MSR DynaLock Explore Backcountry Poles - Pair
With full aluminum strength and 3-section packability, MSR DynaLock Explore Backcountry poles are ideal for snowshoeing and mountaineering in variable and rugged terrain.
- Light, high-strength 7075 aluminum lower sections increase durability
- Easy, rock-solid DynaLock™ adjustability with tool-free tensioning; anodized aluminum levers enhance durability
- Extended EVA foam grips provide comfort when you're sidehilling or choking up on steep terrain
- Winter and summer baskets are included for 4-season functionality
Imported.
View all MSR Snowshoe Poles| Best Use | Mountaineering Hiking Snowshoeing |
|---|---|
| Shaft Construction | 7075 T6 aluminum |
| Grip Material | Rubber / Plastic / Foam |
| Locking Mechanism | External Lever Lock |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Collapsed Length (in.) | 24.5 inches |
| Minimum Length (in.) | 39.5 inches |
| Maximum Length (in.) | 55 inches |
| Collapsed Length (cm) | 62.3 centimeters |
| Minimum Length (cm) | 100 centimeters |
| Maximum Length (cm) | 140 centimeters |
| Basket Type | Powder and Trekking |
| Weight (Pair) | Unavailable |
| Gender | Unisex |
| 32 in./80cm | 34 in./85cm | 36 in./90cm | 38 in./95cm | 40 in./100cm | 42 in./105cm | 44 in./110cm | 46 in./115cm | 48 in./120cm | 49 in./125cm | 52 in./130 cm | 54 in./135cm | 56 in./140cm | 57 in./145cm | 59 in./150cm | 61 in./155cm | 63 in./160cm | 65 in./165cm | 67 in./170cm | 69 in./175cm | 71 in./180cm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height Range (Downhill Skiing) | < 3'4" | 3'5" - 3'8" | 3'9" - 4'0" | 4'1" - 4'4" | 4'5" - 4'8" | 4'9" - 5'0" | 5'1" - 5'3" | 5'4" - 5'6" | 5'7" - 5'9" | 5'10" - 6'0" | 6'1" - 6'3" | 6'4" - 6'6" | 6'7" + | ||||||||
| Height Range (XC Skiing) | <4'7" | 4'8"-4'9" | 4'10"-4'11" | 5' - 5'1" | 5'2" - 5'3" | 5'4" - 5'5" | 5'6" - 5'7" | 5'8" - 5'9" | 5'10" - 5'11" | 6' - 6'1" | 6'2" - 6'3" | 6'4"-6'5" | 6'6"+ | ||||||||
| Height Range (Skate Skiing) | <4'7" | 4'8"-4'9" | 4'10-4'11" | 5'-5'1" | 5'2" - 5'3" | 5'4" - 5'5" | 5'6" - 5'7" | 5'8" - 5'9" | 5'10" - 5'11" | 6'-6'1" | 6'2"- 6'3" | 6'4" - 6'5" | 6'6"+ |
Sizing Notes
Please note, this sizing chart is meant to serve only as a guideline.
Sizing downhill poles: Stand in your ski boots on a level floor. With your poles upside down—grips touching the floor—grab the pole beneath the basket so that the top of your thumb touches the basket. Your elbow should now be at a 90-degree angle. If the angle is less than 90 degrees, get a shorter pole. If the angle is greater, get a longer pole.
Sizing XC poles: Stand in your XC ski boots on a level floor. Place the pole tips on the floor next to your feet. The top of the grips should reach your arm pits.
Sizing skate poles: Stand in your skate boots on a level floor. Place pole tips on the ground with the pole shafts perpendicular to the floor. The poles should reach from the ground up to a point somewhere between your chin and your lips.
For more information, please see REI Expert Advice.
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Customer Images
Grips are a problem, otherwise decent with some tradeoffs
So as expected with collapsable poles, there are compromises. They are a lot more flexible than one-piece ski poles, and obviously more fragile. I haven't broken them yet though, and the adjustable cam levers are a great feature. The worst part is the foam grips. Every time they touch the snow, a thick coating of it sticks to the grips like glue, and then it melts and gets your gloves wet, and the water runs down to the lower part of the foam grip and turns to ice, which is impossible to knock off the foam. Check the maximum length of these poles - might not be long enough for some people to use as ski poles.
Durable and easy to use
I like my walking poles, I went around Mont Blanc with them, they are solid. the downside is that they are a bit long when folded which makes them difficult to bring on public transport and in shops when passing through town.
Nice but…
I just bought these and did 5 of uphill and downhill hiking with them. They worked great. Only two problems: 1) the clamps don’t clamp tight enough when the poles are closed up for transporting in my backpack so the extension keeps sliding down about 10”. I finally just clamped them at that point but would prefer they’d stay shorter. Not sure if this is a warranty issue. 2) the small baskets for summer hiking fit on very tightly and I was sure they would stay on. But after about 3 miles I looked down and one was gone. Not sure how it got off. So, I came to the site to see if they sell extras but they’re not on the website. I’m sure I’m not the only person to experience this and it would seem to be a logical thing to sell.
Yes !
I had been thinking about an external lock mechanism style pole for many, many years and when my last set of mismatched highly regarded name brand internal locking mechanism poles finally corroded themselves to death - I decided no more jury rigging with mismatched parts and just buy another good set. I saw MSR offered these outer locks and finally decided to pick up a pair. Ugggghhhh. Why did I wait so long?? These have been used on multiple day backpacking trips (AT) as well as dayhiking in PA. I have not taken them snowshoeing yet, but I will. Very easy to use, quick to adjust. Grip feels great. I do not have to worry about the slide-lock mechanism getting wet and slipping or becoming corroded and locking up at a useless length. Thanks for a great product MSR!!
Last pair fell short
Love the poles, amazing customer service. Had a pair that broke, customer service was amazing an sent me a new set out at blazing speed. When opened I noticed that after extending them the bottom section of the pole had a small bend. I thought it was my eyes playing tricks on me. Since these were just replaced I haven't the gauld to call them up. Wish I was able to just receive the last section on the dynalock explorer set. Does anyone know if that's even an option?
Nice poles
These poles worked well, grip and locking mechanism was some of the best I have seen while looking around at other similar brands/models. The only thing I didn’t like is the plastic snow basket kept falling off on one of my poles, I don’t believe it is a quality thing, it worked and stayed on the other side just one side fell off multiple times during my excursion. Love how they compact down for transportation.
Great Poles
Have used these now for 2+ seasons in the Canadian Rockies for everything from multi day backpack trip and long ski touring days. The locking mechanism I have had to touch since I purchased them, the grips are good for large hands. I have not had any issues with eith of the basket styles. I love that these poles are very quiet, the tipes afford excellent purchase on every groupnd type. Would buy again!
I have been very happy
I have been very happy with these poles. I bought these to use with a trekking pole tent for backpacking trips(and they work great). I like how the locking mechanism can tighten as I have had to correct the poles when they were too loose while hiking. I am 6’4” and I am very happy with how these poles can adjust for my size both going uphill and downhill.
great poles until they are not
poles were fantastic for exporing the backcountry untill it just broke one day going down the hill, to my horror there is a crack at every single opening above the adjustment clamps. Conclusion, they will break not a question of if it is a question of when. engineering error, stess concentrations... this stuff can happen
Great sticks - Light and Solid
Hiking roller coasters from 10'000 to 13'000 and back to 10'000 repeatedly over a five day period gave me a real appreciation for these hiking sticks. While the light weight was a key factor in their selection, i really appreciated the solid locking mechanisms. Unlike other brands these did not require regular adjustments.