Our testers have been impressed by this pair of lightweight, durable poles
At 190g per pole, these are some very light trekking poles. In fact, they’re lighter than most other poles on the market.
Fortunately, they’re also very high quality. The body, for instance, is made from DAC alloy – the same metal that Helinox use in their iconic ultralight camping chairs. It’s an aluminium that is renowned for its lightweight strength, with excellent resistance to bending, deformation and corrosion.
The Passport TL120 is a Z-type pole, meaning it’s made from three parts which lock together. This tends to be the best type of pole if you’re looking for packability and quick deployment and that’s why it’s often favoured by ultra-distance runners. Broken down, the Passport is only 53cm long, so it’s very easy to stash a pair of these on the side of a backpack or on the front of a running vest.
Each pole has height adjustment, giving a range of 80 to 120cm. This makes these suitable for anyone between 120 and 180cm in height – that’s 3’ 11 to 5’11. The mechanism is a simple twist lock, which isn’t usually regarded as the safest form of lock. We didn’t have any issues with the poles collapsing on us on any descents but it’s always something to be wary of with twist lock poles.
The handles, which are made from EVA foam, are comfortable. They have a smooth, curved platform for the palm at the very top to support descents and then an extended grip that allows handle repositioning during ascents.
Photos by Beckie Burr and Ed Checkley
Tester’s Verdict
Beckie Burr, outdoor photographer
When I first picked up the walking poles, I was instantly impressed by how lightweight they were. It was easy to stash them away in the side of my backpack without adding any noticeable weight. Setting them up was super simple and can easily be done on the move, thanks to their sturdy tension lock mechanism.
Hiking over the Wiltshire downs, these poles really came through, giving me the extra stability I needed on steep and slippery terrain.
I found the foam grip to be very comfortable, even after hours of continuous use. I also absolutely loved the gold metallic finish of the poles – they are super easy to spot if you put them down on a trail, and look really good too!
Price: £160 (pair)
Weight: 190g (per pole)
Available from: ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk
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