reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,136 
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Post by reuben on Jun 29, 2015 15:10:05 GMT -8
I love my BD Alpine Corks, but they're 130 and my MLD Solomid needs 140s, especially when it's humid and the silnylon sags during the night. I tried the little pole extenders and don't like 'em.
Grip material - love cork, insist on it. My hands can get rub burns in hot weather with rubber grips (where's the OOC thread?).
Grip angle - my BD poles have straight handles so that's fine - don't know if I'd like the angled handles or not.
Shock absorption - don't want no new-fangled anti-shock tips. <grumble> <harumph>
Inner cord v locks - not a fan of these new poles with the shock cord type innards instead of locks, but I might be persuaded. They also appear to be fixed length, which I wouldn't want.
I was sorta thinkin' 'bout goin' with the Gossamer Gear LT4S poles, despite their expense and scary light weight. Then Dr. Google pointed me to Leki Makalu Retro. They're not flip locks, but people seem to like them.
The GGs are 33" completely closed. That seems kinda long, which is a bit of a turnoff (where's the OOC thread?). Most poles are 27-29" collapsed.
Thoughts, other suggestions?
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Post by trinity on Jun 29, 2015 16:59:20 GMT -8
Looks like the REI Traverse Powerlock Cork might fit the bill: www.rei.com/product/883874/rei-traverse-power-lock-cork-trekking-poles-pair . I haven't tried these, but the times I've tried out REI poles in the store they've been pretty nice. Not many of the collapsible poles seem to extend all the way to 140. I think the GGs are two piece, which is why they don't collapse down more. I was thinking of those myself, but the price wound up scaring me off, plus it sounds like they're a bit delicate and futzy. |
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Post by High Sierra Fan on Jun 29, 2015 20:15:45 GMT -8
Yep: I have the GG LT4s poles and a Solomid (though in Cuben) and that's the one thing I'm not happy about is their packed length. Otherwise: love them. Knocked around the Sierra with them the last 3 seasons or so with no issues. I take them apart to get the length down to the minimum. 32.5 (the lower section, the upper is only 29.5) Otherwise collapsed together they measure 33.5 inches.
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franco
Trail Wise!
Posts: 2,297
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Post by franco on Jun 29, 2015 22:52:13 GMT -8
Hi
Take a look at the BD TRAIL ERGO CORK TREKKING POLES
140cm extended, 74cm/29" collapsed, double flick lock and cork handles.
No shock absorption
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swiftdream
Trail Wise!
the Great Southwest Unbound
Posts: 540
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Post by swiftdream on Jun 30, 2015 16:03:02 GMT -8
Grip angle - my BD poles have straight handles so that's fine - don't know if I'd like the angled handles or not. Thoughts, other suggestions? I use the straight grip BD Alpine carbon right now and for years but previously I did use some angled grip Leki poles and found them comfortable. I can't stand the twist locks though after using BD flick locks. I like the idea of taller poles for shelter use too. |
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Post by walkinman on Jun 30, 2015 17:41:16 GMT -8
Go with the BD Trail Ergo Cork poles Franco mentioned.
Cheers
Carl
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Post by mocs123 on Jun 30, 2015 18:13:07 GMT -8
I owned the Gossamer Gear LT4's and used them until they were damaged by an airline flying back from the JMT in 2011. I then went to the Black Diamond Ultra Distance, which I still have and like, but they are not adjustable. I bought a pair of Locus Gear poles in 2013 and really like them, but they only extend to 135cm. I use 5" trekking pole extenders with them when using my Solomid XL.
For poles that extend to 140cm (150cm actually) I would look at the Komperdell Vario 4 Ultralight Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles. They aren't cheap but they extend to 150cm and pack to only 18 inches. They weigh 6.5oz each.
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,136
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Post by reuben on Jul 1, 2015 13:50:47 GMT -8
Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments, especially regarding the GG poles. I think I'll rule them out due to my own reluctance and comments by HSF and mocs. I hadn't thought of REI, but those look good, Trinity (nice to see you here!). Franco/walkinman - the BD Trail Ergo Cork look fine if the angle doesn't bug me. I haven't been able to find any in local stores. I stumbled on the Komperdell Ridgehiker Cork Power Lock (say that three times fast) and they look intriguing - komperdell.com/en/poles/trekking/aluminium.php?id=174_2420_10The Leki Makalu Classic looks good as well, but no flip locks - www.leki.com/uk/product-area/trekking/poles/2267/makalu/Thanks again! |
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gabby
Trail Wise!
Posts: 4,536
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Post by gabby on Jul 1, 2015 14:01:02 GMT -8
I owned the Gossamer Gear LT4's and used them until they were damaged by an airline flying back from the JMT in 2011. That's got to be a really good story. Were you on the runway at the time? |
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reuben
Trail Wise!
Gonna need more Camels at the next refugio...
Posts: 11,136
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Post by reuben on Jul 1, 2015 15:09:02 GMT -8
Probably lent them to a flight attendant who was crawling out on a wing trying to dig goose remnants out of one of the engines midflight. Hopefully they comped him $50 on his next flight.
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Post by trinity on Jul 2, 2015 6:30:14 GMT -8
I have a pair of Black Diamond Ergo Cork poles, and I like them just fine. A bit on the heavy side, but I love the grip. I'm still up in the air about the angle, though. I think it is designed more for flat terrain, where the canted angle will keep the poles in a more vertical position. I mostly use mine on steep climbs, where I think a straight shaft might be better. Get a pair from REI so that you can see how you like them. On a related note, I just received a new pair of Locus Gear CP3 in the mail this morning. I can't wait to try them out.
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Post by dayhiker on Jul 13, 2015 7:09:14 GMT -8
Check with BD to see if any of their longer pole section would fit your poles. Probably only $30 for a pair.
I was surprised when I replaced my 2 piece ski poles with a newer set (They broke and the sections were not made anymore) that I could put its section into my 3 piece poles and have a single pole just about tall enough to put up their Mega Mid. (Another user had bought an extra lower pole section and cut the tip off so he could use it to join too poles, which could work for you if you only need one pole for your tent - a bit of a pain to have to put together esp. in snow - though allot easier than other pole joining methods)
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