Leki  Skytera Lite Trekking Poles - Pair

If you’re on the fence about poles, get these. I use them for extra support while carrying a toddler in a pack, and they’ve been a game-changer. Feel: They are so light you forget you’re holding them, yet they offer rock-solid support on uneven ground. Usability: The grips are ergonomic, and the flick-locks make height adjustments effortless. Bottom Line: They provide massive confidence on rocky terrain and make a heavy pack feel significantly more manageable.

So far I’ve taken these poles out on 4 hikes and have been happy with them. Was able to test them on dirt, rock, snow, and ice. They performed well in all conditions, including getting a nice bite in the ice. The grips are comfortable, though not as comfortable as cork grips (as expected). The locking mechanism is very easy to use, and it’s really nice that I can tighten them by hand and don’t need an Allen wrench or screwdriver. So I would say overall a solid set of poles!

These poles are an excellent upgrade to the budget poles I’ve used for the last 6 years. They are incredibly light (207 grams per pole), yet sturdy. The locking mechanism is easy to adjust, but still secure; I have no fear of the pole telescoping without my permission (a problem I’ve had with other poles in the past). I’m 5’7”, and the “compact” size (90 – 125 cm) works great for me. This size is rated for folks 4’3” – 5’11”, so I know most of my friends could comfortably borrow them if need-be. My favorite thing about these poles is the “verticon” grip; as a hyper-sensory aware person, this is a big deal for me. I can’t stand the cork texture many other poles sport on the grip. I’ve also had problems with blisters from poles with rougher material on top. Leki has found the magic sweet spot with their grip material; comfortable, yet firm. I’m really pleased with these poles, and will be sporting them for years and years to come.

I bought these trekking poles to replace a previous pair. I was drawn to these poles due to their light weight and lever locks. I struggled with the twist locks on my previous poles, and eventually the twist locks failed. It was easy enough to extend/retract and lock/unlock the segments of the new poles. The bottom segment of one pole is stiff. Maybe it will loosen up a bit with use. I believe these poles will be suitable for my needs on day hikes.

I received these trekking poles for free from REI asking that I try them out and then give a review. I used these poles three consecutive days on three mile walks in cooler temperatures (50’s and low 60’s). Days one and two were on a concrete paved walking trail, and day three was on a natural trail. On the last two days, I used one of these Leki pole in one hand, and my own aluminum pole of similar weight made by a competitor in my other hand in order to compare the two different poles. Both poles were aluminum. The Leki pole weighed a few ounces less and had a foam cloth covered handle, whereas my pole has cork handles. I have rubber tips on both sets of poles. The only real discernible difference between the two is the Leki poles vibrate more when the tips hit the pavement. The vibration was significantly less noticeable when I was on the nature trail, but very noticeable on concrete. Both poles are aluminum, so maybe the cork handles make a difference in dampening the vibration, but that is speculation on my part. Other than the vibration, the Leki poles compared very favorably to my current poles, which is a good thing as I like my current poles. Docked one star for the vibrations when on concrete, and I also have concerns about the long term durability of the foam cloth over the handles. The foam handles never gave my hands a hot spot the way rubber handles do, so that is a plus.