Leki Makalu CorTec Antishock P/A

Drew Withey
Reviewed: 04 May 2003

ALL THE FEATURES BUT DO YOU NEED THEM?

It's got everything under the sun except the BD fliklock closure. They've got three spring settings, positive angled handels, cortec grips, well adjustable pole sections, and the knowledge that your pole can get spare parts in more places than any other manufacturers.

Do you really need it all? I mean if you're going to be going for a leisurely ramble along some coastal paths, are the three different setting important?

These are good for varied terrain where you want more shock absorbtion coming downhill, but none when pulling your way uphill, and a little bit when you're walking along the flat.

They're designed to do a job, but don't convince yourself that it's what you're doing. If it's not you're terrian then get a cheaper pair.

Oh yeah. And definately get apair whatever you go for!

neil ledwith
Reviewed: 13 July 2001

Needs tweaking

Cortec Handgrips, P.A. triple spring system

Triple Spring system, Length Markings wear off, price

Leki are apparently the B's Knees when it comes to trekking poles (which is another hotly debated topic).
The Super Makalu Cortec Anti Shock P.A. Triple Spring Sysytem Pole (what a mouthfull!!!!!!!!!) is their premier pole or so I'm told.
To start off and work from the way down I use the turbo disc system rarely although it is useful from time to time. A plus about this is the left and right markings on top of the disc. The next Feature is the cortec handles - I find these very comfortable nest to the skin but with big thick ski gloves the fit is not good.
Further down my feelings about the Anti-shock system are mixed - I find the three settings really useful but on one of my poles the system has broken and given up and will only stay on full anti-shock.
The pole morkings have worn off (come on Leki do something about it, it can't be that hard) and this is rather annoying. Another gripe that i have is that the poles seem to collapes if not tightned regularly - and it can sometimes be hard to do this.
The metal tip is made of tungsten carbide (rather than steel) and this is really tough. The rest of the tip is designed to break if too muchj strain is put on it, thus preventing damage to the rest of the pole. I have not put this into use yet and have no intention of doing so but it seems a good idea.
Finaly I think for the price that Leki should and could have thrown in some extra parts. a few possible options I think are possible are rubber covers for the tips, a spare replacement tip or another basket (eg snow)

These poles have good potential - if tweaked they could be a winner