I have a pair of REI Peak UL adjustable CF trekking poles. They have served me well, but don't fit in a pack.

I have considered the BD Ultra Distance poles. At 5'11", they recommend the 120cm poles, but I was considering the 110cm to keep a Tarptent Notch lower to the ground for better wind protection to account for the possibly weaker trekking poles.

However, I'm concerned about the ergonomics of the 110cm poles.

I've looked into some of the other options...I was ideally trying to keep the cost down and the BD seemed to be reasonably priced.

TiGoat is a bit pricey.

I've looked at CAMP Xenon 4 and they are about the same price as the BD Ultra Distance and roughly the same weight. However, they are aluminum.

How does aluminum stand up to backpacking and use to hold up a tarptent vs carbon fiber?
I would imagine you could bend the aluminum and that would lessen it's ability to function, but the carbon could crack from being scratched.

The wrap up:
Should I stick with 120cm for a fixed height pole?
Will these ultra light poles hold up a tarptent reliably?
Is aluminum or CF better?

Alternatively, I guess I could pick up some Tarptent poles at 5oz and when combined with the 9.5oz trekking poles, would end up only slightly heavier than my current ~12oz trekking poles but would be far more functional since they can pack away.

I use a 120 cm pair of BD Ultra Distance poles for both my MLD UL solo tarp and Duomid. They work great, even in high wind.

What is your height and do the UD poles work well for you while hiking?

Zack
The suggested trekking pole height is about your elbow height.
However some prefer them a bit higher some lower...
I was about to attach an inner to one so I took a few shots of it set up in my bedroom with poles at 120cmn.
Note that I am using the poles with the handle up, so on soft ground you could push the carbide tip into the ground reducing the height and increasing stability.
(stake style...)
Note also that on the two Notch sealed up shots the poles are straight up , the one with me inside have the poles at an angle.




Please note :
I cannot put the correct tension to the side panels with the weight of one brick (I have a stake jammed between one brick and the other) and that is why you see all those European style wrinkles...
To add
At 120cm (even with the poles at a slight angle) the floor will not sit flat unless you add some line between the mitten hook and the D ring connecting the inner to the fly.
You may want to set your REI poles at 110cm and see how they feel for you at that height.

Franco
(it's raining outside)

Edited by Franco on 04/24/2012 17:47:16 MDT.

That's very helpful!

I still am curious about feedback on the CAMP xenon 4 vs the BD UD poles in terms of material and durability.

What are your thoughts?

I have no experience with those specific poles, but aluminium should be plenty reliable. I actually prefer aluminium over carbon for trekking poles because they will bend before they break.