Leki "fitness walking" poles

[Rolo]

I am considering buying my buddies Leki Fitness Walking poles for my SOBO but I am not sure if they are only considered good for walking around town/country road or could be good long distances. They collapse down, cork handles...etc but come with large rubber walking tips to put over the metal tips. Said he spent over $100 on them, barely used and is offering a really good price but I want gear specifically for long distance rugged hiking and not street walking. Can someone who is familiar with Leki tell me why I shouldn't purchase these?

Thanks.

[Spokes]

Hmmm, I'd want to research them a little more. Have you tried looking them up on the Leki website? Compare features, weight, specs. Perhaps even call a customer service rep and ask questions?

You may find out its better to put your money on another model specifically for trekking.

Keep us posted.

[10-K]

Every pair of Leki's I've owned (3) have had problems so I wouldn't recommend that brand to anyone.

I use Black Diamond trekking poles...

[Tinker]

I have a pair of Leki "Health Trek" poles which I bought over 8 years ago and probably have over 800 miles on them - no problems. I've never had the slippage problem that others have spoken of, but I assume that the reason for that is that the Health Trek poles are a heavy gauge of aluminum and the tubing walls don't flex as much when the internal expanders press against them as much as a thinner walled pole might (I also have a grip like a bear due to years of landscaping and wrenching - that might help, too, with the twist lock mechanism).
I should note that every model hiking pole has its own peculiar strengths and weaknesses. I can't recommend every Leki pole just because I like mine.

The rubber feet are not necessary for hiking unless you intend to use the poles on sidewalks and don't want to scar them up. The carbide tips have amazing grip on rock, wet or dry (they will scratch the rock, as you might have noticed along the AT, and some people are bothered by the unnatural markings and percieved damage to the ecosystem ). They'll do more damage to you or your hiking companions if you point the tips in the wrong direction at the wrong time.

[cabbagehead]

I have Leki poles with the external locks. I don't trust the locking mechanisms. They wear down easily. The locking mechanisms on the Black Diamond poles look better because there's more plastic in the cams. I heard that Leki guarantees their poles, but I don't know if that includes the locking mechanisms and the tips.

[SunnyWalker]

Because you can go to a Thrift Store and buy a set of ski poles for $3.00 or so.

[Rolo]

I was going to call Leki tomorrow and talk to them once they open to get more info but wanted to get unbiased info here. I appreciate all the hits, will also ask about guarantee/warranty info as well. Wish it was as easy to walk into a thrift shop and pick up a pair of ski poles, though in Indy and TN where I will be for a week before I hit the trail they aren't exactly a common item.

(If anybody wants to sell an extra set of poles PM me!)

Thanks guys!