View Full Version : Lightest collapsible trekking poles?
firemountain
08-13-2007, 23:11
I used a pair of komperdell c3 poles on my last thru, they were full carbon and held up alright. I want to go lighter but stay with the collapsible design.
That rules out the options from gossamer gear, bpl, and ti goat.
The c3's were pretty nice, but spare parts were hard to find, leki seems to be the most common brand. They don't offer a light option however.
If nothing lighter is brought to the table I will purchase another pair of the c3's
I believe REI's Peak UL is the lightest, at around 13 oz. for the pair. They are carbon fiber, and made my Komberdell. Of course if you aren't very tall, maybe the kids version would work for you when fully extended.
13 oz ?
How about the Titanium Goat version, under 7 oz for the pair. From 30" to 51".
http://www.titaniumgoat.com/poles.html
Franco
13 oz ?
How about the Titanium Goat version, under 7 oz for the pair. From 30" to 51".
http://www.titaniumgoat.com/poles.html
Franco
Dang, never came across those when I was shopping around. Oh well.
firemountain
08-14-2007, 10:48
Those REI poles look great, not sure why I was not aware of them. The model with no anti shock is only 12.5 oz and the compact model (24 - 49 in) is only 11.2oz!
I like the full length non anti shock model. With the extra length it is easy to repair a broken pole in the field.
I wonder if these poles ARE the komperdell c3's that I used last year, they appear very similar. I found the carbon flexes enough that I prefer no additional squish of the pole.
I didn't try to go super-dooper ultralight with my new poles. I utimately settled on a set of Leki Tour poles. They extend to 57" and weigh 16.2oz. for the pair. I picked them up on sale at EMS for $65. Pretty nice poles for the money.
Those REI poles look great, not sure why I was not aware of them. The model with no anti shock is only 12.5 oz and the compact model (24 - 49 in) is only 11.2oz!
I like the full length non anti shock model. With the extra length it is easy to repair a broken pole in the field.
I wonder if these poles ARE the komperdell c3's that I used last year, they appear very similar. I found the carbon flexes enough that I prefer no additional squish of the pole.
These are the poles I bought last spring with my 20% discount. They have held up fine. The only thing negative about them is on some poles (not all), the locks don't alway hold well so after a few hours the pole will collapse and you have to retighten it. Just a warning in caes you have to do an exchange for another set but REI is good on returns/exchanges for any reason.
I believe they are made by Komperdell though the weight doesn't match any US model of theirs that I've seen. Having used both anti-shock and regular poles, I personally think the anti-shock is just a marketing gimic with no real use except to add weight and cost. However, even if you like the anti-shock feature, carbon flexes enough I think to naturally get rid of normal shock anyway so stay away from the spring loaded ones.
garyhebert
11-15-2007, 23:20
Yes thats it. Komperdell C3 or C2 (forget which) = REI PEAK UL Carbon 12.5oz/pair 55" or compact model 11.2oz/pair 49"; Either $139; Not as lite as the Tit Goat or Bozman Mountain Works sticks but neither of those collapse. I much prefer the advantage of stowing sticks on pack for steep hand over hand climbs/descents. Cant do that with noncollapsable.
I used the REI Peaks on my AT hike this spring. Loved 'em. HOWEVER a word of caution. Wore out my tips, couldnt find any. Most Outfitters along AT carry Leki only. A few parts for Komperdell at EMS Stores. But no replacement tips to be found. I called REI direct AND THEY COULDNT FIND ANY IN WAREHOUSE OR ANY OF THEIR STORES!! Explained they were <2mths old. THEN they hooked me up big. FedEx'd me brand new pair sticks to swap and mail back (their expense). Later in VT snapped one of my sticks bottom section and had to jury rig with a temp rod inserted and duct tape to hold it together...called them up and THEY FEDEX'D ANOTHER PAIR which lasted the rest of the trip!
I LOVE THEM. But if thru hiking you might wanna buy some tips so someone back home could ship em quick if you need them. And unfortunately I sweated while numerous friends with HEAVY Lekis walked in and got instant parts swapped out at any outfitter on the AT. They apparently both stand behind their product, just a little less covenient with REI.
Quote"Not as lite as the Tit Goat or Bozman Mountain Works sticks but neither of those collapse. I much prefer the advantage of stowing sticks on pack for steep hand over hand climbs/descents. Cant do that with noncollapsable. "
The Ti Goat DO collapse...........
30" collapsed, up to 51" extended, 3.2oz each
Franco
13 oz ?
How about the Titanium Goat version, under 7 oz for the pair. From 30" to 51".
http://www.titaniumgoat.com/poles.html
Franco
I wonder if that is really true. Can they really be so light?
Panzer
yep, the specs are correct. See a user report here (http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/reviews/display_reviews?forum_thread_id=8456&cat=Trekking%20Poles&cid=56)
Franco
Wore out my tips, couldnt find any.
Try using the rubber tips. Those can be replaced as they wear out. I think thy make the poles better anyway
Panzer
The Leki Carbon Ergometric is 6.8 oz each. the Titanium Goat Poles which have carbon fiber shafts are 3.1 oz
The difference seems to be that the Goat is not a take down. The "take down" feature must double the weight.
Panzer
Greentick18d
11-19-2007, 02:23
The TG poles don't appear to have wrist straps, am I missing something?
is the weight savings really worth it? Leki's by far has the best on trail service. One time a section broke, I called the 800 number and they told me to go into the store at Fontana Dam (where I was) who replaced the section. The following day the outfitter had the replaced part send to them overnight by Leki.
is the weight savings really worth it?
That's the big question. My REI poles weight 9 ounces each, that's heavy. If I move to carbon fiber how much will I save? If I go with the Leki Carbon Ergometric that weigh 6.8 oz each it isn't enough savings to warrant the cost of the poles.
If I go with the 3.1 ounce Goat poles, which is a good weight savings, I will give up the telescopic feature, wrist straps and a molded hand grip and have to pay a lot.
Panzer
9oz is heavy? Yeah sure, buy the light ones, you'll look like you're from Biafra and when they break, just go buy another pair. :)
9oz is heavy? Yeah sure, buy the light ones, you'll look like you're from Biafra and when they break, just go buy another pair. :)
My carbon pole weighs around 9 ounces, a little more if I use a Komperbell hand grip. Well it's almost 100 percent carbon. There are some lignins and other stuff in there. But it's pretty cheap. I cut the pole in an alder swamp and bought a rubber tip at a hardware store for 69 cents, plus tax. The kit for converting the stick to a monopod for use with my camera came to another dollar or so, since I had some epoxie glue on hand already.
I've used it for several years and it hasn't required any repairs as yet. But it is easily repaired in the woods if one is anywhere near an alder swamp, which are pretty common in the northern Appalachians.
Weary
vaporjourney
11-21-2007, 16:36
I like these Ti Goat poles, but hate the fact that there is no strap. Anyone think it'd be relatively easy to fashion a comfortable strap for this at home? Somehow drill holes into the foam grips and make some sort of loop for hands out of webbing. Just a thought. If only Gossamer Gear would release their adjustable poles sooner.
vaporjourney
11-30-2007, 12:17
I just got an email from Ti Goat saying that they will provide straps for their poles which weigh .5 oz if you desire. Also, I don't understand why some people say the poles aren't collapsable when they clearly are on the website. I'm definitely going to try to save up some pennies to pick these up before my PCT thru.