Our favorite ultralight trekking poles

The Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Trekking Poles are our favorite ultralight model, and our go-to for most hikes.

• Price: $195
• Weight: 9.8 oz
• Material: Carbon Fiber
• Adjustability: 2 Twist Locks
• Off-Trail Compatible: No
• Pros: Ultralight. Padded wrist straps. Joy to use.
• Cons: Expensive. Twist Lock. Not for off-trail

Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Trekking Poles Features

These feather light poles weigh less than 10 ounces for the pair. They are perfect for fast and efficient hiking. We recommend them for thru-hikes, fast packs, or anyone who strives to be ultralight.

The Gossamer Gear LT5s deliver a light and accurate swing, a stiff and precise pole plant and a solid feel. They have foam grips that look like cork.

A twist locking adjustability mechanism saves weight compared to flip locks, but more prone to clogging. It’s harder to fix because the mechanism is on the inside of the pole.

For $195, these poles are definitely on the expensive end. But considering their excellent performance, we still feel they’re a reasonable value.

Lastly, these LT5s are ultralight poles. The carbon fiber is strong, but they aren’t designed to handle extreme off-trail stress like scree fields.

Verdict

The Gossamer Gear LT5s are out go-to trekking poles for most hikes. The only times we choose other poles are when traveling through rugged off-trail, cross country terrain.

Compare these poles to more great options in our guide to the best trekking poles of the year.