Best trekking poles

Joined
Oct 8, 2019
Messages
2,956
Big fan of my Leki Micro Varia Carbons. Those only come along when it really matters such as on a sheep hunt. But for most hunts I just bring my Black Diamond FLZ (or something like that).
 
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sivart

WKR
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
664
trying to figure out which is the lightest, and shortest when packed
 

Decker9

WKR
Joined
Apr 10, 2015
Messages
1,017
Location
BC goat mountains
Iv been using the BD carbon corks the past year and have been impressed. This is after 2 sets of the BD FLZ’s failing (glue holding the insides together failed in both instances). BD informed me the FLZ’s were not meant for “serious hiking”, and sent the carbon corks free of charge. Excellent customer service.
 
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sivart

WKR
Joined
Sep 5, 2012
Messages
664
I could see the advantage of having a pair that collapses enough to get inside a 24" pack.
 

Camomutt

FNG
Joined
Feb 11, 2017
Messages
45
Location
BC
I' ve used a set of BD aluminum poles, very surdy but would collapse when I would stumble, and eventually became hard to open, so I thought I'd try cascade mountain carbon poles. They broke on my first hike, bought the CM 3k, my 3 year old broke them before I could try them out. I'm not sure if carbon is not for me, or CM poles are the problem.
 
Joined
Feb 17, 2013
Messages
2,334
I like my BD Alpine FLZ poles. And as you can see in the post above if you have any issues their customer service will take care of you.
 
Joined
Oct 29, 2016
Messages
754
Don’t buy alpine FLZ I’ve broken 2 pairs at the locking insert. I need 140cm poles do it complicates things. Deckers recommendation would be a good alternative but they are to small.
Next set will be Leki
 

antlerz

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jan 23, 2021
Messages
121
Black diamond distance carbon Z if you aren't to hard on them and know your lengths. Tape the botton 12" for rock protection.
So light they are always in your pack and they pack down small. Enough to stabilise for those down hill descents when loaded up (and they can do for tent poles also for some setups).
Otherwise any old aluminium adjustables are cheap and strong.

 
Joined
Feb 16, 2021
Messages
1,345
Location
Eastern Oregon
I've like my REI Traverse poles so far. Went with aluminum even though they are slightly heavier for the durability under heavy weight. The locks have a twist function that help keep everything nice and tight.

My buddy took a slide on the snow around Mt. Rainier hiking the Wonderland last June with a pair. Used one to stop his slide and bent it up real good. Took it in to REI and they not only replaced it, but upgraded him to some Black Diamond Trail Ergo poles. Hard to complain about that.
 
Joined
Oct 5, 2015
Messages
387
Location
Alaska
Don’t waste your time with adjustable length poles. They sound good in theory. In reality the adjustment mechanisms always break, they add unnecessary weight and from my perspective there’s little value in having a pole that can collapse to a shorter length. Instead, get a solid carbon fiber pole, that’s not designed for ultralight applications. Accept a little extra weight for bombproof durability. I hunt sheep and moose every year and have been ski touring/mountaineering for over 20 years. Over the years I’ve used, or seen in use, many different poles. From my perspective, all adjustable poles have been junk. For hunting in demanding terrain, carrying heavy loads and relying on poles for support......a person needs a solid fixed length pole. Adjustable poles are for casual users.
 
Joined
Aug 23, 2014
Messages
5,367
Location
oregon coast
i am getting the new sissy stix backcountryZ, they look like the perfect poles to me, like how short they collapse

i have the mountainsmith carbon lite pro right now, one season on them and the twist locks are getting funky already. not trustworthy
 
Joined
Apr 22, 2012
Messages
7,542
Location
Chugiak, Alaska
It really depends on exactly what you’re looking for in a trekking pole. What’s most important to you? Wt., strength, something that serves more than one purpose? What I would consider the “best”, would just be the best for me. One thing I will say is, you definitely don’t have to spend a small fortune to have what works best for you.


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Joined
Oct 13, 2017
Messages
328
Location
Rockies
Ive been beating the living piss out of my Costco carbons and they are tough as nails and perform like a porsche as far as i use them. Beat the holy living piss out of them. Awesome


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