Review of Zpacks Trekking Poles (compared to Gossamer Gear LT5s)

[@seanmcgraw6371]

Bungzy's series has stood the test of time and weathered the great backpacking explosion of the late 2010s

[@mtadams2009]

I have the Zpacks poles and they work just fine. I have never even noticed any noise at all. My main concern is durability and they have handled two Long Trail hikes and many more extended four day trips and lots of day hikes. For the price they are the winner for me, 200 bucks is a bit steep and I have already broken expensive poles in the past. Carbon is not the greatest material when it comes to durability anyway. Many of my friends with carbon mountain bikes have cracked their frames. Zpacks also makes a lighter version. I have stayed away from them because I am concerned about durability and I really need my poles. Thanks for taking the time to make this video and share your experience. Take care

[@d.memory8161]

I had the same "twanging sound" experience with the Zpack poles which is what brought me here while researching the LT5s. I am happy to hear that I'm not the only who was driven nuts by the sound! Thanks for the thorough review.

[@jaymenna]

I snapped a Z-Packs Pole on the first trip i ever took it on. Doing Doing Buzz Snap.

[@FarrYaweh]

Thanks for the comparison. I've been using LT5's for a little over a year now and have found them to exceed the overall performance of anything else available on the market. They are plenty long enough to setup my splitwing tent, and hold their length reliably throughout all my trips. Even on some pretty punishing terrain with a lot of rain and sand. Just a mindful wipe before manipulating the twist lock has kept them tiptop. I personally forego the straps on poles altogether just based on preference and the terrain I'm often on doesn't lend itself well to binding ones wrist to the poles motion. I was considering suggesting the Zpacks to a friend who loves my LT5's but doesn't love the price, but after seeing that flex that's rather pointless considering there's no comparison. I believe that's probably the result of the Zpacks being a ply-style laminate carbon fibre weave whereas the LT5's look, feel and perform like they are forged carbon fibre tubes. A much different material overall. I had an LT5 slip off my pack and it spent 5 months in the rain, moss, sand and was picked up and carried some distance by a sharp toothed animal. We were lucky enough to just recover it by chance, and the cork held up really well. It functions almost the same gripwise, and there's no difference in the smoothness on the twistlocks.

[@TanukiParis]

Look at the Fizan compact 3, same set up like the Gossamer ones, aluminium, 158 grammes

[@KuntryRD]

My really old GG LT4 poles are still going strong. 10 years of heavy use. I want a new pair of LT5's, but I can't wear the LT4's out!

[@baskets8429]

nice review! i enjoyed the gossamer carbon poles but have yet to try the Zpacks poles( i might try them out ) Gossamer worked decent on local trails with moderate hills around illinois, but i was just afraid to use them on a thru hike as many people end up braking them on a tricky section of trail so ended up using aluminum Black diamond. looking forward to more videos

[@chrisjuarez72]

Great information, just seeing the bend on the Z-Pack polls change my mind. As a two times thru-hiker, I rely on my poles so much. They have become a second set of legs for me, and you're right, the straps with the liner is terrible, as I've been using Black Diamond court polls for 5000 plus miles. Time to upgrade thank you, I'm going with the other set of poles you were demonstrating✌ OneGear.

[@2323buster]

I own a pair of the GG poles. I’ve never had then slip in over 2 years of use. They are very stiff and sturdy. Best poles I’ve ever used. They are super expensive tho!

[@jeffrubin8570]

Bungsy, where have you gone? Miss your posts.

[@Josephhikes]

Always enjoy your videos. I have 4 set of trekking poles 3 carbon and my Leki aluminum poles , I always use my Leki poles except the times when I test the others . The Leki’s (for me) are by far superior . I never think of or notice their weight on the trail .

[@jimmac1953]

Comparing apples to oranges in a way. Zpacks now has very similar to Gossamer's that weigh 5.1 oz vs4.9 ox per pole but at have the price.

[@backkat9475]

Wow. Seeing how smooth your GG slides, I need to seriously clean mine! Lol. I do have a set of Ruta Locura poles. Not really sturdy, but crazy light. Ok if you are only using them for balance. I do like the clasp style and choose BD Alpine for very stressful situations.

[@wio2189]

The trekking poles are an area I really don't care about the weight too much. I love my BD Alpine Cork that are aluminum mostly. Sure, the added weight increases my caloric requirements a little but I also don't mind giving my arms a better workout... I hiked the AT with a girl who took her old aluminum skiing poles and successfully thru hiked with them. Thanks for the video, it's good to know which one to upgrade to if I ever feel the need for it. The Cnoc also look interesting.

[@OldPackMule]

At $60 and 14.6 oz I'll take the Foxelli which are super durable, cork, not noisy and use flick-locks.

[@KrizAkoni]

I’ve been looking at transitioning to carbon poles…timely vid.

[@jpriddle]

Great review. Once my Drop + Fizan (RIP) poles wear out, I’ll be dropping the coin for the LT5s. Another option for fans of long, flicklock poles are from CNOC. Bonus points that they’re made in the US and field repairable.

[@barondavis5692]

That’s a comparison I’d like to see; cnoc vs GG.

[@jandal8905]

Good review thanks - personally, I much prefer Pacer Poles over these ski-style poles.

[@mandrewdavis1668]

Do your Zpacks poles have the issue of the straps not having left and right straps (same orientation on both sides)? I've been using the Cascade Mountain Tech 2 section poles for a while and for $65 and 5.7oz each they can't be beat but they share the aforementioned strap issue along with the annoying noise. I tripped and broke a top section in the Whites and was able to order a new section for $18 off the website which was kind of nice. If I do another thru, it seems that the 7oz Cnoc EVA poles are the way to go. Tall enough for the Altaplex and Double Rainbow Li, flip locks, sturdier, replacement parts available and actual left and right straps.

[@lieutenantlucky5604]

Just a heads up… thoroughly inspect anything you purchase from GG. I recently purchased a Mariposa, The Two tent, and LT5 trekking poles. The trekking poles were defective, scratched and making clicking noises. The Two tent had poor stitching on the mesh and bathtub and also had a manufacturing defect on the nylon (it looks like a giant stain) I’m extremely disappointed in the quality of these products. Customer service asked for photos and videos which I obliged… they barely apologized for the inconvenience (only after I explained how disappointed I am in the quality) and they used a cheaper shipping method to ship the replacement. The package should have been here 4 days ago and GG customer service refuses to contact usps to find out what’s happening. I have an upcoming multi-day hike next week and GG has done nothing to fix this problem. I have been extremely stressed just trying to get what I ordered. I don’t want their products anymore, I just want a full refund for everything.

[@MegaElla44]

helpful thank you

[@Bungzy]

Glad it helped

[@vincentrowold1104]

What about the monoprice two piece carbon poles?

[@syindrome]

CMT poles for the win

[@MrUltimateGamer]

You have to tell your son to post more videos

[@MrUltimateGamer]

Micah told me that he didn’t really know what to do for a vid so please make a recommendation! His fans are waiting

[@MrUltimateGamer]

It’s Ayden btw

[@susietopspin]

Omg the “dong” sound. Totally agree 🤣. I got my Zpacks poles when they had 2 for 1 though and you can’t beat that it cost $60 instead of $200. Happy trails.🤘🏻🥾⛰️