Leki Black Series Micro Vario £195

Superb handgrip, rapid deployment and stowage, durable, lightweight Expensive

For all-round performance, this pole is unbeatable. It’s very light (second lightest here at 207g), yet bombproof. Durability is superb – 282 Munros and 214 Wainwrights later and my pair are still in near-perfect condition. Made from 100% carbon fibre, the pole has a Z-shaped design that clips together and collapses automatically via Leki’s innovative Core Locking Device. This internal mechanism ensures rapid deployment and stowage at the click of button, while the length is adjustable via a sturdy SpeedLock clamp. Folded away into 40cm-long thirds, portability is good – although the Z-shape is rather dangly, loose and awkward to store in backpack pockets or loops. Careful strap tightening can solve this issue pretty easily though. The Aergon foam handle is extremely comfy and well-shaped. Its cross-hatched extended grip is brilliant for ascents, encouraging hand repositioning rather than pole length re-adjustment, while the egg-shaped top enables an alternative palm grip on descents. Minimalist baskets, comfy straps and carbide tips work faultlessly too. At £195, the price is eye-watering – but when they last this long it’s still great value.

LENGTH (folded-unfolded) 40-130cm WEIGHT (per pole) 207g