How to choose which Leki poles to get?

[DrRichardCranium]

I wore out my old poles, so now I need new ones. I want to get Lekis because of their quality and their good service record (free repairs at Trail Days!)

But they have a zillion different varieties.

I weigh only about 155, so I don't need super strong heavy weight ones. And I don't care much about the shock absorber thingy, it doesn't seem to make much difference when hiking in the mountains.

So does anyone have any good recommendations?

[Serial 07]

cork handles are nice...

[Luddite]

http://www.backcountryedge.com/komperdell-c3-carbon-powerlock.aspx

http://www.leki.com/trekking/trekkingPole.php?pID=32

[skinewmexico]

Which are cheapest? That's what I'd get. It's just a stick.

[Luddite]

It's just a stick.

Not according to Leki.

[Mountain Wildman]

When my Black Diamonds need replacing, I'll be going with these:

LEKI Corklite Aergon Speedlock Trekking Poles - 16.6oz. per pair - $89.95 Free Shipping - In Stock

http://www.mountainsports.com/msmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=175371

[Sierra Echo]

You should ask Elder. He knows all about Leki poles.

[Luddite]

When my Black Diamonds need replacing, I'll be going with these:

LEKI Corklite Aergon Speedlock Trekking Poles - 16.6oz. per pair - $89.95 Free Shipping - In Stock

http://www.mountainsports.com/msmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=175371

I'm considering those too. I don't think I'm gunna go with the UL Carbon ones. I don't want to worry about breaking them and thats a good price.

[Mountain Wildman]

I'm considering those too. I don't think I'm gunna go with the UL Carbon ones. I don't want to worry about breaking them and thats a good price.

I hear ya,
Plus 199.00 for the carbon ones, OUCH!!!:eek:
And the foam grips tend to get a little slimy while the cork, Not so much.:sun
And I just noticed that these are lighter than the carbon ones.

[skinewmexico]

Not according to Leki.

Yeah, and you should spend 2-3 months salary on an engagement ring, Ford has a better idea, and a million other things we've been programmed by advertisers to believe as truth.

[Spokes]

I have the Leki Summit Antishock (T2032) and the Trail Antishock (T02030). The classic expander locking system is bombproof and I'm convinced the antishock feature save me from snapping a pole on numerous occasions.

I like the classic rubber grip compared to the "COR-TEC" grip since it's softer.

No matter, Leki poles are my brand of choice for long distance hiking.

[Luddite]

I hear ya,
Plus 199.00 for the carbon ones, OUCH!!!:eek:
And the foam grips tend to get a little slimy while the cork, Not so much.:sun
And I just noticed that these are lighter than the carbon ones.

I just found out those lekis with the cork grip are 2.5oz heavier than advertised.



Yeah, and you should spend 2-3 months salary on an engagement ring, Ford has a better idea, and a million other things we've been programmed by advertisers to believe as truth.

But they said everything else is just a stick.

[skinewmexico]

True. I actually left my Leki's leaning against the truck last time I went walking, and someone needed them more than me. Just trying to decide between the internal lock (that I never had trouble with), and the speed lock. That's a great price on those Corklite Aergon Speedlock Trekking Poles. With the free shipping, that's really close to what I would pay on a pro form.

[leaftye]

My Super Makalu poles have been good to me, but I wanted to save a LOT of weight so I went with the Gossamer Gear LT4 poles this year.

[The wolf]

I'm gonna go ahead and totally reccomend REI carbon shocks, reg. 195 but on sale right now for 99.

[Phreak]

I've been using the Carbonlite AERGON for the past 4 years with no issues.

[Torch09]

Here's something to consider...

Don't get the lightest poles you can find. Save your money and your arms. Yes. You heard correctly. My arms felt so weak after my thru hike even though I used hiking poles. It wasn't nearly as much excercise as I imagined. For my next thru, I'm actually going to ADD weight to my poles. Think about that!

