Best all around Trekking poles ?

[jm1607]

I have used black diamond poles for hiking and skiing for 15 years and have used their warranty / customer service multiple times after bending and breaking several poles with hard use. I think they make a great pole for the price BUT they DO NOT have the customer service they used too and the last time I needed a replacement pole they pretty much only gave me a slight discount off a brand new pair when the pole I had failed (bent about 15 degrees ). I only had this pole about 3 months. I still use their poles as I have 2 pair still going BUT will probably buy another brand after my last experience with their new policies.

I've heard nothing but bad things about their CS, but they replaced my pole no questions asked so I can't complain..

I still changed to leki though since BD doesn't make a cork handled pole that's not carbon.

 

[Carlin59]

I've heard nothing but bad things about their CS, but they replaced my pole no questions asked so I can't complain..

I still changed to leki though since BD doesn't make a cork handled pole that's not carbon.

BD makes the Trail Ergo Cork which are aluminum if you are interested (MSRP $120, i got mine several years ago for ~$80).

 

[camping1601]

Big fan of Leki.

 

[jm1607]

BD makes the Trail Ergo Cork which are aluminum if you are interested (MSRP $120, i got mine several years ago for ~$80).

I forgot about those.. I just wasn't sure about the ergo part lol.. Got my lekis though and so far so good!

 

[DaveC]

No free lunch Shrek. BD Carbon Corks rule the roost when it comes to being strong, lightish, and 3 section (small when collapsed). They can be broken, but you have to try pretty hard. Want something burlier? Get the BD Boundary ski poles (from 2014). They're two section and the grips aren't ideal for bare hands, but if you can break or bend them you're doing something stupid.

IMO poles get abused such that any company which offers much of a guarantee is rather silly.

 

[Dhois]

I recommend cf poles, but mine are not available any more (Ti goat). Try out a few and see what you like, seems strongly built, and is in your budget. My poles adjust by twisting to expand a rubber bushing. Many do not like this setup because when tightened at home they can collapse in Colorado during season four. I readjusted in the cold and it hasn't collapsed since but many do not like this adjustment system for that reason.

I'd say it is worthwhile to buy at a place that can honor a return policy if you intend hard use.

 

[bogeyboy555]

this one is a no brainer.....

1) do not buy Z-poles - they are weak.

2) do not buy twist lock poles, the locking mechism loosens easiest...

3) What to buy? Buy flick lock poles that slide inside each section. I have had probably 4 or 5 different pair. The best ones I have used are the Leki ones.

Sierra Trading Post has the Leki Cristallo Fligh Lock poles for sale right now. These are FANTASTIC. http://www.sierratradingpost.com/le...000a/?colorFamily=99&merch=prod-rec-prod8000A

 

[Matt W.]

Anyone ever use the MSR Trekking Poles?
http://goo.gl/y7Nb9b
The trigger release system makes me wonder if I would accidentally touch that when I didn't want to! The picture on Campsaver (in the link) shows how it sits just below the grip. ???

 

[Bughalli]

I've had a number of different poles, because I'm a huge fan of using them in all types of alpine hiking. All the major brands make quality poles. I currently have four setups, with two of them being great. Black Diamond aluminum, with the cork handles and cord inside to break them down. Don't recall what that mechanism/type is called. Great so far and break down to something like 15 inches, so very packable, lightweight, etc. They're not adjustable though. I prefer adjustable for steep terrain, especially when carrying a heavy load. I bought these on Sierra Trading Post for something like 50% off. Great deal for the quality.

