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LEKI Trail Series Pathfinder Jr. Trekking Poles
Initial Report - February 11, 2004
Contents
Reviewer Information [return to top]
Name: Chuck Kime
Nickname: Fuzzy
Age: 37
Gender: Male
Height: 5'8" (1.72 m)
Weight: 229 lb (104 kg)
Email address: ckime AT nelsononline DOT com
City, State, Country: Upper Darby (Philadelphia suburb), Pennsylvania, U.S.A.
Date: February 11, 2004
Tester Information [return to top]
Name: Alex Kime
Nickname: Game Boy
Age: 13
Gender: Male
Height: 5’0½” (154 cm)
Weight: 100 lb (45.4 kg)
Product Information [return to top]
Manufacturer: LEKI
Model: Trail Series Pathfinder Jr.
Year of Manufacture: 2003
URL: http://www.leki.com
Listed weight: 14.4 oz (408 g) per pair
Measured weight: 14.6 oz (414 g), scale accurate to 0.1 oz
MSRP: $39.95 USD
Features (from web site) [return to top]
- Turbo Sport Kids Grip
- ELS Locking System
- Two-section adjustable
- Performance Basket
- Steel Flextip
- Adjust from 80-110 cm
Arrival [return to top]
The poles were waiting for me in the mail room on Jan 23. They were in a long corrugated box, about 39½ x 7 x 6 in (100 x 18 x 15 cm), packed with brown paper and having a packing list attached on the outside. There was no retail packaging of note, other than a single information-type card stapled around one of the poles – no hang-tags, instruction cards or display hangers of any kind. The card included was a 3-section folder that included sections “Forest Manners” and “Be a Nature Detective”. This information is similar to that found on the kids’ portion of the website. The poles were connected to each other by two plastic clips – one near the top that had a vertical extension with a green mini-biner (I suppose for hanging the poles), and one near the bottom that had short extensions sticking out perpendicular to the poles in both directions (purpose unknown).
Description [return to top]
The Pathfinder Jr. model poles are 2-piece adjustable hiking/trekking poles designed for children (and perhaps smaller adults). They measure 28¼ in (72 cm) fully collapsed, and 45½ in (116 cm) when fully extended. The grips are similar to those on other LEKI poles – a semi-rigid black plastic or rubber – but scaled down slightly, and have black webbing straps ¾ in (2 cm) wide. The straps were not buckled upon arrival, allowing me to put a half-twist in each one and making them left- and right-handed. The upper section is colored metallic blue with silver/grey paw prints printed along the shaft. The lower section has a fine pebble-textured black finish over the entire shaft, marked with white lettering at 5 cm intervals from 80 cm to 115 cm (31½ to 45 in). Just at the top of the flex tip is a small black plastic basket, about 2 in (5 cm) across, that should be sufficient to stop the pole from sinking into mud, but would probably not – in my opinion – be very helpful in loose snow.
First Impressions [return to top]
I set the box in front of Alex and had him open it. His first comment – “Cool… poles!” – was a good sign. We immediately set about connecting the straps and trying out the fit. Having spent a week this past summer with adult-sized poles, he already knew how to use them, and how the straps would be most useful and most comfortable. The big advantage to the LEKIs is that they can be adjusted shorter than the 105 cm (41 in) minimum of the poles he was used to using, which are shown in this photo. The adjustment, however, will be something we keep close watch on. Over the course of a 7-mile (11-km) hike last summer, his poles collapsed almost 4 in (10 cm), which required adjustment – by me – to prevent further slippage. I am interested in seeing how secure the LEKI adjusters are, especially when Alex does the adjusting himself.
Field Information [return to top]
Alex is a First Class Boy Scout who has begun working on the Hiking Merit Badge, which requires the completion of five 10-mile (16 km) hikes and one 20-mile (32 km) hike. These hikes, only one of which has been done so far, will likely be done at relatively low elevations in southeastern Pennsylvania, with a possibility of doing a short section of the Appalachian Trail (in Pennsylvania) for the 20-miler. The poles will also come along on upcoming Boy Scout troop camping outings, including some short hikes when possible. All of these outings, other than stand-alone hikes, will include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 25 to 30 ºF (-4 to –1 ºC) to highs around 95 to 100 ºF (35 to 38 ºC).
We will be concentrating on:
- Adjustability. How easily can he adjust them, and how quickly? Do they stay where they are set?
- Grips. Do they fit his hands comfortably? Is sweating an issue?
- Straps. Are they readily adjustable? Comfortable? Are there any edges or buckles that cause pressure points?
- Durability. Do they wear well? Do they bend when used appropriately?
- Multi-use. Are they long enough to pitch a child-sized tarp for shelter?
After turning him on to the use of trekking poles this summer, including an attempt to hike all of Pikes Peak and back in one day, it will be interesting to see how he makes use of poles that are a better fit for his frame.
Things I like [return to top]
- Shorter than the average poles. This is good for shorter users.
- The paw print graphics can be used as an identification guide while on the trail.
- The grips are nicely sized for smaller hands.
- We got blue, Alex's favorite color.
Things I don't like [return to top]
- When I applied to test this item, the website listed Push Button Locking System. These poles utilize twist-type (Expander Locking System) locks, which I believe is a change for the 2004 model year. This does add complexity to the process of adjusting the poles once they are in place supporting a shelter, and security of the lock depends on strength of the user. A push-button or lever-type lock could be easier for smaller (weaker?) fingers to operate.
- No instructions included. Presumably, any child receiving these poles would have some sort of adult supervision, but even rudimentary adjustment instructions would be beneficial.
Backpacking Background [return to top]
I started car/trailer camping with the family when I was about 5. I enlisted in the Army Reserve during my first year of college and spent 17 years fine-tuning my packing methodology - by the time I separated from the service, I was down to what I thought was a respectable 75-80 lb (34-36 kg) load. When my son started Cub Scouts, I brought my 60 lb (27 kg) ALICE pack for a weekend. We got to Boy Scouts in the Spring of 2002 and now camp monthly in locations ranging from the Chesapeake Bay area (flat and lightly wooded) to the Pocono Mts (flat spots hard to find and very wooded), in all seasons.
Lightweight (and ultralightweight) sites, along with a day hike up Pikes Peak in July 2003, have led me to seriously rethink my gear choices. I plan to start doing more hiking/backpacking on our monthly scout trips, taking along as many scouts as are willing, to a) get in shape (yeah, yeah, I know… round IS a shape), and b) determine what I really need to take along. I am relatively confident that I will be able to reduce my 3-season pack to 20 lb (9 kg), before food, fuel and water, by the time this season is over.
Since joining Boy Scouts in April of 2002, Alex has accumulated more than 30 nights of camping and nearly 40 miles of hiking. He is as comfortable in the outdoors as anywhere else, and also wants to lighten his load to make the miles go by more easily.
Thank you for your time.
Chuck Kime
a.k.a. Fuzzy
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