UKC

Can anyone please recommend me a lightweight walking pole which takes those larger 'snow/powder' baskets. The smaller it collapses the better, as I'm planning on putting it in my sack and then climbing with it on once I've done the walk in. It's for walking into winter climbs in Scotland. I've got a normal pair of much heavier poles for normal walking use, so they don't have to be really durable as they'll see fairly light amounts of usage. I'm 5' 10" so something that will suit an 'average' height person would be best.

Thanks in advance.

In reply to mattrm:

All Leki poles take their snow baskets,
Sorry can't give you a more helpful answer, I bought the strongest I could find as they double as tent poles

In reply to mattrm:

I have these for approaching crags and carrying on routes. They collapse to 30cms. The come in two sizes, 110cm and 123cm and will take any baskets you want to put on them. I think they are probably the lightest you'll find, but they are NOT very strong though.
http://www.raidlight.com/boutique/stpi/178-byatons-trail-pole-pliables-110c...

In reply to jon:

Similarly the trail blaze poles are fantastic and take any basket. I think they are even lighter than the raidlight poles. They are not as durable as a normal walking pole, but when I tried them in March I was quite impressed with how they stood up to a beating as I took a few slips on some patches of snow. I thought they would be ideal for the walking to the crag and then carrying on a route.

In reply to sharpie530:

http://www.mountainking.co.uk/

You mean these right? They look good.

In reply to mattrm:

I use a pair of carbon fibre Pacerpoles.

So light I don't even notice them on my rucksack.

They have totally innovative ergonomic grips too.

Plus I bought a cheap camera mount which only weighs a few grammes and turns one pole into a monopod for taking shake-free photos.

I also use them to support a tarp for keeping dry while bivvying.

www.pacerpole.co.uk

In reply to mattrm:

Yeh they are the ones, I did a review of them for work, but unfortunately only have of it. You are compromising on some features on normal poles, but they just felt good to walk with, as they were so light, and the tungsten tip is really grippy. I'm hoping to get a pair for summer and use them for most things year round. As they are a simple design and spares are available i'm hoping that if I do break them I should be able to repair them.

In reply to mattrm:

These poles: http://www.raidlight.com/boutique/stpi/178-byatons-trail-pole-pliables-110c...
are the same as these: http://www.mountainking.co.uk/ Maybe the second ones are made under license...? They were originally made by a guy called Thierry Barboux, who it seems has sold the rights to them.

Never managed to break them, just bend them a bit. If you pull the basket off they make great clip/cheating sticks for long bolted routes! Though that won't help on winter climbs of course.

In reply to mattrm: what you want is some Fizan compact's with some suitable baskets see below link

http://www.ultralightoutdoorgear.co.uk/fizan_compact_trekking_poles.html

at 158g a pole they're supposed to be the lightest pole going. I have a pair and can't fault them

In reply to Andy DJ:

-sorry meant to say lightest telescopic pole !

In reply to mattrm:

Thanks for all the replies. I think I'll be going for a pair of those mountain king ones, they look like just the job.

In reply to jon:
are the same as these: http://www.mountainking.co.uk/

Are you sure? The Raidlight come in 110cm and 123cm options weighing 90g and 120g, but the others are 110 or 120cm and weigh 110g and 115g.

In reply to Toreador:

The Raidlight are the original and were made for Ultra races where poles are allowed. Since I got mine in about 2006 ish I've seen the identical poles sold under other names... As I said it seems T Barboux sold the rights or something. I guess it's not impossible that mountainking ones are made in GB now, but apart from a few grams, it looks like they are essentially the same pole. They break down into the same lengths and they assemble and are held together with the same system. Whichever you chose, I'm sure you won't find anything lighter though you will find stronger. However, provided you are sensible with them, they'll last - mine are nearly four years old now.

In reply to jon:
Cheers - I'll probably get a pair as I mainly use them for mountain marathons and the like.
The raid ones seem to be cheaper (assuming the quoted price is per pair not per pole).

In reply to Toreador:

I seem to remember paying just over €100 for the pair.

In reply to jon:
Sounds about right - now €100 per pair plus shipping (€16 to the UK)

In reply to Toreador:

From memory the mountain king poles are £70.

In reply to sharpie530:
I thought they were £70 each but it appears to be per pair so they're cheaper after all