My girlfriend has had these poles for over 2 years and so far they have held up great. The poles are made by Komperdell, one of the biggest pole makers, so I expect the quality to be very good. The carbide tips don't grip as well on wet rock as my Leki poles but they are holding up better than my tips. Overall a great pole.

Customer Service

I'm not sure what happened to the guy below, but I've had/heard nothing but positive experiences with REI's customer service. They are VERY good about taking things back, where do you think they get all the stuff for the garage sales they have every few months? I suggest you talk to a customer service rep at a store (Framingham has served me well). I bet they will send you a new set of poles. REI's customer service is top notch (execpt maybe the phone reps).

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Leki

I have VERY mixed feelings about these poles. Actually, I’ve really got no reservations on the poles themselves, rather the company that claims them; REI. I used these poles on a northbound thruhike of the Appalachian Trail. Just before Cornwall Bridge, CT, the welded seam of one section came apart, clearly a manufacturing defect. The pole had no previous defects, no signs of wear (other than the tips), relatively few scratches… The result was that the section’s diameter increased enough to shed the device that keeps the pole together, the pole separated, and I nearly lost myself going down a steep downhill. That was a defect that could have cost me my life. I could have had a nasty fall and have bumped my head on a really hard rock. As it was, a tree was the only thing keeping me from falling over.

However, this happens to poles more frequently than you might think. Leki sends out hundreds of replacement poles and sections every year to thruhikers. So this is why I have little to no reservation about the quality of the pole itself. I feel that it is fairly equivalent to many poles on the market regarding similar features and design. My problem with these poles was REI. I phoned REI, letting them know of my predicament. The customer service representative was totally un-receptive. He refused mail a replacement to me. Why? I still have no idea. He refused to let me speak to a supervisor, refused any help whatsoever, and told me that if I wanted new poles, I would have to hitch to the nearest REI (which was 200 miles), have them inspected, and pay for replacements. Let me intervene here to say that Leki ALWAYS took care of their customers. “Oh, you have a broken section? Where’s your next maildrop, we’ll second day air it there at no charge to you.” 90% of the time they were also very apologetic to the customer, noticing the sudden ‘crutch’ that the hiker would be going through. So when I called up REI, and they refused to help me in anyway, shape, or form; I lost my temper. To clear up the idea that this was a customer-service person having a ‘bad day,’ I know of several hikers who had similar problems with REI, usually a “I’m sorry but whatever your problem is, it isn’t covered under Lifetime Waranty.” To wrap things up, the pole itself is a very fine pole. But if you should ever have problems with it, don’t expect any backing from the people who put their name on it and sell it. Totally unacceptable.

Customer Service

I think you have the idea by now. Their customer service isn't even worth the toll-free phone number. Totally unnaceptable. It is the WORST customer service that I have EVER dealt with. And I have dealt with almost all of them.

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Leki Ti, Leki Super Makalu, MSR Overland. I like the Super Makalu the best, nice angled grip. All of the workmanship in these poles are appriximately equivalent, it's what happens when they break tht counts.

My first 'non-ski' pole. The purchase decision was based primarily on its feather weight. The ergo grips and wrist straps are perfectly designed for either hand. The length adjustment is simple, and it's sturdy enough for bushwacking.

Look forward to trying a pair with baskets while snowshoeing.

Customer Service

None better.

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Assorted shortened x-c poles (ouch).

Good, basic pole. I did have one of the replaceable tips break off (it's designed this way) on an extended trip which severely reduces it's hold on rocky terrain (60 miles after purchase). (REI ordered them for me and waived the shipping). The tips could be a bit stronger. Although it is easily replaced, it's nearly impossible to do in the wild. I've also used it for backcountry skiing at Tuckerman's and although a bit springy for a ski pole, it works well. For the money, it can't be beat.

Customer Service

Excellent, courteous, and knowledgeable

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Wood Hiking staff
Deadwood

This pole is made by Komperdell in Austria. It has been through many rocky trail miles helping to break my falls and reduce leg/knee impacts associated with backpacking. No problems other than a slight kink in one of the poles. A good inexpensive no-frills pole.

Customer Service

Rei stands behind every product sold.

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None