trekking poles reviews

Leki Makalu FX Carbon trekking poles.

Review: Leki Makalu FX Carbon Folding Trekking Poles

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Trekking Poles
Leki Makalu FX Carbon Poles
$230, 1 lb. 1.9 oz./508g (per pair)
One size, adjustable 110-130cm/43.3-51.2 ins.
backcountry.com

What qualities are you looking for in trekking poles? How about good adjustability, packability, durability, comfort, reliability, and especially versatility? Those adjectives all describe the Leki Makalu FX Carbon folding poles—which I increasingly found myself reaching for when choosing poles for backpacking trips in places as rugged as the Wind River Range, High Sierra, Canadian Rockies, High Uintas, and more. In fact, I can point to just one drawback to them—although in this case, I question whether it can even be called that.

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The Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles.

Review: Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles

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Trekking Poles
Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles
$160, 1 lb. 1.9 oz./508g (per pair)
One size, adjustable 100-135cm/39.4-53 ins.
backcountry.com

The first detail to catch your attention with the Leki Makalu Cork Lite Trekking Poles is likely going to be the price—it’s significantly lower than many leading models of hiking poles. But look deeper into the specs and these poles grow more appealing, including a broad range of adjustability and very good durability. From hiking Idaho’s highest peak and in my local foothills to dayhikes and backpacking in southern Utah’s Capitol Reef National Park and Buckskin Gulch and Paria Canyon, these poles performed and held up in ways that convinced me they may be the best value in trekking poles today.

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Montem Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles.

Review: Montem Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

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Trekking Poles
Montem Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
$90, 14 oz./396.9g (per pair)
One size, adjustable 105-135cm
montemlife.com

The biggest question with inexpensive gear is always: Will it work? And best way to answer that question is to field test it in places that are hard on gear. Backpacking six days on the Grand Canyon’s Gems Route, five days in Montana’s Beartooth Mountains, and three days on southern Utah’s rugged Owl and Fish canyons loop, and dayhiking in a couple of southern Utah national parks and on two of the steepest, meanest trails in my local Foothills, I found that Montem’s remarkably affordable Ultra Light 100% Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles met virtually all the demands I placed on them through some very hard use and left me with only a couple of relatively minor critiques.

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Leki MC 12 Vario trekking and running poles.

Review: Leki MC 12 Vario Trekking and Running Poles

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Trekking and Running Poles
Leki MC 12 Vario
$250, 15 oz./pair (men’s 110-130cm pair, without stuff sack)
Sizes: men’s 110-130cm, women’s 100-120cm
moosejaw.com

If you think that nerding out on the “performance” aspect of trekking and trail-running poles just goes too over the top for you, don’t bother reading any further. But if you’re a serious hiker, trail runner, or backpacker who likes the idea of light, strong, adjustable, and very packable poles designed to help you conserve energy and possibly even move faster and go farther, you need to know about Leki’s innovative MC 12 Vario.

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REI Flash Folding Trekking Poles.

Review: REI Flash Folding Trekking Poles

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Trekking and Running Poles REI Flash Folding Trekking Poles $149, 14 oz. (115cm) Sizes: 105, 115, 125, and 135cm rei.com When I brought these poles and another pair that are collapsible (not folding)—and virtually the same weight—on a 12-mile trail run-hike in the Foothills, swapping poles with a partner, it quickly became clear that we both preferred these poles. A …

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