Review Komperdell Mountain Explorer Walking poles

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[sthughes]

I have the exact same poles and have done many km's over several months in varied conditions from easy to fairly rugged.
I have had no trouble with my wrist straps (except being a tad hard to lengthen with thick gloves on).
Otherwise agree totally with Brett.
- Strong enough, but only just, plus I am way shorter than Brett.
- Shock absorbing 'twist to lock' system lasts about a day then just does it's own thing
- plastic 'decorations' lasted me a couple of days before coming loose
- twist to tighten extension system isn't the best, but no worse than competitors similar solutions.
- Colour - red isn't my thing

Now what I do like:
- Grips (material and size)
- Interchangeable basket system (although maybe snow baskets could be bigger)
- Carbide tip grip (not specific to these poles)

Overall I actually do like mine, I forgot them on the weekend and really missed them, particularly on long downhills on day 1 with a heavy pack (it was much, much, lighter on the way out). Having said that the ridiculously expensive BD ones (that Penguin has one of) do look significantly better, especially the flick-lock system.

[Penguin]

Having said that the ridiculously expensive BD ones (that Penguin has one of) do look significantly better, especially the flick-lock system.

I love the flick-lock compared to the previous twist lock - I have had Leki ones that kept loosening during the day. Certainly better than the press lock on the original Black Diamond. The BD looks like it may last longer than previous poles - I am pretty rough on them - so in the long run may not be that expensive.

It is just a curse getting my flipper through the loop

P

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[Erica]

Having said that the ridiculously expensive BD ones (that Penguin has one of) do look significantly better, especially the flick-lock system.

I love my BD poles, have done about 20 Overland Tracks with them, and a few walks in the Walls/Lees Paddocks and the only problem I've had was some stitching coming undone on the straps. Bent one of them once, but it bent back quite nicely with no problems... definitely recommend BD poles, even though they are quite expensive...

[Lindsay]

I use a single BD Spire pole and have had no trouble at all with it. At 185 cm and 105 kg, I am not exactly lightweight but the BD has held up in mud, snow and on rock. The locking system is simple and has never showed any inclination to slip and the pole has flexed but never bent or broken. The oval, rather than round cross section is no doubt a factor in this. It was expensive but well worth it. Should it ever need replacing, or if I become a convert to two poles, then BD is what I will get.

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[sthughes]

Just an update on my Komperdell Mountain Explorer poles:
Today I badly bent one after taking a mior stumble not paying attention to my foot placement. Apparently they aren't strong enough for me either!
Before that happened I had another issue crop up twice. When the basket became snagged (once in scree and once just in soft mud) when I tried to pull the pole out it simply came apart, leaving the two bottom sections in the hole. Bit annoying really.
Guess it's onto the Black Diamond's as well!

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[Taurë-rana]

I have Kohla Alpen Pro poles and have had no problems with them at all, but I am only 50kg and not very tall so they are not extended all that far either.