User Review: EMS Mountaineer Poles

EMS Mountaineer Poles
Above: The current Mountaineer Poles, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed June 27, 2007 by TropX

Rating:
Price Paid: $65

I have some knee problems (patellar tendinitis and a touch of degenerative arthritis) and picked these up to help. They are marketed by EMS, but made by Komperdell, a solid name in trekking poles. I've used them for four seasons now and am very pleased with them.

The foam grips are comfortable, but sometimes on long days they do tend to chafe my hands a bit. I think natural cork would be less irritating, but I haven't compared them to be sure, so I'm just speculating. They are otherwise ergonomically correct and I have no complaints.

On the plus side, these poles may not be the lightest or have the latest gee-whiz features, but they have been absolutely reliable even under my 215+ lb. (sans pack) weight. They've seen some abuse, too--getting jammed between rocks, fording creeks, and just generally getting knocked around. None the worse for wear. The carbide tips are finally getting a bit dull, but that's to be expected.

In summary, these trekking poles are solid, reliable, and durable. They are a Godsend for my sore knees, especially going down steep grades. I also use them as shelter supports, which obviates the need for extra poles. I consider them an essential part of my kit and won't leave on a trip without them, and have never worried about their performance. Excellent product.