight you’re carrying—from an ultralight daypack or running vest to a godawful heavy monster backpack—using poles will lessen your chances of an accidental fall and your leg muscles and joints, feet, back, and body will all feel better, thanks to the reduced strain, fatigue, and impact on them.

Consider this: I do not know a single experienced dayhiker or backpacker who does not use poles.

This review covers the best trekking poles available today. My picks are based on testing all of them (and many other poles) extensively on backpacking trips, dayhikes, mountain climbs and scrambles, backcountry skiing, and/or ultra-trail runs—including backpacking in Wyoming’s Wind River Range, Idaho’s Sawtooths, Utah’s High Uintas, Montana’s Beartooths, Colorado’s San Juans, southern Utah’s Owl and Fish canyons, and on the Grand Canyon’s Gems Route, plus dayhikes from Capitol Reef, Bryce Canyon, and Zion national parks to the Tetons and Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains, to name some places I’ve hiked just in recent months—as well as my experience ambulating thousands of trail miles over more than a quarter-century of testing and reviewing gear, formerly as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine for 10 years and even longer running this blog.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-books to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

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In the reviews below:

• The poles are listed in order from lightest to heaviest because weight best distinguishes them in terms of intended uses, making it effectively the key factor influencing your choice.
• I’ve given every pole an overall score—but keep in mind that, with poles, you should first figure out whether you need ultralight, lightweight, or heavier and sturdier poles, and folding versus collapsible/telescoping poles, and then compare the scores and details of the models in your chosen category (which is why I list the poles in order of weight, not score). You will see that some pole models reviewed below have a similar or identical overall score but are very different from one another.
• Traditional collapsible (or telescoping) poles, usually consisting of three sections, typically have a greater length-adjustability range than folding poles and are often (though not always) heavier and sturdier, but do not compress nearly as much as folding poles. Their effective adjustability range is essentially their collapsed length to their maximum length because they still function and can be used by small kids when fully collapsed. They are best for backpacking and dayhiking, and some models cross over to backcountry touring in winter.
• Folding poles, which typically have three but may have up to five sections, typically have limited or no length-adjustability range and are often (though not always) lighter than collapsible poles. They often come in multiple sizes. Most of all, their folding design makes them far more packable—shorter when folded—than collapsible poles. They are good for backpacking, dayhiking, and ultra-running when the goal is traveling very light and being able to store the poles on a small pack without them being obtrusive. They are rarely long and sturdy enough to use to pitch ultralight tents, and few models cross over to backcountry touring in winter.
• For reasons of comparison and intended uses, I categorize poles under 12 ounces (per pair) as ultralight, poles 12-15.9 ounces as lightweight, and poles one pound or more as the sturdiest, for hard use.
• Key point for backpackers who use an ultralight or lightweight tent: If you use a tent that pitches with trekking poles, many require poles that are adjustable and extend to at least 125 centimeters and sometimes 130 to 135 centimeters. (Check the specs and instructions for your tent.) Not all poles meet those specs.
• The capsule reviews below each include a link to my full reviews of the poles.

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I regularly update this review with new poles that belong on this list. I’m confident you will find at least one model of trekking poles ideal for your type of hiking on or off-trail—and you’ll usually find the best prices at the links to online gear retailers below. Those are affiliate links that support this blog at no cost to you when you make purchases through them, so thanks for doing that.

See also my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles” and these reviews of other top gear picks:

“The Best Backpacking Gear of the Year”
“The 10 Best Backpacking Packs”
“The Best Ultralight Packs”
“The 10 Best Backpacking Tents”
“The 12 Best Down Jackets”
“25 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories”
“The 10 Best Hiking Daypacks”

Please share your questions, opinions, and experiences with any of these poles or your own favorite model in the comments section at the bottom of the review. I try to respond to all comments.

The chart below compares key metrics and features of each pole covered below, including an overall score. But keep in mind that some models have similar or identical scores even though they are very different; look closely at the scoring categories and specific reviews—and use my expert tips for choosing trekking poles—to determine which poles are best for your purposes. That’s why I list them in order of weight, because that metric most clearly distinguishes the types and best uses of poles.

The Best Trekking Poles

Trekking Pole	Score	Price	Weight/Pair	Sizes/Adjustability	Collapsible/Folding	Packed Length
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z	4.3	$200	10 oz./ 283.5g	Five sizes, non-adjustable: 110cm/43.3 ins., 115cm/45.3 ins., 120cm/47.2 ins., 125cm/49 ins., and 130cm/51 ins.	Folding	33cm/13 inches (110cm poles)
Gossamer Gear LT5	4.3	$195	10 oz./ 283.5g	One size, adjustable: 105-130cm/41 to 53 ins.	Collapsible	60cm/23.5 inches
Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ	4.4	$220	11-13 oz./ 311.8g-368.5g	Five sizes, adjustable: men’s and women’s 95-110cm/37-43.3 ins. and 110-125cm/43.3-49 ins., men’s 125-140cm/49-55.1 ins.	Folding	34-40cm/13.4-15.7 inches
Montem Ultralight 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles	4.1	$90	14 oz./ 396.9g	One size, adjustable: 105-135cm/41 to 53 ins.	Collapsible	61 cm/24 inches
MSR DynaLock Ascent	4.5	$190	1 lb. 1 oz./ 481.9g	Two sizes, adjustable: S 100-120cm/39-47.2 ins., L 120-140cm/47.2-55.1 ins.	Folding	36.2cm/14.3 inches (100-120cm poles)
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork	4.1	$230	1 lb. 1.5 oz./ 496.1g	Two sizes, adjustable: men’s 100-130cm/39.4-51 ins., women’s 95-125cm/37-49 ins.	Collapsible	61cm/24 inches
Leki Makalu FX Carbon	4.2	$230	1 lb. 1.9 oz./	One size, adjustable: 110-130cm/43.3 to 51.2ins.	Folding	40cm/15.7 inches
Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles	4.1	$160	508g	One size, adjustable: 100-135 cm/39.4-53 ins.	Collapsible	67cm/26.4 inches
Montem Ultra Strong	4.1	$75	1 lb. 3 oz./ 538.6g	One size, adjustable: 105-135 cm/41.3-53 ins.	Collapsible	61cm/24 inches

Ultralight Poles

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
Score: 4.3
Best for: ultra-runners and -hikers and lightweight and ultralight backpackers.
$200, 10 oz./264g (per pair 110cm, with trekking baskets)
Five sizes, non-adjustable: 110cm/43.3 ins., 115cm/45.3 ins., 120cm/47.2 ins., 125cm/49 ins., and 130cm/51 ins.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Lighter gear can entail tradeoffs, but these ultralight, non-adjustable folding poles are strong enough for many users in most situations. BD’s Distance Carbon Z endured a mostly off-trail, two-day backpacking trip in Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains, and a mostly off-trail, roughly 14-mile and 5,000-foot dayhike of 10,470-foot Horstman Peak in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, among many other hikes and long trail runs.

Quickly deployed to their fixed length (in five sizes), thanks to an internal Kevlar cord, these 100 percent carbon fiber poles have extended EVA foam grips and partly mesh nylon wrist straps. They fold to a tiny 33 centimeters/13 inches (for the 110-centimeter size). Yes, they are non-adjustable, but the broad size range covers most users and adjustability is a modest compromise for weight this loss and packability is more important to this category of users. One caveat: Under rare stresses, carbon will sheer or snap.

See my full review of the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles.

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Gossamer Gear LT5
Score: 4.3
Best for: lightweight and ultralight backpackers and hikers.
$195, 10 oz./283.5g (per pair, without baskets)
One size, adjustable 105-130cm/41 to 53 ins.
gossamergear.com

Weighing (per pair) about as much as a lightweight down jacket—and less than five ounces of water—the minimalist, collapsible LT5 poles stand up to more abuse than they’d receive on many well-maintained trails, as I discovered on a 74-mile backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon, including a 15-mile day traversing most of the rugged Escalante Route; on a seven-day, 96-mile traverse of the extremely rugged Wind River High Route, two-thirds of which is off-trail; on a four-day, 45-mile hike through Yosemite; and trekking hut-to-hut on New Zealand’s Routeburn and Milford tracks in late spring.

The carbon shafts extend from 105 to 130 centimeters/41.3 to 51 inches, long enough for all but the tallest hikers; and while their collapsed length of 60 centimeters/23.5 inches isn’t very packable compared to folding poles, it’s a little better than most collapsible poles. Although the twist-lock mechanism doesn’t lock as securely as a lever, they have rarely failed me. The LT5 poles offer the performance needed by many hikers, backpackers—especially lightweight and ultralight—climbers, and others.

See my full review of the Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles at gossamergear.com.

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Lightweight Poles

Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ
Score: 4.4
Best for: ultra-runners and -hikers and lightweight and ultralight backpackers.
$220, 12.7 oz./pair (105-125cm, with trekking baskets)
Five adjustable sizes: men’s and women’s 95-110cm/37-43.3 ins. and 110-125cm/43.3-49 ins., men’s 125-140cm/49-55.1 ins.
blackdiamondequipment.com

BD’s folding, carbon fiber Distance Carbon FLZ hit a sweet spot between the most packable, ultralight poles and models only marginally heavier and less packable and offer greater versatility through their adjustability. On dayhikes and trail runs of up to 15 miles in Idaho’s Boulder and Pioneer Mountains and Boise Foothills and a 10-mile, 3,600-vertical-foot dayhike on a trail strewn with wet, slippery rocks and mud in New Hampshire’s White Mountains—as well as backpacking trips on the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier and in the Wind River Range and The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park—I found they perform very much like the Distance Carbon Z and are tough enough for backpacking.

Quickly deployed and adjusted using BD’s FlickLock levers, they have extended EVA foam grips and partly mesh nylon wrist straps. The five adjustable sizes will accommodate virtually any user. If you’re looking for the lightest and most packable adjustable poles, look no further.

See my full review of the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ trekking and running poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to buy the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ poles at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.

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Montem Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
Score: 4.1
Best for: many backpackers, hikers, and climbers.
$90, 14 oz./396.9g (per pair, with trekking baskets)
One size, adjustable 105-135 cm/41 to 53 ins.
montemlife.com

The biggest question with inexpensive gear is always: Will it work? And best way to answer that question is to field test it in places that are hard on gear. From six days on the Grand Canyon’s 60-mile Gems Route to backpacking Utah’s rugged Owl and Fish canyons loop, plus dayhiking in Capitol Reef and Bryce Canyon national parks and on two of the steepest, meanest trails in my local Foothills in Idaho, Montem’s Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles stood up to really hard hiking with only the loss of trekking baskets as a demerit.

Like Montem’s even less-expensive Ultra Strong Poles (below), the adjustability range—105 to 135 centimeters/41.3 to 53 inches—beats poles costing much more plus these have flick-lock levers, extended EVA foam grips, and adjustable straps; and the collapsed length of 61 centimeters/24 inches compares to the most packable telescoping poles. But these poles add the low weight and strength of carbon fiber.

See my full review of the Montem Ultra Light Trekking Poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the Montem Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles at montemlife.com.

Get 15 percent off any purchase at montemlife.com using the exclusive discount code BIGOUT15MOG.

Get the right pack for you. See “The 10 Best Backpacking Packs”
and the best ultralight backpacks.

Sturdiest Poles

MSR DynaLock Ascent
Score: 4.5
Best for: many backpackers, hikers, and climbers.
$190, 1 lb. 1 oz./481.9g (per pair, 100-120cm, with trekking baskets)
Two sizes, adjustable: S 100-120cm/39-47.2 ins., L 120-140cm/47.2-55.1 ins.
backcountry.com

These three-section, folding poles find a unique balance of three qualities: durability, exceptional packability, and adjustability in folding poles. In the backcountry, they stand out for being tough and stable, proving their value on outings from backpacking in the Wind River Range and a 20-mile, mostly off-trail peaks traverse in Idaho’s Sawtooths to a rim-to-rim dayhike across the Grand Canyon, a six-day hut trek on Iceland’s Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails, and some of the hardest miles on the Appalachian Trail.

