MOUNTAIN SAFETY RESEARCH (MSR) OVERLAND CARBON TELESCOPIC POLES

Initial Report
June 13, 2004

Table of Contents

• Information about Andrew, the tester and author of this report
• Information about the MSR OverLand Carbon telescopic poles
• My initial impressions of the MSR OverLand Carbon telescopic poles
  • Testing location overview
  • Weather conditions
  • Receipt of the MSR OverLand Carbon telescopic poles
  • First Impressions of the MSR OverLand Carbon telescopic poles
  • Testing strategy

Andrew Priest, Tester and Author of this Report
Perth, Western Australia, Australia
aushiker@yahoo.com.au

I am a 44 year old male, 180 cm (5' 11") in height and I weigh 100 kg (220 lbs).  I  have been hiking in Western Australia for approximately five years. For the past four  years I have been regularly walking and now leading walks with the Perth Bushwalkers Club. These bushwalks range from all on-track to all off-track pack-carries. I consider myself as moving towards being a lightweight tent-carrying bushwalker with my pack base weight in the 8 to 12 kg (18 to 26 lb) range.  In 2003 I completed my End to End of the Bibbulmun Track. I have also end to ended the Cape to Cape Track and the Coastal Plains Walk Track.

Information about the MSR OverLand Carbon Telescopic Poles

Description, year of manufacturer and MSRP: The OverLand Carbon trekking poles were manufactured by Mountain Safety Research (MSR) during 2004 in Austria. At the time of writing their MSRP is US$129.95. I assume this price is for a pair of poles, but this is not clear on the website.  The OverLand Carbons are described by MSR as being lightweight, "full carbon-fiber construction" trekking poles.  They are three-piece telescoping poles which utilise an expander locking system [LockJaw] to lock the sections in place.  They are not anti-shock style poles, but do have what MSR describe as "anti-shock" wrist straps.

Weights and measurements. MSR weights for each pole are 241 g (8.5 oz) (482 g (17 oz) per set) whereas my weight for each pole including basket as measured by my Arlec kitchen digital scales are 234 g (8.25 oz) (468 g (16.50 oz) per set).   MSR's stated length of the poles is 65 -140 cm or  25 - 55 in.  My measurements are from 66.5 cm (26 in) fully collapsed to 144 cm (57 in) fully extended. Fully extended is where each section is extended to its specified maximum length, 140 on the pole numbering system.

My Initial Impressions of the MSR OverLand Carbon Telescopic Poles

Testing Location Overview:  The hiking environment of the south-west of Western Australia allows for hiking and backpacking from coastal plains to forest. Elevation ranges from 0 to 585 metres (0 to 1,920 feet). Within this region, I hike in varying conditions from forestry roads, to sandy tracks to single-purpose walking trails, to rock hopping, to beach walking to completely off-track walking through open and dense country.

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Weather Conditions: During the summer period, daytime temperatures average 30° C (86° F), whereas from March through to December the daytime average temperatures range from 15° C to 26° C (59° F to 79° F). During the autumn, winter, and spring periods the normal weather pattern is fairly wet with frequent heavy rainstorms evident. It does not normally snow in Western Australia.

According to The Times Atlas of the World (Concise Edition - Revised 1997) our weather is described as being "Mediterranean - rainy climates with mild winters, coolest month above 0° C (32° F), but below 18° C (64° F); warmest month above 10° C (50° F)." The atlas depicts the coastal area north of Los Angeles as having the same climate.

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Receipt of the MSR OverLand Carbon Telescopic Poles:

The OverLand Carbon poles [hereafter the poles] were received in good condition. They shipped with no supporting documentation other than a hangtag.  The hangtag highlights a number of features of the poles (discussed below), states the weights and measurements of the poles, provides instructions on adjusting the poles and straps, as well as care instructions. The baskets were not attached and no instructions were provided on fitting them. Not that I feel that instructions are required. I found the baskets straightforward to fit.

Are they what I expected after viewing MSR's website on the poles? In short yes, in fact I would suggest that whilst I read they would be light and I noted the reported weight, it didn't translate in my mind into what I got, a light pair of poles!

First Impressions of the MSR OverLand Carbon Telescopic Poles:

Light! These are light poles indeed and I like the colour, black. Slick looking "high speed" poles is how I would describe them. That said, I will go through the poles in terms of their characteristics as they present to me.

