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Indydi's Review of Leki Carbonlite XL w/Photo Trekking Poles
WOW! Since about 1993, I've been using the L-shaped Leki cane-type deal, just one pole, which is now called Wanderfreund. I wondered why no one seems to use those anymore, and expected that going to two poles wouldn't make a huge difference. I was wrong. It's not at all an exaggeration to say that these Carbonlites have completely reformed my hiking. I can now get out of the car and walk after a long hike without looking like I'm 90. My hips don't hurt, and knee, ankle, wrist, and elbow pain is pretty much gone. Just simply can't believe the difference. We do day hikes, typically 10 to 14 miles. I'm planning to increase that now and do some 16+ mile treks, thanks solely to these poles. But I definitely work them. You won't see me tapping along. I push them behind me going uphill, and keep them in front with a good amount of weight on them going downhill. My arms get a workout, which is also a good thing. Hiking is no longer an all leg activity, and my whole body benefits. BTW, you use more calories this way, so take more food.
They are very lightweight! Foam handles and straps are comfortable (the strap is the newer, thinner version), and the extended grip is great when going up a steep embankment. There are at least four hand positions I use: palm the top (downhill), hold up high with thumbs on top (gentler downhill slope), hold normally (flat or uphill), and choke down on the extended grip (steep uphill). If you use the wrist straps correctly, you can do the first three without breaking a stride, which is awesome. And if you use the wrist straps correctly, you don't have to hold on very tightly to the poles at all.
Sometimes I plant both poles into the ground in front of me together, if the terrain gets really rough. Going downhill, while palming the top knob, I don't move them with every step, but rather with every 1.5 or 2 or 2.5 steps (don't think about it, just do what's comfortable). Stream crossings are SO much easier. I just can't say enough good things about these Leki's. Some people don't like the twist lock. Mine have been very stable, and given all the different hand positions available, I never have to change length anyway.
The antishock feature is quite subtle. Most people don't like antishock poles, but with these (unlike my old L-shaped stick), I can't feel them "giving" at all. This helps immensely during stream crossings. Not all Leki's are so subtle with their antishock. My husband's older style Thermolites (with first generation Speedlock clamp) has a visible "give."
Highly recommend the Carbonlite XL, and the price here at Campsaver is a steal, especially when they have their extra discounts!
They are very lightweight! Foam handles and straps are comfortable (the strap is the newer, thinner version), and the extended grip is great when going up a steep embankment. There are at least four hand positions I use: palm the top (downhill), hold up high with thumbs on top (gentler downhill slope), hold normally (flat or uphill), and choke down on the extended grip (steep uphill). If you use the wrist straps correctly, you can do the first three without breaking a stride, which is awesome. And if you use the wrist straps correctly, you don't have to hold on very tightly to the poles at all.
Sometimes I plant both poles into the ground in front of me together, if the terrain gets really rough. Going downhill, while palming the top knob, I don't move them with every step, but rather with every 1.5 or 2 or 2.5 steps (don't think about it, just do what's comfortable). Stream crossings are SO much easier. I just can't say enough good things about these Leki's. Some people don't like the twist lock. Mine have been very stable, and given all the different hand positions available, I never have to change length anyway.
The antishock feature is quite subtle. Most people don't like antishock poles, but with these (unlike my old L-shaped stick), I can't feel them "giving" at all. This helps immensely during stream crossings. Not all Leki's are so subtle with their antishock. My husband's older style Thermolites (with first generation Speedlock clamp) has a visible "give."
Highly recommend the Carbonlite XL, and the price here at Campsaver is a steal, especially when they have their extra discounts!
This review was written in the old system and had content requirements that are different than reviews written today.
Would Recommend:
Yes
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