What works
- 290 g the pair — you forget they are there
- Folds to 37 cm, fits inside a daypack
- Deploys in under three seconds
What does not
- Fixed length; you must buy the right size
- Carbon is less forgiving of a jam between rocks than aluminium
- No shock absorption
Why poles matter in Nepal
Nepali trekking is defined by descent as much as ascent: 1,600 metres off Thorong La in a day, 1,700 off Larke La, 1,180 from Kala Patthar to Pheriche. Poles take a measurable load off the knees on exactly that terrain.
Fixed length
The Distance Z has no adjustment, which saves weight and removes the most common failure point. It also means measuring properly before you buy: elbow at 90 degrees with the tip on the ground.
About the author
Tom Eriksen
Gear editor & photographer
Tom tests trekking equipment the only way that produces honest answers: by carrying it for weeks at a time above 4,000 metres. He shoots most of the photography on this site and writes the gear reviews, comparison tables and packing lists.
Writes about: Trekking gear · Photography · Packing and weight
