One of the lightest trekking poles on the market, the Gossamer Gear LT 5 is popular among the thru-hiking community. Due to its fragile, thin-walled (but ultralight) carbon tubing, we don’t recommend it for snow or off-trail use, but they are durable enough for most users on trail.

Advantages:

  • Most collapsible telescoping pole in this weight range (24 inches / 60 cm)
  • Very comfortable ergonomic foam grips
  • Wide, padded, soft straps – very comfortable
  • Low rattle/vibration

Disadvantages:

  • Twist-lock adjustability mechanism is one of the least secure and reliable among the poles we have tested
  • Carbon shafts are thin-walled and quite fragile, especially lower section – prone to breakage
  • No grip extension
  • One of the most expensive poles on the market