LEKI Super Makalu

Review Date
February 6, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Mel (Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $124.00 at The Backpackers Shop

Summary:
I bought the poles at the begining of this year so I could day hike on snow and ice covered trails. Not being light in weight I thought that the poles might not stand up. Boy was I wrong. They have saved me from falls numerous times and their strength is unbelievable for something so light in weight. I balked about the cost but feel in the end it was well worth it. I almost hate to see winter end. Then I'll have to put these away and break out my wanderfreund again.

Customer Service:
have not had to use them yet. but have heard bad things from other hikers

Similar Products Used:
Leki wanderfreund

Review Date
January 15, 2003

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Rick (Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $129.00 at outdoor store in Far

Summary:
Bought these while doing a 600-mile hike on Appalachian Trail in New England. They were replacements for another Leki pole (the Ultralite Ti Trigger PA Trekking Poles) which were not holding up to the beating of the trail. This pole was very strong and rugged, and the positive angle grip and the spring anti-shock features were very valuable. These poles saved my butt many times. I could not have gone as far as I did without them. Saw lots of them on the trail, and for good reason. Not cheap, but worth it. They will last.

Customer Service:
Superb. I fell on the pole in the White Mountains and bent one of the sections. The section was replaced without question by the AMC store at Pinkham Notch, which is a Leki dealer.

Similar Products Used:
Another Leki pole which I didn't like as much.

Review Date
October 5, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Visitors rate this review
1.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Burny(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker

Price Paid:  $100.00 at Mountain Gear

Summary:
Love the poles. They do cost a lot of money, but I've seen people bend inferior poles, and then have to spend 50 bucks on a new pair. These are light and feel great. Trust me, if you don't have poles they should be your next 'investment'. They're an investment because they save your knees.

Customer Service:
Not used.

Similar Products Used:
MEC Poles, Komperdal

Review Date
August 2, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Cdominic(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from San Diego, California

Price Paid:  $50.00 at www.barrabes.com

Summary:
A bit hard to adjust ... just put the end on the ground and push everything together. Then tighten both sections. When you want to extend, loosen just enough to pull longer; you should feel some tension or you may have loosened too much. Otherwise, fine poles. A little long, and weighty. I'm not sure the anti-shock is all that important either. I use these for rigourous climbs in local mountains, canyoneering in Utah, etc.

Customer Service:
When I first bought the poles, I broke one trying to adjust it (the screw thread). Took it in to A16. They mailed it to Leki for me. Three weeks later, pole came back fixed but missing basket.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
May 30, 2001

Overall Rating
 5 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Hiker Boy(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Richmond,BC,Canada

Price Paid:  $122.00 at Coast Mountain Sports

Summary:
They don't fold up as small as some other brands, however, they are superior in many other ways. The baskets come off and on easily by screwing them on and off. Also, the suspension feels more supportive and has a 3 way adjustment. They weigh less and the segments lock tighter than other brands too. The anodized aluminum segments slide easily. I thought that the cork handles would be a weakness, however the cork is as compact/dense as any rubber handles. The flexible and shorter tips may keep them from being snapped off under stress which was a concern on other poles when placing the tips into tight spots.

Similar Products Used:
REI Haute Route (by Komperdell)
Komperdell Elox Anti-shock