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- Flicklock adjustment on the upper shaft won't slip and is easy-to-use, and Binary adjustment on the lower shaft ensures quick and reliable function
- Durable single-density grips with nylon-webbing straps
- Replaceable, long flexi tips offer excellent performance in snow, dirt or talus
- Weight: 1 lb 5 oz
- Compressed /extended length: 25 / 55 inches
Customers most agreed on the following attributes:
from Abu Dhabi, UAE on 8/24/2008
I took these with me on my Kilimanjaro hike. I found the light weight and easy adjustability to be great.
from North Carolina on 6/10/2008
Simple, easy to adjust, trekking poles. Works great for people with knees that are suspect.
from Hopewell, VA on 4/17/2008
The Switchback poles are an excellent value. You get the FlickLock and Binary systems without all the bells and whistles. I especially like Black Diamond's locking system, which makes them very secure so that you don't have to worry about them collapsing during use. There is a little vibration in the poles, but no worse than others I've used. All in all, I think they are great poles for the price.
Delivery was as promised and the poles arrived in good condition. I have always had good success with Mountain Gear and look forward to shopping there again in the future.
from Idaho Falls, Idaho on 4/14/2008
It's the second pair that I bought the first one for myself and then I got a pair for my wife. I used them a lot already and like them. Certainly not the greatest but they are so cheap that if you are on a budget they are way enough. I hiked some of the highest mountains of Idaho with them, a lot of trails etc and they bring truly an advantage over no sticks at all or heavy way ones.When they are fold they are truly small (barely longer than mm back pack.My only negative point on it which prevent a 5 star is the binary adjustment of the lower part of the stick. On my pair I always have trouble folding it when I don't use the sticks anymore, but I don't have this problem at all with my wife's sticks so I guess it's just a version problem or something. Also with the binary when the stick is fold it's not lock so the stick may extend while you are carrying it on you pack.A Flicklock instead of binary would be the answer to the problem. But if you want a stick and don't want to spend [$] for the bells and whistles I surely recommend the switchback.
from Grantham, PA on 3/22/2008
i bought these poles for a spring break backpacking trip that i was leading (i'm an adventure education major at college). i've used high end poles for a previous 3 week trip with all the bells and whistles that you can imagine (cork grips and shocks). they worked well. i bought these b/c i wanted something that wouldn't be "disposable" for the kind of backpacking i do but wouldn't hurt my wallet. these poles had everything i wanted. the main thing i wanted were poles w/ flintlocks. the screw lock poles work, but to me they're a pain to have to screw each day. the flintlocks on these poles worked perfectly. they're a little stiff at first, but i didn't mind it. as for the shocks debate...here's my take. i've used poles w/ shocks in them and they worked fine. these poles don't have them...and they worked fine (and i worked them hard). in my opinion they give you a false sense of stability...but that's just me. if you want to fork out the extra $$ then be my guest! these poles will serve you well in respect to how sturdy they are. as for the cork grips...i can go either way. i've used poles w/ them before and it's nice...real nice. if your hands sweat a lot then you might want to look that direction. but again that means more $$. i used these poles on a week long hike in georgia (and it was warm) and i was fine. bottom line is that i don't regret my decision to buy these poles for one second. they were invaluable for me while hiking. i'm excited to put them to the test again!
from Cookeville, TN on 3/17/2008
The Switchback Trekking poles are a great value. The adjustments are easily understood and easily accomplished. I have not experienced any pole slippage with the adjustment mechanism. Given the airline restrictions on what can be carried on and what will fit in luggage, these poles will suit me needs just great.
from Farmington, MO on 3/12/2008
These poles will mainly be used for constructing a shelter from a tarp but will also be great for stream crossings. Couldn't pass up a great buy.
from Rapid City, SD on 2/21/2008
The quick, positive adjustment features of these light and sturdy poles are perfect for the varied terrain hiking/ backpacking I do on a regular basis. They can be lengthened quickly for downhill sections, shortened for uphill areas and easily collapsed for sections of technical climbing. The one feature that could use some improvement is in the adjusment for the hand straps. A positive slip & lock feature would be better than the strap adjustment "clip" which is difficult to set at a specific length when switching loop size while wearing gloves to gloveless use.
from SF Bay Area on 2/21/2008
These are my first pair of trekking poles, but they did the job over 12 miles of Ventana Wilderness bushwhacking and snow stomping canyon country. I am sure there are other poles out there with more bells and whistles, but these seemed up to the task for my needs (recent knee injury). To be honest, I beat the [*]out of them and they are barely scratched! I would recommend these poles for anyone who needs a little 4-wheel support, but doesn't want to spend another [$]on gear.
from Fort Lauderdale, FL on 12/12/2007
Too good of a deal to pass up if you're in the market for them. However, make sure to double-check the bottom-most locking mechanism, as it may not have locked correctly.
Product seems to be great so far. Have not used them yet, as they just arrived. My only complaint is that I think there should have been plastic protective caps that go over the hardened metal tips. These must have fallen off somewhere prior to shipment.