Product Information

Manufacturer: LuxuryLite Gear
Year of Manufacture: 2004
URL: http://www.luxurylite.com/
Listed Weight: 4 oz (113 g)
Actual Weight: 4 oz (113 g)
Length: 61 in (155 cm)
MSRP: US $79.00
Warranty: Lifetime; If the TrailStik ever breaks while hiking, simply send both pieces back for a replacement TrailStik
Date:  July 26, 2005

    The TrailStik is made from a single 5 ft (152 cm) section of 0.5 in (1.27 cm) diameter, 0.125 in (0.32 cm) thick hollow carbon fiber tubing with aluminum end-caps and features a unique movable hand strap.  "The carbon fiber pole is made in the USA with one internal radial layer and four lengthwise layers that deliver maximum stiffness. A foot long insert of Easton 7075-T9 aluminum makes the critical lower end virtually unbreakable."(www.LuxuryLite.com)  The aluminum ends are designed to keep the carbon fiber from fraying.  The strap is held on with a Prussik knot.  The strap stays in place during use, but easily slides up or down to the desired height by simply holding the knot loosely and sliding.  There is a band at the top and bottom to prevent the Prussik knot from sliding off.  The TrailStik is flexible, but stays stiff while I am using it to walk with. "At the very bottom is a 0.75 in (1.91 cm)  long sleeve of hardened 7075-T9 aluminum that causes less trail damage and sticks on rock better than carbide and will not stab your foot (or the hiker behind you)."(www.LuxuryLite.com)  There is no basket near the bottom.

    I have used the TrailStik over the past year in a variety of terrains and climates.  It has seen soft and hard packed trails, solid rock, sandy trails of the deserts, and snow.  It has seen approximately 350 trail miles (564 km).  The aluminum tip shows trail wear, but I cannot discern any loss of tip length.  LuxuryLite claims at least 10,000 miles (16100 km) of wear.  Being that it has no trekking basket, I have sunk the Stik several inches into mud and snow, much to my surprise.  This has only happened a handful of times, so it is not a major issue for me.  I use a single TrailStik as I like having my other hand free so I can do things like take out my camera and take pictures to grabbing a snack or water bottle.

    The only damage that I have noticed is near the bottom of the TrailStik.  This consists of scratches and nicks.  They represent only cosmetic damage to the stick.  One example of how durable this stick is when I had it leaning against the back of my 1991 Ford Escort hatchback.  The hatch was up and the TrailStik was leaning with its tip well within the closing arc of the hatch.  Not paying attention, I proceeded to close the hatch forcefully.  I got the hatch all the way to the closed position, only to have it thrown back up by the TrailStick.  The TrailStik had been bowed more than 90 degrees and sprang back to straight with no visible damage.  This happened shortly after receiving my TrailStik.  It is still going strong.
    To walk with the TrailStik, Bruce at LuxuryLite recommends sliding a hand through the strap (see picture above) and loosely gripping the TrailStik like a steering wheel.  The TrailStik has a knurled, or raised lines, texture in a radial pattern along its length.  When I have gripped the TrailStik tightly, even with wet hands, I have felt no loss of grip.  With the weight being only 4 oz (113 g), I am able to easily swing it and place the tip or hold it balanced in my hand without fatigue.

    The Prussik knot uses a high strength type of cord.  The knot appears to be either melted or glued to keep it from untying itself.  I do not know what kind of cord it is, but I know that it has supported my weight when I used the Stik to catch myself after a stumble, with my hand only through the wrist strap and not holding the Stik firmly, placing all of the impact to the wrist strap.  The Prussik knot is a self locking knot; when the line is pulled, the knot tightens.  This allows the strap to hold tight while my hand is through it and using it for support.  When the line is relaxed, the coil and knot can be slid easily up and down by placing fingers directly above or below the coil and pushing.

    The strap originally came with no padding inside the polymer cover.  I contacted Bruce, owner/operator, at LuxuryLite about possibly adding a little padding so the line did not bite into my hand if I put a lot of force on it to catch myself.  Bruce started experimenting with padding and quickly send me a replacement strap, already tied with the Prussik knot, to slide onto my TrailStik after removing the old one.  The minimal amount of padding that he added greatly improved comfort while putting weight on the strap and added negligible weight.  The strap opening is large enough that I am able to slide my hand all the way through it.  This allows me to keep the TrailStik attached to my wrist without having to hold it in my hand, thus freeing both hands to open a water bottle or look at my map.  I could even "trail" the stick behind me by sliding my hand through the wrist strap and letting it drag.


Summary

    The TrailStik, by LuxuryLite, is a wonderful hiking stick.  It is very light at 4 oz (113 g) and easy to use and adjust.  It takes me all but a few seconds to adjust the height of the wrist strap.  I would like to see a Trekking Basket option for the TrailStik to prevent it from sinking into mud and snow, however.  It is 61 in (155 cm) long, but I would like one slightly longer.  Perhaps a version at 68 in (173 cm).  This would allow me a little more reach for stream and creek crossings as well as long step downs where I could use the TrailStik to ease my decent.  Overall, this is my preferred hiking stick.

Things I like:

• Light weight
• Ease of adjustment
• Lifetime warranty
• Strength and durability

Things I don't like:

• I would like a little longer TrailStik
• Being that the Stik is hollow, dirt and debris tend to accumulate inside the end of the Stik.  I am looking at using a rubber cane end to prevent this build up.
  

Reviewer
Name: Scott Downard
Age: 31
Gender: Male
Height: 6 ft (1.83 m)
Weight: 205 lb (93 kg)
Email address: rookthepagan@verizon.net
City, State, Country: Apple Valley, California, U.S.
Date: July 19, 2005

Backpacking Background
    As a teenager I did a lot of backpacking and hiking with the Boy Scouts.  After I turned 18 and I left the Scouts, I abandoned backpacking.  Ten years later, when I was 28, I started getting interested in backpacking again.  I started buying gear to replace the old stuff from my teenage years.  I hike in the local mountains and desert areas.  I hike mostly in the spring and fall in moderate weather.  Some rain is encountered.  I primarily do day hiking and short term (i.e. one to four nights) backpacking excursions with some five day trips.  I like to hike fast and light while backpacking.