Trekking Poles

[Scott Brady]

I am looking for a set of lite, strong (I am 225) trekking poles. I dont want any complicated springs, etc. Simple with good (ergo) grips. Changable tips too

Any recommendations?

 

[awalter]

Scott, have you been dieting?:chowtime:

 

[Scott Brady]

I never eat less....:chowtime: (it's a Brady family motto)

Just exercise more

 

[Brian McVickers]

I know Leki makes a quality product and they have several models.
I am not familiar with the individual models so no specific recomendation but worth checking them out.

 

[mountainpete]

I have used Leki in the past with good success, but there was a vendor at the Calgary Outdoor show this year that had a very nice and solid product for a decent price. I will try and find out who it was...

 

[photoleif]

I know Leki makes a quality product and they have several models.
I am not familiar with the individual models so no specific recomendation but worth checking them out.

i have a pair of leki makalu poles. i just weighed one -- 7.8 oz each. titanium. i got 'em almost new from the REI garage sale, with a simple note saying "did not like" on them. um... ok, i have no idea why. they're great. unscrew to lengthen, screw to tighten. just as with skiing or snowshoeing, it's nice to have them adjustable. rock-bottom price of $3.50 can't be beat.

 

[mountainpete]

Ok... thought I still had the brochure from the show but I don't.

If you can find them in your area, take a good look at Komperdell brand poles and specifically the C3 model. They are made in Austria and the three stage poles are made of 100% carbon. Light and strong. I think LL Bean sells them in the US.

Black Diamond Terra is also a very nice pole, but from what I remember, it's quite pricey. Check out http://www.bdel.com/gear/terra_cf.php

 

[asteffes]

BDs are awesome. Lekis are nice, as are Komperdel and the Komperdel-made REI models. The ones with the shock-absorbing springs are nice on descents.

 

[Scott Brady]

Thanks guys.

I kind of like these: http://www.msrcorp.com/poles/overland_carbon.asp

They are carbon, which does a nice job of dissipating vibration and also doesn't act as a lightning rod (I had a bad experience on Mt. Whitney with aluminum poles).

Any experience with these?

 

[robert]

Thanks guys.

They are carbon, which does a nice job of dissipating vibration and also doesn't act as a lightning rod (I had a bad experience on Mt. Whitney with aluminum poles).

Any experience with these?

Uhm, I'd check that statement about electricity- carbon fiber does conduct electricity. (Here's one quote "Carbon fibers are not sensitive to moisture and will not rust. They also are excellent for conducting electricity, even better than copper, said Ogale.") http://www.swampfox.ws/index/clemso...-to-make-more-affordable-fuel-efficient-cars/

I've got a set of Lekis with the cork handles, also from REI. They adjust easily and are light weight. Got them on sale with my dividend. No complaints so far.

 

[Scott Brady]

Uhm, I'd check that statement about electricity- carbon fiber does conduct electricity.

Oooops, that could have hurt :smileeek:

 

[DaveInDenver]

Uhm, I'd check that statement about electricity- carbon fiber does conduct electricity. (Here's one quote "Carbon fibers are not sensitive to moisture and will not rust. They also are excellent for conducting electricity, even better than copper, said Ogale.")

That graphite conducts is pretty much fundamental to the development of carbon nanotubes. FWIW, Xerox actually produced carbon fiber connectors that didn't use metal contacts, called CarbonConX. Thing is, though, with lightning the rod doesn't really need to be a great of a conductor, just physically higher than the surrounding terrain. That's where the collapsible feature comes in handy...

 

[ox4mag]

Trek Poles

Not sure if you're still looking but I have a pair of Titanium Lite Makalu poles by Leki that I absolutely love. I highly recommend them as they are collapsible, have ergo handles and interchangeable end tips for either trekking or use as snowshoe poles in the winter. Extremely light and durable and very comfortable. Highly recommended!

 

[xjclassic]

i sell BD's. their "terra cf" is sweet if you are looking for carbon, they retail around $125.

 

[devinsixtyseven]

here's a thought, based on a lot of xc ski races with mass starts and other nonsense and carnage on fiberglass, carbon fiber and aluminum...

you can bend an aluminum pole back in to shape and it will still work. carbon and glass are lighter, but if you do go down, or it falls, or something falls against it, it is very easy to create a stress point that eventually leads to catastrophic failure.

personally, i'd use aluminum (or ti) for av probes, trekking poles, and the like, and save the carbon for day use, recreation, racing, fast ascents and other things where weight and stiffness are the driving factors and the potential for carnage is extremely low. carbon isn't as much of a risk as it used to be ten years ago, but it's still more fragile than aluminum.

-sean