The toughness owes to their bombproof, Kevlar-reinforced, all-carbon construction; I’ve never seen a hint of durability shortcomings. The adjustability range of 20cm in each of two sizes serves virtually all users. The packed length of a mere 36.2 centimeters/14.3 inches (for the small size) ranks among the most packable trekking poles. The sections lock rigidly with a simple pin and the Dynalock levers never slipped. There’s much to like and nothing to complain about with MSR’s Dynalock Ascent poles.

See my full review of the MSR Dynalock Ascent trekking poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the MSR Dynalock Ascent Trekking Poles at backcountry.com.

Want a pair of sturdy, four-season poles for just $90? Check out the MSR Dynalock Trail Backcountry Poles (1 lb. 5 oz./590g) at backcountry.com.

Get the right synthetic or down puffy to keep you warm. See “The 12 Best Down Jackets.”

 

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork
Score: 4.1
Best for: many backpackers, hikers, climbers, and snow sports users.
$230, 1 lb. 1.5 oz./496.1g (per pair, with trekking baskets)
Two sizes, adjustable: men’s 100-130cm/39-51 ins., women’s 95-125cm/37-49 ins.
blackdiamondequipment.com

From a 94-mile traverse of Glacier National Park and a rugged, 74-mile hike in the Grand Canyon, among other backpacking trips, to backcountry skiing and scrambling off-trail up mountains, BD’s collapsible Alpine Carbon Cork poles have proved tough enough for any activity year-round.

The 100 percent carbon shafts have extended grips and provide good durability while keeping the weight modest. Adjustable from 100 to 130 centimeters/39 to 51 inches, they can effectively be used at any length basically down to their packed length of 61 centimeters/24 inches—a range comparable to many poles, serving all but very tall hikers (though not competing with poles offering the widest adjustability ranges). The FlickLock Pro levers are basically flawless. Two complaints: They’re not very packable and adjusting the lever tension requires a tiny Allen wrench, rather than a screwdriver head that would be found on many multi-tools or knives.

See my full review of the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles at backcountry.com, blackdiamondequipment.com, or rei.com.

Get the right tent for you. See “The 10 Best Backpacking Tents”
and “5 Expert Tips For Buying a Backpacking Tent.”

Leki Makalu FX Carbon
Score: 4.2
Best for: many backpackers, hikers, climbers, and other users.
$230, 1 lb. 1.9 oz./508g (per pair, with trekking baskets)
One size, adjustable 110-130cm/43.3-51.2 ins.
backcountry.com

With their good adjustability, packability, durability, comfort, reliability, and especially versatility, I increasingly found myself reaching for the Leki Makalu FX Carbon folding poles for backpacking in places as rugged as the Wind River Range, High Sierra, Canadian Rockies, and High Uintas Wilderness.

These folding poles extend to a length range that will accommodate most users: 110 to 130 centimeters/43.3 to 51.2 inches, while also packing away to just 40 centimeters/15.7 inches, nearly as compact as the most packable folding poles. While the Makalu FX Carbon weigh 17.9 ounces/508 grams per pair, placing them in a category with the heaviest hiking poles, the comfortable, extended Aergon Air foam grips help the poles seem to feel lighter. Lastly, precious few folding poles—all sharing the advantage of being very packable—possess the adjustability to serve the needs of a wide range of user sizes and can be used with trekking-pole tents. That’s a rare degree of versatility.

See my full review of the Leki Makalu FX Carbon folding trekking poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Leki Makalu FX Carbon trekking poles at backcountry.com, lekiusa.com, or rei.com.

Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles
Score: 4.1
Best for: many backpackers, hikers, climbers, and snow sports users.
$160, 1 lb. 1.9 oz./508g (per pair, with trekking baskets)
One size, adjustable 100-135cm/39.4-53 ins.
backcountry.com

The price of these hiking sticks might catch your eye first—but their versatility is also alluring. And they performed solidly on steep hikes like Idaho’s high point, 12,662-foot Borah Peak, with 5,262 feet of vertical in 4.1 miles, as well as on dayhikes in places like Capitol Reef National Park and a backpacking trip in Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon, where I started out with about 40 pounds, including eight liters (17 pounds) of water.

The adjustability range of 100 to 135 centimeters/39.4 to 53 inches in these telescoping poles is as versatile as you will find, accommodating virtually every user and making them suitable for tents that pitch with trekking poles. The adjustment levers are reliable and extended cork and foam grips and easily adjustable straps are nice features. Bummers: The collapsed length of 67 centimeters/26.4 inches makes them among the least packable hiking poles; and aluminum shafts make them heavier than most poles—but also sturdier.

See my full review of the Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles at backcountry.com, lekiusa.com, or rei.com.

Montem Ultra Strong
Score: 4.1
Best for: many backpackers and hikers on a budget.
$75, 1 lb. 3 oz./538.6g (per pair, with trekking baskets)
One size, adjustable 105-135cm/41.3-53 ins.
montemlife.com

If cost is a barrier, these collapsible sticks are your answer. From the rugged, 25-mile Thunder River-Deer Creek Loop in the Grand Canyon to a four-day hike in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains and other backpacking trips, Montem’s 7075 aluminum shafts suffered no damage—although the piece attaching the upper lever mechanism to the shaft broke on one pole after a few years (there’s a lifetime warranty).

The very good adjustability range—105 to 135 centimeters/41.3 to 53 inches—beats poles costing much more. Like pricier models, these have flick-lock levers, extended EVA foam grips, and adjustable straps. While the collapsed length of 61 centimeters/24 inches compares to the most packable telescoping poles, they are not, of course, nearly as packable as folding poles. Tradeoffs: The levers occasionally slipped—in rugged terrain, not on moderate trails—and the poles are heavy. But ask yourself: Do you want to pay a lot more to avoid such minor tradeoffs?

See my full review of the Montem Ultra Strong trekking poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the Montem Ultra Strong trekking poles at montemlife.com.

Get 15 percent off any purchase at montemlife.com using the exclusive discount code BIGOUT15MOG.

See all reviews of trekking poles, “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles.” and all reviews of backpacking gear and hiking gear at The Big Outside.

And don’t miss my popular reviews of “25 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories” and “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/the-best-trekking-poles-of-2020/feed/ 21 38673 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-makalu-fx-carbon-folding-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-makalu-fx-carbon-folding-trekking-poles/#respond Tue, 16 Sep 2025 21:10:42 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=68209 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
Leki Makalu FX Carbon Poles
$230, 1 lb. 1.9 oz./508g (per pair)
One size, adjustable 110-130cm/43.3-51.2 ins.
backcountry.com

What qualities are you looking for in trekking poles? How about good adjustability, packability, durability, comfort, reliability, and especially versatility? Those adjectives all describe the Leki Makalu FX Carbon folding poles—which I increasingly found myself reaching for when choosing poles for backpacking trips in places as rugged as the Wind River Range, High Sierra, Canadian Rockies, High Uintas, and more. In fact, I can point to just one drawback to them—although in this case, I question whether it can even be called that.

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I’ve used the Makalu FX Carbon poles on a six-day, 64-mile hike through the Wind River Range with an ultralight tent that pitches with trekking poles, and a previous five-day, 43-mile hike in the Winds; a four-day, 38-mile backpacking trip in Idaho’s Sawtooths, including several miles of off-trail hiking that involved a fair bit of large, loose talus and scree; a nine-day hike of nearly 130 miles through the High Sierra, mostly on the John Muir Trail with some off-trail detours off it, starting with 18 pounds of food and a pack tipping a bit over 40 pounds; a four-day, 60-mile hike in Utah’s High Uintas Wilderness; three-day hikes on both the Skyline Trail in Jasper National Park and the Nigel, Cataract, and Cline Passes Route in the Canadian Rockies, plus dayhikes in those parks; and on three-day backpacking trips on a section of the Arizona Trail and in Arizona’s Aravaipa Canyon.

For starters, these adjustable, three-section, folding poles extend to a length range that will accommodate most users: 110 to 130 centimeters/43.3 to 51.2 inches. Length adjusts using a simple push-button mechanism to release tension on the pole and Speedlock 2 Plus lever locks that never failed, even in rugged terrain. The lever’s tension easily adjusts by turning a tiny dial with your fingers, no tool required.

Plus, their max length of 130 centimeters make them usable with many tents that pitch with trekking poles—and that is not the case with many trekking poles, which either are not long enough for those tents (which usually require a pole that reaches 130 to 135 centimeters), or they come in different adjustable sizes, with no size that accommodates both shorter or even average-height hikers and tents that pitch with trekking poles. I pitched my ultralight Hyperlite Mountain Gear Mid-1 using these poles for five nights in the Winds and it remained very stable in strong gusts some evenings.

The collapsed length of 40 centimeters/15.7 inches ranks them only slightly longer than the most packable folding poles (which are all far more packable than telescoping poles). That means you can attach them to the outside of any backpacking pack or daypack without them getting in the way and they readily fit even in carry-on luggage.

Plan your next great backpacking trip on the Wonderland Trail, Teton Crest Trail,
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The weight of the Makalu FX Carbon—17.9 ounces/508 grams per pair—places them in a category with the heaviest hiking poles. But they are more durable than lighter poles, a selling point in rocky terrain and to backpackers who use trekking-pole tents. Backpacking in Idaho’s Sawtooths, I leaned hard on these poles during an off-trail crossing of a steep slope consisting of large, loose talus and scree, and they didn’t fail me. Also, the carbon shafts strike a balance between good durability while maintaining a lower weight than would be the case with aluminum (which is generally more durable).

Plus, the Makalu FX Carbon have such comfortable, extended Aergon Air foam grips—thanks in part to the oversized head (or top) of the pole, very helpful on steep and/or long descents—that they swing easily and seem to feel lighter than they are. I don’t think ultralight backpackers and hikers would be disappointed with these sticks (though I wouldn’t recommend them to mountain runners—too heavy for that). They also have easily adjustable wrist straps.

Lastly, a key point: Precious few folding poles—all sharing the advantage of being very packable—possess the adjustability to serve the needs of a wide range of user sizes and can be used with trekking-pole tents. Lighter folding poles may be more susceptible to breaking.

These poles also have the usual carbide tips found on all high-quality trekking poles.

The aluminum Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles weigh exactly the same as the Makalu FX Carbon Folding, but have a collapsible/telescoping design and cost $70 less.

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Leki Makalu FX Carbon Trekking Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

While they’re among the heavier trekking poles out there, the Leki Makalu FX Carbon poles achieve a rare degree of versatility by combining the excellent packability of folding poles with an adjustability range that suits many users and the durability and length for using with trekking-pole tents. For that, these poles will appeal to a variety of backpackers, dayhikers, climbers, and others.

4.2

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Leki Makalu FX Carbon trekking poles at backcountry.com or lekiusa.com.

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear at The Big Outside.

And don’t miss my popular reviews of “25 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories” and “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

I’ve helped many readers plan unforgettable backpacking and hiking trips.
Want my help with yours? Click here now.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my stories “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be,” “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-book versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures.
Join now for full access to ALL stories and get a free e-book!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-makalu-fx-carbon-folding-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 68209 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-makalu-cork-lite-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-makalu-cork-lite-trekking-poles/#respond Sat, 16 Aug 2025 13:57:03 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=67983 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles
$160, 1 lb. 1.9 oz./508g (per pair)
One size, adjustable 100-135cm/39.4-53 ins.
backcountry.com

The first detail to catch your attention with the Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles is likely going to be the price—it’s significantly lower than many leading models of hiking poles. But look deeper into the specs and these poles grow more appealing, including a broad range of adjustability and very good durability. From hiking Idaho’s highest peak and in my local foothills to dayhikes and backpacking in southern Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park and Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon, these poles performed and held up in ways that convinced me they may be the best value in trekking poles today.

