2007 Alpkit Carbonlite Trekking Poles REVIEW

Yes they do. I got a set in May and have been extremely happy with them

I have extensively reviewed these treking poles in the Reader Reviews section. I would not rate these as Recommended for several reasons.

**Quality Control is not an especially hard point with Alpkit. As I indicated in my review, Alpkit sent me poles which, after less than 50 miles of fairly easy use in both the San Gabriels and in Yosemite, suffered from a significant manufacturing failure.

** One urethane grip separated from the pole and the other separated both from the pole and the plastic sheath that holds the urethane. I included pictures of this in my review. They sent me replacement grips in cork (which I had requested)and so far these have held up well.

**I also noted that the nylon stitching on the straps is done in such a way as to allow loose threads to irritate the backs of my hands. the plastic bit that secures the strap with pressure within the grip to prevent it from slipping often fails to hold the strap sizing and has to be readjusted often on the trail.

**The asterisk shaped non-carbide tip, which at first seemed a most innovative design feature for providing highly tenacious grip on most surfaces, has proved to be quick wearing after only 150 miles of use. The design may be innovative, but the material out of which the tip is made proves to be too soft for the job. The tips now fail to grip most hard (read rock)surfaces if there is any angle to the plant.

**I have continued to find that there appears to be a subtle vibration in the shaft of one pole which shows up when I plant it on very hard rock surfaces. The vibration is not transmitted to my hand by is one that I can clearly hear. Even twist tightening the shaft sections as much as I can, the vibration continues.

**The promised changes in the manufacture of these poles first indicated in the initial BPL review, have failed to materialize, notably the promise to change the way the grips are constructed and adhered to the pole shaft.

Overall, these relatively inexpensive all carbon trekking poles are fairly good at the job of providing balance and thrust for hiking at a modest weight, but because of the lack of Quality Control, I would hestitate to purchase them again.

Michael, are you sure you were reviewing the current model?

I've not seen the same issues you are noting above though those are issues that were noted in the first generation of these poles. As far as I am aware the tips are tungsten carbide, the grips on mine are a single piece.

I've not noticed the "sibutle vibration" you speak of and I've used the poles on soft and hard surfaces. However, this is a somewhat subjective issue.

I did have the lock prong break but as I note in the review that could have been a transportation caused failure and even if it happened on a very hard fall the lock still works quite well.

** Ken **

Maybe someone can clear up a puzzle for me. Every twist lock pole (Leki, Komperdell, Exped, Grivel etc) I have tried has failed on occasion by telescoping shorter. Loving hiking off-trail in the Rockies, I cannot trust these poles on the scree slopes downhill, and use either the Black Diamond or the push button lock types (Leki for Campmor, or Treks) for this activity even though they are heavier. Haven't tried to build a carbon push button pole, as the material would probably fail at the button. BPL appears to be right in promoting the one piece carbon poles for the above reasons, even though they are less convenient to transport. Having designed and built my packs, tents and bags to be super light, I have some amount of engineering savvy, and am puzzled how other folks feel they can rely on the twist locks. Maybe someone can shed some light on this. Thanks. Sam

Sorry to hijack this thread but maybe I can spare some of you some headaches; I also spent a lot of time fussing and researching twist-lock poles. Recently I switched to Flick-lock Black Diamonds and don't worry about it anymore. Adjustments for up/down hill literallyl take 5 seconds with no twisting.

I've never owned anything but Black Diamond since 2002, and wouldn't buy twist lock poles.

Any flick lock pole can slip if the screw in the mechanism isn't tight enough.

As to weight, I'd imagine the three section black diamond aluminum poles weigh the same as all other three section aluminum poles, somewhere around 20 oz per pair. There is no mysterious increased weight with black diamond poles.

Firstly, I bought a set of these for my wife because I thought she might like them and they seem well made and I have had no problems with them. Also I have found Alpkit helpful.
Secondly and a little off the subject, why use them at all. It seems in the US it’s a mark of a hiker to use poles. Over here in Aus they are rare. I gave these a go but walking through acacia scrub and bladey grass along ridgelines they were a pain and I found myself having to worry more about the poles than anything else. It seems a little funny reading about "serious Ultralighters" and how they endure cold wet nights sleeping on the bare ground under a cuben fibre handkerchief, making sacrifices in all aspects of hiking to get a 4.9999 pound pack and still they use poles. With such a light load we replace packs with lightweight items with out hipbelts etc, Hiking boots with runners but the poles are still there. I can picture ultra light utopia would be hiking barefoot and naked living purely on air, marching through the bush with a set of trekking poles.
Don’t get me wrong, i'm not saying anyone shouldn’t use them, every one should do what ever makes them enjoy there time in the bush. It’s just that the emphasis on them seems a little off line with the rest of the ultra light philosophy.
Oh, and one more thing, i’m not a serious ultra light hiker. I’m Australian; I’m not serious about anything..

And put another one on the 'barbie will ya.

Enjoyed your comments on poles. Truth is that poles can sometimes get in the way. Hiking through brush or high grass or narrow trails with lots of obstructions or growing things along the edges of the trail comes to mind. These are times when I simply carry my poles. I think someone included some recent research in a post that indicated that poles can actually increase your caloric expenditure. For most of us, they are used for improved balance and as has been said "it's like 4 wheel drive for the feet." They are also very helpful crossing streams.

All this being said, I don't think I would ever think about going on a trek without them. But I have learned to use them judiciously. Perhaps a better motto for most of us would be moderation in all things — even ultralight. We might benefit from not taking it all so seriously — sorta like the Aussies!

Cheers!

G'Day
Good to see you all still have a sense of humour. We all need to remember our gear is just there to help us enjoy ourselves, what ever we use. As long as were having fun nothing else really matters.
Darren

James:
Let me get this straight. You removed the Alkit tips themselves and replaced them with Komperdells? Could you be specific about your proceedure. I understood that the third section of the pole was an integrated whole and had to be replaced. If, in fact, one can remove the actual tip and replace it with a better tip such as a Leki, I would really like to know how to do so. I would not wait for a break, I would replace it now since I feel that the tips are not up to the quality or technical specs of Leki or Komperdell.
I wait with baited breath on your answer.
Thanks
Mitchell

Coincidentally Alpkit have recently posted this http://www.alpkit.com/support/stickies/note/can-i-change-my-trekking-pole-tip/ on their support pages; essentially the text is:

Can I change my trekking pole tip?

Yes, but the method is a little involved. If you want to replace the whole of the plastic lower tip section this is done either buy using a a hot air blower (paint stripper type thing) or placing the whole tip into boiling water then just twist carefully with a set of pliers and the plastic section come of fairly easily. The new section is glued in place using Araldite.

If it just the metal section then pull with a set of pliers and again glue in (after cleaning) the new tip with Araldite. If you prefer not to mess around you can purchase the complete lower section.

I own a set of lightweight Black Diamonds and they are great but recently have moved away from 2 trekking poles to one hiking staff made from wood. After a bit of playing around I found that a 4 foot whittled branch birch, Ash or hazel is really comfortable for walking with and doubles as a snooker cue for the odd moment when you find a table to play on ;-)

ok so wood isnt mega light but it isnt mega heavy either and if you are worried about length/ just put a brass screw insert in it to create two halves

by the way I'm Welsh so i like a good singsong, have fun with sheep and eat coal for breakfast boyo!