Time to buy new hiking poles..

“Time to buy new hiking poles.. any recommendations?”

“I owned Leki's for years, but down to only one pole. [the other is sitting at the blase of a cliff.]

Any recommendations for replacements?”

“I think the perfect hiking pole is yet to be invented. They do require maintenance/spare parts after a while and it would probably be wise to get a brand where maintenance is offered - MEC, or REI, et c.”

“I have a pair of Leki that I have had for yrs. I bought a pair from WalMart that works quite well and doesn't weigh much..cost 18.00”

“Ewker - have $50 gift cert from BRMS.”

“mine came from Target. they were cheap and work fine. a bit heavier than the pricey ones from BD or Leki.

that said, i do like the Black Diamond models wiht the toggle lock.”

“Ewker - have $50 gift cert from BRMS

then buy what ever brand you can get for 50.00 or apply that toward a more expensive pair. We don't have a BRMS anymore so I have no idea what brands they carry.”

“Oh i will.. and I assume they will have anything.. Stick with Lekis?.. trail weight, [like i had before], or ultra?.. [I'm afraid they will break with my fat butt].. but what do you recommend? BRMS can order anything. I want to start with best brand. [within reason]. I'm kinda serious about my poles.”

“i think most folks feel Leki is the leader in hiking poles.”

“That was my thinking as well.”

“About 6 months ago I thought I needed to replace my Leki Makalus so I look around, first buying something Black Diamond but returning them before they left the house and exchanging for a pair of Leki Makalu carbon ultralite. So far I would not trade them for anything else I have seen.”

“

... exchanging for a pair of Leki Makalu carbon ultralite. So far I would not trade them for anything else I have seen.."

That's the kind of testimonial I want to heard. Yes sir-ree, bob. :)

So I go to the website.. wow. DUH. There are only TWO listed as ultra-light.. and they are both Black Diamonds.. So... moving onward, and sorting by price.. Their top-of-the-line is: http://www.brms.com/leki-thermolite-xl-aergon-antishock

”

“When I'm ready to buy again I will not buy one with springs. Mine have an on-off setting to engage an internal spring, set by twisting them 1/8 turn. The idea is to give you some shock absorbency on downhills. Doesn't do much and I'm constantly fixing one or the other pole because it has engaged/disengaged when I don't want it to.

I'll probably also look at models that use something other than friction locks between the sections. In the end I may not have a choice due to weight and 100% adjustability range.”

“I found out that the cheapest Leki Thermolite Aergon XL Anti-shock trekking poles(pair) on the market so far is USD119.92 instead of USD149.99 on brms via this amazing website which probably does the best price comparison of trekking poles-
http://www.trekkingpolesguide.com/products/reviews/Thermolite-AERGON-XL-AntiShock/LEKI

If you want to take a look at Black Diamond products as well, just move your mouse to 'PRODUCT' on the top of the page and click Black Diamond when the menu shows up. There's a massive collection of it as well as Leki and other well-known trekking poles brands with all the prices listed on different popular outdoor gear websites. Hope it's helpful for your shopping!”

“Oh by the way, I would personally recommend Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork ones. They are ultralight and compact with Flick Lock mechanism system. Super easy to use and simply AWESOME! You may find more details and reviews here- http://www.trekkingpolesguide.com/products/reviews/Alpine-Carbon-Cork/Black-Diamond”

“Ok, no anti-shock with retention of Leki brand would be: http://www.brms.com/leki-khumbu-aergon-speedlock-trekking-poles



Get the comfort of the AERGON soft grip and SpeedLock locking system at a great price with Leki's newly re-designed Khumbu poles. When anti-shock isn't a needed feature set, this is an ideal choice for any backpacker or trekker.”

“If I were to look at Black Diamond's: http://www.brms.com/black-diamond-distance-fl-trekking-poles



Get the best of both lightweight, compact design and easy adjustability in Black Diamond's new compactable Z-Pole Distance FL Trekking Poles. Taking advantage of the new Z-Pole technology for supreme weight savings and easy deployment wit the speed cone deployment system that borrows from Black Diamond's line of avalanche probes. The FlickLock® adjustability gives you the added advantage to change length on the fly depending on your terrain needs. The Distance FL truly defines on-trail versatility for day hikers, fast packers, long distance hikers, and runners alike. Allowing for up to 20 cm of adjustability you can tweak the length for sidehilling or for use with a tarp shelter. The inner shaft contains a coated inner cord and conical shaft ends for quick and rigid alignment. And the lightweight EVA grip with mini extensions enable quick choke-up grips on steep inclines and interchangeable tips for variable trail surfaces.”

“I'm thinking of the new Z-poles. I also will not get anti-shock in my next set, and I personally like cork handles.”

“I smell spam. Not you, TownDawg.”

“Naw, it's me. I got one of my original Leki's only. Just trying to figure out what I'm going to buy for my replacement.”

