tent pole / trekking pole alternatives

When I am out on short local trips without my poles, with my Gatewood Cape for a shelter, I just rummage around camp for a suitable stick. Carry weight=0. But we are not above treeline here.

Some of the other lightweight tent vendors (Gossamer Gear, Z Packs, Six Moon Designs)) sell carbon fiber trekking poles, generally the same length but lighter weight. They won't be as strong as trekking poles, though, and are no stronger than the aluminum poles. I know that the SMD pole for the Lunar Solo bent quite a bit under tension.

I know that when not using trekking poles, Henry Shires recommends 2 poles for his Squall 2 and Rainshadow 2. These tents are both quite stable with 2 of the aluminum tent poles, and it's a lot easier to get in and out the door. Of course, not all tents requiring trekking poles have the two-pole option.

For poles similar to trekking poles, the Gossamer Gear Lightrek trekking poles (without straps or baskets) would probably be the lightest carbon fiber poles that would have the same strength as a trekking pole. They definitely won't be cheap, though!

Also note that Tarptent sells a number of tents which don't require trekking poles.

Actually, once I tried trekking poles, I would never, ever go hiking without them. You might want to try an inexpensive pair of trekking poles (even a pair of used ski poles the right length) for a while before giving up on the idea!

Fibraplex carbon fiber poles cost around $30 each. I have a pair of them for my shelter, and together they weigh around 2.5 ounces. I can't remember whether that is with the rubber band around them, or not.

–B.G.–

I want something more reliable than picking up sticks. The last time I backpacked the camping was in designated areas and every twig had been gotten for firewood for a mile. I would have been stumbling around in the dark forever trying to find a suitable stick.

I have tried one trekking pole, never two and did not like it. I like having my hands free, I usually have my dog with me on a leash, and I sweat a lot and wipe my face a lot and don't like to stop to do it or worry about smacking myself in the face with a trekking pole to wipe my brow.

I have thought a lot about TT Moment and may still get it, was just drooling over the new TT Notch here recently and thinking about what I would use instead of trekking poles.

How do they compare in rigidness to a standard tent pole or a trekking pole?

Several alternatives:

1. Easiest: stop trying to use any shelter that requires trekking poles in favor of one that sets up with its own pole set. Carry only what you need.

2. Easy but adds a single use item to your pack weight – Purchase and carry either carbon fiber or aluminum collapsable poles, like those from Tarptent and Six Moon Designs. Figure about 1.8 to 2 ounces per pole. I've used both types and brands and much prefer the metal to the CF poles. Both types will bow under tension, but the aluminum seems less so. Neither is as strong as trekking poles, be they CF or metal. There are also custom houses that can make whatever length and strength you want.

3. Max flexibility but contrary to your desires – carry trekking poles (multi-use items). I use my LT4 trekking poles (CF) as they serve multiple purposes along the trail. Having foolishly levered one over a rock and heard it snap, I now carry a spare lower section with me. It is the same weight as one of the collapsable tent poles, but can keep both my trekking poles and shelter functional should I ever make the same mistake again.

4. Possible – suspend the shelter by line from a convenient overhead branch. This can severely restrict your available campsites and daily mileages, but it's doable.

5. More difficult – pick up a suitable stick near each night's camp; discard in the morning. You are rolling the dice on finding one each individual night. Too risky for my blood. Don't try this at or above treeline.

"How do they compare in rigidness to a standard tent pole or a trekking pole?"

There is no such thing as a standard tent pole.

Fibraplex poles are much lighter and thinner and less rigid than any tent pole that I have ever owned. However, they seem to support my shelter just fine.

–B.G.–

I wonder what size/weight aluminum poles you would need to equal a trekking pole in rigidness?

What about these carbon fiber tent poles from Ruta Locura (as far as I can tell, a new company sprung from Titanium Goat)?

http://www.rutalocura.com/Tent_Poles.html

I have never used these so I cannot comment on their performance. They also make some well-known adjustable carbon fiber trekking poles:

http://www.rutalocura.com/trekking_poles.html

>I have thought a lot about TT Moment and may still get it, was just drooling over the new TT Notch here recently and thinking about what I would use instead of trekking poles.

I was pleasantly surprised at the performance of the Notch with two of the 45" poles we also offer for the Squall 2 and Contrail. Initially I thought we would need to offer some stiffer (and much more expensive) carbon poles but for 4 ounces and $12, the Easton pole set works just fine.

-H

I don’t know the diameter of the Easton aluminum poles offered by TarpTent, but they’re probably either the .340″ x .025″ wall or .344″ x .019″ wall versions. If you find those not as strong as you’d like, then you could try some with a larger diameter. TentPole Technologies LLC offers Easton 7075 Aluminum poles in all flavors and I can say from personal experience that the .380″ x .026″ wall poles are pretty dang strong. Obviously, the larger you go the more they’ll weigh.