 They are like the MK Trail Blaze/Raidlights in that they are like tent pole sections joined together with elastic - but are unlike them in that they can be used more readily for descents as they are stiffer; I tried a pair in Cham and thought they were good - but they did not have my size (think they come in 3 or 4 sizes).
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.jpg) Thanks Ed - a piccy when you can please?
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One problem with those poles is you can't adjust them in height when using as tent / tarp poles. Also I have heard some respected gear reviewers (there are some that are respected you know) say that once you get your poles down in weight they can become windblown and less controlable in their placement. Kind of too light to use. I'm not convinced either way so if you could let us know when you have used them for a while how they are in wind. Do they get blown into your path unless you use a tighter grip to control them?
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I've used the MKs a lot and have not really noticed them being kicked about by the wind any more than my other poles; that said I only really use them uphill, when they are (perhaps?) easier to control being generally close to the body and under quite hard use.
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 I find all this talk of MKs very confusing 
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 cos MK has no MKs, MK uses PPs, right MK?
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 I've also used the MK Trail Blazes a fair bit and not had any real problem with the wind blowing them. Nor with the only-slightly-heavier Fizan Ultralite Compacts. In fact it took 50mph winds the other week to blow my carbon ski poles across in front of me, and once it happens a couple of times you can soon adapt to control and avoid it - there isn't really much alternative!
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MKs non MK PPs are MCs I think?
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MK's PPs never MC's, edh; MK's PP's ptc*s.
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Well my BDs have blown into my path before nearly tripping me. I reckon that It'd happen more with a pair of MK TBs. However I reckon I'll end up getting MK STs one at a time as the last of my BDs with the FLs fail or get dented so they no longer pack up. I do prefer FLs over TLs but if I am to end up with TLs then IMHO MK's TLs are probably the best ones. Has anyone noticed that the bottom section of some of the normal MKs have a thinner section that tapers out towards where it goes into the middle section. I've not seen this in other brands and wondered if there was a design advantage for this? If not is the narrower tube diameter part of the lower section not a weaker part than the rest. Perhaps it is this part that will bend first as a sacrificial section which is more likely to be replaced. Perhaps that allows more of this section to be made since it is more likely to need replacing due to damage. Or am I just overthinking it.
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Just to go back to the OP for a moment:- After borrowing one and discovering that actually they are kind of useful, I'm looking to get one of my own. However I'm a bit lost and all I can see when I walk into Millets is 10 million different Leki ones and I don't have a clue what the differences are. Can anyone recommend one, or point out things I should look for? I'm not looking to spend loads so it doesn't necessarily need to be aerospace-grade carbon fibre or anything. Thanks!
Hope that's all been clarified now.  
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You've lost weight Bluff 
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 LOL ed, that wasn't nice for how often i use a pole its tempting to just pick up a stick as i happen onto them. doesnt look very cool though  although that hats a total winner
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Back to the OP again. IMHO get Mountain King supertrekkers. They are compact when compacted, yet extend to 135cm (I need 130cm). They are quite light with a good alloy too. They're well made and also British made up in Newcastle way. The other thing is they are relatively well priced compared to what is out there. I reckon £30 each is not a bad price for a good brand. Of course for £15 you can get a pair but if you are sure you will get on with poles then spending the money on a good pair from day one is sensible. At the end of the day pacer poles and Black Diamond flick locks are all well and good but you really only need two collapsable poles that are well made using good materials. That IMHO is the Mountain King brand, plus it is slightly cheaper than the equivalent Leki or BD poles. Also you can buy them singly to suit. One or two poles is a preference only the individual using them can decide.
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 you really only need two collapsable poles Why?
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| Edited: 25/03/10 16:45 |
I used to use poles, as I have an ankle that was re-constructed a while back. But I was coming off a summit with them one day, and slipped. A pole got stuck between 2 rocks and I face planted it, broke my nose and fractured my skull. Lots of blood everywhere and a really unpleasant walk down. I don't use them anymore!! Be careful all you pole users!!
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to monkey girl.. that sounds nasty, hope there was no permanant damage I think the problem when using poles is your bodies natural instintive balancing movement is restricted (consider how surfers move to ride the waves), if using 2 poles i would think it pretty much goes out the window and almost total reliance on the poles is put in place. On more rugged terrain when gradients are contantly changing its time to pack them away, although i still believe 1 pole to be more of a aid than an hinderance exspecially when the ground is wet. Has anyone else had any expereinces like monkey girl?
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 if surfers had three poiints of contact of their board then they wouldn't move like the way they do. i think monkey girl was just unlucky; sounds rather nasty and unpleasant but unlucky nontheless. these things happen. as you should always have at least two points always in contact with the ground using poles and load them, in theory you should be more stable and slip less. on steeper bits you should always have at least three points on the ground. but then that' s just theory.
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there have been a couple of times where I've been glad of poles to aid balance, they are especially useful on stream/river crossings. I've found they can get caught in between rocks and in between slat on bridges, like everything experience tells us where the limits lie, I'd much rather have them than not. monkey girl have I got the wrong end of the stick - did you face plant the end of you're pole or the ground? hope you are ok!!
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