Borah Peak, Idaho’s high point at 12,662 feet, put these poles to the test as much as my legs: The standard route ascends 5,262 feet in 4.1 miles from trailhead to summit (8.2 miles up and down), or almost 1,300 feet per mile, a relentlessly steep hike where I leaned hard on these poles going uphill and on the endless, quad-pounding descent. I used them on a very similar two-lap training hike of a favorite hike in my local Boise Foothills called Cervidae Peak, where the trail ascends about 2,000 vertical feet in just 2.2 miles; two laps made it about 8.5 miles and nearly 4,000 feet, and I had no slips on the steep descents of pebbly and sandy trail.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-books to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

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I also used these poles on a 10-mile dayhike in Capitol Reef National Park (Grand Wash, Frying Pan Trail, Cohab Canyon) and an overnight backpacking trip in Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon, starting with about 40 pounds, including eight liters (17 pounds) of water.

For starters, these three-section, telescoping/collapsible poles extend to as broad a range of lengths for hiking as you will find in trekking poles: 100 to 135 centimeters/39.4 to 53 inches—accommodating virtually every user from adults well over six feet tall to young kids because the poles are useable even when adjusted shorter than 100 centimeters.

Plus, they are long enough to use with tents that pitch with trekking poles, which is not the case with many trekking poles, which either are not long enough for those tents (which usually require a pole that extends to 130 to 135 centimeters), or come in different adjustable sizes, with no size that accommodates both shorter or even average-height hikers and tents that pitch with trekking poles.

Plan your next great backpacking trip on the Wonderland Trail, Teton Crest Trail,
in Yosemite or other parks using my expert e-books.

The SpeedLock+ adjustment levers have proved very reliable, never slipping on me, even on long, steep descents like Borah Peak, and the tension on them is easily adjusted using fingers—no tool required (as with some other poles, which has always struck me as an annoying and unnecessary design shortcoming).

The Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles have two weak points. First, the collapsed length of 67 centimeters/26.4 inches ranks them among the longest telescoping poles when packed (which are much less packable than folding poles). Still, you can attach them to the outside of a backpacking pack without them getting in the way; and you can certainly throw them onto a daypack, but they will simply stick out above the top of most daypacks.

Second, their weight of 17.9 ounces/508 grams per pair ranks them among the heaviest hiking poles—but that also translates to high durability, thanks to the all-aluminum shafts.

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While these poles aren’t the likely choice of ultralight backpackers or dayhikers, that weight isn’t really a deal-breaker for many typical backpackers, hikers, and others.

Lastly, the ergonomic, Aergon Air Thermo cork grips feel comfortable, including the large knob on top for resting palms on when going downhill, and foam grips extend down the upper shaft, ideal for ascending very steep trails, off-trail terrain, or backcountry touring. The easily adjustable nylon straps are comfortable on my wrists for hours and the poles have the usual carbide tips found on all high-quality trekking poles.

I’ve helped many readers plan unforgettable backpacking and hiking trips.
Want my help with yours? Click here now.

 

Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

Although not very packable and a bit heavy, the Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles have a broad and versatile range of adjustability, excellent durability—and a highly competitive price compared with many of the best models, making them an appealing choice for backpackers, dayhikers, climbers, and other users.

4.1

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles at backcountry.com, lekiusa.com, or rei.com.

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear at The Big Outside.

And don’t miss my popular reviews of “25 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories” and “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my stories “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be,” “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-book versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures.
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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-makalu-cork-lite-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 67983 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-choose-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-choose-trekking-poles/#respond Wed, 02 Apr 2025 09:00:00 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=38716 Read on

]]> By Michael Lanza

You want trekking poles for backpacking, dayhiking, running mountain trails, ski touring, or other backcountry activities, but the abundance of models and designs out there can seem overwhelming. Collapsible or folding, ultralight or heavier and sturdier, adjustable or not—which style is best for you? Save yourself a lot of time and the expense of making the wrong choice. This article will explain the key differences between models of trekking poles and how to choose the right poles for your needs.

My tips come from thousands of trail and off-trail miles using every type of pole out there on backpacking trips, dayhikes, mountain climbs and scrambles, ultra-trail runs and dayhikes, and backcountry skiing over more than a quarter-century of testing and reviewing gear, including 10 years as the lead gear reviewer for Backpacker magazine and even longer for this blog.

See my review of “The Best Trekking Poles” and my “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles.”

Like many stories at The Big Outside, part of this story is free for anyone to read, but reading all of it—including tips you may not find from other sources—is an exclusive benefit for readers with a paid subscription to The Big Outside.

Click on any photo below to read about that trip. Share your own tips or questions in the comments section at the bottom of this story. I try to respond to all comments.

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What to Look for in Trekking Poles

Look closely at trekking poles and you will see they are not nearly all the same. In fact, poles differ in many significant ways besides price and weight, including:

• Adjustable or fixed length (not adjustable)
• Adjustability range
• Collapsible or folding
• Collapsed or folded (packed) length
• Features like the length-adjusting mechanism, straps, and grips
• Materials used in the shafts, grips, and straps
• Durability
• Recommended uses

The poles you buy should match the type and style of activities for which you will use them.. Consider these factors when shopping:

Price

• From around $60 to well over $200, trekking poles come in a huge range of prices.
• Price is often driven by materials—you’ll pay extra for lightweight, strong carbon fiber shafts and soft cork grips.

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Weight

• While the weight of poles may not seem to differ much at first glance, it becomes noticeable the more miles you hike with poles in your hands.
• Their weight—as well as packed length—also matter when the poles are attached to your pack at times while hiking.
• Among the models reviewed here, the heaviest are about twice the weight of the lightest.
• Benefits of lighter poles include decreased arm fatigue and often better packability.
• Tradeoffs sometimes, but not always, include a higher price and less durability or strength for hard use and for pitching an ultralight tent using trekking poles.

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Materials

• Hiking poles are generally built with either aluminum or carbon fiber or a combination of both.
• Aluminum is heavier, less expensive, and more prone to bending under heavy pressure but not breaking—so they typically last longer.
• Carbon fiber is lighter and easier to carry, especially on longer days in the backcountry; but also more expensive, and in some ways stronger, but can also snap, although that occurs only in unusual circumstances.
• Heavier poles are generally more durable, especially for hard use; but I’ve had some ultralight poles for years of trail hiking without breaking them.

Collapsible

• Collapsible poles have two or three sections that telescope or collapse together for transport and storage and extend to a range of lengths for use.
• These typically employ a twist- or lever-locking mechanism or retractable, spring-loaded pin to lock the sections in place.
• Note the packed length of these poles: It can vary significantly, which matters when you’re attaching them to the outside of a pack—especially a small pack—or putting them in luggage.

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Matching Trekking Poles and Users

Type of Trekking Pole	Recommended Use
Ultralight, folding poles	Best for users who prioritize minimal weight and packability, including lightweight/ultralight backpackers, thru-hikers, dayhikers, and ultra-hikers and runners.
Ultralight, adjustable, collapsible poles	Best for backpackers, dayhikers, climbers, and others seeking a balance between reasonable strength, durability, and low weight, and lightweight/ultralight backpackers using tents that pitch with trekking poles.
Lightweight, collapsible poles	Best for many backpackers, dayhikers, and climbers who want one versatile pair of poles that balance strength and moderate weight.
Sturdier and heavier, collapsible or folding poles	Best for users who prioritize durability and crossover to multiple activities over low weight, including backpackers carrying moderate to heavy loads, dayhikers, backcountry skiers and split-boarders, snowshoers, and anyone climbing mountains and hiking off-trail.

See “The 10 Best Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” plus all reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear at The Big Outside.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-book versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips at The Big Outside.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/how-to-choose-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 38716 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-montem-ultra-light-100-carbon-fiber-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-montem-ultra-light-100-carbon-fiber-trekking-poles/#respond Sat, 15 Jun 2024 12:25:37 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=63555 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
Montem Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
$90, 14 oz./396.9g (per pair)
$One size, adjustable 105-135cm
montemlife.com

The biggest question with inexpensive gear is always: Will it work? And best way to answer that question is to field test it in places that are hard on gear. Backpacking six days on the Grand Canyon’s Gems Route, five days in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains, and three days on southern Utah’s rugged Owl and Fish canyons loop, and dayhiking in a couple of southern Utah national parks and on two of the steepest, meanest trails in my local Foothills, I found that Montem’s remarkably affordable Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles met virtually all the demands I placed on them through some very hard use and left me with only a couple of relatively minor critiques.

These poles helped me confidently carry a backpack up and down very steep and loose trails on a six-day, 60-mile hike on the Grand Canyon’s Gems Route in mid-April—starting with more than 40 pounds in my pack, including 11 pounds of food and over 10 pounds of water, on our first day descending the steep and frequently loose South Bass Trail. That was followed by going up and down more steep and loose sections of the Tonto Trail West where it dropped into and climbed out of tributary canyons; and finally, on our last day, ascending some 3,400 vertical feet up the Hermit Trail.

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The poles did the same for me on the route through Owl and Fish canyons in early May, which involves hiking and third-class scrambling very steep canyon walls, crossing sloping slickrock, walking over bowling ball-size rocks, and slogging across soft sand. In the Beartooths, we used these poles to pitch an ultralight tent, which held up quite well in strong winds in a couple of camps.

I also used them dayhiking about nine miles and 2,000 feet up and down the Navajo Knobs Trail in Capitol Reef National Park and the eight-mile, nearly 2,000-foot Fairyland Loop in Bryce Canyon National Park in early May; as well as on two steep dayhikes in my local Foothills: Mount Heinen, 10 miles with 4,000 feet of up and down, and Cervidae Peak, 4.5 miles with 2,000 feet of vertical.

For starters, the price is unbeatable for quality trekking poles—especially a pair made entirely of lightweight and strong carbon fiber. (Although carbon fiber can, under unusual stresses, sheer and break, something I’ve only seen happen two or three times over many years and miles using carbon poles.)

But the merits of Montem’s Ultralight 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles don’t stop at the 365-days-a-year clearance-sale price. These three-section, telescoping/collapsible poles extend to a wide range for hiking of 105 to 135 centimeters/41 to 53 inches—accommodating virtually every user from adults well over six feet tall to short adults and young kids because the poles are useable even when adjusted shorter than 105 centimeters.

They are longer than some telescoping poles—and long enough to use with tents that pitch with trekking poles. And they collapse to 61 centimeters/24 inches, comparable to the most packable telescoping poles (which are much less packable than folding poles).

Lightweight at 14 ounces/396.9 grams for the pair (15.2 ounces/430.9 grams with the rubber tips), they fall right in the middle of the weight range of trekking poles; their weight, relative strength, and the collapsible/telescoping design make them best suited to hiking and backpacking on or off-trail, fitness walking, and perhaps backcountry ski touring; they’re a bit on the heavy side and not compact enough when collapsed for mountain trail running or ultra-running.

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The Flick-Lock locking levers for adjusting the poles’ length required playing with a few times to get the tension right and prevent the poles from collapsing when weighted—they initially slipped a few times for me, but locked properly and didn’t slip again once I figured out the correct amount of tension. That tension is also controlled by tiny knobs easily turned with your fingers—no tool required (as with some other poles, which has always struck me as an annoying and unnecessary design shortcoming).

The ergonomic EVA foam grip extends down the upper shaft, ideal for ascending steep trails, off-trail terrain, or backcountry touring. The easily adjustable nylon straps are comfortable on my wrists for hours and the poles have the usual carbide tips found on all trekking poles of any quality.

Biggest demerit: I lost both trekking baskets on my first backpacking trip with them, in the Grand Canyon, one within the first two hours of the first day, simply because they’re not well fitted to the tips of the poles’ lowest shafts. All in all, though, I haven’t much noticed not having them (and you’d only notice their absence when hiking through soft ground, like a lot of soft mud). The poles also come with rubber tips for slickrock and mostly rocky trails; you’d need snow baskets to use the poles for backcountry touring.

