LEKI Khumbu Lite Hiking Poles - Black/Red

Love them easy to adjust, lightweight and sturdy.

Working great for me! I ordered rubber feet for it as I walk around my retirement area and am not using it on the hiking trails. From past experience from doing the whole AT, I used LEKI poles exclusively on my VT, AT and CT hikes from 1996 to 2008. first use was just after Mt Mansfield going north on the Long Trail in Vermont. After that I used them on almost all of the AT until I finished it in 2008.

Update 2/24/21 - I have over 500 miles on these poles now including a thru hike of the John Muir Trail using a trekking pole supported tent. Zero complaints about the Speed Lock +. Updating review to 5 stars and leaving the original review below for context.Short review:I highly recommend these poles, Leki is a great company, and they do come as a pair.Why I’m buying new poles:I love Leki poles. My old set has over 3,000 miles on them, and I'm only replacing them because I neglected to take good care of them on an Appalachian Trail thru hike. I accidentally let them rust in place. I eventually got them apart, but they no longer collapse easily despite many cleanings. Had I cleaned them periodically, I wouldn't even be replacing them.Leki as a brand:Leki replaced two sections I bent for free on my old poles. One of which they had to coordinate with me while I was on the AT. They found where I was on the map and asked me which town I wanted to go into next and when. They promptly overnighted them and got me going again. They've also replaced all of the locking nuts and a level lock on my old poles. They are also incredibly helpful every time I call or email to get support or product recommendations. I trust they will stand behind their products.Review of Speed Lock +:Speed Lock + just feels cheap compared to Speed Lock 2. The locking nut is no longer removable, and the system is now one solid piece. The exterior locking clasp the lever lock snaps into is no longer made of metal and is instead plastic. The center bolt seems cheaper and doesn’t fit as snuggly. It rattles when the clasp is open, but feels solid when closed. I called Leki and they confirmed Speed Lock + is the newest system and still has the same coverage of the old locking systems. I asked how they fix them if the pieces are no longer removable. The rep confirmed the lever lock is all one piece that is glued on but it can be heated, removed, and replaced with a new one. These poles were so inexpensive, and Leki’s warranty has been so great to me I decided it was worth it. I’ve hiked about 50 miles with these poles and they feel just as solid as the previous set I had with Speed Lock 2. Time will tell if they hold up as well, but I don’t regret buying these. The uncertainty here is the only reason I took off one star.These poles specifically:My set weigh 494g which is only 4g more than Leki quotes. That’s within a margin of error in the manufacturing process or my scale. The Aergon CorTec grip is comfortable in the hand both when using the straps and when holding from the top. Speed Lock system is easy to quickly adjust on the fly and stays firmly in place. Hand loops have an easy, intuitive adjustment system. Aluminum is solid and easily takes my whole weight. I love these poles.Pros:* Leki limited lifetime warranty* Aergon CorTec grip* Relatively lightweight for Aluminum polesCons:* Locking nuts is no longer removable* Locking nuts are harder to turn with gloves* They weigh 20g more than my old poles

These trekking poles are durable and very stable and most of all made in Germany and NOT China. Every penny I spent on them is worth it. They are light weight and keep me balanced and I walk with them easily.

Love these and so does my son. These have held up so well and my toddler likes to have one for balance too. It always closes securely. I’ve even used them for skiing and snowshoeing.

They seem well made, I’ve only had a chance to use them once and was not comfortable with them. I honestly don’t believe it’s the poles themselves but me, will try again I do want to get an arm movement in my walks

It's a tool that does its job well. I have several other pole brands with similar locking, handle and pole material. They ALL perform the job they were built for. The LEKI I've used for approximately 40 miles of mountain terrain hiking in SE Tennessee. It took me a minute to figure out how to adjust the wrist straps with the pop up lock piece. Overall, with it's combination of material choices for strap, hand grip, locks and pole, it just feels better in hand. Well, either that or my brain is rationalizing for spending 2 to 3 times as much as usual for poles. :) Really though, great poles and are the ones I carry around in my truck while the others are backups for me and for family/friends.

These were critical in my nearly 3,000 ft ascent up Guadalupe Peak. Super light, comfortable, and adjustable in all regards. Most importantly the clamps are strong enough to prevent sliding when weight was applied during descent. The tip survived being smashed and bashed on all surfaces. Highly recommended.