Best light trekking poles?

[JCMCUBIC]

They are no longer produced, but the Ultimate Direction FK Trekking Poles are the "best in use" for light weight poles. They have the issue of being one piece...which sucks when transporting...but in use, they are lighter, stiffer, and stronger than anything else I've used. They are the only pole I've used for any period of time that haven't broken or bent.

When UD built them, they increased the diameter of the pole. The "feel" of them in use is very different than most poles. Very light and no flex. I use adjustable poles often...for storage/transport...but I'm always wishing I had the UD's when actually using the poles.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

Best light pole? There are none if you are a big guy.

I know, I know...the OP specifically asked about UL poles....but he also said he has never used them where I've been using them for a couple decades.

I'm 6'3" 240. Tall guys have these extended longer making that lower section of a UL pole pretty flimsy. I've bent a "Quality" Black Diamond UL pole and so has a buddy. My last was just sliding on a gravel fire road downhill with a weighted pack- pretty ridiculous but the pole probably saved me a knee surgery- so there's that.

I bought the Poles marketed as heavy duty carbon poles on Amazon [$39] and they have lasted me 3 seasons- bulletproof....but NOT UL.

Can you send me a link? I am 6’5” 245 and go through trekking poles like crazy. I am heading to AK after caribou in a few weeks and need something tough for the tundra. Every AK trip results in broken trekking poles with me.

 

[KingGus]

I prefer aluminum. Cascade Mountain Tech aluminum have been good to me. Carbon fiber will shatter, aluminum will just bend and will still be usable.

I feel like this is a common misconception. I've used carbons on multiple mountain hunts in AK and NZ with no dramas. Used carbons exclusively, then tried aluminums on one sheep hunt, and they bent on the first day, so I went back to carbons on every hunt since.

 

[RADunfee]

If carbon does happen to break in the backcountry it shatters. No bueno. Aluminum can be bent back and still usable. I use the Leki Makalu lite. Made in Czech Republic by a company who specializes in trekking poles. Not China. And I would suggest real cork handles.

 

[Wolf13]

They are no longer produced, but the Ultimate Direction FK Trekking Poles are the "best in use" for light weight poles. They have the issue of being one piece...which sucks when transporting...but in use, they are lighter, stiffer, and stronger than anything else I've used. They are the only pole I've used for any period of time that haven't broken or bent.

When UD built them, they increased the diameter of the pole. The "feel" of them in use is very different than most poles. Very light and no flex. I use adjustable poles often...for storage/transport...but I'm always wishing I had the UD's when actually using the poles.

I just lost the tip and some of the plastic on one of these after six years of use/abuse. Was sad to see they were no longer being made. Went with the Durston's to replace, and hope they will be close enough.

 

[funkafied]

Durston Iceline for best combination of lightweight and strong

 

[John.b]

I have some black diamond aluminum poles that aren’t much heavier than their CF and they are super durable.

 

[Wrench]

I'm still rocking my 1999ish komperdell thermos. I tried the cam over carbons and nearly ate shit when they folded up. The komperdell have been in some hellish places and I am a big dude.....and they still rock.

 

[ni7ne]

Mountainsmith andesite. I'm absolutely convinced that 2-section are stronger than 3-section carbon. I'm a big guy, and extend them 1cm below max. I bought a second set because I expect to snap at least one on river rocks, but it hasn't happened yet.

 

[Cyril]

Mountainsmith andesite. I'm absolutely convinced that 2-section are stronger than 3-section carbon. I'm a big guy, and extend them 1cm below max. I bought a second set because I expect to snap at least one on river rocks, but it hasn't happened yet.

These are light and tough as hell but also long on the pack being only two section.

 

[Poser]

After breaking 3-4 Cascades in the last few years I broke down and got some of the Durston Iceline's. Hope these last me more than one mountain hunt lol.

Iceline Trekking Poles

The Iceline poles are a premium ultralight trekking pole. They offer the compactness of a 3 piece pole and the reliability of an external adjuster, while shaving unnecessary weight to create a pole that is both study and the world's lightest adjustable poles at just 134 g (4.7oz).

durstongear.com

There is no way those are sufficient for mountain hunting. Those are designed for fast packers and UL thru hikers. Once you get off trail in the steep and nasty, start side hilling with 65 lbs on your back, you're gonna wish you had different poles.