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Montem Ultralight 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

Despite a couple of relatively minor flaws, for hikers, backpackers, and others on a budget—or who are simply loath to spend more when there’s a more affordable option that works perfectly fine—it’s hard to beat the value and cost-to-performance of the Montem Ultralight 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles.

4.1

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the Montem Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles at montemlife.com.

Get 15 percent off any purchase at montemlife.com using the exclusive discount code BIGOUT15MOG.

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear at The Big Outside.

And don’t miss my popular reviews of “25 Essential Backpacking Gear Accessories” and “The Best Backpacking Gear” of the year.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my stories “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be,” “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “How to Plan a Backpacking Trip—12 Expert Tips,” the lightweight and ultralight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See The Big Outside’s Gear Reviews page for categorized menus of all gear reviews and expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures.
Join now for full access to ALL stories and get a free e-book!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-montem-ultra-light-100-carbon-fiber-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 63555 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-mc-12-vario-trekking-and-running-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-mc-12-vario-trekking-and-running-poles/#respond Fri, 28 May 2021 13:35:27 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=46175 Read on

]]> Trekking and Running Poles
Leki MC 12 Vario
$250, 15 oz./pair (men’s 110-130cm pair, without stuff sack)
Sizes: men’s 110-130cm, women’s 100-120cm
moosejaw.com

If you think that nerding out on the “performance” aspect of trekking and trail-running poles just goes too over the top for you, don’t bother reading any further. But if you’re a serious hiker, trail runner, or backpacker who likes the idea of light, strong, adjustable, and very packable poles designed to help you conserve energy and possibly even move faster and go farther, you need to know about Leki’s innovative MC 12 Vario.

Folding, four-section, adjustable poles—a category with only a few competitors—the MC 12 Vario and all of Leki’s Cross Trail series poles share the unique feature of the Cross Shark strap and grip. Based on the quick-release trigger shark grip developed for Nordic ski poles, the hook-and-loop strap wraps and seals around the hand, while a button on top of the grip, easily depressed with your thumb, releases the strap to free your hand from the pole without constantly having to rip the strap off and on. Depressing that button lets you slide the strap back into place for using the poles.

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Plus, the enhanced width of the MC 12 Vario strap—adjustable for different hand sizes or wearing lightweight gloves, while its perforated mesh releases perspiration—and the ergonomic shape of the grips feel more supportive and comfortable.

As I found on multi-hour outings on my local trails—including hiking a very steep trail that rises 2,000 vertical feet in just 2.2 miles, when I certainly adjusted the poles’ length differently for going up versus down—the design elevates your control of these sticks when hiking or running, enabling a quick swing, plant, and push-off that’s faster and more energy efficient then standard, simple pole straps. It also creates less hand fatigue because you hardly have to grip the poles. The sub-one-pound weight of the poles enhances the ease of swinging the poles.

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This design will appeal most to ultra-hikers, runners, and racers on mountain trails as well as dayhikers and backpackers who value light and highly functional trekking poles. But thanks to the quick-release shark mechanism, even hikers and backpackers who prefer pole straps they can easily slide their hands in and out of without having to open and close a hook-and-loop strap each time get the added performance without sacrificing convenience. These poles let you have your cake and eat it, too.

The 100 percent highly modular (HM) carbon construction makes the poles light and strong (although carbon can sheer under rare stresses). The extended open-pore, sweat-absorbing foam grips with a cork appearance let you hold the poles below the straps, useful in steep terrain or when briefly carrying the poles by your side. A grid surface on the lower grips keeps sweaty hands or gloves from slipping,

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Using the poles once or twice quickly familiarizes you with the simple, somewhat unique method for engaging and folding them. The Core Locking Device (CLD) provides secure locking and quick length adjustability. To engage the poles, open the locking lever and pull the second shaft section out of the upper section as far as it extends, locking the lower shaft sections in place; a click and red “lock” line on the second section indicate the maximum extension. Then set to the desired length and close the lever.

To fold the poles for storage, open the lever, extend the second section to the red “lock” line until it clicks, then slide the second section completely into the upper one, fold the two lower sections and close the lever.

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A small dial on the CLD lever adjusts its tension—easily done with your fingers, requiring no tool. The poles lack a mechanism for locking them in the folded position, making the included stuff sack—which weighs barely more than an ounce—the only means of containing them.

The pole’s length range is 110cm to 130cm in the men’s and 110cm to 120cm in the women’s (which otherwise differ little, women and men can probably use either model). While comparable to other folding, adjustable poles, that’s not as broad an adjustability range as many collapsible (or telescoping) poles have and not long enough to use with some ultralight tents that pitch with trekking poles, but similar to the range of many models. However, that adjustability range will suit most hikers, backpackers, and runners, while the poles weigh less and are more compact when folded than other highly durable models. 

The folded length of 42cm/16.5 inches, while not quite as short as other folding pole models, allows these poles to attach unobtrusively to the outside of a running vest or small daypack and fit inside just about any luggage, even many carry-ons.

If you want all the performance of the MC 12 Vario poles without the Cross Shark strap and grip, see my review of the very similar Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series poles.

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Leki MC 12 Vario Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

For many hikers, mountain runners, backpackers, and climbers who like the idea of poles that combine low weight, strength, packability, and exceptional performance—especially (though not only) for speed and long distances—the Leki MC 12 Vario poles have one-of-a-kind functionality.

4.2

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the men’s or the women’s Leki MC 12 Vario poles at backcountry.com or Moosejaw.com.

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

Was this review helpful?

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Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

 

See also why I almost never hike without poles in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier,” and my “8 Pro Tips for Preventing Blisters When Hiking.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-mc-12-vario-trekking-and-running-poles/feed/ 0 46175 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rei-flash-folding-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rei-flash-folding-trekking-poles/#respond Tue, 28 Apr 2020 16:43:42 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=39253 Read on

]]> Trekking and Running Poles
REI Flash Folding Trekking Poles
$149, 14 oz. (115cm)
Sizes: 105, 115, 125, and 135cm
rei.com

When I brought these poles and another pair that are collapsible (not folding)—and virtually the same weight—on a 12-mile trail run-hike in the Foothills, swapping poles with a partner, it quickly became clear that we both preferred these poles. A middleweight in this category, the REI Flash Foldingpoles fill a desirable niche as the most affordable among the handful of the most packable, folding models. Beyond a good price, though, they bring other strengths that prove them very functional on the trail.

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Using these three-section, non-adjustable, folding poles on dayhikes and runs on local trails, I liked how light they felt whether swinging them while hiking up or downhill, or holding them mid-shaft while running short sections of flatter trail. Plus, the shafts have a visibly wider diameter than the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z or Distance Carbon FLZ poles, conceivably making them more durable, although carbon poles only snap or shear under unusual stresses.

At 14 ounces per pair, thanks to the 100 percent carbon shafts, they aren’t quite ultralight—although that depends on where you draw the line for ultralight poles, they are four ounces heavier than the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z and the Gossamer Gear LT5. Still, they fall on the lighter of the scale among poles I consider “lightweight” (weighing 14 to 16 ounces per pair).

They deploy quickly with a depressible pin that locks the shaft sections into place with a solid, secure sound, and they remain quite rigid in use, enough for carrying a full backpack. Packing down to 37-46cm/14.5-18 ins. when folded (varying with size; the 115cm poles measure 39.4cm/15.5 inches folded), they are not quite as compact as four other folding models among my picks for the best trekking poles. Still, they are far more packable than any collapsible poles and attach easily and unobtrusively to the outside of a small daypack or a running vest.

The ergonomic, extended, EVA foam grips and the adjustable wrist straps are slightly wider than found on the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z, and the grips extend farther down the shaft. But the REI Flash are also four ounces heavier than the Distance Carbon Z.

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Tungsten carbide tips bite into packed-dirt and similarly loose trail surfaces, but like any carbide tip, can skitter a bit on rock such as Southwest slickrock or the rocky trails of the Northeast. Unlike the BD Distance Carbon series poles, the Flash do not come with an interchangeable tip that grips better on rock; the soft caps that come with these poles are intended only for storage and travel and would likely get chewed up quickly (or pop off and get lost) if used on rocky trails.

The very low-profile trekking baskets minimize weight but still provide functionality, keeping the poles on top of mud.

As with carbon poles of comparable weight, these poles will be less durable than heavier models. Nonetheless, they are tough enough for lightweight or ultralight backpacking and strenuous dayhikes on rocky trails. (If you’re carrying more than 35 to 40 pounds, you might as well get sturdier, heavier poles. See other models in my review of “The Best Trekking Poles.”)

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REI Flash Folding Trekking Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

The REI Flash Folding trekking and running poles are the most affordable lightweight, folding, highly packable poles out there, making them an appealing choice for lightweight and ultralight backpackers, dayhikers, and trail runners.

3.6

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affiliate link to purchase the REI Flash Folding trekking and running poles at rei.com.

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If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

 

Want an even more-affordable pair of carbon poles that weigh only an ounce more, but are not nearly as packable as the REI Flash Folding poles? See the collapsible REI Flash Carbon Trekking Poles ($139, 15 oz.).

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

See also why I almost never hike without poles in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier,” and my “8 Pro Tips for Preventing Blisters When Hiking.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

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]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-rei-flash-folding-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 39253 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-distance-carbon-flz-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-distance-carbon-flz-trekking-poles/#comments Sat, 18 Apr 2020 17:29:19 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=38660 Read on

]]> Trekking and Running Poles
Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Poles
$240, 12.7 oz./360g (per pair 105-125cm, with trekking baskets)
Five adjustable sizes: men’s and women’s 95-110cm/37-43.3 ins. and 110-125cm/43.3-49 ins., men’s 125-140cm/49-55.1 ins.
blackdiamondequipment.com

Trekking poles vary widely in weight, packability, adjustability, and durability—and the balance between those competing attributes determines their recommended uses and versatility across activities. Then there’s Black Diamond’s Distance Carbon FLZ poles, which I’ve used for everything from dayhikes and trail runs of up to 15 miles in Idaho’s Boulder and Pioneer Mountains and Boise Foothills; dayhiking the Cory Pass-Edith Pass loop in Banff National Park, about nine miles with a steep 3,400 feet of up and down; and a 10-mile, 3,600-vertical-foot October dayhike on a trail strewn with wet, slippery rocks and mud in New Hampshire’s White Mountains; to five-day backpacking trips of 77 miles on the Wonderland Trail around Mount Rainier and 47 miles in The Maze District of Canyonlands National Park, and in the Wind River Range. Their unique design hits a sweet spot for dayhikers, lightweight backpackers, and distance trail runners. Here’s why.

For starters, ranging in weight from 11 to 13 ounces per pair between the five men’s/unisex and women’s sizes, the three-section, folding, adjustable Carbon FLZ rank among the lightest poles available today, largely due to the 100 percent carbon fiber construction. On hikes and runs—including a 12-mile, more than 2,000-vertical-foot run-hike in the Pioneers and a steep run-hike with 4,000 feet of up and down in the Boulders—I found they carry and swing very much like BD’s lightest model, the 10-ounce Distance Carbon Z—you don’t readily notice that the Distance Carbon FLZ weigh two to three ounces more.

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They’re also among the most packable poles out there, measuring just 34cm to 40cm in folded length (depending on the size), short enough to carry unobtrusively when I attached them to the outside of a daypack or running vest.

The poles go from folded to deployed in a few seconds: Just hold the foam grip and the uppermost shaft and pull them apart. An internal Kevlar cord that’s protected within a flexible tube and a tiny pin in the upper shaft instantly lock the three sections into place. When deployed, the pole shafts demonstrate solid rigidity, without any looseness at the section joints. Depressing the pin releases the three sections for quick folding, and a small hook-and-loop strap secures them in the folded storage position.

The Distance Carbon FLZ FlickLock levers—while not quite as burly as the version found on heavier BD poles like the Alpine Carbon Cork and Trail Ergo Cork—never slipped on my hikes and trail runs with the poles. The 15 to 20cm of adjustable range in the three sizes of these poles comes in handy going up and down steep trails, and I found on one local peak with an overall gradient of nearly 1,000 feet per mile, and even steeper sections with pea gravel. The tension on the levers easily adjusts using a Phillips screwdriver, found on many multi-tools and Swiss Army knives.

