GG LT4S & Ruta Locura/TiGoat poles. Which are easier to adjust? Other thoughts welcome too.

Hiya

I'd love to hear your feedback regarding your protos on the three piece poles?

I like the sound of them, being able to collapse them to such a short size appeals to me, however I hope the three piece doesn't simply add another level of vulnerability.

Are they as durable?
Did you/have you had any troubles with them?
How do they feel compared to the two piece?

Look forward to your thoughts prior to my potential purchase.

Kind regards
Jase

I have just received a set of the Rutu Locura 3 piece poles which I purchased for trips requiring aircraft travel as I can pack them easily inside my pack and carry it on as hand luggage. I have had a pair of the 2 piece poles for a couple of years (about 80 days usage) and find the grips work well. They are comfortable and fit the hand nicely. Another thing I noted in changing from a pair of Komperdel poles (297 g each) to the Ruta Locura is that I stopped using the straps (optional add-on) although I used them continuously with the Komperdels.

The 3 piece poles have a fixed connection at the top joined with a cf ferrule and a screw expander. All the adjustment is done at the bottom joint with the same screw expander fitting. The top 2 sections are the same diameter tubing so it is just a butt fit. The poles sections are 53cm, 51cm and 49cm top to bottom so the length range you can achieve is 107cm to 137cm.

The gg lt4's are the bees knees. However the locking mechanism isn't great. I got a 3 section yana pole b/c the long gg's were getting in the way when I was scrambling and bushwacking. The locking mechanism is better than the gg's & ruta sells replacement parts. The handle is better than I thought but those soft corks on the gg"s are my favorite. I don't think you can use the gg grips on the yana's since the yana's are a bit narrower than the gg's.

…and are there any reports of vibration through to your hands with the Ruta Locura 3 piece?

I have noticed some pretty bad vibrations with the two-piece poles. You can actually see them bend out and vibrate when using them on the road or hard packed ground, rocky areas, etc.

In looking closely at the photos of the three-piece ones, I think that they three piece ones should totally solve this problem. The vibration happens just above where the joint connection is, so by going with the three piece poles, and thereby doubling-up of the rods in that section should nullify the vibrations – hopefully!

I am very tempted to sell my two piece ones and order up the three-piece poles.

–Abela