For those without a Costco membership, these poles are also available on Amazon here: http://amzn.to/2CT9Tsj
Black Diamond Flex Tips: http://amzn.to/2CRuiOq
Leki Flextips: http://amzn.to/2Co76q5
Shop my store for gear recommendations and ideas: https://www.amazon.com/shop/backbanter
Subscribe and follow me on social media for more updates like this.
Or, support me on Patreon and get access to even more content!
Website: http://www.BackcountryBanter.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JoeBrewer
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/backcountrybanter
Twitter: https://twitter.com/BackBanter
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/backcountrybanter/
The music in this video is by Thomas Dalzell, Check out his awesome music here: https://soundcloud.com/tom-dalzell
Amazon Auto Links: No products found.
Your comments also agree perfectly with my experience with these poles. My tips were reduced to perfectly smooth nubs with no bite whatsoever after about 300 miles, most of which was Sierra granite on the JMT this summer. I changed out the worn tips for Black Diamond carbide ones and I now feel like I have a top notch pair of poles.
I’ve got both Black Diamond and Leki cork handle poles and must say I prefer BD’s straps better due to the thumb pads. Only got the Leki because of their replacement policy. However, for the Costco cost difference I’d give the Cascade poles a try if they were ever stocked in South Florida. I’ll look on line to see if they available.
I just got these poles and cannot wait to give them a try. I am new to back packing and cost was a big factor getting all the new gear. Love the Costco deal! Thanks for posting this review. Nice to know I have a good start with these poles.
Dope editing and choice of music 😀
I have had these poles for about 350 miles and I love them. I weight ranges from 220 to 230 and they have saved my butt from falling multiple times. I would definitely purchase them again and they for the FYI on the tips.
Your videos are usless without the cat.
Thanks so much! Wonderful review. One thought, given with no hands-on with these poles. At about 5:00, you talk about right vs left handedness. The straps look as if you could take one pole and unthread the strap completely, flip it, and rethread it to make them mirror images, essentially giving you a R/L setup. No idea, but curious to know if it’s possible.
Loved mine until about 250 miles in when one tip got caught between two rocks when I was going downhill……snapped about 6 inches up from the tip. Also when I was out on the JMT I found some pieces of one when going over a snow field, someone fell and snapped one of them and they didn’t pick up all the pieces…. I repaired mine with an old fiberglass rod and two part glue stuff. They still work but now one weighs several ounces more than the other so I went ahead and bought a new set from black diamond and love them, they weigh more but are more durable, love the videos and the editing!
Thanks
Awesome review!!! Very thorough and helpful! I’ve been debating poles and this review pushed me over to the “yup” side.
I really enjoyed your thru hike videos………..good stuff! Like this review. A review is truly authentic and believable when the reviewed item has been through the mill……..thoroughly tested. Joe, you do just that. I am inspired to purchase these trekking poles. They appear to be a great value. Keep up the good work.
Thanks for this great review!
I ended up with a twist lock ones and then do rattle a bit but they are still pretty awesome.
these poles have taken me all over the catskills this year, cant be beaten for the price. I’ve never had a slip with these, the flip lock works great, and the cork feels good. What more can you ask for?
I’m convinced. Picking up a pair tomorrow. Thanks for the review, very helpful
I never used poles before, but I saw some Kelty ones on Amazon for like 22 bucks. So, I ordered ’em. Not bad. They’re not carbon fiber, but…I kinda dig ’em.
Thanks for the review, Joe. I never used poles until my wife let me try some of her Walmart (Ozark Trails – sub $20) jobs. Next hike I had a pair too. Intention was to get used to them, then invest in something nicer later. Those held fine, so I never did replace them. Not light, but tough. Hope to find a local Costco for a pair of these you reviewed.
And they are now $45 on Amazon!
Hi , I like this one https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fizan-Compact-Unisex-Hiking-unisex/dp/B077XB8XS4/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1515093547&sr=8-4&keywords=FIZAN+Compact
And Amazon ship to Australia. Think that I found a set of poles to try. Thanks for the review.