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The EVA foam grips extend down the shaft by a hand’s width, while the easily adjustable, partly mesh nylon wrist straps sport enough width to remain comfortable over hours of use. For brief periods on a hike or run when you don’t feel a need to use the poles but don’t want to stop to fold and store them on your pack, a bar on the upper shaft marks a grip point for holding them balanced evenly in your forefinger and thumb. But the poles are also light enough to run or hike with your hands on the grips and in the straps, without poling, for short distances, too.

The poles come with plastic tips installed, which grip better on rocky trails or Southwest slickrock but skitter on trails of packed dirt, as well as interchangeable carbide tech tips, preferable on dirt trails but which can skitter on rock. Pliars are needed to loosen either tips to unscrew and change them.

The tradeoffs of the Distance Carbon FLZ’s low weight are clear: The lighter materials and construction render these poles less durable than heavier models, from the thinner shafts to the nylon cord attaching the wrist straps to the grips. Plus, under rare stresses, carbon will sheer or snap—I saw one of a friend’s Distance Carbon FLZ poles sheer while backpacking a rocky trail in the Minarets in the High Sierra, without him putting much weight on it. Still, these sticks are tough enough for lightweight or ultralight backpacking and strenuous dayhikes on rocky trails. (If you’re carrying more than 35 to 40 pounds, you might as well get sturdier, heavier poles. See other models in my review of “The Best Trekking Poles.”)

The more-affordable and durable aluminum version is the Black Diamond Distance FLZ Trekking Poles ($170, 15.7 oz.).

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Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ trekking and running poles fall on the cusp between the most ultralight and packable poles and models that are marginally heavier and less packable—a nominal tradeoff for the versatility gained through their adjustability. That’s why I rate them higher than any other poles I’ve reviewed. For backpackers, dayhikers, and trail runners who want it all—low weight, packability and adjustability—these poles are a clear top choice.

4.4

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to buy the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ poles at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.

Was this review helpful?

If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

 

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

See also why I almost never hike without poles in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier,” and my “8 Pro Tips for Preventing Blisters When Hiking.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

Let The Big Outside help you find the best adventures. 
Join now to read ALL stories and get a free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-distance-carbon-flz-trekking-poles/feed/ 6 38660 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-black-diamond-distance-carbon-z-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-black-diamond-distance-carbon-z-poles/#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2020 10:00:33 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=15526 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles
$200, 10 oz./264g (per pair 110cm, with trekking baskets)
Five sizes, non-adjustable: 110cm/43.3 ins., 115cm/45.3 ins., 120cm/47.2 ins., 125cm/49 ins., and 130cm/51 ins.
blackdiamondequipment.com

With gear, exceptionally low weight often means compromising functionality, durability, or both. With Black Diamond’s Distance Carbon Z Poles, though, there’s little compromise. On a mostly off-trail, two-day backpacking trip to Quiet Lake in Idaho’s White Cloud Mountains; another mostly off-trail, roughly 14-mile and 5,000-foot dayhike of 10,470-foot Horstman Peak and traverse of the Monolith Valley in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains; and a 6.4-mile, 1,400-foot, on-trail hike up 10,243-foot Mount Washburn in Yellowstone National Park, I found the strengths of these poles far outweighed the one shortcoming that helps make them so light.

Every hiker, backpacker, and climber should use trekking poles—in most circumstances, there’s no good reason to not use them—and lighter poles are easier on your wrists and arms over the course of many miles. One of the two lightest models of trekking poles I’ve reviewed at this blog, the Distance Carbon Z’s low weight is attributable to the 100 percent carbon fiber construction, the EVA foam grips, and the thin but strong, partly mesh nylon wrist straps, adjustable with a hook-and-loop strip. Despite each pole weighing barely more than a quarter-pound, they withstood much hard use ascending and descending a lot of wet, slick talus and loose scree in the White Clouds and Sawtooths.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here for my e-guides to classic backpacking trips. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip.

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The three-section, foldable poles have an inner Kevlar cord, and deploy easily, in a few seconds, by simply pulling the first shaft section out of the grip until a pin pops out to lock the three sections in the assembled position (like assembling tent poles). Collapse the poles by depressing that pin and folding the sections together. The poles’ collapsed length varies depending on size from 33 cm/13 inches to 43 cm/17 inches, short enough to tuck into a daypack’s side pocket and/or compression straps without them protruding above or below the pack.

The extended grips let me hold the shafts lower when climbing steeply uphill, off-trail—which helps offset the one shortcoming of these poles, that they’re not adjustable. The poles come with interchangeable, non-scarring, rubber Tech Tips and carbide tips, and a smart notch in the basket to lock pole shafts together when folded. A hiking, climbing, and trail running partner of mine has gotten many miles out of his Carbon Z Poles for three years without any problems.

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The only ding against BD’s Z Poles is that they’re not adjustable; instead, they come in five lengths. But that’s a minor tradeoff, and really only a factor on steep descents (since the extended grip helps ease steep ascents). Plus, users like ultra-hikers, ultralight backpackers, and climbers attracted to the low weight and design of the Z Poles are least likely to be bothered by the lack of adjustability.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

For dayhikers and ultra-hikers wanting to travel really light, backpackers and ultralight fastpackers, adventure athletes and endurance runners, BD’s Distance Carbon Z Poles set the gold standard for low weight, portability, and functionality.

4.3

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to buy the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.

Was this review helpful?

If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures. Join now to read ALL stories and get a free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-black-diamond-distance-carbon-z-poles/feed/ 2 15526 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-micro-vario-carbon-black-series-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-micro-vario-carbon-black-series-trekking-poles/#respond Wed, 18 Dec 2019 13:02:08 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=37066 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series
$250, 15 oz./pair (with trekking baskets)
One unisex size, adjustable
backcountry.com

List all the qualities you’d want in the perfect trekking poles and you may find yourself describing the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series. From a three-day, 36-mile backpacking trip on the Teton Crest Trail to a steep, eight-mile, 5,200-vertical-foot dayhike of Idaho’s 12,662-foot Borah Peak and dayhikes of up to about nine miles along Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River during a six-day rafting and kayaking trip, these folding, adjustable, entirely carbon poles quickly became my go-to sticks for their versatility, stability, and packability, all while weighing per pair about as much as your rain jacket.

The Micro Vario Carbon Black is 100 percent carbon—not just partial-carbon construction—conferring that material’s advantage of high strength and low weight. Hiking with them in any terrain, whether with a daypack or full backpack, the poles have a comfortable grip and an easy swing and stand up to abuse, such as when I leaned hard on them on the steep, somewhat loose descent from Paintbrush Divide at nearly 11,000 feet in the Tetons, and bashed them on rocks scrambling the third-class Chickenout Ridge section of Borah Peak.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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The pole’s useable length range is 110cm to 130cm—not as wide-ranging as some poles and not long enough to use with some ultralight tents that pitch with trekking poles, but similar to the range of many models. But more importantly, that adjustability range will suit most hikers, backpackers, and climbers, while weighing less than other highly durable poles that are not as compact when collapsed. 

The method of adjusting the length may not be intuitive for everyone, but it’s easy once you learn it. To assemble the four-section pole and set the length, open the locking lever, extend the three lower sections fully until you hear the internal locking device click into place, set the desired length, and close the lever. If the adjustable top section slips at all, just spin the small dial on the lever—easily done with your fingers, requiring no tool—to tighten the lever’s tension. 

To fold them, release the locking lever and fully extend the top section until you hear the locking mechanism click again, releasing the tension on the internal cable and allowing you to fold the poles to a length of 40cm/16 inches—fitting in just about any luggage, even many carry-ons. Being an internal mechanism, the CLD (Core Locking Device) eliminates the potential for damage when locking mechanisms are located externally on a pole.

The anatomical Aergon Thermo Long Grips are easy to hold in the hand for many hours and extend down the shaft, and the lightweight but wide wrist straps also remain comfortable for hours and adjust intuitively in seconds.

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Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

For backpackers, hikers, climbers, mountain runners and others who want top-performing poles, the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series poles strike a rare combination of low weight, durability, packability, and ease of use when on the trail.

4

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking either of these affiliate links to purchase the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Black Series trekking poles at backcountry.com or Moosejaw.com.

Let The Big Outside help you find the best adventures. 
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See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

I almost never hike without poles. Read why in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier.”

I can help you plan the best backpacking, hiking, or family adventure of your life. Click here now to learn more.

 

Want to make your pack lighter and all of your backpacking trips more enjoyable? See my “10 Tricks for Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” If you don’t have a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read part of both stories for free, or download the e-guide versions of the 10 tricks here and the lightweight backpacking guide here without having a paid membership.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

Was this review helpful?

If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-leki-micro-vario-carbon-black-series-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 37066 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-alpine-carbon-cork-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-alpine-carbon-cork-trekking-poles/#comments Tue, 10 Dec 2019 11:39:57 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=37071 Read on

]]> All-Season Trekking Poles
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Poles
$230, 1 lb. 1.5 oz./496.1g (per pair, with trekking baskets)
Two sizes, adjustable: men’s 100-130cm/39-51 ins., women’s 95-125cm/37-49 ins.
blackdiamondequipment.com

For backcountry users who need poles that can handle hard use and any and all activities around the calendar, from backpacking on good trails to scrambling off-trail up mountains and backcountry skiing, Black Diamond’s Alpine Carbon Cork poles have been a tried-and-true performer at the high end of this category for years. So I tested the newly updated 2019 version of these poles on backpacking trips that would put them to the test: a 94-mile traverse of Glacier National Park on the Continental Divide Trail, and a rugged, 74-mile hike in the Grand Canyon, plus some days of local backcountry skiing, and discovered that this latest generation stays true to its lineage.

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork shafts are 100 percent carbon—imbuing them with high strength and relatively low weight for poles designed for any use and season. For poles that are also not ultralight, at just over a pound, they have a nice, light swing when walking, and yet feel very sturdy when leaning hard on them, or when sliding your hands down the extended grips on the upper shafts when reaching and planting a pole above you, whether scrambling steep talus, as we did on the Grand Canyon’s Escalante Route, or skinning uphill on skis in deep snow.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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The pole’s adjustable length range is 110cm to 130cm as marked on the shafts, but effectively can be used at a length nearly down to its completely collapsed length of 61cm (24 inches)—that’s a wider range of use than most poles, and functional for all but very tall hikers, backpackers, and climbers. That 61cm collapsed length makes them as packable as many telescoping, or collapsible poles, though not nearly as compact as the MSR Dynalock Ascent poles, which weigh the same but are $30 less.

The poles feature the new FlickLock Pro locking levers (made of aluminum), which never slipped (once I set the tension on them), however hard I leaned or fell onto them. The one serious complaint I have about the Alpine Carbon Cork poles is that adjusting the tension—which may be necessary when they’re new, or at some point during your ownership of them—requires a tiny Allen wrench, rather than using your fingers or a screwdriver head that would be found on many multi-tools or knives that people actually carry into the backcountry. Fortunately, in my experience, the tension on the FlickLock Pro levers does not slowly slip over time, so you can set it at home and will rarely need to reset it.

Tip: Adjust the tension on all four (per pair of poles) FlickLock Pro levers before you first use them. Note that you must set the tension for the upper and lower levers where each shaft is widest—otherwise, you may find it impossible to open or close the lever manually—and then check that the tension isn’t too soft for where each shaft is narrowest. And the widest spot differs for each shaft: Set the tension for the upper FlickLock Pro with the shaft in the collapsed position (below 100cm), and for the lower FlickLock Pro lever in the fully extended position (130cm).

The cork grips offer top comfort for bare hands, and the wrist straps adjust easily and tear a page from BD’s climbing harness technology in terms of ergonomic fit and comfort on long days. The poles come with interchangeable carbide and rubber tips and trekking and snow baskets.

