Customer Reviews

Stansport Outdoorsman Trekking Pole

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I bought an expensive collapsable trekking pole to take on a trip to Machupicchu, only to discover that it wouldn't fit into my carry-on suitcase. As it turns out, nearly every one of the expensive collapsable walking sticks - which are supposedly designed for carry-on luggage - are about 1 inch too large for that purpose. Go figure. Plus, many travel sites claim that TSA (the airport security folks) won't let those sticks in the cabin.

So, I bought this item. It is nicely compact and very easily transported. No problem getting it through TSA. My only complaint is that the connections become a little loose and flimsy. It's just not that sturdy. Then again, it's a trade off between this packable trekking stick and more durable ones that would have to be checked at the airport.

This trekking pole is great for my husband who is elderly. It is light, collapses into a small size so is handy for local walking and long walks on trips. Packs well into a suitcase. Prevents him from falling when walking on uneven ground or where there are holes. Great product for people of all ages who walk or hike.

The collapsible trekking hiking staff pole is compact, convenient and sturdy. It was a gift given to my new husband on our hiking honeymoon trip. It saved his leg muscles(per his quote) especially when coming back down the 7000 foot trail from Ramsey Cascades in The Great Smoky Mountain National Park. It packed nicely into his carry on suitcase as well. Good product.

Collapses small enough to carry while traveling. Most others are too large to place in airline carry-on bag. The cork grip slips and needs gluing to remain stable. The strap and pad that wraps around the hand was assembled in reverse and can easily be corrected by removing and reversing the strap after unscrewing the compass top. Since it is one-size-fits-all, to fit a 5'6" person, an inch was cut off using a small portable pipe cutter. The length of the pole fits well for a 5'11" person. Although I have not as yet used it, a travel companion and I plan to use ours for walking in hilly Tuscany. Easily replaces a cane and provides more support when walking up and down stairs or hills.

This is great, just great. It is light weight, ultra compact, and YES, the compass head unscrews so it becomes a monopod on which you can attach a camera directly or attach a ball head camera mount. No one had specifically mentioned that, and I was hoping against hope I could also use it as a monopod. Extended, it is 50" from compass head to tip of rubber toe, collapsed it is 10", it weighs 11 oz., and with its cloth pouch weighs 13 oz.

YES, when sitting and recording digital video, I can collapse the cane (folding the pieces), press one end against my belt, or chair or floor (but caution not to get dirty or put wear on the elastic cords, so perhaps bring and put on a soft rubber something), and have good video support. I do have a rubber band on the grip to band together the folded segments when using it in semi-collapsed mode. The ballhead attachment is necessary if you use the monopod at an angle, say against your belt, to facilitate filming while standing or sitting. For my lightweight Sanyo Xacti digital video/still camera, I used the Slik SBH-60 Compact Ball Head, for compact point-and-shoot digital and film cameras..

I can easily put this in a carry-on or small backpack, and use as trekking stick or as monopod whenever needed. For air travel, take care not to lose or throw away the rubber feet (or try to find a replacement rubber foot), as travel security may not look kindly on the otherwise exposed spike.

The collapsible hiking stick / monopod that you can bring with you is a hundred times better than the one you left at home!

And yes, I love shopping at Amazon because of the huge variety of products offered, but mostly because of the great user inputs reviewing the pros and cons of their product experiences.

Trip Report.

Took this on vacation sightseeing trip to Turkey. Easily usable for both hiking and photo / videos. Learned quickly that Turkish museums-palaces-cultural centers will temporarily confiscate fellow travelers' camera tripods, camera monopods and hold them for you at the entrance. So I just enter with this item in "walking stick mode, with the ball top on." They let me through with my "walking cane." Then I can use the "walking stick" to help steady my still/video shots in the low light environments. Co-travelers are quite envious.

In other instances outdoors with large crowds, I put my lightweight video camera on it and easily hoist it over the heads of the crowd, easily capturing otherwise difficult shots. Again, I am the butt of lots of envy.

Second Trip Report.

Went to a high school reunion in Cancun. Took side trip to Chichen Itza, recently added to the 7 wonders of the world. Local guide was concerned about my stick in "monopod mode." He said tripods required payment of a $200 fee (they assume it is professional level). I asked him to check with the Management. They said monopods are ok.

I purchased two of these poles for hiking. The weight is good and I can get past the fact that the height is not adjustabL (I'm 5'4" so that may be part of the problem). I like the idea of the folding pole as it is more compact, however without a way to lock the segments they came apart many many times during my first hike. Not only were small rocks and light debris a problem, but often this would happen in the dirt with a smooth trail. Even after taking the 'boot' off and using the carbide tip only, the problem persisted. It just doesn't work for me.

Love my hiking pole but can no longer use it - the cork handgrip now slips up and down the pole making it unstable. Wrote to Fogdog as suggested by Amazon and never heard back. The pole is terrific in every other way.

Because of balance problems, I need a walking stick at night. I carry the collapsible trekking staff in my car or handbag. It is light, fairly small, but strong. It's just what I had in mind.

I suffered a spinal cord injury last summer, and it has taken months to regain my footing. With only partial feeling below the waist, balance and gate are shakey at best. I was using a wooden hiking staff, but it was always in the way. This collapsible staff has a removable foot for smooth surfaces and a point for rough terrain. The cork handle is comfortable and the hand strap adds to my stability. Best of all, it folds quickly and fits inside its own case for inside or vehicle times. The little compass on the end may seem silly, but I've actually used it on long rehab walks. Great Product!!!

Great for packing as airlines get tough about size of carry-on. Shock cord is strong and adequate. However joints feel loose - shaky. OK for simple balance or scaring off dogs while walking around the neighborhood but would not trust it in really difficult terrain - such as bearing my weight to prevent a fall. The quality is about proportionate compared to the price of expensive poles.