Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles £146 (plus postage)

Exceptionally lightweight, minimalist design

Twist-lock locking mechanism, flimsy and brittle, international shipping costs

Designed for ultralight thru-hiking expeditions, American brand Gossamer Gear has designed a minimalist, no-nonsense carbon pole weighing a remarkable 139g – that’s 68g lighter than the next lightest on test. For moving fast and nimbly through the mountains, with superb portability, the LT5 is excellent – and it feels surprisingly robust for such a light weight. The EVA foam handgrip is softer and comfier, with a touch more give, than many other poles, while the materials used – tapered carbon fibre tubing with a carbide tip – are high quality. Pole length is adjustable in two places via a twist-lock mechanism and, when folded away telescopic-style, each pole measures 60cm for compact storage. For ultralight thruhikers obsessed with every gram, the LT5 is a godsend. But for others, this pole will be too fragile and flimsy, with the risk of snapping it between rocks too worrying. Another flaw is the twist-lock mechanism of securing the three pieces together, which is largely out of vogue due to the risk of slippage (clamp mechanisms are considered more secure).

LENGTH (folded-unfolded) 60-130cm WEIGHT (per pole) 139g