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Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork

Michael Lanza

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

For backpackers, hikers, climbers, backcountry skiers, snowshoers, and others who want strong, four-season poles at a reasonable weight, the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork poles will stand up to hard use from rugged trails to mountain slopes and backcountry pow stashes—and at a competitive price for this quality.

4.1

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the men’s or women’s Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles at blackdiamondequipment.com, backcountry.com, or rei.com.

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

I almost never hike without poles. Read why in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier.”

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures. Join now to read ALL stories and get a free e-book!

Want to make your pack lighter and all of your backpacking trips more enjoyable? See my “10 Tricks for Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier” and “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking.” If you don’t have a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read part of both stories for free, or download the e-guide versions of the 10 tricks here and the lightweight backpacking guide here without having a paid membership.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

Want to hike the Teton Crest Trail, John Muir Trail, or another trip? Click here for expert advice you won’t get elsewhere.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-alpine-carbon-cork-trekking-poles/feed/ 2 37071 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-gossamer-gear-lt5-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-gossamer-gear-lt5-trekking-poles/#respond Tue, 11 Jun 2019 09:09:36 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=34265 Read on

]]> Ultralight Trekking Poles
Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
$195, 10 oz./283.5g (per pair, without baskets)
One size, adjustable 105-130cm/41 to 53 ins.
gossamergear.com

You could see the defining characteristic of these ultralight poles even wearing a blindfold: Just pick them up and hold them in your hand. The LT5 adjustable poles feel like feathers. In fact, the pair weighs about as much as a lightweight down jacket and less than five ounces of water, and might weigh less than your rain shell. That’s really light. But these poles nonetheless offer a basic, minimalist performance that stands up to hard use, as I discovered on a six-day, 74-mile backpacking trip through the Grand Canyon—including a rough, 15-mile, nearly 12-hour day traversing most of the rugged Escalante Route—a seven-day, 96-mile traverse of the Wind River High Route, two-thirds of which is off-trail, as well as on a four-day, 45-mile hike through Yosemite and trekking hut-to-hut on New Zealand’s Routeburn and Milford tracks in late spring.

Three-section, twist-lock, adjustable poles with straps, the LT5 possess all of the basic performance qualities that hikers, backpackers, climbers, ultra-runners, and others look for in poles—but at two-thirds of the weight of the strongest competitors.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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The compromises for radically lower weight are few. The twist-lock mechanism doesn’t lock as securely as a lever mechanisms—but rarely slipped in use, even when I leaned hard or stumbled and caught myself on them while scrambling steep talus on the Escalante Route, or when I made a long descent on the South Kaibab Trail and the relentless and severely angled ascent of the Tanner Trail.

The strong and lightweight carbon shafts withstood more abuse than they’d receive on many well-maintained trails—such as the entire Teton Crest Trail, much of the Pacific Crest Trail, and many trails in national parks like Yosemite and Glacier—as I clambered up the third-class talus and loose scree of Papago Canyon and handed packs and poles down a 30-foot cliff we descended on the Grand Canyon’s Escalante Route.

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On the 96-mile Wind River High Route, I hiked with these poles over endless miles of steep talus and scree and pitched an ultralight tent using these poles every night—including one night when the tent and poles withstood several hours of gusts blowing over 40 mph and probably around 50 mph.

The LT5 poles extend to a maximum length of 130cm/51 inches, long enough for many tall hikers, and collapse to 60cm/23.5 inches, making them more packable than many three-section, twist-lock poles like the (more affordable but heavier) Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles, but of course much less packable than folding poles such as the (more affordable) MSR DynaLock Ascent poles.

The wrist straps are thinner than many to shave grams, making them a bit less comfortable than wider straps, which becomes noticeable on longer hiking days. The LT5 poles also come with removable trekking baskets.

I can help you plan the best backpacking, hiking, or family adventure of your life. Click here now to learn more.

While these poles aren’t the strongest for pitching ultralight backpacking tents that require trekking poles for setup, they perform reasonably well for that purpose, especially since you’ll usually seek a fairly protected campsite for an ultralight tent, anyway.

But when your goal is to travel as lightly as possible through the backcountry, poles that are strong and durable enough for normal use and weigh about two-thirds of many three-section, adjustable poles start looking awfully good—especially if, like many thru-hikers, you’re logging big-mileage days, when you notice the weight of the poles in your hands.

Plan your next great backpacking trip on the Teton Crest Trail or in other classic parks using my expert e-guides.

 

Gossamer Gear LT5

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

For dedicated ultralighters and thru-hikers and many backpackers who prefer to hike lighter, the Gossamer Gear LT5 offer the adjustability of trekking poles that weigh a half-pound more, with good strength and minor compromises.

4.3

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase the Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles at gossamergear.com.

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-book versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See my Gear Reviews page at The Big Outside for categorized menus of all of my reviews and my expert buying tips.

—Michael Lanza

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures.
Join now for full access to ALL stories and get a free e-book!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-gossamer-gear-lt5-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 34265 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles/#respond Wed, 06 Mar 2019 11:00:34 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=31211 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
$140, 1 lb. 2 oz. (140cm)
Men’s and women’s models, adjustable
backcountry.com

Sometimes it’s the subtle design features that distinguish one model of trekking poles from another. From winter dayhikes in New England and Idaho on trails that ranged from icy and snowy to dry, to a six-day, 94-mile backpacking trip through Glacier National Park, Black Diamond’s new Trail Ergo Cork poles proved durable, versatile, widely adjustable, and useful for hiking and backpacking in all seasons. Here’s why.

One of the Trail Ergo Cork’s most unique features is the 15-degree forward angle of the grips. When swinging the poles while striding, that “ergo” angle naturally places the pole tips in the ground behind my feet, where they deliver the most power. I really like that, especially in poles that are on the heavier end (because they’re built for durability, they’re not ultralight); and for hiking on trails, where you tend to move faster and more straight ahead than when hiking off-trail.

The cork grips don’t slip or feel greasy when your hands get wet with perspiration, and the foam extensions provide a lower grip on the shaft for reaching uphill on steep, off-trail terrain when scrambling or backcountry skiing or snowshoeing.

The length of these three-section poles adjusts using BD’s tried-and-true FlickLock levers, which reliably lock securely and open quickly and easily with a thumb or finger, even when wearing warm gloves. Tension on the FlickLock levers is adjustable using a Phillips screwdriver or any multi-tool or Swiss Army knife that has a Phillips head—meaning they’re adjustable in the backcountry when you’re carrying one of those common tools. With the tension set properly, I’ve never found the levers difficult to open or close, or seen them slip under sudden weight (like when catching yourself on a pole).

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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The poles have a huge adjustability range of 74cm to 140cm (29-55 ins.), exceeding most trekking poles, making them useable for everyone from very tall people to short adults and even kids. The aluminum shafts are a bit heavier than carbon, but very durable, and won’t sheer like carbon can under unusual stresses. If you’re hard on poles, you don’t have to worry about bending or shattering these poles.

With a collapsed length of 73.5cm, the Trail Ergo Cork poles do stick up above the top of most daypacks when attached to the outside, so they’re obviously not as packable as folding poles; but they fit on the side of most backpacks and climbing or skiing packs, and in luggage.

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The wrist straps are wider than you’ll find on many poles, and that greater surface area translates to more comfort—especially on long, hard day—and a more-secure feel in challenging terrain. The straps adjust easily, lengthening by pulling up on the top strap and tightening by pulling down on the bottom strap.

As with many poles, the standard carbide tech tips grip the usual trail and ground surfaces you’ll encounter, from dirt to rock, and can be swapped out for rubber tips (sold separately, pliers required). The poles come with trekking and snow baskets.

BD has several models in its Trail Series that vary in design and price from the Trail Ergo Cork poles. Click here to see a menu of options.

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Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

While on the heavy end of the spectrum and not as packable as many trekking poles, the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles are a widely adjustable, durable, and functional quiver-of-one pair of poles for backpacking, dayhiking, scrambling peaks, and snowshoeing—at a competitive price.

3.7

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You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles at backcountry.com, blackdiamondequipment.com, or moosejaw.com, or another model in BD’s Trail series at moosejaw.com.

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Thank you.

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

See my picks for “The 10 Best Trekking Poles” and my “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures. Join now to read ALL stories and get a free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/review-black-diamond-trail-ergo-cork-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 31211 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-msr-dynalock-ascent-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-msr-dynalock-ascent-trekking-poles/#comments Thu, 18 Oct 2018 13:28:39 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=29525 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
MSR DynaLock Ascent Poles
$190, 1 lb. 1 oz./481.9g (per pair, 100-120cm, with trekking baskets)
Two sizes, adjustable: S 100-120cm/39-47.2 ins., L 120-140cm/47.2-55.1 ins.
backcountry.com

When you need trekking poles, you want them to stand up to the hardest use in any season. When you don’t need them, you want them to nestle unobtrusively under pack straps. On numerous days in the backcountry, including a 20-mile, mostly off-trail peaks traverse in Idaho’s Sawtooths, a rim-to-rim dayhike across the Grand Canyon, a five-day trip in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains, a six-day hut trek on Iceland’s Laugavegur and Fimmvörðuháls trails, and some of the hardest miles on the Appalachian Trail, MSR’s Dynalock Ascent Poles stood out for being tough, stable, and exceptionally packable.

I used the adjustable, three-section, folding DynaLock Ascent Poles backpacking in the Wind River Range and dayhiking some of the hardest trail miles in the country—a one-day, 27-mile traverse of western Maine’s Mahoosuc Range, mostly on the Appalachian Trail—and as well as on a 13-hour, mostly off-trail dayhike of around 20 miles scrambling peaks in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, and on other dayhikes in Zion and Bryce Canyon national parks. My wife also used these poles on a four-day, roughly 30-mile backpacking trip in the Sawtooths, and on a 22-mile, 11,000-vertical-foot, rim-to-rim dayhike across the Grand Canyon.

The Dynalock carve out a unique niche among trekking poles for three qualities: durability, packability, and having adjustability in folding poles.

The Kevlar-reinforced, all-carbon fiber construction demonstrated very high resistance to sheering or crushing when bashed multiple times against granite when I scrambled while holding them in one hand over boulders on the AT in the Mahoosucs and in the Sawtooths. The poles suffered no damage on any outings, beyond a lot of superficial scratches in the shafts.

The two sizes each have an adjustable range of 20cm, so virtually anyone can use these poles. Most useful to hard users, these poles are very compact when folded, measuring 36.2cm/14.3 inches long (in the 100-120cm size)—meaning they fit easily on the outside of a small pack, and are much shorter than standard, three-section poles whose shafts collapse inside one another.

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The Dynalock poles have an inner cable for deploying and collapsing it, similar to a tent pole, and the three sections lock very rigidly into place with a simple pin mechanism (that’s easy to depress to collapse the poles). A Dynalock lever on each pole never slipped, even on the 5,000-foot descent of the South Kaibab Trail to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. There’s no discernible play or wobble in these poles, so they feel secure whether descending loose scree off-trail or powering up a long, steep ascent on trail.

The comfortable EVA foam grips feel good and don’t slip easily in bare or gloved hands, and an extended grip on the upper shaft helps in managing steep slopes. The wrist strap adjusts easily.

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At a hair over one pound (for the small length), they’re not ultralight, but compare with the sturdier trekking and winter backcountry poles on the market. But having broken all-carbon and bent all-aluminum poles in the past, from what I’ve seen, the Dynalock Ascent strike a fine balance between durability and moderate weight.

The three pole models in MSR’s Dynalock series are designed to cross over from summer hiking, backpacking, off-trail scrambling and mountaineering to winter split boarding, snowshoeing, and backcountry skiing, so they come with both trekking and snow baskets; and the snow baskets have a catch for raising MSR Televators.