“I was referring to just-joined-today-Sharon-C.”

“I have some Komperdells without antishock that I am pretty happy with. Super light and got them on sale at Sierra Trading Post a couple of years ago. Not sure if BRMS carries anything similar. Even has a compass in each pole in case my left hand gets lost from my right I guess.”

“I have been using the Leki Flip Locks and love them. No anti-shock because I don't like it. A little on the heavy side but I am not a gram weenie so it doesn't matter to me. Very strong and good for someone looking for a stable non-flexing pole.

I highly recommend.”

“Mine have an on-off setting to engage an internal spring, set by twisting them 1/8 turn. The idea is to give you some shock absorbency on downhills. Doesn't do much and I'm constantly fixing one or the other pole because it has engaged/disengaged when I don't want it to.
techntrek

I had the same problem with the old Lekis and it irritated me too. I think I probably turn my wrist when I move but it has never happened with my new ones, the on/off works differently or something.”

“I'm a newbie to the site, have been a relatively moderate hiker for the past few years but I'm starting to look into getting into some heavier hiking. From what I'm reading here, people are alternating between Leki or Black Diamond? Town Dawn, let me know what you decide, might help me with my searching too!”

“My poles are all 10 years old or older - I'm ready for a new pair. Anything new on the trekking pole horizon? I want light, strong - no anti-shock.”

“I don't think there have been many design changes for a while. I have the Leki Maliku Titanium. Any time I have needed anything from Leki, they have come through. Parts, repair, all free of charge.”

“I've got a new pair of Gossamer Gear LT4's.

http://gossamergear.com/trekking/trekking/lt4-trekking-poles.html

I've been a pole hater for a long time, but these rawk. I laugh at the heavy, bulky poles other people use.

E-mail me and I'll get you a code of 10% off.”

“I agree on no-shock. Whenever I replace my current poles I will stay away from that. Are you planning on 3-section or 2-section poles?”

“I'm flexible on 3 section vs 2 section or maybe the Z poles (that's one thing that seems new to me).”

“Stats look great for the GG LT4s - how solid are they (asks a 200 pound guy who likes to do big miles over rough New England terrain)?

I looked for reviews and see I know the first two guys! (one in real life, the other only on-line).

I wonder about the lack of straps - especially for winter hiking.”

“wonder about the lack of straps - especially for winter hiking.�
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2:03:46 PM
9/04/12
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Two words..Duct Tape...LOL”

“After shelling out the $$ for the LT4's I'll never jam them between boulders and yank on them like $50 Komperdells, so they seem tough enough on the couple of trips I've used them. I'd quit using the straps on my old poles so I'm glad not to have them. You can get the LT4 with straps if the extra weight/security is important to you.”

“Straps aren't for security like skiing poles, they should support 95% of your weight if you are holding them properly.”

“I like Black diamond carbon ski poles, one piece, of course. They come in at 1 pound 1 oz. That's with the enormous straps and heavy baskets. Taking them off shaved at least 6 oz. Still not quite as lite as the LT4s but within 4 or 5 oz I'm guessing. Very tough too. After breaking a lighter weight carbon pole I upgraded to these. I think they were about $80 on sale.”

“..if you want a strap you could thread a piece of amsteel thru the hole that houses the pin to attach the original straps. That would probably weigh less than the pin itself and certainly support your weight.

They also offer a couple different baskets.”

“Since the straps support your weight I would rather have "enormous straps" (i.e. wide) than some lightweight substitute. I'm a semi-ultralighter (Golite pack, silnylon rain gear, etc) and I would never shave weight by messing with the pole straps.

Ok, maybe if I found something wide and strong that was lighter but even then... that weight is minimal and is being supported 100% by the pole for half of every stride. It isn't a 2 pound sleeping bag on your back.”

“If it's crutches you are looking for the GG's aren't for you. Myself, I hate having poles in my hands 90% of the time so I wanted the least amount of pole possible.

I pulled the trigger on these when I bought my new tent that uses either trekking poles or aluminum poles that weigh about as much as the GG LT4's. I have several friends who use them so I've been eyeing them for a while. You may need to see them to believe them.”

“I've never used straps on my poles.. the BD straps are easily removable and just as easy to put back on. One mod I do to my poles is to wrap them with some of that cushy foam bicycling handlebar tape. Starting at the base of the grip down about ten inches. Nice hand hold for going up steep inclines. I only use one pole most of the time.”

“Its your hike, but poles are much easier to use (and easier on your hands) with the straps. I used to do it death-grip style like you describe but once I learned how to use the straps the right way I would never go back.”

“I think I could do without straps in the summer, but in the winter with snowshoes, they are harder to hold on to and much more trouble to retrieve without straps.”

“maybe this had been rekomended. but have u called the company of your previous poles and asked for replacement parts. I had good luck doin that with my old poles. and it was easy to fix- it was the expansion pieces.”