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Leki Tour Stick Trigger S

rated 3.5 of 5 stars

The Tour Stick Trigger S has been discontinued. If you're looking for something new, check out the best rigid trekking poles for 2024.

photo: Leki Tour Stick Trigger S rigid trekking pole

I must say, it would never occur to me to spend $200 for a pair of poles...but I will certainly accept them as a contest prize, and will put them to good use. These poles have been described as "the ultimate for 4-season use," but are also advertised as ski poles. I have used them for snowshoeing and micro-spike winter hiking, and they are certainly an upgrade over my basic snowshoe poles.

Pros

  • Adjustable
  • Collapsable
  • Lightweight
  • Bright colors

Cons

  • The strap release may be too sensitive, and pops out easily


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These poles are way more pole than I would ever need, but I have come to really like them...and my husband is waiting in the wings for them if I ever put them aside!

Each pole has a push button release to collapse it, and then a nice clamping lock system to secure it at your desired length. The pair even comes with a carry-bag, to store the collapsed poles for travel.

They are very lightweight (carbon and aluminum, about 1 lb/pair), and the basket is strong and secure on the pole, and the carbide flex tip is reportedly a nice feature (though I am not sure I can tell, using it just in snow).

The grip is easy to grasp, when using either lightweight XC-type gloves, or heavier cold weather gloves. The strap is the Lek- R, which attaches to your glove, and then you can release the strap from the pole with a small catch/release mechanism (keeping the strap on your gloves).

When I snowshoe or hike, I do not want that much "attachment" to the pole, due to some thumb issues...I found that when climbing down, and I moved my hand up towards the top of the pole, the catch would release...twice, I had to retrace my steps to recover the dropped strap. I now have a small ice of tape that closes of the release, and have not lost a strap since.

The poles are brightly colored, which I like because I often hike/snowshoe in an area frequented by other users, some of who are on speedy stuff like Hammerhead sleds or BC skis...I also can find the poles easily should I drop them in the snow!

These poles would be fine for alpine ski use, and if I get out this year, will probably use them. They do not have the anti-shock feature I have on my summer poles..in the summer, I tend to use only a single trekking pole, so these Lekis will get a few months of rest.


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UPDATE FEBRUARY 2021: The winter after this review was posted, I became a Tubbs Snowshoe ambassador, and so had to use only Tubbs branded items. So, for the past 5 years, I have used these poles rarely, and only for some winter spike hiking. Today, while snowshoeing, the lower section of one pole snapped, and broke in half. I have contacted Leki to advise them, even though the poles are no longer under warranty. I have had poles bend before, but never had one snap in two. Not sure if it is a characteristic of the carbon fiber material, but it may make me leery of this pole shaft material.

I reduced my star rating for the poles as a result of this. I have some poles I have used for over 20 years, so for an expensive pair of poles to break, without any abuse, misuse, or forceful trauma, is concerning.

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broken lower section

 

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broken

Additional Update April 2021. Leki was great, and offered to examine the poles, and replace if necessary, even though the initial warranty had passed, based on the fact I had not used them for the duration of a year. I received a replacement pair, the Leki Tour Stick Vario Carbon, an equivalent quality pair from the ones that had broken. So even though the initial pair fell a bit short, the customer service of Leki, standing by their name and products, truly impressed me. I plan to review this new pair after using them next winter.

Source: received it as a sample, freebie, or prize (Leki promotional contest (facebook))

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Specs

Price MSRP: $199.95
Historic Range: $159.95-$199.95

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