Are you looking for the best trekking poles?
In this post we will breakdown the top best trekking poles on the market.
As like many gears trekking poles are also a important gear, during trekking and many other sports in mounteering.
It's gives support to the hikers during their hike, and save some amount of energy that they can use to reach their destination.
1. Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork
The carbon fibre and folding designs that get all the attention, in the trekking poles market are impressive innovations, but for hikers that just want a pair of trustworthy sticks at a good price, we recommend the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork. At $130, they're a solid value and come with very few compromises. In fact the all aluminium construction is only an ounce heavier than the Premium Leki Micro Vario, but is still plenty sturdy for most dirt ,rock and snow travel.
The trail also has Black Diamond's comfortable, Ergo nomically shaped Cork grips and reliable Flick Lock length adjuster.
What are the Downside of the Trail Ergo?
For travelers, climbers or those that prioritize collapsibility, the 27-inch minimum length design may be an issue. It shouldn't get into the way when strapped to the outside of a pack , but it is a couple inches longer than many other three section design.
As downside go, that's pretty insignificant for most folks, and the Trail Ergo Cork stand out as our favourite all around trekking poles.
2. Montem Ultra Strong
Montem is a relatively young outdoor gear company based in New York city, but they're rapidly making waves in the trekking pole market due to the surprisingly low prices. Their leading model is the Ultra Strong, which has an aluminium build, lever locks and comfortable foam grips. At 19.2 ounces, the pole are a little heavier than the Premium options. On this list but should be plenty light for most day hikers and backpackers.
Further, the poles have a short 24-inch minimum length, which is great for travel. But what sets the ultra strong apart is price only $60, they compete with poles that cost twice as much from Black Diamond, Leki and REI.
What do you sacrifice at this price?
Sturdiness for one. We took the Ultra Strong poles on a remarkable steep hike on Vancouver Island and were surprised by the level of vibration and worrisome clicking throughout the descent. For heavy use and difficult terrains, these poles pale in comparison to the build of a more rugged model like the aluminium REI Traverse. Montem did, however nail important details like choke-up extension on the grips, in-field adjustment for the locking mechanism, and easily adjustable straps. At just $60, they're fine for light use and easy to moderate day hikes, but we didn't find them confidence inspiring for tough terrain.
3. Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
At around 10 ounces per pair depending on the size, the Distance Carbon Z is Black Diamond's lightest trekking poles and great fir minimalist and thru-hikers. We love the Z-pole technology: a sleeve on the top portion moves down from the grip, the sections slide together and connect, and a small button pops everything into place. From compacted to deployed is a 2 second affair, and when collapsed the poles are about 10 inches shorter than most telescoping designs.
This can make a substantial difference for everyone from travelers and hikers wanting to store them in their bay to ultra distance runner that carry their poles for extended stretch.
What are the downside of these poles? Carbon is lighter than aluminium but also more expensive and brittle. In addition, the carbon Z comes in 4 length options but is not adjustable. Changing up your trekking poles length on the uphill or downhill is a nice feature, and the fixed length makes less versatile in terms of letting other people use them. If you do value adjustability , Black Diamond makes the carbon FLZ that has on Flick Lock at the top for $20 more and with small weight penalty.
4. Grossamer Gear LT5
Taking the lightweight crown is the thru-hike-ready Grossamer Gear LT5. These Carbon fiber sticks are listed at an incredibly low 10.6 ounces for the pair, which Keeps your arm fatigue to an absolute minimum. Combine the feathery weight with a simple, reliable build and comfy foam grips, and you get the ideal trekking poles for long adventures where ever ounce matters. They're also adjustable, although the twist lock system isn't our favourite. Naturally, there are a few compromises in making the LT5 so light. To start, relative to the rest of the market, these poles aren't super durable. It's best to stick established trails and avoid too much snow.
Further, they're a pricey investment at $195 considering their relatively simple feature set. But if you take good care of them and don't need them for travel, they're about as good as gets for an ultralight build.
It worth noting that Grossamer Gear offer replacement sections of their poles should you damage one, which is a rarity in the market.
5. Leki Micro Vario Carbon
Leki's Micro Vario Carbon poles are a no compromise option for the lightweight crowd. Weighing just over 1 pound of the pair, they manage to squeeze a full set of high quality features into their compact and foldable construction. Unlikely many comparators, you get nearly 8 inches of adjustment with a Leki's Speed Lock 2 system, and we've found the poles to be among the most user-friendly for both folding down and setting up. On the trail Micro Vario's weight saving is noticeable, particularly over a long day.
You do sacrifice a little in terms of durability, but the carbon shofts have been sturdy enough for crossing glaciers leaning on during steep descent's, and as the structure of a trekking pole supported shelter we do prefer Cork grips to foam, but these are the nicest and comfortable foam grips we've used, and the choke-up extensions are great for extended climbs in an even pricer $230 AS version, which includes a low-profile shock system for added trail comfort.
