The trade off for these poles being so compact is that they are not very long. If you are over six feet tall, or like really long poles for the downhills, you may be disappointed in these. At their longest, they are not that long. I am 5' 10" and feel I don't need them any longer… but just barely. I've used these poles for almost six months. Not many kilometers on them but I would recommended them nonetheless. When not required the poles collapse down to a sensible size (59cm) but if you want to get them even smaller you can separate the sections completelyto get them into a small case etc.Because of their reduced length and therefore reduced weight these versatile poles would also suit shorter male users who really want to keep things ultra lightweight and compact. Here are some useful tips and advice on how to get the most of your walking and trekking poles so you can enjoy your adventures more, be safer and improve your fitness. The use of walking and trekking poles has become much more popular, and acceptable, and will provide huge benefits if they fit you properly and you understand the techniques required.

The wrist attachment is very soft and one of the most comfortable we tested. It has a wide piece of webbing lined with soft and breathable material. We also really like how the foam grip has an extra four inches below the main handle. This comes in handy on occasional steep terrain where you can "choke up" on the pole without having to take the time to shorten or lengthen it. Dislikes You can swap the whole Flex Tech Tip if it breaks or just the Carbide tip when it wears off quite easily. That increases the Trail Pro's value as you won't have to discard them. I bought a replacement just in case. The extended non-slip foam grip is exceptionally comfortable and helps to minimisevibrations form hard surfaces and because it extends down the pole it offers varied grip positions when ascending or descending. The soft 360 degree strap has built in padding so it wont rub or dig in. They've updated the way their handle straps adjust which is a lot easier (pull top strap to loosen and down on the bottom strap to tighten). The handle also gets an update with slightly softer foam. Overall some nice updates to a BD classic. They have the foam handle that extends down the shaft for uphill struggles and they come with a pair of snow baskets that are easily interchangeable with the standard ones that are already fitted. This latest version fo the Trail poles has an improved, softer foam grip.

Recently on Trailspace

One of my favorite improvements on this model of the Trail Pro is the removal of the foam finger ridge towards the top of the grip. One the old grips, there was really only one way to hold the handle completely comfortably, and other gripping technique would leave a fat lump of foam in the way. These new grips are smooth, and places the grip ridge of foam towards the middle of the upper shaft, to support the bottom of your gripped fist. Foam Grips Weight: Weight is one of the biggest factor in choosing the best trekking poles and this largely depends on the material the poles are made from. A hiker’s main aim, for multi-day treks, should be keeping weight to an absolute minimum, and that includes poles. However super lightweight poles, made from carbon, don’t come cheap so you might have to weigh price into your equation.

There is no exact science about the absolutely correct pole length and as you become used to using them you’ll want to experiment with the length. But to get you started stand nice and upright and hold the poles (correctly) with the tips on the floor. Your elbows should now be at an angle of about 90°. When you adjust the length please ensure that the overall length is divided equally between the sections. Avoid having one section all the way out and one section all the way in. I would love a dual grip option with cork being the primary material and eva for the secondary grip.

Our Verdict

Durability: Look for a good quality pole that’s going to last. It’s far better to pay a little more for a quality brand than buy cheap poles that will simply add to landfill within weeks. A pair of good quality trekking poles should last years. Durability will depend on the construction material. Aluminium offers excellent durability but is heavier than super light carbon fibre which comes at a cost.