Reviews > Trekking Poles > Poles > MSR OverLand Carbon > Shane Bryan > Initial Report

Initial Report - MSR OverLand Carbon Trekking Poles

• Biographical information
• Product information
• Initial Impressions
  • Delivery
  • Assembly
  • Feature Review
• Test Plan
• Summary
  • Things I like:
  • Things I dislike:

Biographical information

Product information

Initial Impressions

• Delivery

The MSR OverLand Carbon Trekking Poles (poles) arrived via UPS Ground with a postage listed weight of 2 lb (0.91 kg).  They were packed in a corrugated cardboard box custom made and taped for the poles for this shipment.  There was no additional packing material, but the box, being custom made, held the poles quite firmly in place, preventing them from slipping out when opened from the end and help upside down.  No rattling of loose parts was heard, even though the baskets and display clip were loose in the box.

No damage to the poles was observed when removed from the box, and no compression of the foam hand grips was present.

In the box were:


• Two (2) Telescoping Carbon poles, with hand grips and straps attached.
• Two (2) baskets, loose in the box
• One (1) "clip" used to connect the poles together and hold the baskets, loose in box.  This item is presumably used for in store display use and serves no practical function for the consumer.
• One (1) hang tag, listing product specs and features, instructions for adjustment of poles and straps, and instructions for product care.
  



• Assembly

The poles arrived almost fully assembled. The only parts needing to be attached were the baskets.  These MSR baskets have a twist and snap method of attaching to the pole tips.  The pole tip has two "prongs" on opposite sides of the tip that extend approximately 3/16 in (2 mm).   These prongs, when aligned with matching notches in the basket center hole, allow it to mate with the basket.  Once mated, a firm and forceful twist clockwise will lock the basket into place on the pole tip.

This completes all pre-use assembly as delivered.

Removing the basket requires even more force than installation, and is done by twisting the basket in a counter-clockwise rotation with respect to the pole.  Removal would be necessary for basket replacement due to wear, damage, or with a larger basket for snow and sand use, or to remove the basket completely for use in dense underbrush.


The poles, being telescopic, are constructed of three (3) vertical tubular sections, all of which can be separated for care, maintenance and repair.  Loosening the lower section by rotating it clockwise until you are able to freely adjust the section vertically, will allow you to fully remove the section from the remainder of the pole.




• Feature Review

I will be using my experience with my current pair of ultralight trekking poles, made by another manufacturer, as a basis for comparison, especially since they are both advertised as ultralight telescoping poles.


Here is a comparison of advertised vs. observed features I will be evaluating over the course of this test sequence:

Feature	Advertised	Observed
Weight	8.5 oz each (241 g)	8.4 oz each (238 g)
Balance	Not advertised	These poles have a comfortable and light feel in the hand.  The in-hand swing while using the straps over the back of the hand is smooth.  Further testing will provide more experience from which to evaluate the in-hand balance of these poles.
Compressed Length	25.6 in (65 cm)	26.25 in (67 cm)
Extended Length	55 in (140 cm)	56.75 in (144 cm)
Hand Grip Material	Lightweight Foam grip	High density molded foam.
Hand Grip Comfort	"7° Natural Angle grip provides the ultimate in comfort"	I can not determine exactly where the 7° angle is applied in the handle.  It is not what other manufacturers refer to as "Positive Angle" or as forward pitch on the hand grip in vertical relation to the pole length.  More measurement and evaluation is needed before I can draw conclusions on this feature. The foam handle is firm but not rigid and has ridges cut out along the full length of the palm side to allow for continuous ventilation.  The foam is high density, open cell, which I do find more comfortable than closed cell or solid plastic handles.  Further testing in conditions that cause sweating is required.
Lock Mechanism Reliability	Reliable LockJawTM expander	Reliability no fully tested yet, but when locked, I can pound the extended and locked pole tip first onto the floor and there was no slippage in either section.   Further field testing required.
Basket Durability and Removal	Quick-change basket	With sufficient force, the baskets twist and snap on and off.  The baskets on my other poles are threaded and I find that similar effort is required to remove the baskets from either pole.
Tip Durability	Carbide FlexTip 30° break point	The carbide tip 30° FlexTip break point has not been tested.  I will not intentionally attempt to break the carbide tip, but will report on any trail conditions or situations that might provide more data on this claim. The carbide tip itself has a star shaped pattern of ridges, unlike other tips using a concave tip impression.
Grip Strap Adjustment	Anti-shock straps for comfort.	Straps contain a 1.5 in (3.8 cm) section of elastic in the center, back, of the strap.  A quick 1.5 mile (2.42 km) hike around the neighborhood shows no noticeable impact, good or bad, of the use of this elastic section in the strap. Straps are lined with a soft, white, pile fabric.  Straps are adjusted by pulling either the upper strap loop to loosen, or the lower strap tail to tighten.  The strap is locked with a wedge that is engaged by pulling the lower loop strap.
Pole Flexion	"Full carbon-fiber construction reduces weight and dampens impact forces each time the pole strikes the trail". Carbide FlexTip	Under the full load of my weight, this pole will bend, at the center, up to 1 in (2.5 cm).  My other poles, made from titanium,  will bend up to 3 in (7.6 cm) under similar load. The relationship between a poles stiffness and it's ability to "dampen impact forces" has yet to be determined, but it will be something I will continue to observe and attempt to measure during my test sequence.
Pole Maintenance	"Three (3) section pole.  Store unlocked and dry".	This pole can be completely separated into its component parts for cleaning and drying.  The locking mechanism, basket and carbide tip are serviceable and, presumably, replaceable, although at this time I can find no information on orderable replacement parts.  I will continue to research and report on how one might go about getting replacement parts for these poles.

