Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles/Sticks - Folding, Collapsible, Adjustable, and Ultralight - Perfect for Hiking, Walking, Backpacking and Snowshoeing

I order 6 different poles in order to choose 2 sets (for me and wife) for an upcoming trek to Machu Picchu. I don't want to carry a separate selfie stick, so I looked for poles with a selfie option for me. The wife can't be bothered to take photos, so a simple, light and sturdy set of poles will do for her. In the end, I chose these Foxellis for the wife and Go2Gether poles for myself. Here's why:KNEE TEST: Extend poles from 2 different manufacturers to your usable length. Get on your knees, with a pole in each hand. Then try to lift yourself up using only the poles and your arm muscles. Which pole flexed more? Did it snap and send you crashing to your knees? Did either pole slip to shorter length?PACKING: How do you intend to stow your poles on trail? The Z folders get really short really easily. But even lashed together they are unwieldy to stash on the outside of your pack. Telescoping poles are more managable in the folded state, but much longer than the Z folders. The telescoping poles may stick above your pack. All the telescoping poles I looked at will come apart and thus fit into carry-on luggage. But this is only relevant for carry-on bus and train trips because the US TSA will not allow trekking poles in carry-on luggage. For me, I do not realize the added benefit of the Z folders from a size persepective.DEPLOYMENT: When you want to whip the poles out and put them to use, you don't want your trail mates to have to wait. The Z folders really are cool here. Hold the handle high and let the rest fall straight down, pull the locking section until it clicks, and you're ready to go. If you did not release the adjustable section when you last folded them, you will not have to readjust the length upon deployment. The telescopic poles require a little more effort as you have to remember your preferred length and then dial it in on two different joints. But that's not too bad, either. The Nordic were the worst in this respect because they have 4 sections fastened by 3 clips.RESULTS:Go2Gether https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CZM45SG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1- comes with cellphone selfie adapter (yeah!)- similar to Foxelli (except for camera screw and adapter)- 9.7 oz- sturdyFoxellihttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01IC7XZ68/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1- stiffness really inspires confidence- 7.7 oz (not the lightest or the heaviest)- cork feels good, not slippery; rubber thumb cap is also nice- large snow basketsCanway Carbon Fiberhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CWRXF3Y/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1- thinnest and bendiest, they really bowed on the knee test- 6.5 oz without rubber tip or snow baskets = lightest poles tested- camera mount is functional, but you'll need an adapter (sold separately) to get selfie angles- too skinny for my tastesYork Nordichttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GVHHFXQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1- widest range of heights thanks to 4 sections and 3 clips- 10.7 oz (9.5 w/o screw-on head)- camera mount is functional, but you'll need an adapter to do selfie angles- slipped on knee test, twice; probably my fault as they didn't slip again after I retightened the clips. But 3 clips increases your chances of having 1 that's not quite tight enough- I couldn't embrace the unusual grip style; some people may love itParia Aluminumhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01HCL1WJC/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1- 9.6- fold super easy- no need to resize every time (if you left the top section long last time)- won't fold so easy with big snow basket- nice cork grips (like the Foxelli)- recommended, if you are into Z fold and you want something a little less bendy than the carbonParia Carbonhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01D6GEFIM/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1- 8.3 oz- more flex than Paria Aluminum, but still sturdy- Z fold is super easy when you get used to it, but still unwieldy- no need to resize every time (if you left the top section long last time)- won't fold so easy with big snow basket- nice cork grips (like the Foxelli)- recommended, if you are into Z foldFotopro adapterhttps://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F6YKQHG/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1- positive grip on phone is reassuring- must carry Allen wrench (not included) in case hinge gets too loose- necessity for selfies from a straight pole- I will carry this as a backup (or primary) to the adapter that came with the Go2Gether

