Best trekking poles for light-weight person.

Are the “cork” grips from Gossamer Gear better than the grips that come with the new LT5 poles?

My wife’s uses these and loves them:

https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/167058/black-diamond-alpine-carbon-cork-trekking-poles-pair

Real cork handles are far more comfortable than “synthetic cork” handles.

The grips are mostly for decoration if you use the straps correctly.  I recommend simple grips, with as few notches and ridges and other silliness as possible.  Even if you don’t use the straps, it’s a miserable day if you have to hold the poles in exactly the position the sculpted grips demand all the time.  I prefer the foam rubber grips to cork, as the latter are hard and the stupid ridges and notches can rub or dig in.

Two cost-effective options would be the Costco poles (~$30) which have cork grips that can be customized by sanding them down, and the Fizan poles on Massdrop (Drop.com) that have foam grips ($60 + shipping).

Thanks all!

Right now we are mostly focused on the lighter options. For example, Black diamond distance carbon FLZ (12.7 oz) and Gossamer Gear LT5 (10.6 oz). I think those weights are correct. Would you consider the 2 oz difference pretty important?

They are each about $190. The Black Diamond is adjustable from 105 to 125 cm; GG LT5 is also adjustable. I think TiGoat (RutaLocura) also makes some light weight poles, but I think those are unavailable now. Does anyone know of any other lightweight choices or have an opinion on these choices? Thanks!

Locus Gear CP3s are what I use.  Fully adjustable for shorter or taller people (65/135cm) and around 11oz for the pair. Im 175lbs and use the poles to support a pyramid shelter I’ve used them for two years so far without issue.

Dont have experience with the other poles so cant comment on those.

I’d suggest something like the cascade mountain tech(sometimes available as costco as mentioned above). Definitely one of the best values and what I often recommend. Plus you can play with different lengths if you want to go to fixed length later. The fizans are really nice too and light weight, supposedly one of the better twist locks, any other adjustable brand I go with a flintlock type.I’d had others get loose on a hike.  One question is if if you’ll need adjustable type for a shelter. 95% of the time I wind up using an older set of BD aluminium Z poles.  12+ oz? If I needed adjustable on a trip I’d probably use the fizans or the cascades.  I’d say a couple of ounces don’t matter much but if you go from 14 oz to 20+, you’ll notice.

Black Diamond Distance FLZ poles are light, not too crazy expensive and women specific design. The carbon version will save you a few ounces for $40 more.

Consider the PacerPole carbons:

http://www.pacerpole.com/product/carbon-fibre-pacerpole

The PacerPole uses a much more ergonomic handle than conventional poles, eliminating the need for wrist straps. In my experience they are a far more comfortable and efficient pole, and I would never consider going back to conventional handles.

Not well known in the US, but in the UK many of the best known hikers, mountaineers and educators use and endorse them. Here are reviews the doyen of UK reviewers, Chris Townsend and respected US reviewer SectionHiker:

https://www.tgomagazine.co.uk/review/pacerpole-3-section-carbon-trekking-poles/

https://sectionhiker.com/pacerpole-dual-lock-trekking-poles/

Whenever I meet other users on the trail we always agree that this is an objectively better pole that deserves to be better known.