User Review: REI Peak UL AirShock Trekking Poles

REI Peak UL AirShock Trekking Poles
Above: The current Peak UL AirShock Trekking Poles, which may differ slightly from the version reviewed.

Reviewed March 22, 2006 by Phil

Rating: rated 5 of 5 stars
Price Paid: $149

I incorrectly sumbitted these comments on the UL poles without air shocks. It makes no difference, these are great poles. It's my second set. My first set busted an internal bushing after 3 trips.

The guy at the return desk said I was torquing them too tight. He gave me an example of what he considered sufficient (in a warm store without gloves and pounding sleet), but it appeared way too light to withstand a constant probing. It was a torque similar to what a small child might exert.

That weekend, with new poles in hand, I tried the gentle torque to secure the upper section in place, and indeed they slipped, right away. I decided to tighten them what felt secure. I sure as heck didn't want them slipping on my descent on a "most difficult" trail.

I buy gear and use it. I never buy stuff for a fashion statement in the store, or on some suburban walking path. I put gear throught the rigors of Oregon's Cascades and Wallowa Mtn.s several times weekly. It needs to consistently work well under crappy conditions.

It was my impression the defect on the initial pair was not me twisting them too tight, however, it appeared the epoxy used to secure the plastic nut bushing to the graphite was insufficient to permit proper tightening.

I believe they should withstand an average person's torque since they'll likely be used in winter conditions, with gloves -- a situation not lending to an "exact" or gentle feel.

Anyway, these poles work fine, so far. I'm torquing them to what feels like an "average" person's torque. Don't gorilla grip 'em tight, cause the internal bushing may fail.

Too, I noticed if you click the upper lock mechanism to the "locked" position (disabling the air shock) they eventually turn on their own to the "air" position. In other words, don't buy these thinking you'll use the non-air cushion position, because the constant pushing on the trail surface turns them back to cushion position. That's ok for me since I want the cusion option, every time. REI's marketing engineers should change them to air only.

If they fail again, I'll take them back, pronto. REI has the very best return policy, and it allows the customer to return merchandise without hesitation, if dissatisfied. If one spends $150 on a pair of sticks, he or she should be very pleased with them.

Cheers!

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