At the top of the pole, the "anti-shock wrist straps" can be found.  The straps are a wide (35 cm / 14 in) webbing/elasticised type of material with padding on the inside. The straps are easily adjusted, which I realised eventually, after cursing MSR and everyone around me.  Ahh, it pays to read the instructions first! Amazing what I can learn, like how easy it is to adjust the straps!  I found the instructions clear and very easy to follow.  Based on these instructions, it is quite a simple task to lengthen or shorten the straps by just pulling on the tail of the strap to tighten them and on the on the top loop to loosen them. Once they are adjusted, a final pull on the bottom of the loop locks the adjustment back in place. Really quite simple and it appears effective.

The straps are attached to what MSR describe as "lightweight foam grips" which are set at a "7° natural angle."  I have to admit, I can't detect the angle, but I guess it is there.  The grips are, as MSR describe, made of what appears to be a high density foam material. They are very firm, that is not soft to touch except for the ridged area which rests in the palm of one's hand.  Where the fingers rest, there is a ridge for the index finger to rest on.

Travelling down the pole, the pole is broken into three sections. The upper section is a fixed length (55.5 cm / 22 in). The next two sections (53 cm /  21 in and 51.5 cm / 20 in respectively - measured with pole stripped down) are telescopic, being able to be extended or compressed as appropriate. The two telescopic sections are fixed in place by MSR's LockJaw expander mechanism.  This is a system where one section of the pole is twisted right or left to tighten or loosen the section. The pole sections can be loosen and then pulled apart to allow for storage and/or cleaning.  MSR specify cleaning with a dry cloth and to not use lubricants on the shaft.

Continuing to move down the pole, one next comes across the "quick-change" basket.  The baskets where not attached when I received the poles. Without instructions I found it quite a simple task to attached the baskets. However, my preliminary attempts to then remove the baskets have failed. Not so sure about this "quick-change" feature, unless I use a vice or something. That said I am not sure why I would be changing the baskets anyway. MSR does not appear to offer alternate baskets for this model pole and unless a basket gets damaged or wears out I don't expect I will need to change a basket. Maybe being quick-change or otherwise is not an issue for me.

Ending the pole tour, is the "carbide flextip," the sharp pointy end of the poles.  I am not quite sure why MSR call the tip, flextip, as it does not appear to flex and it does not appear to be removable. However, I note one retailer does claim that the tips are replaceable. I have not been able to verify the veracity of this claim on either MSR's website nor the hangtag.

That pretty much sums up the pole construction. Below are the main aspects I plan on testing over the test period.

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Testing strategy:

MSR make a number of claims in respect of the OverLand Carbon Telescopic Poles. These claims will be examined in the context of my usage of the poles along with some other aspects. I will report on my experience in respect of these claims and points in my Field and Long-term Reports.

From the hangtag attached to the poles:

1. "Three-section telescoping poles compress for compact storage."  I will report on the general functionality of compressing the poles in various usage and transport roles;

2. "Full carbon fiber construction for light weight."

3. "Reliable LockJaw expander keeps the desired length."  I will report on the functioning of the expander both to keep the poles locked as well as ease of release for adjustment. MSR also provide instructions on how to release the poles should the mechanism get locked.  This suggests that the LockJaw expander can lock. Should this happen, I will apply these instructions and report back on my experience.

4. "Lightweight foam grips with anti-shock straps for comfort." Comfort of the grips will be examined in varying conditions and will be reported on.

From the website:

5. "Ideal for Fast & Light trips where weight is of paramount importance."

6. "Full carbon-fiber construction reduces weight and dampens impact forces each time the pole strikes the trail."

7. "Anti-shock wrist straps absorb shock for a soft ride."

8. "7° Natural Angle grip provides the ultimate in comfort."

Points 6 to 8 relate to comfort and use of the poles.  I intend to use the poles in varying conditions including off and on-track walking and will report on my experiences in the later reports.

In addition to these points above I will be examining the strength and durability of the poles; the ease of cleaning and stripping the poles down after use in varying bushwalking conditions; continuing ease of adjusting and locking the wrist straps.

While I will be using the poles for their primary purpose as trekking or bushwalking poles, I will also use them as the poles for the MSR Missing Link tent that is also being tested through BackpackGearTest.org. I will report on my experience with the poles in this context.

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