Joe, thank you for backing up what I have been telling my friends about these poles for a few years. I fell in love with the PCT and backpacking in 2016 and your PCT thru hike videos were the first I ever watched. I have since section hiked the first 210 miles of the PCT (I live in San Diego) and have hiked sections in Big Bear and the Sierra and am planning my thru hike of it in 2019. Keep the great videos coming. On another note, I make and post my own YouTube channel PCT hikes on the different Facebook PCT groups, and your mom wrote me there and said she was your mom and she liked my videos and subscribed. That was very cool and she said she was very proud of you. I told her about you being the first thru hike for the PCT I ever watched and she thought that was cool. Would love to hear from you, but either way keep up the great videos, I really enjoy them…
Speaking of tarp setup, when ya gonna help a guy out with a tarping how-to video? Looking to you since you’ve put in so many trail miles with just a tarp for shelter.
Great review. These look alot like the hiker hunger poles sold on Amazon for around $70. Same hardware, cork grips, poles, markings, extra rubber feet, snow baskets and bag. I’ve been really liking these poles and their light weight. They also work great with a duplex. Great review and production. Wish I had seen this before I bought the hiker hunger poles so I could have saved some money. But even at $70 these poles are a good value in my opinion.
i loved mine until they broke. 6 inches above the tip. many backpacking trips and 4 years later i believe they lasted. well worth the money but was truly sad when they broke.
Darn already purchased my new trekking poles.
Thanks, Joe! Awesome review and video.
I used these all last summer. Everything you say Joe, is true. My biggest concern was not knowing where to get replacement tips. *Thanks to you* , now I know where to get them.
JOE … THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU VERY MUCH ! ! !
Regarding DURABILITY = YES they definitely *Rrr* ! ! !
Stay Out There,
STeVe
A fair review. Mine have about 1000 miles on them. They outlasted a pair if Leki’s (shock cord broke). I agree with most everything you said.
I’ll back up everything Joe said here. I have the slightly older versions (blue color, no cork grip) but the same brand and same material. I’ve used them on almost every hike for the past 2 years and they’ve held up perfectly. I also use them to pitch my trekking pole tent when backpacking and they work great for that as well. Like Joe said, totally worth the price while still being lightweight and incredibly durable.
This video was Amazing Joe Man!
Hike On,
Darwin
thanks for the vid , going to costcos
Great video, Joe. How long do the poles extend? Thanks!
Retro! I dig.
I picked these up for the CDT when you’d mentioned them last year. Worked great! Used to pitch my soloplex as well. I did lose one off the side of the trail when I almost slipped to my death.
Great review, miss your vids man! Wishing you a great start in 2018.
These are the only poles I know. I live in the south so you won’t find them in Costco here. I got them from amazon for 45.00. I gave them to my son and ordered the cascade mountain tech aluminum poles for $15.99, there a oz or so heavier but have a fantastic swing weight. Great reveiw!!
Great poles at a great price. Been promoting these for years.
Back in 2017 I got aluminum trekking poles off of aliexpress.com for $24 and when I did I got four extra tips. I just checked and found some for $1 apiece. https://goo.gl/83kjck I used mine on the PCT and when I got to Kennedy Meadows is when I noticed that one of my points had chipped off.
I was really looking quite some time for reliable budget poles and your review really got my attention. Quick look online and found your article as well as a few others’ opinions on this pole. Straight to Amazon via your link and made the purchase.
Many thanks!
Great video. I do love a deal.
I have a couple of yards of duct tape on my right hand pole. Can always tell them apart, even in the dark.
Joe, many thanks great review! Just bought a pair from Amazon but was not able to find them on Costco.
cheers
This gear review was extra vaporwavy and your telekinesis is inspiring.
We need more of this!
I got these as a present a few years ago and they sat in my basement until last summer. I agree with everything you said. Great poles for the money. I live in Denver and hike the Rockies quite often and I pretty much just use these 100% of the time. Great videos Joe. I’m a big fan.