Reviews > Trekking Poles > Poles > Gossamer Gear Lightrek Plus Poles > Steve Nelson > Long Term Report

Long Term Report: Gossamer Gear Lightrek Plus Poles
February 20, 2005

Reviewer's Information

Name: Steve Nelson
Age: 45
Gender: Male
Height: 5' 9" (1.75 m)
Weight: 158 lb (72 kg)
Email address: nazdarovye at y..oo dot com
City, State, Country: Tiburon, CA, U.S.A.

Backpacking Background:

As an interface design and usability consultant by trade, I'm always excited by analyzing and improving designs and processes; backpacking provides a fertile and fun arena for that. I have been backpacking since I was a kid growing up in upstate New York: we backpacked and canoe-camped in all seasons throughout the Adirondacks and nearby areas, ranging as far as La Verendrye Wildlife Reserve, Quebec. As an adult, I've backpacked and hiked extensively in California, but also have taken trips throughout the West, from New Mexico to British Columbia, and return often to the Adirondacks.

In the past year I made the transition to lightweight and ultralight backpacking. I like moving fast, and lightening the load facilitates that. I also enjoy urban strolls, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, kayaking, and aviation in addition to hiking and backpacking, so my gear gets exposed to a wide variety of uses and conditions.

Product information

Manufacturer: Gossamer Gear
Product Name: Lightrek Plus Poles
Manufacturer's URL: www.gossamergear.com
Year of manufacture: 2005
Length: 115 cm (45.3 inches; available in 5 cm increments from 105-135 cm (41-53 in))
Verified Length: 115 cm (45.3 in)
Listed weight: 2.6 oz (74 g) per pole for this length plus .3 oz (9 g) for each trekking basket
Verified weight: 2.5 oz (71 g) per pole, plus .4 oz (11 g) for each trekking basket (on a digital scale)
MSRP: $95.95 USD for the poles, $4 for the "Travel Tube" ($5.95 if purchased separately)

Product Overview

The Gossamer Gear Lightrek Plus Poles are a beefed-up version of the ultra-lightweight carbon fiber Lightrek Poles I tested last year. These poles are not adjustable, they have no wrist straps, and they have a sleek, minimal design. This year's versions have a new material and design for the handles, and the Plus version I'm testing has a slightly thicker shaft. Otherwise they are quite similar to the original product I tested.

This report provides my experiences in the field after four months with the poles; you also may wish to reference my initial report for additional descriptive information on the poles, and my field report for experiences during my first two months of use.

Field Conditions

I've had the Lightrek Plus poles out, in addition to the hikes listed in my field report, for a hiking trip in Henry Coe State Park, snowshoe trips to the Mokelumne Wilderness and Yosemite, and a couple more hikes in the San Francisco bay area. Elevations have ranged from sea level to 9,000 ft (2,743 m), temperatures from 20-75 F (-5-24 C), and conditions from clear and sunny to foggy, rainy and snowy. Non-snowy trails have mostly been dirt and granite with a few paved stretches, bridges and stream crossings. Snowy trails have run the gamut from groomed tracks to deep, fluffy powder. I've used the poles with day pack, lightweight overnight gear (upwards of 25 lb/11 kg), a heavier winter pack (35 lb/16 kg), and towing a pulk weighing about 45 lb/20 kg while wearing a hip pack. I have covered somewhere around 100 miles (160 km) of trail to date.

Long-Term Observations

Usability

After four months of use, I still find these poles comfortable and light, and enjoy using them. I'd noted previously that I found the new EVA "Kork-o-lon" grips a bit less comfortable than the foam ones on the previous model, and that observation stands, though I've come to appreciate the new shape a bit more (I do like using the poles with my hand clutched over the top of the pole, rather than gripping around it).

After switching a few times between use with and without keeper loops, I've decided that I prefer the loops for convenience at stops and for taking pictures, but that otherwise there's little functional difference for me.

Since making the modification described in my field report to the threads on the plastic tips (tape), I've had no problem with either trekking or snow baskets coming off. I swap them fairly often, and always use a pair of pliers to hold the plastic pole tip while twisting the baskets on or off.

Durability

Overall durability has been fine. The grips in particular seem to have worn well, and the tips, while worn, have remained secure on the poles.

Snow sticks to the Kork-o-lon grips under certain conditions as documented in my field report—but other than that minor annoyance, water and snow don't seem to affect the poles.

However, I did have a second pole break on my latest trip. While I was sliding along Glacier Point Road on a pair of Karhu Metas (basically a cross between snowshoes and short, wide skis), the tip broke off of the pole in my left hand. I don't think I did anything unusual or put any extra weight on the pole—I was moving along, planted it, and the carbon fiber shaft snapped off just above the top of the plastic pole tip. Examining the pole closely, I see a thin line (like a seam) running along the length of that end of the pole; the other pole does not have that, so it may be an anomaly. Another tester noted tip breakage in cold weather, but it's unclear to me whether this is the same thing as what happened to mine.

I will be sending the pole back to Gossamer Gear for evaluation—I've found their customer service great so far, and they will either replace it as defective, or sell me a replacement for $30 if not. I'll post an update here when I hear back what their determination was.

Other Uses

I set up a Brawny Tarptent (an ultralight semi-teepee-styled shelter that uses a single trekking pole at its peak) at home using one of the poles. I found no functional difference between the Plus pole and the original Lightrek poles I used for that purpose, though the shaft on the new pole flexes less. Since we're in the middle of winter, serious testing with the poles and lightweight shelters will have to wait a few months.

Summary

These remain my favorite trekking poles, despite the two breakages. They're just too light and functional for me not to like them for any hiking use not requiring adjustable-length poles, and I find Gossamer Gear's customer service and replacement policy reasonable. That said, it does pay to take some care with these poles—they're definitely not as durable as more traditional poles.

Thanks to BackpackGearTest and Gossamer Gear for giving me the opportunity to participate in this test.

Reviews > Trekking Poles > Poles > Gossamer Gear Lightrek Plus Poles > Steve Nelson > Long Term Report