I’m updating my review and giving the new poles 5 stars, but I will leave the original review at the bottom. I’m also including some new pictures showing the old poles along with the newly redesigned poles.The first set of poles I received had the older style locking button and had a bad habit of collapsing without warning as I was using them on the trail. After I left a 1 star review, I emailed Paria Outdoor Products and explained the problem I was having. Paria’s customer service rep Anne told me that there had been a problem with the locking button on some of their poles so they changed the design, and she offered to either refund my money or send replacement poles with the newly redesigned locking button. I really liked everything about the poles except the unexpected collapsing problem so I accepted the new poles.I’ve been using the newly redesigned poles for a few weeks without a single problem, and I’ve been completely happy with them.Paria Outdoor Products seems committed to making a good product and offering great service to their customers so I don’t think you can go wrong with these poles. ---Original Review---I really wanted to love these poles, I like how compact they fold, how easy they are to unfold, and how light they are.I'm not sure why my experience with these poles is so different than others, but I've had my poles for less than a month and they have collapsed on my several times.At first I blamed myself, I thought I'd done something wrong, maybe not fully locked them in before I started, but it sometimes happens after I've been using them for a couple hours on the trail, so I know that can't be the problem.When they collapse they often leave gouges all the way through the paint and I can't tell if the cracking around the locking buttons is just in the paint or goes into the carbon fiber.When they collapse it catches you completely off guard and it can be hard to regain your balance, and that makes these poles dangerous to use.

This company is building itself on value and trust. I could not be more pleased with the customer service I've received from Paria. This company is small for now, but it's among the best I've dealt with, and I'm pretty old : )I've used hiking poles regularly for about 10 years, The grip on these poles is excellent, as comfortable as any pole I've had, and much nicer than the foam grips on Black Diamond poles. The syncork is as good as the old cork grip on my favorite poles, and that's saying a lot. It also has a foam lower grip, which is so handy when climbing up hills. My second set of poles didn't have this, and I missed it.While I enjoy the lighter weight of carbon fibre, I've avoided getting an all carbon fibre pole because of the feeling of vibration in the poles while I use them. With these poles there is none of that. I believe this is because of the substantial aluminum connectors that fit the pole sections together. These poles feel light AND sturdy.As far as value for your money, it's all here. There is not another pole of this quality for anywhere close to this price. I look forward to seeing more products from this great company.

I was all set to return these until I figured out how they work...now I love them. When they arrived they came in three sections and looked well made but I was concerned about their ability to remain assembled. Rest assured that once assembled they are rock solid...as long as you know the "trick." the trick is to push the locking mechanism up until the locking pin pops out. Thos keeps the steel cable in the center taught holding all sections together. These poles are definitely a great value. The straps could be better but other than that..these seem like dynamite poles....lightweight...strong...and very compact when disassembled.

Ok, this is going to be an unbiased review on these trekking sticks. I am climbing mount kilimanjaro in Tanzania in September and have never really liked it used stick before but it seems almost mandatory for this mountain. I wanted a pair of light and small easily stashed away sticks. These seemed to fit the bill perfectly. They arrived well wrapped and out of the box seemed easily to use. I have been using them for all my training I including an overnight summit of snowdon. They have performed admirably. I have experienced one issue with one of the sticks where the little popper that keeps them taunt and together in use failed to pop out regularly on one stick and would take alot of messing about with to put it together. I contacted the supplier who gave me advice on how to solve it l, but it remained a problem. On contacting them a second time a few months later they did not hesitate to send out a new pair of sticks which are performing perfectly. So in summary if you are after light and easily stashed sticks with reliable after sales service these are excellent and great value for money. I would say they are easily on a par with sticks that cost 3 times as much.

Theoretically these poles tick all the boxes, light, compact,great for travel, stylish, reasonably easy to put together if you follow the instructions carefully. Unfortunately both poles - separately - came apart with the internal elastic unhooking from the handle section rendering them useless. I have had to return them.

Had them just over 12 months by 2 days and they have broke threaded wire has pulled out of fixing will not buy again will go for better quality

Very disappointed with these poles. Tension wire not connected to one handle making pole useless. returned to Amazon awaiting full refund,would not recommend this product.

Good compact poles that do the job.