They have a good range of adjustment from 110cm to 130cm, and are very easy to assemble and fold away. They also feature extended grips, which makes it easy to choke down on a sharp ascent without having to change the pole length. The rounded top handle also nestles nicely into the palm if using the poles for braking and balance on steep downhill trails. Leki make some of the best trekking poles in the business. They’ve been leaders in the market since 1970 and now make dedicated poles for all manner of outdoor sports, from skiing and trekking to trail running and Nordic walking. The pole is suited to a variety of weather conditions with the foam grips performing well in both warm and cold weather and with included snow baskets, the pole can be used in light snow. Much of it also comes down to preference. Some people prefer the smoothness of a cork grip while other prefer the textured nature of foam. Weight If you’re planning on taking these poles over a long distance, you’ll certainly appreciate that lower gram count.”

The use of carbon and aluminiumoffers that perfect balance between strength and weight, these pole are ideal for use while carrying heavy loads or can even be used for skiing.These are technologically advanced poles that would be better suited to walkers who already understand the benefits of trekking poles and are accustomed to using them, particularly those seeking to minimise trail weight by upgrading from aluminium alloy poles to carbon fibre construction. Part of Leki’s specialist trekking range, the Micro Vario Carbon is suitable for particularly demanding tours. Adjustable length: Size really matters. You should be able to hold your elbow at a 90-degree angle when holding the pole by its hand grip. Either make sure you choose the right length for your height (specialist retailer Alpinetrek has an interactive guide to help you) or buy a fully adjustable pole. Not only can you adjust it to suit your height, but also for different needs – for example, downhill stretches need a longer pole than uphill treks. The rounded handle top is rubber coated, so using the palms to push or lean on the handles is comfortable and safe. However, many walkers prefer to use just one. That way, you’ve got a free hand when you need it. But you don’t have as much stability as you would with two poles, so if you’re off to scramble up a fell, you’ll definitely be wanting two poles. What features should I look out for? Tough, fairly lightweight and with no fiddly bits, these durable aluminium poles from Austrian manufacturer Komperdell do exactly what you would expect from a walking pole.

Comfort is something that doesn’t necessarily reveal itself right away when you’re talking about trekking poles. At first handle, you tend to notice how your hand mates with the pole handle, how adjustable the poles are for your particular height and use, and maybe how they absorb vibration. What you can’t immediately discern is how that’s going to translate over time, or in my case, over many miles. Leki decided to use a short Flex Tip results in precise pole placements and perfect grip in nearly and terrain.Interchangeable baskets and tips: The “basket” is the ski-shoe type attachment above the pole’s tip. Baskets stop your pole from sinking into the ground, and they come in different types and sizes for different terrains such as soft mud and snow. Tips come in different types, too: single-point carbide tips are basically a spike and good for trails; rubber tips are better for hard surfaces and chiselled tips boost traction on slippery surfaces.

Rychlé složení holí jedním tlačítkem ve speciální konstrukci zaručující vysokou stabilitu a bezpečnost. The handles, called Aergon Thermo Long Grip by Leki, are super comfortable to use. I find cork handles, which are ubiquitous on a lot of brands these days, quite irritating and abrasive over time. The foam construction on the Vario Carbon allows use without gloves and the long section with added grips means you can vary the pole height instinctively depending on your body position, without the need to stop and adjust the length.

Value

The Leki Skin Strap is an ultra-lightweight, highly breathable strap offering maximum comfort with minimum weight that is simple to adjust. As with the Micro Vario Carbon poles, they come with only one fixed basket described as a Nordic Walking basket, although they are removable so you could use other baskets if they were similar internal diameter. For a pole of this quality, an extra wide wet ground or soft snow basket would have been nice. You can buy padded tip covers for solid ground but these are not included with the poles; given the price tag, all the extras should arguably have come as standard. Summary The ergonomic grips are made from cork, but there’s also a rubberised “extension” for added grip on steep terrain, so you get the best of both worlds. The padded wrist strap feels really secure, too. The poles come with two basket sets (including one for deep snow) and interchangeable carbide and rubber tips for when the going is soft and hard.