 

[ChrisAU]

There is no way those are sufficient for mountain hunting. Those are designed for fast packers and UL thru hikers. Once you get off trail in the steep and nasty, start side hilling with 65 lbs on your back, you're gonna wish you had different poles.

Point taken, but I bet none of the Cascade models are designed for mountain hunters though. As are about zero of the options out there. Maybe the ones Gritty was advertising? Sissy stix I think.

 

[Poser]

Point taken, but I bet none of the Cascade models are designed for mountain hunters though. As are about zero of the options out there. Maybe the ones Gritty was advertising? Sissy stix I think.

I use the Sissy Stix pro model. They ain't ultralight, but they strike a good balance if you need a pole on the burly side. I use them for backcountry skiing/splitboarding as well since I've broken a few poles in that setting as well.
If you're getting out a lot and going hard in hard terrain, you probably shouldn't expect more than 3-5 years out of any pair of poles. Its annoying, but they take a beating off trail, eventually become compromised and then snap on you.

 

[justinspicher]

I’m not a big dude, and my pack weight will vary with how adventurous I feel like being on any given outing, but I’ve been using a pair of women’s Black Diamond poles for a few years now and haven’t had any real issues. I’ve used them in Alaska for sheep, moose and caribou, Idaho and SW Colorado. Hunting, hiking and snowshoeing.

They are considerably lighter than my other sets so poles from MSR, Mountainsmith and Leki, but they also don’t extend as much.

 

[Oakman]

My Leki carbon poles are 6 years old and still kicking. Been through plenty of hunts and hikes, no complaints so far. Solid gear.

 

[Beendare]

Favor? Could you possibly paste the link of the ones you bought? I am looking for a set.

Here you go....dang these have gone way up in price ($90) in the last few years since I bought them.....
I've put a lot of pressure on mine packing out a couple elk coming down slippery slopes and these are strong

Highly rated by Backpacker Mag, MONTEM

EDIT- they claim they are light....Meh, they seem to be heavier than the Black Diamond one I bent but I haven't actually weighed them, I still have one.

 

[Ramem7mm]

Last weekend I was using Cabelas brand Ascend carbon fiber poles that are pretty lightweight and I have used them for about a year and a half. While walking in to go scout the pole bottom section got stuck on some brush and when I pulled it out the clamp part separated from the Carbon fiber. Luckily i was able to push it on and as long as I didn't get it stuck in brush it would stay on and still worked. Just have to glue it back together and hope it stays.

One concern I have with buying the cheaper ones is them breaking right away (especially when you need them) and since the poles are so handy to have and so helpful I would hate to skimp on spending the extra money to get nice stuff but then sometimes nice stuff breaks too.

The search is still on.

 

[ni7ne]

These are light and tough as hell but also long on the pack being only two section.

That is the downside, but 2-section are fine strapped to a 70+ liter pack. Also, I just never find a reason to stow the poles any more, partly because of the low weight.

Maybe a lot worse if you fly with them and need them to go in-bag.

 

[ni7ne]

Whatever you do, don’t buy off brand carbon poles like you might see at a big box store or Costco. There is a huge variability in quality of carbon and those ones will break much easier. ...

I'm a lot happier with my nicer poles, but there are really 2 pole failure modes I've seen over and over again.
1. The locks go bad
2. Tip slips off river/mountain rock and goes between rocks when you have forward momentum, pole levers against rocks and snaps.

I've seen #2 a lot. No pole cheap or expensive survives. Aluminium have a slightly better chance than carbon.

 

[insanelupus]

Have some Montem carbon poles, 19 oz/pair, used then the last few years, lots of flex I can see under load with quarters on my back.

Needed a set that were long enough to use with my TT DR DW tent, so started a search. Went directly to BD. Aluminum poles at 17 oz/pair.

Pursuit Trekking Poles

Move fast through mountainous terrain in comfort with the Pursuit. Ergonomic grip geometry and shape, with two grip sizes optimized for larger and smaller hands, make for more comfortable hand positions as well as reduces hand fatigue. Beyond the grip geometry, these poles are stacked other with...

blackdiamondequipment.com

Noise strapped to my pack shouldn't be an issue. Usually only use on extremely difficult terrian, if nursing an injury, or packing out quarters, so not terribly worried about noise.

Delivered soon. Hope I like them and suspect I will.

Learning lightweight is often associated with fragility. Balancing weight with durability and flexibility across situations is becoming my artform.

Establishing a kit that remains consistent that I have confidence in is becoming my goal. Lots of trial and error though.