These are the LEKI Corklite Antishock Trekking Poles.
You have got integrated shock absorption, easy to use external locking mechanisms on
the upper shaft section and ergonomic, tactile cork grips.
Let’s take a closer look at the feature set of the Corklite Anti-shock Trekking Poles.
Because of the integrated shock absorption LEKI does need to utilize two different types
of locking mechanisms on these poles.
Start here at the upper end.
You have got really easy to use confident locking external locking mechanisms.
Throw open a tab, put it to the height you want it to be, flip it down, it is going nowhere.
At the lower shaft section you have got internal locking mechanism, an extremely strong lock
here as well, but it is out of view.
It is an internal locking mechanism.
So as you loosen the poles, move them up and down, position them into place, there is actually
a threaded piece, out of sight, that makes its way up a post, a threaded post.
It broadens against the interior of the shaft section above it.
It gives, again, a very confident lock.
That internal locking mechanism does allow the shock absorption to occur.
If this were an external locking mechanism that would be fused in place and you would
have a solid re-action and you wouldn’t get that spring.
When I use the word spring, though, I want to be careful.
This is a passive shock absorption.
So if you see or watch me press down on these poles, I really do have to give a little bit
of a nudge, some weight, put some weight behind it to get it to react.
That passive re-action is intentional on LEKI’s part.
These poles shouldn’t be hopping around bouncing up and down as you are using them
or they are actually ineffective.
It should be passive, almost imperceptible as you are using them.
But long days on the trail, pounding these poles down into the ground over and over again,
there is a lot of vibration, repeated vibration that is making its way up the pole to that
last solid point which is your wrist.
And you are going to take a little bit of wear and tear over the course of a day that
is dampened, that is lessened by the shock absorbing mechanism that is here in the bottom
of the poles.
The poles utilize LEKI’s AERGON COR-TEC grips.
The AERGON references this oval shaping here at the top of the poles.
Now and again when you are using trekking poles you may find that you actually like
having your hand over top of them, kind of cupping the poles.
And those ergonomics are really ideal.
There is also a little dimpling, a little texturing there that makes that, again, feel
really comfortable in hand.
On the more traditional portion of the grip you do have this cork composite grip.
So a very natural feel, a very confident hand hold, love that texturing.
Your hands were... are sweaty in warmer weather.
This actually feels really nice and performs consistently even if you have, again, any
kind of damp hands.
There are wrist straps that are integrated into the grips and they are adjustable, so
you can change the positioning of those wrist straps so that they are where you prefer them
to be and find them to be most comfortable.
Turn the poles around to the other end where they are coming into contact with the ground
and want to talk a little bit about the carbide flex tips.
That is this entire three and a half, four inch section near the bottom of the poles.
It is a single piece and at the very end that is the carbide portion that is actually striking
the ground upon impact.
On dirt, on trail, off trail, this is normally the tip that you would want exposed.
If you are using them on improved surfaces or solely or extensively on rock, on a smoother
surface, you may want to invest in LEKI’s rubber tip protectors.
They fit right over it.
It is just a press fit design.
They are sold separately, but certainly worthwhile for that type of application.
This entire piece is designed in such a fashion that if you were to wedge the poles, get them
in some position that would otherwise snap the shaft, these will shear away.
And while that may not sound ideal, it is a lot better than being deep in the back country
with broken shaft section, hard to deal with that.
Do want to mention that LEKI offers a life time warranty on shaft breakage, so if that
would occur, do know that you have got warranty support back home.
This little piece here, this disk, is the basket.
And LEKI includes this very basket with every pair of the Corklite Antishock poles.
This is sufficient when you are using this on most surfaces.
Its job is to keep the poles form going too far into the ground and then having the poles
not give you the support or the stability that you expect from them.
Again, more often than not that is all you need.
But this can be removed and replaced with broader diameter snow baskets or even deep
powder baskets.
They are sold separately, but it equips this poles better for use in snow, certainly in
deep snow where you need a little extra help to keep them from driving too far into the
surface.
With those comfortable, tactile, cork grips, the integrated shock absorption and that durable,
but light weight aluminum construction, LEKI Corklite Antishock Trekking Poles are great
option for hikers or backpackers.