Topic

MLD Solomid/Duomid Pole

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
dirtbag BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 8:38 am
  1. Curious about the strength and integrity of the Mountain Laurel Designs Solomid or Duomid Poles.  Does anyone use the pole instead of their trekking pole? Have you used it in extreme winds? Not concerned about snow loads as for winter I would use my Trekking pole..  but if I decided to use the Solomid in nasty rain and strong winds in milder temperatures my usual trekking poles are not long enough to use with the Solomid XL and the adapter does not work with them either,  so I was considering getting the single pole from MLD.  I just like to hear from someone who has used it or still uses it and has been through the ringer with strong winds using it.
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 9:26 am

Just join your 2 trekking poles together to make a single pole. There are numerous ways of doing this, and it results in a stronger set up than a dedicated pole would offer, and without the weight penalty of the dedicated pole. Most people will just use a pair of Voile straps, though I made an adjustable system which is very light. I can take a picture of it if you’re curious.

dirtbag BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 9:59 am

Please if you can?? Would like to see it. Thanks.

dirtbag BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 10:13 am

Voile straps!!! Thats it! Just grabbed 2 of them for $8. Definitely will try them out. Thanks for that suggestion!!  Would still like to see photo of your idea if possible.. thanks again..

Chris R BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 10:25 am

Wondering why the adapter doesn’t work with your poles? I have the BD Distance poles so to make them work I switched out the tips to use the standard Flexi tips. Took about 10 minutes to remove the existing tips and add the new ones. Poles now work great with the Ruta Locura pole jacks and I have the option of using an A pole format.

PostedApr 6, 2022 at 10:35 am

The system consists of two small fabric pockets about the size of doggy booties that go over the tops of your trekking poles. Each has a line-loc 3 sewed onto it and the two are joined by a piece of cord so the distance between those pockets is adjustable. Each pocket also has a Velcro strap sewn onto it which can capture the opposite pole (basically what you are gonna use the Voile straps for).

If you use the Volé straps, you may still want to bring a piece of cord where you fashion a loop through the trekking pole straps so that you can fix the distance between the straps to prevent the two poles sliding in relation to each other. You may already be carrying some straps that you can use for this purpose.

 

dirtbag BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 10:40 am

Looking at MLD site.. the aluminum extenders do not work with my poles. I do see they recommended smaller carbon fiber ones that should work…

dirtbag BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 10:45 am

That is very nice work!! Looks good. Thanks for the picture.

baja bob BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 10:56 am

I have a Locus Gear Hapi custom XL size.  I use the dual pole setup and need poles that are longer than my 140MM hiking poles. Luxe Hiking has extenders for hiking poles as well as an insert that allows the ends of two hiking poles to be removed. The insert mates two poles together. Far stronger than straps IMO. I don’t see the extenders on Luxe Hiking’s website, but backpacking light UK sells them, which is where I bought them.  You need to figure out what size poles you have. Some are three section poles are 18/16/14 mm diameter while others are 16/14/12mm. Shipping from the UK is a little expensive, but the parts are inexpensive and are simple to use. Of course, you have to accept the 2 oz weight penalty for the convenience.

Here is a video demonstration:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSvFEF5FUyY

Buy them here:

https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories/YA113.html

https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories/YA112.html

https://www.backpackinglight.co.uk/shelter-accessories/YA111.html

dirtbag BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 11:00 am

Thanks for that. Unfortunately my poles are the black diamond Distance Carbon FLZ poles, so that would not work..

Brad W BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 3:08 pm

Might be able to fashion something with 2-4 reusable zip ties or velcro wrap.

dirtbag BPL Member
PostedApr 6, 2022 at 3:21 pm

Gonna try the carbon 6′ adapter and/or those Viole straps.. see which I prefer better. Thanks.

PostedApr 6, 2022 at 6:05 pm

Here is another strategy that may not rely on any sewing (depending on the line-loc 3 that you use). I punched four small holes through each Voile strap and threaded some cord through the holes, and then tied a loop. I sewed a bit of grossgrain to hold the line-loc, but there are other means of attaching that adjuster. There’s really nothing else to it. You can simply throw a double loop or a clove hitch around the trekking pole tips, lay the poles parallel to each other in opposite directions, loosely apply the Voile straps so that you can still slide the poles relative to each other, figure out the length that you want  via the line lock, and then snug everything down.

You can also rig the line-loc via a prusik knot.

 

 

dirtbag BPL Member
PostedApr 7, 2022 at 12:37 pm

Ta boot.. So I was just playing with my poles and I realized the Gossamer Gear LT5 poles extend to 51 inches. I forgot all about them since I never use them, my son always uses those poles when we go out.  Anyway, guess I will also see how that carbon pole extender from MLD works on my poles for the Solomid now that it is already shipped out..

Viewing 15 posts - 1 through 15 (of 15 total)
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