I've got a pair of BD flick lock poles, very robust design to be sure. But even in carbon fiber they are still 8 oz/pole, I think mine will be relegated to snowshoe endeavors and will give the GG's a go. I had considered BD's new z poles (they're pretty light, but fixed length), but having adj poles w/ a tarp is pretty handy

I'll buy them again. Seriously. I broke 4 poles over the span of 5.5 months. The last two broke in New Hampshire, and not using poles there and in Maine made me realize that poles are not *necessary* pieces of gear. Are they helpful? Sure. Are they necessary? Not so much.

Never had a problem with the locking mechanism, though!

Gossamer Gear, if you're reading this, I loved your poles... but could not condone spending any more money on them only to have them break with mere months of use.

I've got a few hundred miles on my LT's without any breakage. The previous entry inspired me to share some thoughts.

I've slipped and bent an LT by an amount that I am sure would have kinked an aluminum pole, but the LT straightened right out as soon as my weight was off it. My wife broke one of her LT's when she fell with the pole caught between two rocks. Once again, I have no doubt that an aluminum pole would've broken or kinked in that situation as well.

The lesson I've learned and applied is yes, the first priority is to save yourself, but right behind that is save your pole! When I've been in a situation where I think the pole could break -- when it's caught in a crack for example -- I'll use the pole to SLOW my fall to a safe rate, rather than arrest it altogether. I've also made the judicious choice of which pole I'll stop my fall with, letting go of the one that's bending over a rock, transferring my full weight to the one that's in the clear.

The LT's can take a tremendous amount of force when it's properly distributed. No pole I know of can hold much weight when it's concentrated on a point such as the edge of a crevass.

I'm glad you had a chance to check out the GG poles. I don't remember if I talked with you or not but the ADZPCTKO was an awesome event along with lots of inspirational people.

When I'm in the store, I'll adjust poles to the proper length, then I'll plan one of the poles about two feet in front of my body, and I'll tuck my hand in towards the center of my body and kinda lean my chest forward towards the top of my fist. Keeping my arm rigid I'll apply weight to the pole along it's length. I'm not sure how much - I'm guessing only about 25 lbs max.

What I like is when the pole bends just ever so slightly - and there's some spring to it so it tends to push back against my weight and snap back straight again. Again, this is just a momentary compression of the pole and release... the poles should feel quite stiff with just a little bit of shock absorbing bend.

How are the LT4's in this regard? Are they like most other, more durable poles? Or are they extra bendy or extra rigid?

I'm not worried about sticking them in crevices and then twisting them or falling onto one perpendicularly (that'll break any pole). I'm worried about slipping and using the pole to catch myself or when I have to drop down off a rock or steep step being able to plant the pole well below me and using it to take weight as I hop down. The poles should be able to do that.

Edited by jsj42 on 05/02/2011 14:22:05 MDT.

"Seriously. I broke 4 poles over the span of 5.5 months."

Geez, Angela. Based on my own experience with LT4's and what so many other BPLers report I've got to wonder if the problem may not be how you are using the poles.
This is not meant to offend, but in all honesty might it not be worthwhile evaluating your technique?

It's because she's been beating people over the head with them. I've seen it. It's not pretty. :)

Sometimes the lifespan of a pole is based on luck. I got about 3000 miles out of my LT4s before I broke one, and it was entirely avoidable. I just did something really dumb to break it. In a slightly shorter amount of hiking with my older aluminum Lekis I bent those pole several times, and messed up the locking mechanisms even more frequently.

Not using the straps has helped quite a bit (dropping the poles when I fall so I don't land on them as often). So has strapping them to my pack slightly more frequently, like when I have to crawl or climb over really steep rocky areas or over ladders and such.

"I'm worried about slipping and using the pole to catch myself ..."

The GG poles are great for taking your weight in situations like that, or supporting a lot of weight when climbing down a ledge.

I own a pair of LT4s. I've put thousands of miles on them. I really like them and think the twist locks are great.

However, if they were offered in a flick lock, I would buy a new pair in a minute. I have a pair at home that is stuck. OK, I can make it work by squirting lubricant in there, but then it slips. Once the lube is all used up, it gets stuck again. I believe the problem is due to the little rubber things wearing down. I've been told where to get new rubber things, but haven't gotten around to getting them. Plus, I have to figure out the exact size of the rubber things. I use heavier (metal) poles this time of year anyway (on snow) but I need to get it fixed by July or August (when the snow melts).

I don't think it would be easy to add flick locks to an all carbon fiber pole. Flick locks work by compressing the metal. I don't think it is a good idea to compress carbon fiber (if it is even possible). I can imagine an external locking mechanism working, though. This work similar to flick locks, but not quite. It would use rubber and not be as streamlined as either a flick lock or a twist lock, but would be more reliable and long lasting than a twist lock. It would take some research and design work, but in my opinion, it would be worth it. There are plenty of people, like the author of this post, who simply don't trust twist poles. Some of them by other brands, while some of them buy LT3s.

Oh, and I think * * is a dog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Internet_dog.jpg :)

I find the GG LT4 poles to be excellent. I would not purchase these if they changed the lock style. It is not broke don't fix it.

I don't think anyone is suggesting that LT4 stop making twist locks, but just that they add flick locks (for the folks that prefer them). Just like they still make LT3s.

Looking at my BD carbon poles it seems like the flick locks work just the same way as they do on aluminum - there's a little cut away in the CF at the very end of the section and the FL ring goes around here. Compression from the ring squeezes that weakened bit that's cut away tight around the next pole section.

It appears that some people do report failures with twist-adjust poles and some people don't. I'm curious if anyone has ever had repeated problems with FL's? I'm also not convinced that FL's would be any heaver than other mechanisms - that little flick lock ring couldn't weigh more than a 10 grams - it's plastic and has a single metal screw.

Edited by billygoat on 05/03/2011 15:30:23 MDT.

I have leki carbon with a flip loc and they work fine.

I've never had a problem with a flick lock. I've had problems with every pole that contains a twist lock. The GG LT4s are the best though. It took me a long time before I had a slip and a long time after that before I had the problems I am having now. I am not alone in having the problem, however. Many people have reported it (and the solution is to get new rubber).

"I've had problems with every pole that contains a twist lock."

Me, too. I think the problem of slippage has two causes: 1) The expander wears out; 2) Moisture works its way up the top tube and reduces friction. For the second reason, I use flintlock poles, BD Carbon fiber, during the winter, or if I'm sure it's going to be wet for an extended period in other seasons.