Outdoor Products trekking poles at Walmart

The ones I see are twist lock. Maybe I need to go to the store in case there's a discrepancy with their website.

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10928567

Edit: Nevermind, I used Google to search instead of their site's search and was able to find them.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10928566
Both say out of stock online, but nothing about getting them at a store.

I've got a couple 100 miles on a pair and I haven't been disappointing in them yet. They seem to be solid, as they haven't slipped or failed in any way. I took the wrist straps and basket off of them and I think they are about 8.5 oz each. I don't think they are pieces of junk like the Swiss Gears seem to be. $26 for a pair of fairly light poles that will probably last a lot longer than $176 carbon ones ain't too bad.

My friend had a Walmart pole snap on a four day in the Canadian Rockies last summer. And it was not reparable on trail. Not worth the trouble. I had a good experience with the Black Diamond Trail with flick locks – cheap and light.

Speaking of WalMart, I think the Ozark Trail Jr. Dome ($20) is a decent budget lightweight shelter. It's a kid's toy tent and the poles are flimsy, so don't try taking it to Everest Base Camp, but it works well for a lot of trips, IMO. A 72" thermarest fits diagonally. So it's good for up to about 6-footers. Pretty good ventilation via the mesh top, so condensation is not bad at all. I used this setup last night, in fact. A guy named Stiffler posted a video on YouTube giving a review. You can find it by searching for "ultralight tent" or "Ozark Trail Jr. Dome".
Having said that, I would much prefer to give my money to a guy like Henry Shires or other ultralight manufacturers. I just needed something to get by until I backpack more and am sure which type of shelter will be best for me.

Just got back from picking up poles for my son and I. Look pretty decent and aren't that heavy, but these are my first ones and will also hold up our new Lunar Duo. Much prefer the flicklock mechanism to the twistlock style.

As for the Jr Dome, you're probably right. My son has an equivalent from the Trail's End prizes and it's pretty light and easy to setup but I must sleep in it alone diagonally (I'm 5'9").

Marc, I don't think it is the pole we are talking about here. It's probably the Swiss gear pole. The Outdoor Products poles have only been sold there (at least where I live) for a few months.

Confirmed: broken pole was the Swiss Gear. -Marc

Saw these today at my local Walmart, had to pick a pair up. Locks look just like the flintlocks so I went for a set, they seemed really nice. I was going to take them home and weigh them before I made a decision, good to see some positive feedback here. Two colors to choose from, I may get a 2nd set for the wife.

I used to have a Jr Dome and loved it. I mean its only 20 bucks and that was a budget that my dad could live with when I was in scouts. I even took it on a six week backpacking trip on the AT using it about 50 percent of the time.

> I used to have a Jr Dome and loved it

That's cool. Any idea what it weighs?

I bought 2 and have put 25 miles on them they will be going to phimont this summer.

Wonder what replacement tips might work with them?

Of course, you can also buy a replacement broom handle that comes with a metal tip and are found in most hardware stores.

http://www.backpacking.net/walkstik.html#thunder

I've got the SwissGear cork handle ones they were only $10 each and have held up nicely for 2 years now…the lock is pretty secure and the handles are great.

cheers

I bought a pair of copper colored anodized Eddie Bauer twist locking poles for my wife at Wal-Mart. The handles are nicely ergonomically angled and covered with a cork compound and the tips are carbide steel. Plus they are actually spring loaded anti-shock poles!

I've been using them since I converted my Leki poles to backcountry ski poles this winter. These Eddie Bauer poles are durable and very comfortable with their well designed handles. I paid around $30. for the pair, as I reacall, and that's cheap for poles like this. So far only good things to say about them.

Maybe these poles are among the 1st products of the newly revamped Eddie Bauer line. Let us hope so. Back in the '70s the Eddie Bauer name meant decent down clothing and trail goods. Then Alice Foods sold them to Speigel and the brand became just another venue to market "outdoorsy" clothing.

Eric

Eric, you bought Eddie Bauer at Walmart or Target? I've seen them at Target, but didn't think Walmart ever sold those.