Hi all. I am considering biting the bullet and getting a pair of GG Lightrek 4 poles, upgrading from a pair of BD Diamond Trails.

The weight savings is obviously the big reason, but my concern is their strength and stability. I am a former semi-pro football player, currently at around a stockly, more muscular 300 lb and still losing. I use my poles very gently when walking on trail and flat roads, relying on them mostly for up and down hills and stream crossings, where I would typically put more weight onto them, specifically on steep downhills where footing is essential and in streams. My fear is that if I take a small stumble and rely on these to support me until I can regain a hold, they could snap at the most inopportune time and I could get injured or go tumbling downhill.

I was hoping people could provide honest feedback as to how they hold up as most of the posts I've read thus far people have commented on them snapping fairly easily. Thanks!

Edited by mak52580 on 07/22/2010 17:26:38 MDT.

Also, does anyone have a pair with the straps to compare them with poles without straps? I can't seem to find pics of them with straps anywhere.

Straps -- click here.

I weigh 150lbs. -- my positive experience with the poles may not be sufficiently applicable to bigger guys.

Edited by ben2world on 07/22/2010 18:01:05 MDT.

Haven't tried them myself but titanium goat has updated their poles for 2010 including extra strength and better (non corrosive) fittings. The latter should be a big improvement. I had an original ti goat pole seize on me, and I can see the beginnings of corrosion on my gg lt4 poles. This pic is pretty impressive:

So is that the LT4 or Ti Goat that you are bending?

Consider getting the LT3s instead. They're fixed length, even lighter and may be stronger due to being one solid piece. Since they are "custom made to order" maybe you can inquire about them applying an extra dense dose of carbon fiber spiral wrapping.

http://www.gossamergear.com/gossamergear/images/Lightrek4_Spiral_Wrap-200.jpg

http://www.gossamergear.com/cgi-bin/gossamergear/Lightrek3_Trekking_Poles.html

Can't hurt to ask. 8-)

Not me, that image is from the tigoat web site. I wouldn't dare to that to one of my poles.

I think a lot depends on how long they are and how you use them. They are quite strong for the weight. I often put all of my weight on the pair (to basically jump down from a higher point). They work fine for this, even when set pretty long (I like to have them sticking way down the trail). If you shorten them up, then they will be stronger. In general, though, I think if you use them carefully, then they will be fine (I don't, but I'm a lot lighter). If you are tall, then you probably want them relatively long (unfortunately).

I like the other suggestion of getting a fixed length pole (if that fits your style). I think you might be able to get a fixed length pole (G3) combined with the outer pole of a G4. I would imagine this would be very strong. In general, I think this would be a nice market, for those that are worried about carbon fiber. A pole that is a bit heavier, still lighter than just about any pole out there and extremely strong might be quite popular. In some ways it is like 1.5 ounce Cuben (extremely strong for the weight). I would definitely talk to Glen about this. One of the great things about these small shops is that you can talk to the folks who design and make the gear (unless, of course, they are out hiking).

Assuming you only have what is available, I would still get them (assuming you can afford to take the risk). I've found that as your gear gets lighter, so do you. If you carry lighter stuff, your exercise becomes more aerobic, and less anaerobic. Instead of carrying a 40 pound pack 8 miles you carry a 20 pound pack 15. In other words, you go from being a lineman, to a linebacker, to a defensive back. With a few beers after a hike you can even become a kicker. :)

I'm 6'-5", but weigh considerably less than you (about 195 lbs). Nonetheless, I use LT4s at what is probably getting close to their maximum usable height. I have found that they seem to be pretty tough. I use my poles kinda hard in that I try to use them just for balance, but as the day wears on I find myself leaning on them a good bit by the end of the day. I have caught myself from falling by stopping the fall with them several times, and I even fell and landed on one on my last trip. So far so good...I haven't broken one yet. My only complaint with them is that they do slip occasionally, but again I do ride them pretty hard at times. The slippage isn't any worse or more frequent than what I was experiencing with my previous pair of Lekis. And gosh darnint the LT4s are so stinkin light I'll deal with the occasional slippage.

As for straps, before buying the LT4s I exclusively used poles with straps. On a whim I bought the LT4s without straps, and haven't looked back. They are so darn light that the straps are useless in my opinion. As a matter of fact I prefer using them without straps because it makes it easier to let go of a pole if one gets stuck (in the ground, between rocks, etc.) so that you don't bend it over to far.