Mountainsmith Trekking Poles - Paired

Haven't used them yet, but they sure are pretty

I use these while on the trails around Taos, NM. They do what they are supposed to.

These are excellent entry-level poles. They are not the lightest ones available but the difference between these and more expensive poles is subtle. These are a great value, especially when on-sale.

Good value for what it is: an adjustable, lightweight trekking pole. It would have been easy for Mountainsmith to hit a home run with these poles but they left a couple of features out. An adjustable, 3-section pole, is meant to be adjusted. These poles have hash marks with lengths on the upper adjustable section but not the lower. This requires full extension of the lower section every time (or your own added hash marks) if the upper is to give meaningful information. I regularly adjust other trekking poles for uphill versus downhill hiking and usually like to shorten the lower, smaller diameter section to improve durability. The Mountainsmith poles require trial and error to accomplish this,-a needless inconvenience. A second missing feature is wide supportive straps around the grips. The grips are well contoured to be supportive of the hand but the straps themselves are only about a half an inch in width. For those that like to use pole straps to distribute the force of the pole against the hand, this is a negative. Nevertheless, if you can live with these two oversights, the price is right and therefore the 4 stars. I have other, better, hiking poles (Komperdell poles also purchased from STP). These were cheap insurance against breakage until I can find a deal on a full feature pole. They were also purchased as a loaner pair so the price made the purchase worthwhile. For me, trekking poles really help save the knees and extend the season when there is ice on parts of the trail. If you have never used hiking poles, pick these up on a deal and try them out. Upgrade later if convinced of the value of trekking poles.

Used for a week trip on the AT. They did great and I am glad I had them. They held up on the rocky terrain and the wet muddy terrain. Easy to adjust to my height and light-weight for when I didn't want to use them and just attached them to my backpack.

good quality at bargain price

Very inadiquate instructions for adjustment and changing spring compression. ONE RUBBER TIP CAME OFF IN A HOLE SOMEWHERE AND CAN'T FIND IT. THEY DON'T FIT ON TIGHT ENOUGH.

Using this product for intermediate hiking and fitness walking. Seems just right.

I have a pair of these poles and use them for snowshoeing and hiking. Mostly these are a second pair that my daughter or another companion uses, but they seem to work as well as my Komperdells, though I have not been able to purchase winter baskets for them. I ordered a second pair as a gift for a friend who hikes with me. While mine came with summer baskets and the pair I bought for him claimed to come with trekking baskets, his actually came with winter baskets. These also come with rubber tips, which are handy for protecting the interior of your car of travel bag when transporting the poles, or for use on paved or rocky surfaces. Anti-shock works, poles lock to selected length quite well as long as you tighten them securely.

Works great. these poles saved my behind a few time already this year. they are great for hiking. they really come in handy for stream crossing and extra traction on snow/ice or just rough terrain.