User Review: REI Peak UL Carbon Trekking Poles

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

Reviewed May 3, 2008 by Mike Conlon

Rating:

I've used the poles extensively now, and I purchased them to replace the considerably heavier Leki non-shock titanium poles I had previously.

During the first trip the lock in the smallest diameter pole came out and remained stuck inside its mating tube: this was quite difficult to remove - finally I put a high grade epoxy in the empty tube, shoved it back into the appopriate mating tube (where the stuck lock remained) and waited overnight. The glue held and I was able to remove the smallest diameter pole from its mate - no problem from then on.

I would have returned the offending pole to REI, but I was in New Zealand for another 6 months and that wasn't an option. The repair is still holding.

I also am not 100% happy with how often the poles collapse, seems about every 2 hours of hiking things loosen up. If I make a point of re-tightening them every hour or two they won't collapse, but of course they shouldn't require that (the Leki poles never had this problem and would stay tight all day). I suspect it is hard to design a lock that can grip the inside of a carbon fiber tube, especially for the smallest diameter lock.

Still, other than that issue they have held up well and continue to function after about 1,000KMs of use. They don't corrode (although the screw holding the lock in will corrode as it's not stainless or other non-corrosive material), and my Leki's did show internal corrosion after numerous water crossings. I think REI will get this design 100% correct on it's next iteration, but the poles are useable as is now.