MSR’s other two Dynalock models are the DynaLock Explore ($120), constructed with light, high-strength 7075 aluminum, and the two-section, aluminum Dynalock Trail ($90), designed for lighter, on-trail use.

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MSR Dynalock Ascent Trekking Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

While they are heavier than some models, if you’re looking for sturdy, durable, adjustable poles that pack down small and come in at a moderate weight, the MSR Dynalock Ascent Poles do that job at a price that beats high-quality competitors.

4.5

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking any of these affiliate links to purchase the MSR Dynalock Ascent Trekking Poles at backcountry.com.

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See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all of my reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear.

Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned backpacker, you’ll learn new tricks for making all of your trips go better in my “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” “A Practical Guide to Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking,” and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.” With a paid subscription to The Big Outside, you can read all of those three stories for free; if you don’t have a subscription, you can download the e-guide versions of “12 Expert Tips for Planning a Backpacking Trip,” the lightweight backpacking guide, and “How to Know How Hard a Hike Will Be.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

Was this review helpful?

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Please also consider sharing it using one of the buttons at right and leaving a comment or question at the bottom. Thank you, I really appreciate it.

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-msr-dynalock-ascent-trekking-poles/feed/ 6 29525 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-montem-ultra-strong-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-montem-ultra-strong-trekking-poles/#comments Tue, 14 Aug 2018 09:00:01 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=28739 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles
$75, 1 lb. 3 oz./538.6g (per pair, with trekking baskets
One size, adjustable 105-135cm/41.3-53 ins.
montemlife.com

Despite how useful they are at reducing impact on leg and back muscles and joints, letting you hike farther with noticeably less fatigue, trekking poles are often one of the last pieces of gear that hikers and backpackers acquire. I suspect that has to do with cost almost as much as the time lag between becoming a hiker and discovering the utility of poles. But what if poles were cheaper? Seeing the Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles priced one-third to one-quarter the cost of many leading, popular pole models, I had try them out.

I used them backpacking the rugged, 25-mile Thunder River-Deer Creek Loop in the Grand Canyon, a four-day trip in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains, and dayhiking in Zion National Park to see how they measure up.

My wife also used them on a four-day backpacking trip in Yosemite in July, and I used them on winter days of resort skiing. The three-section, adjustable Ultra Strong poles use the same materials you’ll find in pricier poles: highly durable 7075 aluminum shafts that suffered no damage in testing, even on the steep and rocky paths of the Thunder River-Deer Creek Loop; flick-lock levers for adjusting the length (similar to those used on Black Diamond poles); carbide tips; comfortably wide and easily adjustable hand straps; and EVA foam grips that extend down the shaft, useful when hiking very steep terrain or backcountry skiing.

The foam grips are among the softest I’ve ever held—the foam actually depresses under pressure from a finger (and rebounds instantly). The flick-lock levers require no tool to easily and quickly adjust pole length. With an impressively broad adjustment range of 61-135cm (24-53 inches), these poles are good for most hikers and backpackers.

The poles collapse to a packed length of 61cm (24 ins.), putting them near the least-packable end of the trekking poles spectrum, but comparable to other, sturdier and heavier models

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The locking levers occasionally loosened and collapsed when weighted—although not very many times, and not a single time on my most-recent backpacking trip with them. While it’s very easy to tighten them up again, that slippage doesn’t tend to happen with high-end adjustable poles.

While the poles seem strong enough for skiing, random slipping may be more annoying for on-snow users than hikers and backpackers. However, the fixed piece attaching the upper lever mechanism to the shaft broke on one pole after a few years of use, a failure likely covered under the lifetime warranty.

Another demerit: I lost one of the trekking baskets in the Grand Canyon, and I’m not sure how—which means it wasn’t some noticeable event, so it came off too easily.

At a few ounces over a pound per pair, the Ultra Strong poles are heavier than most poles for hiking, but not much heavier than other, more-durable poles, making them ideal for many dayhikers and backpackers.

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Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles

Adjustability/Sizes

Packability

Versatility

Weight

Durability

The Verdict

While these aren’t the lightest or most compact model available, for many hikers and backpackers on a budget, who don’t mind having to readjust the poles occasionally when they slip, the Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles represent a super value.

4.1

BUY IT NOW

You can support my work on this blog, at no cost to you, by clicking this affililate link to purchase the Montem Ultra Strong trekking poles at montemlife.com.

Get 15 percent off any purchase at montemlife.com using the exclusive discount code BIGOUT15MOG.

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I almost never hike without poles. Read why in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier.”

See my picks for “The Best Trekking Poles” and my stories “How to Choose Trekking Poles” and “10 Best Expert Tips for Hiking With Trekking Poles,” and all reviews of backpacking gear, ultralight backpacking gear, and hiking gear at The Big Outside.

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-montem-ultra-strong-trekking-poles/feed/ 2 28739 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-komperdell-c3-carbon-power-lock-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-komperdell-c3-carbon-power-lock-trekking-poles/#respond Wed, 02 Aug 2017 09:00:27 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=24271 Read on

]]> Trekking Poles
Komperdell C3 Carbon Power Lock
$150, 1 lb./pair
moosejaw.com

I know: Choosing trekking poles can feel a little like picking out the best straw from a dispenser in a restaurant—they all kind of look the same. But poles are not straws, of course; they differ, and finding a pair you like does depend on how you’ll use them. Taking the C3 Carbon Power Lock poles on a five-day, 80-mile backpacking trip in the North Cascades National Park Complex and a three-day, 40-mile hike in Utah’s Dark Canyon Wilderness (and my wife used them on a nine-day trek of the 105-mile Tour du Mont Blanc) convinced me that they compare favorably against more-expensive, top-performing, all-around trekking poles for dayhikers, backpackers, and climbers. Here’s why.

For starters, adjustable poles certainly differ in their length range. Adjustable from 105-140cm (41-55 inches), these have more length than most poles I’ve reviewed at this blog, good for tall hikers or anyone descending steep, off-trail terrain, when you want plenty of length. No matter how you use poles, you want them to be reliable, and the Power Lock 3.0 mechanism, with a lever that locks in place after adjusting the pole length, is intuitive to use and never slips.

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Join The Big Outside to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Please follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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With the two upper sections made of carbon and the lowest section made of Titanal, these three-section poles are strong and slightly lighter than many comparably sturdy poles out there—although they’re not ultralight poles. (Titanal is an aluminum alloy that adds stiffness to the poles and can flex and bend without yielding; it’s stronger than 7075 aluminum and resists abrasion, which is the reason to use it on lower sections of hiking and ski poles.) The short foam grip and wide, easily adjustable wrist strap—which accommodates thick gloves—remained comfortable for long days with thousands of feet of ascent and descent.

One strike against these poles: Their packed length of 68cm (27 inches) ranks them among the least-compact trekking poles; that matters if you’re trying to fit them in luggage, or collapsing them to attach to the outside of a daypack or small backpack, because they may stick out above the top of the pack, potentially snagging in thick vegetation or low, overhanging tree branches.

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Komperdell also offers a three-year, no-questions-asked guarantee to repair any damage to poles for free; that’s valuable, because while carbon poles are very strong, they can break surprisingly easily under unusual stresses. (I have broken a carbon pole from another brand.) That guarantee and the blend of attributes of the C3 Carbon Power Lock poles make them a good value for the price.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking any of these links to purchase the Komperdell C3 Carbon Power Lock trekking poles at moosejaw.com, sunnysports.com, or rei.com.

Was this review helpful? If so, would you like to support my work by clicking here to leave a tip for The Big Outside?

Thank you.

 

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons at right, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

See my other reviews of trekking poles and all of my reviews of backpacking gear and hiking gear.

I almost never hike without poles. Read why in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

The Big Outside helps you find the best adventures. Join now to read ALL stories and get a free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-komperdell-c3-carbon-power-lock-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 24271 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-helinox-passport-fl120-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-helinox-passport-fl120-trekking-poles/#respond Thu, 13 Oct 2016 10:00:53 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=20735 Read on

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Trekking Poles
Helinox Passport FL120
$140, 11 oz. (120cm)
Sizes: 115-130cm
moosejaw.com

Yes, you read the weight listed above correctly: A pair of these adjustable trekking poles weighs just 11 ounces, which is several ounces below the weight of most hiking poles and the lightest model I’ve reviewed at this blog. With that tantalizing statistic in mind, I put them through the ringer on several hikes, including a 20-mile, 4,500-vertical-foot, trail run-hike in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains that included several hundred feet of third-class scrambling up 10,651-foot Snowyside Peak. I found several reasons to like them a lot, despite some shortcomings. Read on.

I also used them on a three-day backpacking trip with my teenage son in the Sawtooths; a 10-mile dayhike Idaho’s Boise National Forest; and four days of backpacking and dayhiking in California’s Death Valley National Park. A friend used them when we dayhiked the 32-mile, 10,000-vertical-foot Pemi Loop in New Hampshire’s White Mountains, and my 79-year-old mom used them on a 4.6-mile hike on the rocky trails of the Blue Hills Reservation outside Boston.

 

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Manufactured by DAC, whose high-quality tent poles are used in many backcountry tent, these twist-lock, adjustable, three-section poles are made of DAC’s proprietary TH72M aluminum alloy, which has a high strength-to-weight ratio. They are light enough for trail running and strong enough for climbing steep, off-trail mountain terrain. Like other, very lightweight poles, you may feel a slight vibration in the Passports when planting them, but not to a degree that I ever found bothersome or even very noticeable, even in the most rugged terrain. They’re also manufactured with DAC’s Green Anodizing process, which involves no nitric or phosphoric acid and uses recycled water.

They have an adjustment range of 95cm/37.5 inches to 120cm/47 inches, adequate length for all but tall hikers. I’m 5’ 8” and set poles generally at 115cm on gentle terrain, 110cm going steeply uphill, and 120cm going downhill, so I max out the length on these poles. Their collapsed length is 53cm/21 inches—not as short as folding poles, but compact enough to tuck away under compression straps on a daypack or backpack. The soft, foam grip feels good on bare hands for many hours, and extends about halfway down the shaft of the top section, useful when briefly climbing steeply uphill—negating the need to make a quick adjustment just for a moment—and for carrying in your hands on flats.

 

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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I found the twist-lock mechanism easy to loosen or tighten securely with a quarter-turn, and they never collapsed unwanted when I was using them. The lightweight and comfortable wrist straps wrap unobtrusively around my hands and adjust easily by tugging on one of the straps. The Passport poles come with optional rubber caps for the carbide tips when hiking over predominantly rocky terrain, and a stuff sack to protect them from scratches in transit and storage.

Tall and heavy hikers may want longer, sturdier poles. But if you’re looking for ultralight trekking poles that are strong and adjustable, for hiking, ultralight backpacking, running mountain trails, or travel, and you stand no more than roughly average height, the Helinox Passport FL120s are what you’re looking for. The series also includes fixed-length, folding, Passport TL poles.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking this link to purchase the Helinox Passport FL120 trekking poles at moosejaw.com.

 

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

See my other reviews of trekking poles and all of my reviews of backpacking gear and hiking gear.

I almost never hike without poles. Read why in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier.”

NOTE: I tested gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See categorized menus of all of my gear reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

You live for the outdoors. The Big Outside helps you get out there. Subscribe now and a get free e-guide!

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-helinox-passport-fl120-trekking-poles/feed/ 0 20735 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-leki-micro-vario-carbon-antishock-folding-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-leki-micro-vario-carbon-antishock-folding-trekking-poles/#comments Wed, 14 Sep 2016 10:00:08 +0000 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/?p=20505 Read on

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Trekking Poles
Leki Micro Vario Carbon DSS Folding Trekking Poles
$220, 1 lb. 1 oz. (110-130 cm).
Sizes: regular/unisex 110-130 cm, Lady 100-120cm
moosejaw.com

How much does a good pair of trekking poles matter? I used these three-section, folding poles on a dayhike in August that I wasn’t certain I could finish: the 32-mile, 10,000-vertical-foot, nine-summit Pemi Loop in New Hampshire’s White Mountains. For the last few miles, the poles may have been the only thing holding me up. Whether or not you intend to take absurdly long hikes, this one did help me identify the many strengths of Leki’s Micro Vario Carbon DSS Folding Trekking Poles, and evaluate the usefulness of the antishock mechanism.

