MYOG trekking poles

Jonathan,

Do you have handy the exact model of shaft that you chose? I also have a Golfsmith in town but had trouble finding cheaper shafts in the .370 diameter. Yours look good too – not too flashy!

Thanks for the field notes.

Look at Golfsmith online. Look under clubmaking and expand the search box on the left. You will see tip size under those choices. They had 12 listed there this morning.

If you like foam grips (like Ti Goat AGPs) they can be found Here.

Select the 4″ length with a Inside diameter a bit smaller than you pole’s OD. It will stretch and slide on, especially with glue acting as a lubricant.

Yeah, they don't tend to carry the cheapest stuff in the store, but I had seen deals online so I checked for a ship to store option. This is the pole I bought for the longer set:

http://www.golfsmith.com/products/G1000W/Golfsmith/1K_Wood_Shaft

With the tips, the pole comes in at a little over 47 inches, or right around 120 cm.

For the short ones:

http://www.golfsmith.com/products/4494I/Axlle/Composites_STR_Iron_Shaft

With tips, they come in at 41 inches.

These are the grips I went with:

http://www.golfsmith.com/products/18550/Lamkin/Perma-Wrap_Oversize_+3/32_.580_Round

I mainly bought them because they were oversized grips that would give a larger handle. If you're not entirely concerned with width, you could use a thinner grip and save some weight. My handles were rather weighty as they came in at 1.55 oz. each after being cut to 5 inches long. The poles themselves only weigh a little over 2 oz. I'm sure I could save a good bit by going with a cork fishing rod grip. I'm sure I'll probably pick some up next time I'm near a Cabela's. It would probably feel better than rubber as well.

I should note, regarding length, that at 6'2, my 47 inch poles are a little short for me by a couple of inches. I'm not worried about using them on flat ground and more concerned with steep climbing and river crossings, so I considered it a compromise.

To get them any longer, I'd have to hunt down a longer shaft, or use a shaft extension. They are rather common and can be bought at any golf store.

Greg, awesome link and advice for the foam grips. One question: what did you do for an end cap and are you using any sort of straps with your setup?

I have GG LT4s, and bought 100 caps that fit that inside diameter – 0.500" from McMaster-Carr. $5 + S&H. They are called "MP500 Lock Hole Plug", part # 62MP0500.

They look like this –

If you have a 0.500 ID and need a few let me know, I'll put them in the mail.

Edit: Corrected the Part Number.

I’m not using straps. But here is a way to do it:

This is an “Expansion Plug” found in the National section of your local hardware store, and a reinforced nylon bolt. I Use this setup for attaching my handles to shelters, as seen in This thread.

The bolt is a 1/4-20. I have 98 left. If you need a couple…

Hmmm, the main reason I added and sort of straps was just to keep them on hand without having to maintain a tight grip the whole time. Or if I had to suddenly let go and catch something, free up a hand, etc.

Do you find it annoying to not be able to just let go and use your hand without having to drop the stick? Because, honestly, if I can get away with no straps, I'd prefer a straight up cork grip.

I do not use straps.
I like to be able to "wave good-bye" if a pole gets caught.

If you want a loose "keeper", take a look at the small loop a the bottom of the Gossamer Gear LT cork grips. You attach a very light loop to that, as a "wrist loop".

I tried it for a while, and then just went with nothing. I occasionally drop them, but two years later and plenty of miles, I'm quite content without any sort of attachment.

Some folks really lean on their poles – and straps -, and for that the more robust 'expansion plug' attachment is needed.

Hi Jon,

great job on the trekking poles. I am curious, how much does everything cost from the golf shalf, grip, leki material?

Thanks

My poles were 10.96, grips were roughly 3 dollars. Golf club grips can range anywhere from 2 bucks to 10 bucks, really. I might hit up the golf store and check out a few more to see if they are "softer" to the touch. I'm a little worried about the possibility of blisters with my current rubber grips. If you have patience (I lack it), the EVA foam fishing grips are probably the best way to go (see above link from previous poster)

The cord, I bought for 5 bucks for 50 feet. most people have that stuff lying around.

The Leki tips were 14 bucks a pair and the baskets were 2 dollars each at a local store. Prices tend to vary from place to place.

So for my set, I guess it cost right at $46 not counting the cord.

Hadn't thought of it until I nearly threw the box into the recycling bin, but if you order shafts from golfsmith (or any other golf retailer, I'd assume), they'll come in a box perfect for shipping your trekking poles should the need ever arise. Though, if you have the kind of money to fly to a backpacking destination and ship all your gear there, you probably have the bucks to go ahead and buy lightweight adjustable poles that fit in your pack….

Either way, mine came in a nice triangular prism shaped box at about 48 inches long.

Jonathan,

1. When you are typing your entry, there is an "Insert Image at Cursor" button up and to the right. Click on it and a window will open. Click the "Browse" button in that window and you will be able to select a photo from your hard drive and upload it.

2. Did you check out the synthetic cork grips GossamerGear.com sells? I have their trekking poles with these grips and they're very light and comfortable. A pair of replacement grips cost $20. They're very light.

Does anyone know if EVA or cork grips would be lighter? Looks like Mud Hole has both. Also, has anyone tried sanding/molding cork ones to fit your hand better?

Please forgive me if this has already been posted. I skimmed the postings but didn't read everything thoroughly.

Auto parts stores have flat sheets of cork for use as gaskets. One could laminate and shape this sheet into just about anything you want.

Shops that sell parts for making fishing poles carry cork rings that are made to be stacked as handles, or complete handles.

http://www.jannsnetcraft.com/rod-building/

good folks, but they will try and send you a fat catalog and overcharge shipping. specify no catalog and the shipping should be less.

anybody know if the real cork is significantly lighter/heavier than EVA grips?

Jonathan – Thanks for the great post. I've been considering trekking poles and this is perfect, inexpensive, and exteremely straight forward.

Question on the shaft material… has anyone noticed a difference in stiffness with the composite (graphite) shafts versus the metal alternatives? My concern isn't so much about the weight, but more about the flex using golf club shafts which are designed to torque. There is a specificaiton on golfsmith for stiff varieties, but I imagine the metal shafts flex quite a bit less.