MOUNTAIN KING Carbon Compact Trekking Pole Review TGO Magazine.

This Review for the UK made Carbon Compact Trekking Pole from Mountain King comes from a TGO Magazine Gear Test. March 2009.

These British made poles are very light and compact but don’t extend as much as most poles, which is fine as long as you’re not very tall. (Editors Note: There are longer versions available).

Unusually they are made from alloy and carbon fibre with the latter on the outside. They feel like carbon fibre poles in that the material is very stiff and there is hardly any flex. The handle is comfortable and warm and the strap is wide and padded and easily adjusted. The internal expanders are similar to those on other poles. The price is reasonable but there are similar poles that cost less. Snow baskets are supplied as well as the usual small trekking baskets.

Mountain King makes a wide range of poles of which the most interesting is perhaps the new ultralight Trail Blaze which comes in 110cm and 120cm fixed lengths at weights of 110 grams and 115 grams per pole. The poles (Trail Blaze) fold down into four short sections linked by a shock cord.