REI Summit Trekking Poles

After a couple of seasons of hiking with only one pole since my partner always took one of mine while we were hiking, I decided to get him his own pair of trekking poles so we'd both be out hiking with a complete set. That's when I found the REI Summit Trekking Poles while shopping at REI one afternoon. These poles are made by Komperdell, which is the same company that my poles and since they have lasted for quite some time, I felt good buying the Summit Trekkers since mine have put up with some pretty heavy duty use over the years.

The REI Summit Trekking Poles are telescoping poles, which mean they are made from three different sections that interlock with one another and slide in and out of each other. That lets the poles go from about 25 inches in length to 55 inches depending on how long you want the poles. Adjusting the poles is easy, just twist one way to loosen them and adjust and then the other way to tighten them. We've found that they don't loosen themselves while hiking, so you don't have to keep tightening them.

The pole tips are made from carbide, which is durable and gives a good grip on the ground surface as you use the poles on the trail. There's a trekking basket that you can fit on the bottom of the pole, but it's been my experience that unless you're hiking in an area with really soft soil, they don't serve any real purpose other than being able to be lost. The poles are made from aluminum and only weigh about 10 ounces per pole.

My partner and I have been on several hikes since he got these poles. They have turned out to be just as good as the poles that I have, though I like the cork grip that I have on my poles better than the plastic molded grip that are on the REI Summit Trekkers, if only because you sweat a little more holding the plastic grips. The poles themselves have stood up to the use in the woods and beyond a few scratches on the pole body, they are no worse for the experience.

Really, having slightly sweatier hands isn't a big deal and considering that these poles were less expensive than mine, I can understand the lack of the cork. Overall I think they have turned out to be a good investment. I would expect them to last quite a while and be able to handle quite a bit of abuse out on the trails.