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What are the best UL Treckking Poles?


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Viewing 22 posts - 1 through 22 (of 22 total)
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  • #1287172
    Jeremy Olson
    BPL Member

    @kayaker7775

    Locale: Midwest

    I have been working on my kit to get to UL weight slowly over the last 3 years. I am almost there with the exception of my trekking poles. I beat the hell out of my poles. I use them for hiking, stream crossings, powering up hills, tarp poles, flipping branches off the the trail, pushing thorny vines out of the way, fending off dogs that get too close and much more. I also fly out West every year and need poles that break down and can survive being packed in the belly of a plane with other luggage. I have used my Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking poles for many years and they still work great! The only problem is that they weigh 1 lb 4 oz. I am concerned about switching them out for UL poles. I had a buddy who snapped his UL pole on the first day of a ten day trip and had to strap it to his pack for the rest of the trip. Does anyone have any suggestions for a durrable and adjustable UL trekking pole?

    #1854221
    Serge Giachetti
    Spectator

    @sgiachetti

    Locale: Boulder, CO

    UL poles are a joy to use but definitely not as tough as something above a lb. You need to pay more attention to your pole placement and be pleasantly surprised if they last you as long as your BD's. I like thefit BDfz carbon corks as a semi light/tough pair. The GGs defy physics.

    #1854235
    Jeremy Olson
    BPL Member

    @kayaker7775

    Locale: Midwest

    I have been eyeing the GG but I am not sure they will hold up. My weight varies from 200 to 215 so I need someting strong. The GG are very expensive to try on a whim.

    #1854252
    Serge Giachetti
    Spectator

    @sgiachetti

    Locale: Boulder, CO

    agreed on the gg's. fwiw i may be selling my slightly used pair, so I can let you know before i post them. Check these out. A more affordable option that will still save you 8 oz. More compact then GG's too.

    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/fizan_compact_poles_review.html

    #1854262
    John S.
    BPL Member

    @jshann

    What is your definition of UL trekking pole..what weight do you want? You could consider modifying your BD poles by changing out the handle/strap/basket which could take off several ounces since those are overbuilt.

    #1854297
    Justin Brennan
    BPL Member

    @jgbrennan

    Locale: Here and there.

    I like my Black Diamond Distance Z Poles at 12 oz for the pair. I replaced some slightly heavier Lekis when I broke a tip last year on the AT, and REI was going to take 6 weeks to replace it. They offered to just give me credit for a new pair, and I am happy with my decision.

    #1854392
    Peter James
    BPL Member

    @pbjames

    Locale: High Sierra

    I went through 3 sets of Ultra Distance poles last summer, each time BD replaced them under warranty, either for failures in the metal joints between sections, or the carbon fiber weave itself. I ended up returning them to Moosejaw for a refund. I now use the BD Alpine Carbon Cork poles, which, while about 6oz heavier, feel far more robust, are more comfortable to use, and better multitaskers due to their adjustable length. It's certainly a case of weight not being everything, at least for me.

    #1854404
    Stephen Adams
    BPL Member

    @stevemkedcom

    Locale: Northwest

    I have put about 500 miles on my GG's and while I weighed 230 (been working on my Spine out and down to 208 now). I did have one snap at about 100 miles for no apparent reason. GG determined it to be a flaw in the Carbon fiber and replaced the section for free. Did the West coast trail last year with miles of board walks and kept getting them caught in the gap between the boards. I thought for sure I was going to snap one off but never did. They seem to be sturdier than they look and feel.

    #1854421
    Mark Dijkstra
    Member

    @markacd

    +1 for the Fizan Compact poles. You can see my review of them here.
    http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=46402&cat=Trekking%20Poles&cid=56

    If you're going to be rough on your poles aluminium poles may be better for you than carbon poles. If carbon fails, it will fail catastrophicaly without much warning. Worst case scenario is if the carbon splinters. Those splinters are razor sharp and can cause very nasty wounds. Aluminium will bend before it breaks and can often be bent back to it's (more or less) original shape, allowing you to use your poles for the rest of your journey.

    #1854430
    Nathan Pipenberg
    Spectator

    @thoreau-going

    Locale: Central PA

    I love my TiGoat poles. With a pack on I weigh about 190 and they held up over an AT thru. I stepped on them and caught them between rocks a few times too — they seem remarkably strong for their weight to me.

    #1854443
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    "Does anyone have any suggestions for a durrable and adjustable UL trekking pole?"