In this post we will breakdown the top best trekking poles on the market.
As like many gears trekking poles are also a important gear, during trekking and many other sports in mounteering.
It's gives support to the hikers during their hike, and save some amount of energy that they can use to reach their destination.
1. Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork
The carbon fibre and folding designs that get all the attention, in the trekking poles market are impressive innovations, but for hikers that just want a pair of trustworthy sticks at a good price, we recommend the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork. At $130, they're a solid value and come with very few compromises. In fact the all aluminium construction is only an ounce heavier than the Premium Leki Micro Vario, but is still plenty sturdy for most dirt ,rock and snow travel.
The trail also has Black Diamond's comfortable, Ergo nomically shaped Cork grips and reliable Flick Lock length adjuster.
What are the Downside of the Trail Ergo?
For travelers, climbers or those that prioritize collapsibility, the 27-inch minimum length design may be an issue. It shouldn't get into the way when strapped to the outside of a pack , but it is a couple inches longer than many other three section design.
As downside go, that's pretty insignificant for most folks, and the Trail Ergo Cork stand out as our favourite all around trekking poles.
2. Montem Ultra Strong
Montem is a relatively young outdoor gear company based in New York city, but they're rapidly making waves in the trekking pole market due to the surprisingly low prices. Their leading model is the Ultra Strong, which has an aluminium build, lever locks and comfortable foam grips. At 19.2 ounces, the pole are a little heavier than the Premium options. On this list but should be plenty light for most day hikers and backpackers.
Further, the poles have a short 24-inch minimum length, which is great for travel. But what sets the ultra strong apart is price only $60, they compete with poles that cost twice as much from Black Diamond, Leki and REI.
What do you sacrifice at this price?
Sturdiness for one. We took the Ultra Strong poles on a remarkable steep hike on Vancouver Island and were surprised by the level of vibration and worrisome clicking throughout the descent. For heavy use and difficult terrains, these poles pale in comparison to the build of a more rugged model like the aluminium REI Traverse. Montem did, however nail important details like choke-up extension on the grips, in-field adjustment for the locking mechanism, and easily adjustable straps. At just $60, they're fine for light use and easy to moderate day hikes, but we didn't find them confidence inspiring for tough terrain.
3. Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
At around 10 ounces per pair depending on the size, the Distance Carbon Z is Black Diamond's lightest trekking poles and great fir minimalist and thru-hikers. We love the Z-pole technology: a sleeve on the top portion moves down from the grip, the sections slide together and connect, and a small button pops everything into place. From compacted to deployed is a 2 second affair, and when collapsed the poles are about 10 inches shorter than most telescoping designs.
This can make a substantial difference for everyone from travelers and hikers wanting to store them in their bay to ultra distance runner that carry their poles for extended stretch.
What are the downside of these poles? Carbon is lighter than aluminium but also more expensive and brittle. In addition, the carbon Z comes in 4 length options but is not adjustable. Changing up your trekking poles length on the uphill or downhill is a nice feature, and the fixed length makes less versatile in terms of letting other people use them. If you do value adjustability , Black Diamond makes the carbon FLZ that has on Flick Lock at the top for $20 more and with small weight penalty.
4. Grossamer Gear LT5
Taking the lightweight crown is the thru-hike-ready Grossamer Gear LT5. These Carbon fiber sticks are listed at an incredibly low 10.6 ounces for the pair, which Keeps your arm fatigue to an absolute minimum. Combine the feathery weight with a simple, reliable build and comfy foam grips, and you get the ideal trekking poles for long adventures where ever ounce matters. They're also adjustable, although the twist lock system isn't our favourite. Naturally, there are a few compromises in making the LT5 so light. To start, relative to the rest of the market, these poles aren't super durable. It's best to stick established trails and avoid too much snow.
Further, they're a pricey investment at $195 considering their relatively simple feature set. But if you take good care of them and don't need them for travel, they're about as good as gets for an ultralight build.
It worth noting that Grossamer Gear offer replacement sections of their poles should you damage one, which is a rarity in the market.
5. Leki Micro Vario Carbon
Leki's Micro Vario Carbon poles are a no compromise option for the lightweight crowd. Weighing just over 1 pound of the pair, they manage to squeeze a full set of high quality features into their compact and foldable construction. Unlikely many comparators, you get nearly 8 inches of adjustment with a Leki's Speed Lock 2 system, and we've found the poles to be among the most user-friendly for both folding down and setting up. On the trail Micro Vario's weight saving is noticeable, particularly over a long day.
You do sacrifice a little in terms of durability, but the carbon shofts have been sturdy enough for crossing glaciers leaning on during steep descent's, and as the structure of a trekking pole supported shelter we do prefer Cork grips to foam, but these are the nicest and comfortable foam grips we've used, and the choke-up extensions are great for extended climbs in an even pricer $230 AS version, which includes a low-profile shock system for added trail comfort.
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