[LoneRidgeRunner]

I use the Leki Super Makalus with the angled cork handles....I've had em for years ...well...key word I HAD them..Now I only have 1 of em left.....weird how they can bounce outta your truck leaving Joyce Kilmer when you just throw your pack in the truck and forget to close the tail gate...fortunately I looked back in the mirror before my pack had bounced out too. It was halfway out..of course I went back looking for it but it was gone..no telling where it went when it hit the highway..always close those tailgates... Leki poles are expensive...

[Elder]

I use the Leki Super Makalus with the angled cork handles....I've had em for years ...well...key word I HAD them..Now I only have 1 of em left.....weird how they can bounce outta your truck leaving Joyce Kilmer when you just throw your pack in the truck and forget to close the tail gate...fortunately I looked back in the mirror before my pack had bounced out too. It was halfway out..of course I went back looking for it but it was gone..no telling where it went when it hit the highway..always close those tailgates... Leki poles are expensive...
:D Yes, and worth every penny!

The Leki Guy

P.S. We fix or replace nearly anything...except lost..:-?

[Iceaxe]

Leki Makalu Corklite Trekking pole owner here.
15 ounces, adjustable length, three sections.
Bought them in Idylwild CA at mile 175 of the PCT in 2009 cause them mountains were beating my knees up on the downhills.
The tips last about 800-1000 miles before the little metal ring wears thin enough to let the carbide tip come loose.
If your shelter uses grommets for set up you can whittle a small twig to poke into the worn out tips each night until you get the tips replaced. (Run hot water over the tip and it pops right off easy)
The only warranty issue I had was after 2,500 miles I found a crack in the middle section where the expander doo-hickey is pressed into the aluminum tube.
Leki replaced the section free of charge.
By the way, Leki has a rep at ADZPCTKO in Lake Morena (Mile 20 NoBo PCT) every year. It's a great place to get your poles tuned up for free.
The corklite handles are starting to wear down to the plastic after 5,600 miles and the straps are a bit frayed.
I fully expect my leki's to survive another 2175 miles this year.
Although I will include an extra set of tips in a resupply around the halfway point just for preventative maintenance.

A friend of mine had bent a section of her Leki's in the Sierra. Leki shipped a new section to her General Delivery no problem.

[JaxHiker]

When my Black Diamonds need replacing, I'll be going with these:

LEKI Corklite Aergon Speedlock Trekking Poles - 16.6oz. per pair - $89.95 Free Shipping - In Stock

http://www.mountainsports.com/msmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=175371

Can I ask why? I was looking at both Leki and BD and was reading about folks having issues with the Leki Speedlock. The BD Trail Shock poles get really good reviews. I definitely like shaving about 4 oz with the ones you linked too, though.

[hikingshoes]

Which are cheapest? That's what I'd get. It's just a stick.
http://www.amazon.com/Pace-Maker-Trekking-Poles-extras/dp/B004EKNKX6/ref=pd_cp_e_1

[topshelf]

Here's something to consider...

Don't get the lightest poles you can find. Save your money and your arms. Yes. You heard correctly. My arms felt so weak after my thru hike even though I used hiking poles. It wasn't nearly as much excercise as I imagined. For my next thru, I'm actually going to ADD weight to my poles. Think about that!


I agree with this, you don't want to look like a T-rex after doing a lot of hiking. This is why I use all natural poplar poles. I let mine dry out for a bit then coated them in some lacquer to keep them from absorbing water. They are strong and not super heavy. I even added my own handmade wrap for a handle.

[AUhiker90]

I heard those new LEAFY poles are awesome you pick one up wear it out then pick up another. But i like the Leki Super Makalus not really sure who makalu is but my friend swift told me he has hiked a million miles and usually is seen with the swedish bikini hiking team.

[STICK]

I just got a pair of the Leki Corklite Aergon Speedlock (or whatever order those go in) poles. I haven't used them yet so I cannot say how they will do. They seem to feel pretty solid and the locks and all work fine. I am depending on the locks to work too since I will be using these to hold up my new Lunar Duo. As far as weight, my pair weighs 18.3 oz.

Saying all of this, if I were a more patient man, I would have held out about 2 weeks longer and got the GG LT4's too. That was my plan. But I am happy with the Leki's. Have heard great things from many people.

And I got mine from REI so they have a forever warranty...

