REI Traverse

Review Date
November 17, 2003

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: RaCer(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker

Price Paid:  $75.00 at REI.com

Summary:
Nice product, quite light, tungsten tips have an excellent grip even on rocks, comfortable soft rubber grips and terry cloth straps.

pherhaps a little too large to fit in a small backpack for short trekkings, also, the antishock just won't remain locked (or unlocked) it keeps switching from closed to open and viceversa all the time, however I doesn't really make such a big difference.

Trekking poles really make a world of difference, mostly for your knees, either uphil or downhill, and the REI's Traverse are a good choice for everyone who's not too worried about weight

They'd get 5 stars if only I could keep the antishock locked

Customer Service:
Excellent!, people at REI answered all my questions a couple of hours after sending. my poles arrived home the next day after placing my oder(in Mexico!)

Similar Products Used:
a friend's black diamond

Review Date
June 13, 2002

Overall Rating
 1 of 5

Value Rating
 1 of 5

Visitors rate this review
5.00 of 5, 1 votes

Reviewed by: Ryan (Unregistered User) ,  Mountaineer

Price Paid:  $60.00 at REI (duh)

Summary:
I suffered through a long year using these as approach poles mostly over snow fields, scree and other slick terrain to assist in recovering from a slip, which can be difficult with a large 50lb pack on.

Bad: My poles collapsed when suddenly weighted. the mid section became lodged inside the upper section on one pole as I was leaving for a 2 day climb. Sometimes when they collapsed on me, I really had to work hard to get them back out.

I can say these were the only piece of gear that I ever hated. I now use regular old ski poles unless I have to cary them up a technical climb for some reason.

Good: REI took them back no problem.

Customer Service:
Pretty good, REI tried to service them a couple of times, but ended up taking them back eventually.

Similar Products Used:
Regular Ski Poles, BD Ascent Flick Lock

Review Date
June 1, 2002

Overall Rating
 3 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Matthew E(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Oconomwoc, WI

Price Paid:  $52.00 at REI

Summary:
Chose these poles based on REI's availability, price (on sale) and antishock. Using poles is great -- you are much more stable, confident of your footing -- and a faster hiker. I'm a pretty big guy (200#) and the terrain around here is really hilly, so the poles got a real beating.

Good points:
1) Nice grips, very comfortable.
2) Straps are very comfortable.
3) Carbide tips hold on anything.
4) The length adjustments never slipped.
Weak points:
1) Noise! My poles rattled, which really bugged me.
2) It seemed easy to overtighten the length adjustment -- was a bit afraid of breaking something.
3) After heavy use, it became hard to adjust the wrist straps.

I ended up returning them to REI because of the noise -- hiking should be quiet...

Customer Service:
REI was great -- they seemed interested in how to improve the poles, and had no issue with getting a refund. This has been my general experience with REI -- they are great.

Similar Products Used:
Wooden sticks :)

Review Date
November 3, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: tempe8(Unregistered User) ,  Backpacker , from Tempe, Az, US

Price Paid:  $60.00 at REI

Summary:
I bought these during one of REI's Spring sales right before I was going to the Grand Canyon. Probably one of the best purchases I've made for hiking! After taking them on 3 trips of the Grand Canyon with full packs I'll never go back to not using poles during big hikes. They save your knees on the downhills and help you power through the uphills! I honestly don't get much benefit out of the shock absorber, but I do turn it on during the down hills. Everything else works great, they've never once come loose on me and the grip of the carbide tip is amazing even when angled slightly on slippery rocks. My only complaint would be the adjustable hand straps, mine are not easy to adjust but luckily they're stuck in the position that I use. By the way, I do recommend using the hand straps as you can just "rest" your body weight into them rather than have your forearms "pump" up from gripping too long. I would have given them a 5 but I've never used other poles.

Customer Service:
Have not needed yet.

Similar Products Used:
None

Review Date
June 26, 2001

Overall Rating
 4 of 5

Value Rating
 4 of 5

Reviewed by: Lord Opie(Unregistered User) ,  Day Hiker , from Tampa, FL

Price Paid:  $75.00 at REI -- Engelwood

Summary:
I bought these a week ago and have used them on a small hike and then to do Grays Peak. I've used no other poles, so i can't compare, but i have read reviews...

Adjustable: annoying until you realize that the poles have to be collapsed and nearly tightened before you expand them. Otherwise they simply won't lock in.

Strength: Seem really strong, i've had no concerns about being rough on them.

Stability: They've saved me from falling/tripping several times, the poles wobble a little, but they do their job really well.

Noise: This is the only area i'm disappointed in. They are too loud for me.

Grips: I can't imagine using REI's Summit which do NOT have the foam grip. Ugh! I like the foam; however, the ridges in the palm do tend to rub after hours of use -- but, it is a trade-off afterall for a better grip when hands are slippery.

Straps: Nice and wide, don't bother me at all. I'm not a skier so i don't use the skier's grip, where you shorten the strap and use the fleshy part of you outter palm and gravity instead of actually gripping the pole. IF I did, i might be disappointed as i couldn't get the strap to function that way -- seems too wide to shorten/tighten it enough.

Shock Absorbers: Nice feature, but honestly, i didn't really notice a difference. Maybe over time i would.

Overall: Very pleased.

COMPARISON with & without: Week before, i climbed Flattop Mountain -- 9 mi, 3000' -- which is a similar climb as Grays Peak. My knees hurt during the descent and for days later WITHOUT poles. WITH poles, my knees hurt NOT at all =)

Customer Service:
always happy with REI's service (at the stores) -- don't know about online. I know, even after using (beating) them, they'd take them back, but i'm happy with the poles.

Similar Products Used:
none