Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I know there are lots of folks out there who do a lot of hiking and won't be satisfied with anything less than a pair of LEKIs. But I wanted a couple of anti-shock poles which could be used together or just one at a time (and in a way, the 2nd one offers a back-up redundancy if one tends to hike with a single pole most of the time), and I didn't want a pair of ultra-cheaps which would fall apart after a few uses, nor did I want to pay through the nose for poles that, while higher quality, could still fail.
Anyway, I had tried a cheap under-$20 pole, the Hikker, and it was fine. But my partner and I needed another pole, so I thought to take a small step up and get these Mountainsmith Carbonlite Pros as a pair. Each one is clearly sturdier than the Hikker, and I prefer the Mountainsmith's softer sling-like straps. Good cork handles, pretty easy to adjust the overall height. May seem dumb to say this, but the little measuring hash-marks painted on the shaft are kind of handy for nature photography, because I can drop the pole next to the plant or rock I want to shoot and have an instant visual scale right there.
I've been using the Mountainsmith a couple times a week on rocky, steep terrain in wilderness areas near our house, with no problem at all. Mostly I leave the basket off and the tungsten tip exposed. The other day, I was out hiking and up on a ridge, maybe a mile from my vehicle when it became clear some serious thunderstorms were rolling in. I had to move fast, mostly downhill -- and that single pole saved me from at least a dozen spills on the way down.
So my recommendation is if you've never used a hiking pole before and aren't sure you'll like them, go cheaper. It's easier to throw away or not feel bad about something breaking if you've spent less than twenty bucks on it. On the other hand, if you want something a little better, think you might need two poles rather than one, and don't quite want to graduate to the LEKIs, you could do worse than these Mountainsmiths.
Click Here to see more reviews about: All Terain Carbonlite Pro Trekking Pole in Slate
06-9080-08 Features: -Constructed of carbon and 7075 aluminum. -Three section poles. -Cork grips. -Neoprene wrist straps. -Anti-shock absorption system. -Quick-twist locking mechanism. -Easily removable narrow profile baskets. -Carbide tips. -Rubber boot tips. -Compact length: 26''. -Extended length: 54''.
Click here for more information about All Terain Carbonlite Pro Trekking Pole in Slate
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