What walking poles to get??

[tryangus]

Exped walking poles are well worth a look. I use a set of Alpine 140s (adjustable from 105 - 140 cm) for both hiking and skiing and they've been a delight to use.

I have always found the BD flicklock system to be a little fragile - the Expeds are a twist-style however each height gradient has a defined notch such that even if you haven't tightened the section properly, it won't retract without due of force.

[Strider]

I have always found the BD flicklock system to be a little fragile - the Expeds are a twist-style however each height gradient has a defined notch such that even if you haven't tightened the section properly, it won't retract without due of force.

Twist locks are more of an issue to get undone, rather than to do up - particularly with wet/cold hands.

[wayno]

my carbon graphite twist action poles became a mission to do up. the twisting grinds off a powder that acts like tiny ball bearings...

[Strider]

my carbon graphite twist action poles became a mission to do up. the twisting grinds off a powder that acts like tiny ball bearings...

Give them a rinse out from time-to-time?

[wayno]

couldt be bothered in the end, it would happen so frequently you have to get in there with a cloth to clean them out,
hosed me off when you'd extend them after having them stowed while travelling and they'd fail when you wanted to use them for the trail...

[wayno]

i wasnt even sure what was going on with them, it was such an inauspicious coating , i wasnt sure it was causing the issue, i thought it might have been a failure of the locking mechanism. took them back to bivouac, and bivouac sent them back to the distributor, the distributors only answer was to issue me a credit for a pair of black diamond flick locks, they were komperdells, all their poles were twist locks then, since then i have seen them with flick locks

[Strider]

From what I understand, Black Diamond's patent for the Flick Lock system has expired within the past couple of years - hence we have started to see the other major manufacturers adopting various forms of this technology. I think this alone speaks volumes for its superiority when comparing to twist-locks.

[wayno]

black diamond makes some of the best climbing hardware in the world.. their poles have their stamp of reliability....

[ninjapuppet]

Having both the BD flick locks and the Leki speed locks, i find the leki version easier to lock and unlock due to the longer lever arm (better mechanical advantage)

I'm really looking forward to these poles: Leki Micro TourStick Vario trekking pole.
http://gearjunkie.com/outdoor-retailer-summer-2013-best-in-show?pg=12



8.9 ounces
its got the z-Pole ultra distance extension system PLUS the flick lock adjustability.
its baskets are interchangable unlike the standard ultra distance.
its half carbon for light weight, and bottom half is aluminium for durability.

I think this pole just took my favourite bits out of several poles and combined it all into one.

[noodle07]

Im a uni student so im shopping around for a budget alternative ( no more than around ( $100 - maybe $130 max ) .. i know not to expect a great deal as u generally get what you pay for.
Im just looking for something reliable .. dosnt have to be super light weight .
If anyone has experience in this price range , any help would be great !
Cheers Aaron

[damon_james]

I use the ultra-lightweight Black Diamond Contour Elliptical Carbon. These are lighter than the full Alum version.

I am 120kg and use the poles as they are meant to be used: for propulsion, fending off, stability, downhill support, and fighting off crocodiles. For notes on pole usage see a recent post viewtopic.php?f=40&t=14739

I HAMMER THESE POLES. I have done many multi-day treks up to Class 5 trails and I show no mercy. They are good for beach work, mud work, rock work and dense scrub. After almost 3 years they are still in great shape. Many times I look down expecting to see an L shape but they are still as straight as a die. Really the only way you will break one of these poles is to lever it hard against a fulcrum.

The clip locks are fine - no slippage, no breaks etc.

IHMO clip lock poles are easier to manage when folded down than flick locks and twist locks are just a bit silly. IHMO.

Highly recommended.

As a footnote, don't baulk at the price of any quality equipment. I'd rather skip eating for a week than mess around with junk. Eat later

Happy trails, Damon.

[Strider]

How do clip locks differ from flick locks?

My Contour Elliptics have flick locks.

[ninjapuppet]

IHMO clip lock poles are easier to manage when folded down than flick locks and twist locks are just a bit silly. IHMO.

Highly recommended.

Damon_James I'm just curious, what do you mean by clip locks?
are these the poles you refer to?
the specs on these Contour Elliptic Carbon are listed as flick locks

http://www.kellysbasecamp.com.au/p/4465865/black-diamond---contour-elliptic-carbon-2012.html

[Strider]

I've got a feeling he might be getting confused with the BD Ultra Distance and their Speed Lock system. Contour Elliptics are definitely not ultralight, not even the carbon version.

[MichaelJ]

I just use two leki wanderfreund hiking staffs; a bit on the heavy side, but very strong, and the cane-style handle makes them quite versatile.

[Joomy]

I can also highly recommend the Black Diamond Ultra Distance.

Apart from making sure you choose the right size, they are better in practically every other way than traditional metal poles.

The problem with the Ultra Distance is they are fixed length, meaning you can't adjust them for going up/down steep slopes. But they are very light.

A few that haven't been mentioned so far:
Komperdell - make some interesting folding/adjustable hybrids like BD but out of carbon so lighter (400g or less) and available locally
Locus Gear CP4 - lightest 3 section adjustable pole?
Gossamer Gear LT4 - lightest adjustable poles available (2 section)

Just a word about the Black Diamond locking mechanisms, there is a newer version that is a lot better than the older version, similar to the one Leki use now as well - double-lever action aluminium rather than a simple single plastic lever. You can see it in the new pics on their website.

[Strider]

Just a word about the Black Diamond locking mechanisms, there is a newer version that is a lot better than the older version, similar to the one Leki use now as well - double-lever action aluminium rather than a simple single plastic lever.

Stainless steel band aren't they?

[Joomy]

Probably yeah. Metal anyway.

[damon_james]

Hi Strider & Ninjapuppet,

Apols, my error: Flick locks are the correct name from BD. Clip locks are what I thought they were called.