    I've been delighted with my GG LT4's after 4 years of use, on trail and off. I use them for everything you mention except the dog bit, and haven't had any breakage issues yet. They are a lot sturdier than they look. However, I weigh ~136-137#, and am careful with my plants. If you are careful, I don't think body weight should be an issue. If you are not, and like to bull your way thru the backcountry, they are probably not for you. Nor, for that matter, would any other truly UL hiking pole, by which I mean <10 oz. Downsides to LT4's: Occasional expander slippage; can be difficult to control in really high wind; pricey.

    #1854447
    Jay Wilkerson
    BPL Member

    @creachen

    Locale: East Bay

    I really like my GG LT3C fixed length at 120cm. No moving parts to fail.

    #1854455
    Eric D.
    BPL Member

    @ewdysar

    Locale: SoCal

    I'm currently hiking with a set of REI Peak UL carbon poles. They are three piece poles and weigh 6.77 oz (192g) each with wrist straps and trail baskets. They were made by Komperdell and are holding up well to my 205-210 lb usage. Collapsed in a side pocket, they're shorter than my GG Gorilla pack and if I ever break them REI will take them back.

    Keep your options open…

    #1854477
    Brian Lewis
    Member

    @brianle

    Locale: Pacific NW

    OP talks about "beating the hell out of poles". In that context, I don't recommend carbon fiber poles. I loved my REI branded komperdell c.f. poles for 1+ thru-hikes, but fell on ice and snapped one of them in the Smokies on the A.T.
    Someone else says that "and if I ever break them REI will take them back." In the context of me falling and landing hard on a pole that I knew was subject to such breakage, it didn't seem right to me to take them back. Plus, I had about 3000 miles on them and they were starting to slip a lot anyway.

    I bought the lightest titanium poles that Leki sold at the time as replacements. No springs, no bells or whistles, just the lightest poles at the time that they guaranteed for life. These I would return if anything happened to them. Hiking later that year I bent one quite a bit going through a stile, but was able to just bend it back and keep going.

    #2013978
    alex hansen
    Member

    @holden425

    Brian, so glad you understand that trekking poles are not designed to last your lifetime. Everybody else who thinks rei should have to eat the full refund price of anything that has endured a full thru hike is an immoral son of a gun

    #2013986
    Jeff M.
    BPL Member

    @catalyst

    From a post on their facebook page it looks like MLD will be offering lightweight poles soon and Ron makes them sound stronger than the typical lightweight offerings thus far. Only time will tell, but it may be an option if you don't need them ASAP.

    #2014005
    James Reilly
    Spectator

    @zippymorocco

    Locale: Montana

    Another Titanium goat/Ruta Locura. Incredibly durable in my opinion. I took a pair of two year poles on my thru hike and they still never broke. I did have to send them back in order to have the top section cleaned and sanded Smooth on the inside again. They started to slip and that was the suggested repair. Josh was super helpful and repaired them free of charge. Even covered return shipping. I would buy another set if I ever wear these out.

    #2014025
    Link .
    BPL Member

    @annapurna

    I love my Locus gear flick lock poles,5oz each and $130 shipped from Japan,they are sold out now but will apparently have them back in stock in Sept.

    #2014039
    Dan @ Durston Gear
    BPL Member

    @dandydan

    Locale: Canadian Rockies

    Yeah the Locus Gear CP2 FL (flick lock) poles are great. Compared to the GG LT4's you add an ounce or so, but you get poles that pack smaller (being 3 piece), are stiffer and the flick locks are nicer. The LT4's have nicer grips and they're lighter so that's better if you're using them constantly and don't need enough stiffness for off-trail use.

    #2014363
    Ross Bleakney
    BPL Member

    @rossbleakney

    Locale: Cascades

    If you get carbon fiber poles, then don't ever use them to whack bushes. In other words, don't ever think they can work as a machete, even for weeds or soft plants like nettles. I made the mistake of whacking a noxious weed while waiting for a hiking partner. Unfortunately, there was a rock behind the plant. Those types of poles can't take that type of abuse.

    Other than that, my GG 4 poles have held up just fine. I have broken a few, but I've broken a few aluminum poles as well. In every other case (other than the whacking incident) most aluminum poles would have broken as well (the heavy BD winter poles might have survived).

    #2014656
    E.L. Boston
    Member

    @el_jefe

    Locale: The Pacific Northwest

    I have a pair of REI Carbon Powerlock poles I am absolutely delighted with. I have absolutely no complaints whatsoever, and if they were lost or stolen, I would buy another pair without a moment's hesitation.

    #2015166
    NoCO-Jim
    BPL Member

    @noco-jim

    Locale: NoCO

    Never had an AL fail, but several BD CF poles.
    Maybe why warranty 1-yr on CF and lifetime on AL.
    You can always buy replacement sections from BD after 1-yr warranty gives out.

    CF1

    CF2

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