I have no experience with the carbon poles, but have had a pair of Komperdell Ridgehiker Cork Power Lock aluminum poles for several years and they are one of the best purchases that I have ever made. I would purchase another pair tomorrow and they do not seem heavy at all. I have used them weekly to several times weekly during that time for hiking, backpacking, hunting, shelter set up, etc. and have beat the crap out of them, and they still keep on trekkin. In fact, they lock out better now than when they were new, because there is some built up oxidation, dirt, and pitch on the aluminum surface, which makes it impossible for them to slip now even if the powerlocks are set with very light pressure.