Test Plan

I began using trekking poles as a method of alleviating chronic knee pain I have been experiencing on down hill slopes while hiking and backpacking.  The use of trekking poles, along with the adoption of ultralight backpacking principles, has resulted in the desired relief from pain and allowed me to extend and increase my outdoor backpacking activity.

I will use my experience with the OverLand Carbon trekking poles to continue my evaluation of these poles in the following areas:

• Weight
• Balance
• Length packed and extended
• Reliability and security of adjustment/locking mechanism
• Grip comfort (dry and sweaty)
• Basket durability and removal
• Tip durability
• Ease of grip strap adjustment
• Pole flexion and effect on pole stability under load
• Ease of pole maintenance and cleaning

When I started looking to buy my first set of trekking poles, I read many of the reviews at BGT, and other sites.  The first set I bought were a set of anti-shock trekking poles by another manufacturer.  While these were comfortable, I found the anti-shock feature to be a problem with stability and slippage, frequently bouncing or slipping off of rocks or logs on the trail.  I returned them in favor of a pair of titanium poles that did not have the anti-shock feature.  These poles never exhibited the same stability problems.  I expect to find similar performance from the OverLand carbon poles, with the primary difference being carbon fiber versus titanium construction.

I will be paying particular attention to the manufactures claims of:

• Full carbon-fiber construction reduces weight and dampens impact forces each time the pole strikes the trail
• Anti-shock wrist straps absorb shock for a soft ride

Both these claims would have the potential of having an effect on pole stability under load and I will be testing this claim in comparison to my prior experiences. 

I also regularly use my poles as tarp/fly supports and will be assessing how the OverLand Carbons function in this role.  I recognize that this is not an advertised function of this product, and yet given that MSR produces several shelter systems that make use of trekking poles as structural support, I believe it should be a factor considered when reviewing their trekking poles.  My tests will be on homemade tarps and Hennessy Hammock tarps. 

The trail conditions available at my planed test locations include (but may not be limited to):

• Even grade <=15% PCT trails
• Glacial snow pack crossing
• Crossing streams on rocks and logs in the Oregon Cascades and its foot hills
• Lava beds in the Central Oregon Cascades
• Volcanic scree, gravel and sand
• Wooded trails with dense undergrowth

The test locations will be as follows:

• Jefferson Wilderness, Oregon Cascades:  July 29 – Aug 1.
• Silver Falls State Park, Oregon: Aug 15 – 20.
• Three Sisters Loop, Oregon Cascades: Sept. 2 – 7
• Opportunistically, I will use these trekking poles for day hikes ranging from level foot paths to Oregon Coast Range hikes up Mary’s Peak.

Summary

• Baskets and Carbide FlexTip are available at retail stores, by special order through local retailers or from MSR direct.
• LockJaw^TM locking mechanisms are not available through retailers or by special order.
• To replace or repair the LockJaw^TM locking mechanisms, the owner must send the pole(s) to MSR for repair under warranty.
• The warranty on the MSR OverLand Carbon Trekking poles on the hang tag is 3 years.  In an email communication from an MSR Customer Service Representative, I was told the warranty period was 5 years for these poles.
• Repairs to the LockJaw^TM locking mechanisms after the warranty period would be "a nominal charge of around $15".
  

Things I like:

• Weight.  At only 1 oz (28.35 g) heavier than my titanium poles, these are an excellent alternative for those seeking the lightest telescoping trekking poles available.
  
• Versatility (balance, tarp/tent poles, knee strain relief)
• Adjustment markings on two sides of poles.  This makes it easy to see where the poles are being adjusted to from almost any angle.
  

Things I dislike:

• Length.  The manner in which I use the poles rarely requires them to be extended longer than 51 in (130 cm) for down hill use.  MSR could save significantly on weight by making the poles a bit shorter in both compressed and extended lengths, or by offering poles in a variety of length options.
  
• The basket is quite difficult to remove once attached.
• Availability of replacement parts, especially the LockJaw^TM locking mechanisms.
  

Reviews > Trekking Poles > Poles > MSR OverLand Carbon > Shane Bryan > Initial Report