Gossamer Gear Lightrek 3 Trekking Pole Review

I can't wait to buy a pair- 2.8 oz at 125cm that's SUL!!!

I haven't heard anything since Gossamer Gear's September email newsletter:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
NEW GEAR IN THE WORKS
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1. The new Miniposa™. Due out very soon, this pack is a stripped down version of its predecessor and fills in the blank left by the discontinued G5™. It will be constructed of silnylon, will weigh around 14 oz., and will have the detachable hip belt, now standard on our packs. The Miniposa™ is for those with light loads or who take shorter trips yet want a full hip belt and a slew of features. Details and dates to come soon.

2. Adjustable Trekking poles! At last these are in the GG pipeline. Yeehaw! These revolutionary poles have to be used to be believed. I've tested them, as have others, and it's universally love at first sight. The time, engineering and technology that went into this has paid off. At a scant 6.8 oz. per pair, the shafts are
based on our current fixed poles with a beefed up spiral wound tip section for
added strength where you need it most. Fully adjustable up to 140 cm they are the bomb. We'll have more specifics in the next few weeks.
If you'd like to be notified when they are in stock, email me at [email protected].

3. The Gorilla™ is a new pack that will be introduced later this Fall. This is the
toughest pack we've ever made. The Gorilla™ will have the same volume as a Miniposa™, be feature rich and will include some fabrics and features we've never used before. If you do any off trail hiking, a little mountaineering/climbing, maybe some racing or just want a light but tough pack this might be the one for you.

There are several more new products in the works for this winter so stay tuned for developments.

> Does anyone else agree that poles these light don't need straps?

You probably don't need them in fine warm weather – but I don't use poles then so i wouldn't really know.

But when you have thick ski gloves and overmitts on it is nice to have that extra help from a strap. Otherwise your hands get rather tired.

I don't think any of these UL CF poles were specifically designed for use in the snow, and I don't think they have been fully tested there either.

My 2c
Cheers

I've stripped my REI Peak Ultralight poles, removing the baskets and the straps. They now weigh 5.2 oz each, and I don't miss the straps at all. At first I thought I'd miss them but now I actually prefer them without straps.

The new Gossamer gear poles will be quite a bit lighter than my poles, so I'm sure they will be fine without straps.

Dan

I like straps for two reasons: Steep trails on the edge of a canyon or ravine and a fast moving stream crossing. I think it is better to have them-then not. My 3 cents

Ryan, I've owned the Lightrek3 trekking poles for the past 6 months and have found that they are well worth the investment. In regards to straps, I find them to be essential for stream crossings, balance, etc. What I have done for straps was to make "keeper" cord straps. I took a 18" piece of 3/32" diameter cord and tied it together at the ends with a square knot. I than tied it to the loop below the handle on the pole with a larks head knot. I than slid a "tiny" cord lock onto the strap for loop adjustment. The cord and the cord locks can be purchased from Zpacks. The total additional weight for both poles was 0.1 oz. This method seems to work really well for me. I hope this helps.

I never use the straps on my Lekis, so like others here, I recently just cut them off so they'd stop being in my way.

I use poles all the time (old-lady knees), so I have use for collapsible poles when I need to switch over to my ice axe. They're easier to attach to my pack and don't catch on branches when collapsed.

I own Leki Ultrlight Ti's and have owned these poles (the very first thinner incarnation which snapped on me after 2 weeks solid use).

With the Leki, I always use the straps.

With these poles I never even wished for the straps.

I think their extremely light weight changes the way you use poles.

Regarding the poles being fully tested in the snow…

I've used primarily strap-less poles for extensive snowshoeing and mountaineering for years. The poles I've mostly used are Lightreks and Stix 1 poles. I have found them to be excellent in this arena as well. Even with snow baskets they are so light that they are easy to hold in the hands. I'll use keeper straps on hardpack high angle climbs sometimes.

I do use straps on XC ski poles because of the full extension and release but I don't find that necessary when snowshoeing.

Doug

That's good. Non adjustable poles are just a no go for me. On 95% of my trips I bet I have to strap my poles to my pack at times.

I have been a big fan of the Lightrek 3s for the past year, using them exclusively for 500 miles on some PCT section hikes. Great support on the trail and with The One Tent.

I have been testing the Lightrek 4s for the past month. These poles have replaced my 3s. Lightweight. Robust. With only two sections, I can adjust them easily and faster than conventional four section poles.

Take advantage of GG's introductory offer and pickup a pair.

Somebody should make some carbon poles that break down like a pool cue, a simple screw on thingy.