Trekking poles – Gossamer gear LT4S or Black Diamond Fixed-Length Ultra Distance?

"So here's the comparison:"

You might consider adding the Locus Gear CP3's to your list of candidates. Cheaper than GG, pack down much shorter, are beefier, and weigh ~10.5 oz. I switched from GG LT4's and have never looked back. Worth a look, IMO.

I have the GG LT4's, the Black Diamond Ultra Distance, and the Locus Gear CP3. Do you use the poles for your shelter? If you do (and I do) adjustable poles are easier. I don't normally adjust the poles on the trail. In my opinion, the CP3's are light years ahead of the LT4's and would be my top choice for adjustable poles, but I really like the Black Diamonds too. They pack up real nice, small, and there is something really steady about a fixed length pole. It really is a neat system that Black Diamond came up with. Since I use trekking poles for my shelter and I take the Locus Gear CP3s.

If you are okay with fixed-length poles, you can remove the straps and cut out the connecting hardware from the BD poles, then glue the sections together with epoxy.

I did this to my 120cm BD poles and they weigh 8.6 oz/pair. My "heavy" REI (Komperdell) poles weigh 13.8 oz/pair without straps/baskets.

Turns out 120cm is also exactly the right size for my Hexamid Duplex.

Never thought a few ounces would make a difference with the poles, but since using these lighter ones I am hooked. And they are not noodly feeling at all – much more rigid than they look!

"Has anyone had success packing the BD poles as carry-on? "

I don't think that's legal. Could be wrong though. I always check mine. Usually checking other things like knives and other stuff that's iffy for carry on anyway.

I use and love the BD ultra distance poles. I haven't used the others mentioned in this thread and haven't used adjustable poles in a long time. I also don't use trekking poles for my shelter except to suspend my bivy over my face when I'm using that as a shelter.

I also cut the straps off my black diamond poles and they weigh 8.75oz.

"I also cut the straps off my black diamond poles"

I removed mine too. No cutting necessary if that matters.

I'm using the fixed length UD's, even w/ adjustable poles (BD Carbon Corks) I still needed pole jacks to use w/ my Duomid. I don't adjust my poles when hiking, so fixed length w/ the appropriate length pole jacks was an easy decision for me

btw if you're going up very steep stuff, you can drop the length of the UD's by pushing in the locking pin- it will shorten them just enough in my experience

Random thoughts:

Fixed-length is better if you know what length you like, the poles come in that length, and you don't like to change length in different terrain.

Length needs to be shorter than most rule-of-thumb advice, IMO. You want the poles well under you so you can offload substantial weight without tiring your arms. I'm 6'5" and use 120cm poles.

Cutting off the straps saves weight, but you can save even more weight with less detrimental impact by cutting the shoulder straps off your pack. :-)

I have The BD UD poles (aluminum version) and have a few compliants:

1) The grips are too thin. Makes them surprisingly uncomfortable, even though I use the straps aggressively and never hold the grip tightly. I had to augment mine with some things I peeled off a couple of $3 ice scrapers.

2) The "baskets," which are too small to do any good except for holding the poles together when they're folded, grab onto brush like you wouldn't believe. Fishhooks couldn't be much worse. And they do a poor job of holding the poles folded, so grinding them off is a good idea.

3) The straps are over-engineered and hard to use. They're right/left-specific, which is a half-second pain every time you put them on. Worse, they're molded to cradle your hand/wrist in a way that makes them nigh unto impossible to pull off over gloves without dipping into your bad vocabulary. Finally, they have a weak point where they connect to the pole and I have to replace them every year. About $15 each time, but it's a hassle.

Otherwise, they're sturdy.

Interesting comments, Todd.

I would say the opposite on just about every one of your comments :)

Never ceases to surprise me just how different people are…

Billy

Wow, great info here. I do want to cut weight, but these Locus Gear poles sound like the ticket – never would have known of them without this forum. I love the BD's but I'd prefer a 125cm length, although I know that can be subjective, and the collapsed length of the LT4's is a hassle. Since a tarp tent might be in my future I'd rather take a 2oz hit and future proof my setup.

Thanks everyone, really appreciate the guidance here, wish I'd asked before I even started down this route!

Mike

Another option are the Cascade Mountain Tech poles found at Costco and online. I have a pair of these and have been using them in direct comparison with the Locus Gear poles… it’s going to be *really* hard to find a reason to spend the extra dough… though the Locus Poles are nice in their own right.

Worth looking into at ~$30 a pair!

linky here… http://hikeitlikeit.com/2014/lightweight-trekking-poles-revisited/