I am trying to replace my wife's REI Ascent Compact trekking poles.

http://www.rei.com/product/750639

These weighed around 17 oz for the pair. My main complaint with them is not weight (although lighter poles would be nice), but the fact that the poles were constantly collapsing on the trail. I was thinking about replacing them with a different model of similar or lighter weight, preferably available from REI (sale ends Sunday!).

I am currently looking at the REI Peak UL Carbon poles (they're on sale!):

http://www.rei.com/product/756152

Are there any advantages/disadvantages in going to a carbon pole? Better/worse shock absorption? My wife tended to like the anti-shock feature of the REI Ascent poles, although to me the benefits of anti-shock are somewhat questionable. I myself have been using a pair of Leki Ultralite poles (around 16 oz) with decent results, although I've thought about switching to lighter poles as well.

Advice needed.

thanks
David

as far as collapsing goes i can't speak for REI duolock system but I'm a fan of Black Diamond poles, their flicklock system is strong enough that I (260 lbs) can't budge them an inch putting all my weight on them and jumping on it.

Carbon seems to absorb more shock than aluminum, even without active shock absorbing mechanisms.

I have the REI Peak UL's (made by Komperdell) and find them to be a good product. There are some drawbacks to carbon fiber poles, like the carbon dust buildup that can eventually keep the locks from grabbing, but these are easily overcome (rinse them out with water). Plus, the locks on this years model appear to be different and improved? Last year's model are in the clearance bin at most stores (over half off in Boise).

I just received my new 2008 BPL Stix in the mail today. They are even lighter than the Peak UL's, and of similar design, but they are fixed length (no adjustment). I find this to be advantageous, but YMMV.

Also, the best locks on the market appear to be the Black Diamond Flicklocks, but I have never found just the right pole offering from BD.

Edited by jbrinkmanboi on 05/10/2008 23:01:16 MDT.

David, I have owned several adjustable poles from LEKI, REI, etc; and had the same problem with all of them; difficulty in adjusting the length, and inadvertent collapsing/sliding.
The total solution is the new BD Flicklocks. They adjust in literally two seconds, and simply do not slip. I have the 9oz(ea) Trail model, and my GF uses the Trail Compact. We usually just carry one each.

The older Compacts have Flicklocks on the top, and a binary adjuster on the bottom; these are to be avoided; I mistakenly bought them at steepandcheap thinking they were the same as the new dual Flicklock/model. The binary mechanism rattles and does NOT lock in the collapsed position!

For me, having adjustable/collapsable poles is very important because I travel by train to the trailhead, and I adjust my poles frequently depending if I'm going up or down; if those considerations do not apply to you, consider fixed length carbon poles.

David:

I have used the REI UL Compact poles. They are pretty darn light and very nice most of the time. My only complaint is that more than a few times, I have had problems getting the sections to lock in place! And when that happens, you have to pull the sections apart and fuss with the plastic nut inside. Can be annoying.

Last year, i switched to Titanium Goat adjustable titanium poles. My first pair also had problems locking, but after exchanging, my second (current) set performs wonderfully, each and every time. They are half the weight of the REI UL Compact!

Did you consider Carbon pacerpoles?
It looks like they got nice reviews over here.

Hi David,
A lot depends on your intended use of the poles. All of the internal locking mechanism are vulnerable to slippage if water works its way up into the locking mechanism, so if you will be using them in wet environments, go with the BD Flintlock equipped poles, they are bombproof. For dry 3 season hiking, the Titanium Goat poles are excellent, as are the heavier, but cheaper, REI Peak Ultralites. I have used both and, if you have the bucks, like Ben I'd recommend the Titanium Goat adjustables. But either is a good 3 season pole.

I've had the Gossamer Gear fixed poles for 2 years. I'm never going back to adjustables. Haven't noticed any downsides while in use as trekking poles. Inability to colapse would be an issue if you're flying somewhere, and takes a little work if you're using them with a tarp - but wrapping a little duct tape at the necessary heights fixes that one easily. Only six ounces with the baskets attached, five ounces without them.

Has anyone bought the fly rod attachment for the Tigoats? I was looking at purchasing the poles and the fly rod attachment, but now I see that they have removed the fly rod on their website.

David,

This will be some good info for you:
http://www.backpackinglight.com/cgi-bin/backpackinglight/carbon_fiber_trekking_poles_review_summary.html

I also recommend fixed poles. They'll never let you down.

The Kompedell C2 poles are adjustable, have a flicklock-style lock which never slips, and are very durable...that is, if you need adjustability. Personally, I carry fixed poles on any trip that doesn't require me to carry them on my back or carrying them in an airplane. The light weight in your hand is an amazing change from ANY adjustable pole.

People love the Black Diamond poles. They are tough and don't slip but after using truly lightweight poles, they just seem too clunky for me to enjoy using them.

Best of luck!

Brett, my wife and I have been trying to decide between the Black Diamond Trail and Trail Compact. We've visited two REI stores, but haven't been able to look at the Trail Compact. The Black Diamond website says the Compact has a reduced grip size. Does that mean the grip is shorter in length? Or is the grip smaller in diameter? Or both?

Thanks in advance, if you can help.

To answer my own question (just in case someone else is curious), I finally found a store that carried both the regular and compact versions of Black Diamond's trekking poles. The compact grip is slightly shorter than the regular grip. It's hard to tell, but the regular and compact grips appear to be the same diameter.

I have small hands for a guy, but the compact grip felt a bit snug to me.