Best light trekking poles?

ChrisAU said:
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.

durstongear.com

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 durstongear.com
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Have you used your durstons much yet? I just ordered a pair
 
highcountrymuley said:
Have (since- posting) read alot of stuff about trekking poles... my brother uses Peax backcountry elite. I remember trying them and having sore hands quickly because of the grip orientation vs my stick. With my stick, which is about eye -level in height, I reach out while stepping and let the pole slide through my hand (You like that, don't you?!) before reaching stick out again at next step...

This grip thing is what i am not sure i can get used to... I will just have to try some out to see if I can. Maybe I ll stick with my stick - it has helped me out on many bucks and several elk packouts.

Still appreciate your feedback on which poles work for you all.
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@highcountrymuley -

If you're gripping the handle on your trekking poles, you're using them wrong. The strap is what supports your hand, not the handle.

This guy give a long, but great explanation w/examples, give it a click and take a look: GREAT TREKKING POLE TUTORIAL

Hope this helps!

JL
 
I am a fan of Durston gear but his poles have some issues. They look great but I don't think they would survive a backcountry mountain hunt. I use BD alpine cork....heavier but have survived a shitload of others I've tried.
This video starts out with his failure of the Iceline poles.


Randy
 
Wow, multiple fails with the Durstons......he lambasts those for almost 10 minutes.

I think we need to factor that any trek pole can fail in those boulder hopping conditions. The end of the pole can get hung up in the rocks and it doesn't take much to break it.

The UL BD aluminum pole I broke was on a gravel road- steep downhill and I was moving pretty fast. My bet is a shorter man that doesn't have the pole extended close to the max wouldn't have had a problem.

I am surprised there is a complaint on those Montem poles at my link....those suckers are strong even with a big/tall guy like myself.
 
I run the LEKI Legacy Lite COR-TEC AntiShock, not sure if they even make them anymore but at the time they were 35% lighter than any other poles Leki made. They’re extremely durable and the anti shock works great also very quiet on rim rock and other rocks when trekking through rougher country.
 
Yup—BD Alpine Corks; they're certainly lighter carbon poles, but with nearly a 100 lbs on your back and side-hilling, the Alpine Corks are the only ones I'm trusting
 
I've used the crap out of a pair of alps mountaineering momentum carbon trekking poles. Hard hikes, backpacking, rucking, lots of rocks, wilderness hunts with 60# pack.
Weight is 14.5 oz pair.

I broke the tip on one the first year, got a free set under 1 year warranty (super easy warranty process). Didn't have high hopes for them after that, but have been using them hard for 3 years since then with no issues.

Appears they aren't making that model anymore and have gone to the alliance aluminum/carbon hybrid model. I'll give those a try when it's time to replace. They are under $100.

Wife uses Costco Cascade. They felt a bit heavy for carbon when I checked them out. She's not going to be very hard on them so good choice for light duty use.
 
I run the amazon cascade cheapies and honestly work great. I broke one of my leki and for me spending the money on expensive poles just isn't high on my list.
 
Black Diamond Carbon Distance Z Poles for me ultralight and have been durable. One my second set with each lasting 6-7 years. Current pair has well over 500 miles on them of hiking, hunting and some ultra-marathons.
 
At $65 on amazon, hiker hunger has worked very well for me. I’ve been using since 2016 and broken two poles but still able to use back to the trailhead, covered by warranty. I always have a spare in the truck. I abuse them often. Can’t justify spending $230 on BDs.
 
Poser said:
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.
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I have the Icelines and have used them backpacking several times this year and for a 14er in Colorado so I decided to use them on my elk hunt. My buddy and I both were successful and hiked many miles to and from vehicles. The poles were a lifesafer. This elk was in mostly rolling terrain and mine was up a hill with a ton of deadfall to traverse. Zero issues. Tips are still almost good as new. I helped my buddy get his elk first and then did my hunt solo. I took my meat out in two very heavy trips. EXO K4 backpack and Iceline poles. Great combo.
 
I ended up with Black Diamond carbon z poles. Hiked out 3 animals this year with no negative issues. I don't use them while hunting but great with a heavy pack!
 
I use a stick like the OP.

I am getting old and worn out. I need two sticks now. I can't go downhill without doing the side shuffle. WTF happened after 50 yo ?
 
Pro tip: don’t carry your trekking poles handles up.

Two falls ago. in act of desperation, I followed fresh bull tracks into hell hole. I knew there was zero chance of connecting with that bull, but it was the end of the season.

After an hour of going over, around and under some of the worst blowdown I’ve been through, I finally gave up. I hiked over to some meadows to wait out the evening when I discovered the top section of one my trekking poles was gone. The handle evidently snagged on something and pulled it off.

A call to Black Diamond revealed that they sell every individual part of the Carbon Cork EXCEPT the handle section :(

It might have been fine in my case if I had removed the straps before hand, but I’ve just gone to carrying them tip up.
 
mtwarden said:
Pro tip: don’t carry your trekking poles handles up.

Two falls ago. in act of desperation, I followed fresh bull tracks into hell hole. I knew there was zero chance of connecting with that bull, but it was the end of the season.

After an hour of going over, around and under some of the worst blowdown I’ve been through, I finally gave up. I hiked over to some meadows to wait out the evening when I discovered the top section of one my trekking poles was gone. The handle evidently snagged on something and pulled it off.

A call to Black Diamond revealed that they sell every individual part of the Carbon Cork EXCEPT the handle section :(

It might have been fine in my case if I had removed the straps before hand, but I’ve just gone to carrying them tip up.
Click to expand...
I actually found an entire trekking pole hanging in a tree by the hand strap 2 years ago. 😜
 
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