Customer Reviews

LEKI Super Makalu COR-TEC PA Hiking Poles (Pair)

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I am partial to Leki hiking poles and these are the best that I have used. I have used them on Mt. Kenya, Kilimanjaro, on 4 weeks of hiking in the Andes, hiking small peaks in Scotland, and in many places in the US. They are comfortable, solid, durable poles. The grip material is easier on the hands than rubber. The grip angle is nice. Repair parts are available all over the world (though I have only replaced the tips). I have no complaints and lots of compliments about these poles.

I could not decipher the features by reading reviews or visiting the Leki website so I went to a local B&M store to try them out. The model shown here and the pair I bought appear to be a 2007 model, which I like better.

The handle on this model feels like it has much more forward angle than any other models, including the 2008 version. This was the deciding feature for me. This handle is also smooth and well contoured. The 2008 model cork handles have a series of lightening holes that irritate my fingers. The cork actually feels more like rubber than cork, at least when new.

The hand strap is non directional, unlike some other models. If you want to use it singly and share the pair with your spouse, you can. I didn't understand the other variations on strap adjustment. This pair has a screw you tighten with a coin after adjusting for length.

The suspension on this model is the SAS version. It has a much smoother rebound action and is quieter than the tripple spring models. I find the rebound on the tripple spring models quite annoying. I would rather have no spring at all and feel one impact, rather than have both a down impact and an up impact.

Height adjustment is a bit of a hassle, but is easy and secure. The correct adjustment is to have your elbow at 90 degrees when standing straight and holding the grip. I am 6'6" and it seems slightly short but useable at 140cm. It is enough work to change height that I do not collapse them for storage, much less for going up and down hills.

In the end I gave these to my wife, who is prone to foot injuries and is recovering from surgery. The trecking style pole with big handle should reduce the strain on her feet. I bought myself a pair of fixed length nordic walking poles.

I've used these poles and now I won't make fun of the other people with hiking poles. These are incredible...Helped my sore ankles, knees, back, and tendons

I bought a pair of Leki Super Makalu poles in 2002 to help me get around following spine surgery. Over the past six years, these Leki poles not only helped me recover, but assisted me to attain my ambitious hiking and fitness goals. I have hiked at 12,000 feet along the Sandia Crest Trail in New Mexico, the Lost Mine and Windows trails in Big Bend National Park, many trails in Yosemite National Park and much more. These poles are especially helpful on steep ascents and descents. Plus, there is the big bonus of getting an upper body workout while navigating trails and water crossings safely where a fall, for me, would have a higher penalty thanks to spinal issues.
I find the poles easy to pack, taking them apart and placing them in a checked rolling duffel. They ride well lashed on my backpack when I am hiking an approach trail. I use them locally on 3 mile fast hikes as an upper body conditioner. I figure I place about 15 pounds of downward force on each pole as I hike. So, that is a lot of force that does not hit my knees. For a 6000 pace hike, that would be 90,000 pounds of impact force not on the knees. They are great in steep, rocky descents. The titanium tips grip well on rock. I use the poles for stability when fording fast flowing streams. They should also serve as a decent self defense weapon, but I have never had to put them to that test.
More and more, I see hikers with these poles. Not just the older folks like me, but young people too. People packing heavy love to use hiking poles. Europeans may often be found trekking with these poles.
The Lekis are light weight, easy to adjust, comfortable in the hand, can he held by the grip or by using the strap like one would use a ski pole. I even used baskets made by Leki to support my trek up a 600 foot sand dune. After six years of testing, I would not trade these poles. I am glad I spent the money to buy lasting quality.

Excellent service. Quick delivery. Great poles. I'm 6'5" and the length adjusts perfectly for me.

We used these trekking poles while hiking in the
Smokies and they worked great, just as advertized.

Well, the basic unit is there, albeit really well worn from use... and there were no baskets, which is a bit disappointing as they are quite necessary (the trekking baskets, that is...and I'm going to have to purchase some new ones as the basket's from my damaged poles won't fit this pair....grrr...more money which shouldn't have been necessary to spend...

aside from that, the seller packaged the item well & sent it quickly...so, they get better kudos for that, than the item description...the price was ok, so I'm not gonna complain... ;)

The poles arrived in good time, but were not in good conditon. The baskets where missing and the handles and tips very worn and abused. When I opened the package they came in, a handful of dirt came out first. They were obviously well used and no one had bothered to clean them before shipping. I asked for a refund and returned them immediately. I did get a full refund but will probably never buy from this supplier again.

Good enough but good enough is sometimes not what you need in the back country. Only draw back for use was the locking mech. for extending poles. They twist to lock and are hard/cumbersome to use with big mitts and do not hold extension all that well unless twisted so tight they are then hard to collapse. Were even frozen a couple times and would not adjust at all. Now we leave them at the lengths we need and don't try collapsing at the end of the day. Light and stylish and the cork hand pieces are comfortable with or w/o gloves.