[WalksInDark]

Two suggestions: wrap 6' or so of gorilla tape on each pole for emergencies and some extra weight; second, put some reflective tape on each pole so that cars can better see you when you are hitching or walking along the road in the dark.

WalksInDark

[Jelly-Bean]

This is what I have.

http://www.leki.com/trekking/trekkingPole.php?pID=75

I got them for 79.95 and they have been great. I liked the price too.

[88BlueGT]

For all the people who claim that a hiking pole is a hiking pole, your terribly wrong. Just thought I would throw that out there.

[jbwood5]

I got a pair of new Leki's off E-Bay back a couple of years ago. I don't remember the name but they are the speedi lock type with shock aborbing (slight spring) tips. They are great and were about half of what most chain store sports stores were selling them for.

[R00K]

When my Black Diamonds need replacing, I'll be going with these:

LEKI Corklite Aergon Speedlock Trekking Poles - 16.6oz. per pair - $89.95 Free Shipping - In Stock

http://www.mountainsports.com/msmain.asp?Option=Detail&Detail=175371

You sold me on these.

[earlyriser26]

Can I ask why? I was looking at both Leki and BD and was reading about folks having issues with the Leki Speedlock. The BD Trail Shock poles get really good reviews. I definitely like shaving about 4 oz with the ones you linked too, though.
After I bent my Leki poles in the wilderness I switched to Black diamond trail backs. I like them better than the Lekis and much cheaper. I am sure they are an extra OZ or two, but I don't care about that.

[earlyriser26]

After I bent my Leki poles in the wilderness I switched to Black diamond trail backs. I like them better than the Lekis and much cheaper. I am sure they are an extra OZ or two, but I don't care about that.
Also, I hate the speed locks on the Lekis. They would often fold up on me at the wrong moment. BD has a much better design with the flick lock.

[Sailing_Faith]

Just did my first ~16 miles with my new Lekis today. Was worth the cost (over my wamart poles) for the lack of blisters alone.

[T-Rx]

Also, I hate the speed locks on the Lekis. They would often fold up on me at the wrong moment. BD has a much better design with the flick lock.

Leki also makes poles with the flip locks. I have a pair but not sure of the model name. For me the flip lock is a also a much better design.

[peakbagger]

I have run Lekis Makulus for 20 years and my current set is an mix of a couple sets of poles. Unfortunately the Leki Man is never where I am.I have bent one lower pole section in 20 years of hiking including an section hiking the AT.

I have found that with a lot of use the aluminum inserts that hold the threaded sections of the expansion sleeve get loose in the lower aluminum pole. They appear to be pressed in somehow but eventually they get loose. The poles still work but they acquire a distinct clicking noise. I have fixed them in the past by pouring expoxy into this area, but this is definitely a long term wear area. I also have found that the rubber grips eventually get damaged by DEET. I have one pair with a yellow skeleton appearing underneath what is left of the rubber. Boith of these issues are something that happens over year of hiking and most folks lose then long before theses issue occur.

I do believe that the worse thing someone can do with the expansion sleeve poles is leave them in collapsed position after a hike as there is usually moisture that build up inside. I pull them apart and let them dry out between hikes.

The one time I have less use for expansion sleeve type Lekis are in winter. In the cold its a bear to get the sleeves to lock and they tend to loosen up quicker. I am used to it but for many folks they buy click locks

[BrianLe]

I think all you can get here are personal biases rather than any sort of objective "best". My personal bias if buying a new set of poles would be to get the lightest weight pair of Leki's that they guarantee for life, which last a looked (a while now) was something with no carbon fiber shaft but still pretty light weight. And that will bend (and can be bent back) rather than breaking if you inadvertently stress in the wrong direction. I've snapped a c.f. pole in the middle of nowhere and been moderately unhappy for a while after that as a result. Then I managed to bend a replacement (Leki) pole pretty good on a later trip but then just bent it back and kept going.

[bear bag hanger]

I've gone through a lot of poles. My recommendation is get the lightest weight ones you feel comfortable paying for. I think lighter weight poles make hiking easier. The cork handles do feel a little better than the synthetic ones I've tried, but they wear out quicker.