My favorites are made by Locus in Japan. I know, ordering from Japan seems extreme, but the overall cost was no different than walking into an REI and buying their top of the line pole. I think shipping was like $12, so total cost was around $100. The Locus trekking poles are carbon fiber and unbelievably light.... something like 5oz. Yet fully adjustable and don't seem fragile at all. Some of the other carbon fiber poles I looked at were pretty narrow in diameter, which made me skeptical of their durability, where these have a normal diameter and seem more sturdy.
http://locusgear.com/products-2/trekking-poles/cp3?lang=en

 

[tttoadman]

I have Leki. I have refrained from commenting because this is a pretty well covered topic by others. The only thing I may have to throw in the mix is the better wrist strap that Leki has. They use the top of the handle to adjust the straps; therefore, they do not have a tri-slide or whatever hanging in the middle of the strap where it gets in the way. When I am powering up hill, I am not even hanging onto the handles. I am putting almost all of my weight on the wrist strap. The last thing i need is an adjustment slide right where the weight is bearing on my wrist/arm.

 

[badkneesbro]

I have Leki. I have refrained from commenting because this is a pretty well covered topic by others. The only thing I may have to throw in the mix is the better wrist strap that Leki has. They use the top of the handle to adjust the straps; therefore, they do not have a tri-slide or whatever hanging in the middle of the strap where it gets in the way. When I am powering up hill, I am not even hanging onto the handles. I am putting almost all of my weight on the wrist strap. The last thing i need is an adjustment slide right where the weight is bearing on my wrist/arm.

Good point about the straps. I find myself not gripping or very lightly gripping a lot.

 

[Shrek]

I've got more to think about than I can wrap my head around at this point. I might try the Locus poles and buy some heavy duty Lekki or Kompdell aluminum also. Carry the carbon poles most of the time but if I know I'm packing meat the switch to the aluminum. I bought some aluminum BD's to get through and they're much more flexible which I don't like. Are most of the aluminum poles flexible ?

 

[tttoadman]

I've got more to think about than I can wrap my head around at this point. I might try the Locus poles and buy some heavy duty Lekki or Kompdell aluminum also. Carry the carbon poles most of the time but if I know I'm packing meat the switch to the aluminum. I bought some aluminum BD's to get through and they're much more flexible which I don't like. Are most of the aluminum poles flexible ?

Aluminum will bend a long ways before it yields. This is pretty handy when you get it stuck in a hole or a rock. I would think this is where the carbon poles would possibly break. If you bend an aluminum pole, you can likey bend it back a little bit and use it until you get out. I think the carbons just break and they are done.

 

[littlebrotherC]

I used the Easton carbon poles this summer. I slipped and stepped on one breaking it. I'm about to find out if Easton is willing to help me repair it.

 

[Shrek]

Please let us know what they do.

 

[MIKEYB]

I have some komperdell poles from STP that I broke this season. Totally my fault, had them extented out too far and was using them to steady the bino's fell off balance and broke the plastic at the end of the bottom/middle sections. They supposedly have a 3 year no questions asked warranty, So have sent the pole in and am waiting to hear back. . .

 

[WRM]

+1 for Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Carbon Cork. Anything can be broken but these are tough. I was putting my weight on them in some pretty steep descents and had no indication they were even close to being over stressed. If they had broken, it would have been a nasty fall. No issues supporting my tarp in 40+ mph winds either.

I got mine from Sunnysports for less than $100.

 

[AK Troutbum]

Just picked up a pair of used, but really never been used, Locus Gear CF, flick lock poles. I took off the foam grips and replaced them with cork from Gossamer Gear because I really like the feel of cork over foam. These things collapse down to a nice packable size, and are super light weight (less then 11 oz. for the pair with the baskets). I can't speak for durability as of yet but I will be testing them very soon.

 

[dangerousD]

I would prefer cork handles, but for the price, the Black Diamond Trail Back flick lock poles have been good for me. Going on my third season of holding up my shelter and two elk pack-outs with them. Just thought I'd throw that out there for guys reading this that may be looking for a sturdy, budget minded set of aluminum poles. Think they are usually around $80, but I got mine on sale for $45 at the time.

 

[jwb300]

Another vote for the BD Trail Ergo Corks. Tough poles and good locking mechanism