I also used these poles on various other outings, including a 12.5-mile, 2,500-foot trail run in the Boise Foothills, and a 4.6-mile hike on the rocky trails of the Blue Hills Reservation outside Boston. These are the first folding trekking poles with a shock-absorbing mechanism. Located just above the pole tip—where it prevents any shock or vibration from traveling up the shaft—the DSS (Dynamic Suspension System) antishock mechanism reduces peak impact force by up to 40 percent, according to Leki. A fair amount of downward force is required to compress the antishock. If you put only a little weight on it—such as when pushing off lightly with the poles while hiking gentle terrain—the poles won’t absorb the effort you’re putting into forward motion. That’s good.

 

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To explain: If you’re using trekking poles correctly, you’re employing them virtually all the time. You push off slightly with them (planting the pole tip behind you, at an angle) when hiking flatter ground or climbing well-graded trails; you lean on them more on steep ascents; and you use them for balance and to take some impact off your body when descending. An antishock element serves a useful purpose when you need it to absorb force, such as when descending; but you don’t want it to absorb the muscle force you’re putting into forward propulsion. Smartly, these poles don’t absorb (and waste) the generally slight force you put into using the poles to move forward; they can, however, absorb some of your effort when you lean hard on them climbing steeply uphill. That’s the subtle tradeoff with antishock poles. Conversely, non-antishock poles obviously won’t absorb (waste) any of your muscle effort, but they also won’t help lessen the impact on upper-body joints of going downhill. (The Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles are virtually identical, but without antishock; see my review.)

The other great advantage of these poles is that they’re much more packable than collapsible poles whose shaft sections slide inside one another: With a packed length of 15 inches/38cm, they attach to the outside of a small daypack without sticking out, and disappear inside even small luggage. With an interior cable connecting the three pole sections, they assemble quickly and simply: Just line up the sections and extend the upper one until a metal pin pops out to lock the sections together. Once locked, there’s very little play in the poles.

 

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Hi, I’m Michael Lanza, creator of The Big Outside, which has made several top outdoors blog lists. Click here to sign up for my FREE email newsletter. Click here to learn how I can help you plan your next trip. Click here to get full access to all of my blog’s stories. Follow my adventures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Youtube.

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A plastic locking lever on the upper section releases to adjust the pole length from 110 to 130cm (in the regular/unisex size); I find the lever easier to use than poles that adjust with a twist mechanism. I’m 5’ 8” and have the poles generally at 115cm on gentle terrain, 110cm going steeply uphill, and 120-125cm going downhill; someone well over six feet tall may not get as much length as they want going downhill with these poles. The Aergon Thermo foam grips are cushy, smooth, and ergonomically designed, with a forefinger groove, a small bumper for the heel of the hand, and an oversized head, so that I could place my hands in various positions depending on terrain steepness; this helps reduce hand fatigue. The extended foam below the grips allows you to momentarily hold a pole below the grip—say, on a briefly steep uphill—without holding cold metal.

The wrist straps are light, don’t absorb much sweat, and easy to adjust: Tug upward on the strap to pop open a locking lever atop the grip, adjust the straps to a good length, then snap the lever back in place. It’s quick and easy enough to do on the trail if, say, you’re putting on warm gloves and need a little more strap length. The carbon upper pole section is lightweight and strong, while slightly heavier aluminum is used in the lower sections.

At just over a pound, these poles are borderline light enough for trail running and training—not the lightest you’d want strictly for that purpose, but a good pole for crossing over between running and hiking. The lady poles are for shorter women or men with smaller hands; they have shorter straps and a grip that’s 15 percent smaller than the regular poles. The poles come with a stuff sack and rubber tip caps for using on consistently rocky terrain, like slickrock in the desert Southwest.

One caveat: These are a bit less sturdy than traditional, three-section, collapsible poles, which, while heavier and less packable, are generally better for hard use or for bigger people putting more weight on the poles.

That said, the Leki Micro Vario Carbon DSS Folding Trekking Poles survived the rocky trails of the White Mountains (maybe better than I did); they’re hardly delicate. I’d recommend them for ultra-hikers and ultralight backpackers as well as most dayhikers and backpackers.

BUY IT NOW You can support my work on this blog by clicking either of these links to purchase the Leki Micro Vario Carbon DSS Folding Trekking Poles at moosejaw.com or rei.com.

 

Tell me what you think.

I spent a lot of time writing this story, so if you enjoyed it, please consider giving it a share using one of the buttons below, and leave a comment or question at the bottom of this story. I’d really appreciate it.

 

See my other reviews of trekking poles and all of my reviews of backpacking gear and hiking gear.

I almost never hike without poles. Read why in my “10 Tricks For Making Hiking and Backpacking Easier.”

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my Gear Reviews at The Big Outside.

—Michael Lanza

 

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Trekking Poles
Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles
$200, 1 lb./pair (without storage sack)
moosejaw.com

From a four-day trip backpacking the Rockwall Trail in Canada’s Kootenay National Park, and a seven-mile, 2,300-foot dayhike on the Iceline Trail in Yoho National Park, to a rocky and often steep, 17-mile, 6,800-vertical-foot dayhike over the four summits of the Northern Presidential Range in New Hampshire, and an approximately 27-mile dayhike on Idaho’s Middle Fork of the Salmon River Trail (and other dayhikes of up to 10 miles during a six-day rafting trip on the Middle Fork), the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles repeatedly demonstrated their usefulness and versatility.

These three-section, carbon-fiber poles lock together via an internal, Kevlar-reinforced tension cord, with a push-button release for collapsing them. But while other models of ultralight, three-section trekking poles come in a fixed length (different sizes, but non-adjustable), the SpeedLock below the handle on the Micro Vario allows for up to 20 centimeters/8 inches of length adjustment instantly—a unique and smart design detail.

 

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The Aergon Thermo foam grips have an unusually large head on them, enhancing comfort—even on days of hiking as much as 12 or 15 hours—especially when I held the poles by the top of the grip (for going downhill or frequently changing my grip in steep terrain). The lightweight wrist straps dry quickly when wet from sweat or rain. The poles are light enough to use for running trails (as I did with these poles on the Monoosnoc Ridge Trail in the wooded hills of central Massachusetts), but the lightweight carbon-fiber shafts were strong also enough to use to pitch a tent that requires trekking poles.

 

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I almost never dayhike or backpack without trekking poles, and I tend to favor ultralight models; but my complaints about some poles in that category are that I fear them bending under hard use, and they come in a fixed (non-adjustable) length. With the Micro Vario, Leki answers those concerns.

See my other reviews of trekking poles and all of my reviews of backpacking gear and hiking gear.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

 

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Trekking Poles
Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock
$140, 1 lb. 5 oz.
Length: 27 to 55 ins./68 to 140 cm, collapsed length 27 ins./68 cm
blackdiamondequipment.com

On a 13.5-hour, roughly 18-mile, mostly off-trail dayhike in Idaho’s Sawtooth Mountains in July, I encountered the kind of terrain that makes a hiker wonder why humans ever thought walking upright was a good idea: steep, sliding scree, talus, firm snow that was slick on its surface, exposed ledges carpeted in sand and pebbles, and several thousand vertical feet of up and down on severely angled earth. It was the sort of day where you’d appreciate having four legs—or, short of that, a pair of sturdy, reliable trekking poles, which is why I was glad I had BD’s Trail Pro Shock with me.

I also used these three-section, adjustable poles on a three-day, 41-mile backpacking trip on the Timberline Trail around Oregon’s Mount Hood, where we made several fords of fast-moving, thigh-deep creeks; and for nine days of trekking on the Alta Via 2 through Italy’s Dolomite Mountains in July, where I ran into a lot of snow and some wildly exposed trail that looked at times more like a goat path. These sturdy but relatively lightweight poles, designed for four-season use in any terrain, score high for several reasons. But the biggest is that the FlickLock Pro adjustability levers never, ever slip, no matter how hard I lean or stumble on them. They also adjust quickly and intuitively by simply flipping the lever open and snapping it shut—easy to accomplish even with gloves on.

 

Unlike lighter poles, I could fall on these burly aluminum sticks and not bend the shafts. The built-in shock absorber has progressive absorption that dampens even the hardest landing, so the absorbers never bottom out or bounce. The dual-density foam grip and padded straps were comfortable on my bare hands on that 13.5-hour hike in the Sawtooths and long days on the Timberline Trail. I like the extended-length grips for holding the shaft lower when climbing really steep terrain without having my hands gripping a metal shaft in cold or wet conditions. The carbide tips and baskets are interchangeable. The women’s models have customized straps, grips, and length ranges.

 

 

See my other reviews of trekking poles and all of my reviews of backpacking gear and hiking gear.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

   

 

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Trekking Poles
Easton Carbon 5 Trekking Pole
$149, 1 lb. (pair)
One size adjustable 100 to 120 cm
eastonmountainproducts.com

On a three-day, mostly off-trail traverse of the canyons of Capitol Reef National Park’s Waterpocket Fold formation, frequently scrambling up and down very steep talus or slickrock, I needed poles that assemble and collapse easily while remaining flawlessly secure when assembled; and are widely adjustable, to help me ascending and descending in such vertiginous terrain with consistently poor footing. These poles delivered on all counts, as well as collapsing to less than 16 inches in length, short enough to easily stow even on a small daypack or hydration pack.

These three-section poles assemble instantly, with two bottom sections joined by an internal spectra cord, like a tent pole, locked in place by a metal pin; and a fully adjustable top section with a lever that flips easily and locks securely. The removable rubber tips, which I used the entire time in Capitol Reef because we were often traversing rock (which the carbide tips would easily skate off), never popped off over three days of hard use. The EVA grips felt comfortable for several hours a day, and the wrist strap is easily adjustable. The carbon fiber construction is indestructible and reasonably lightweight, although there are lighter models out there.

See my review of another model of trekking poles I like, the Helinox Featherlite, and all my reviews of backpacking gear.

NOTE: I’ve been testing gear for Backpacker Magazine for 20 years. At The Big Outside, I review only what I consider the best outdoor gear and apparel. See all of my reviews by clicking on the Gear Reviews category at left or in the main menu.

—Michael Lanza

]]> https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-easton-carbon-5-trekking-pole/feed/ 0 4516 https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-helinox-featherlite-trekking-poles/ https://thebigoutsideblog.com/gear-review-helinox-featherlite-trekking-poles/#respond Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:44:32 +0000 http://thebigoutside.net/?p=1533 Read on

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Trekking Poles
Helinox Featherlite
$120, 10 oz. (120 cm)
Sizes: 120 and 135 cm (adjustable)
bigagnes.com

There’s a new ultralight standard in adjustable trekking poles. At 10 oz. for a pair, these sticks weigh in at less than half of many competing models. On a 17-mile dayhike of New Hampshire’s Franconia Ridge in July, I had Appalachian Trail thru-hikers comparing these against their own poles and growing wide-eyed with envy.

Distributed in North America by Big Agnes, the poles are made by the cutting-edge tent-pole manufacturer DAC with exclusive use of the company’s proprietary, lightweight aluminum alloy (produced using recycled water and no nitric or phosphoric acid). I also used these poles this summer on dayhikes in the Columbia Gorge, backpacking for four days in the Tetons and twice in Idaho’s Sawtooths, and for cross-country and trail hiking on the Ptarmigan Traverse in the North Cascades. Despite their negligible weight whether you’re swinging them or carrying them on your pack, they have a sturdy feel. When I fell against one, it flexed slightly but returned to its shape and showed no visible damage. The screw-locking mechanisms proved very reliable, loosening maybe twice in many miles of hiking. For a long time to come, I expect I’ll be grabbing these whenever I want adjustable poles.

—Michael Lanza

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