Zpacks Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Check out Zpacks newest ultralight backpacking gear offering! The carbon fiber trekking pole. I'll be testing these out and comparing them to my black diamond z poles. Made of 100% carbon fiber shaft with extended foam grips and it has clasp locks that can be hand tightened. Comes with a rubber tip and snow basket. I've wanted to try some quick lock type of poles for a while because while I do like my z poles I didn't like not being able to adjust the height of my tarp when going to porch mode or setting up on the ground. Another area I'll be looking at when I test these is whether or not the pole will start to warp or bend like my z poles have over time.
Specifications:
Weight: 7.0 ounces (198 grams) per pole including wrist strap and basket.
Maximum Length to 'stop' line: 54" (137 cm)
Maximum Length for pitching tents: 56" (142 cm)
Collapsed Length: 24.5" (62 cm)
Some of my gear:
Backpacking Sleeping pad: amzn.to/2uLaqKy
Bear canister: amzn.to/2uKVkox
Backpacking stove: amzn.to/2eYD5X1
GPS: amzn.to/2uKynBy
Headlamp: amzn.to/2vVQ144
Instagram: @timwatsonoutdoors
Twitter: @timwoutdoors
Facebook: timwatsonoutdoors
Email: [e-mail]
I am a Mountain House Ambassador (#MHAMBSDR)
Video description may contain affiliate links. These help to support the channel.
My audience's trust is one of the things I value the most in my channel. I don't recommend products I don't fully believe in. I always reserve the right in all my content to say whatever I think or feel about products, sponsors, brands, companies, entities or manufacturers.

[@dr.dolittle6363]

Those poles are identical to my CascadeMountain poles, except for color and price! Everything is a twin version but mine cost $49.00 for the pair! Been using them for about a year with no problems what so ever! Higher price does not mean better products. Sorry Tim first time our opinions are different. The straps are also the same and once set have never slipped.

[@FrozensAdventures]

Yup same exact thing.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

+Irwin C no worries. Just an overview I have no opinion as yet. Before this video released I actually reached out to cascade mountain to send a pair of their poles to compare. At first glance they do look very similar.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

+Outdoor Adventures for sure? Was wondering if anyone had compared them as yet.

[@FrozensAdventures]

I think a couple did on reddit.com/r/ultralight but yes same exact thing as people are pointing out.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

:( Reading that thread now.

[@CatherineGregoryAdventures]

Thanks for the peek! I'm interested to hear what you think after you've field tested them . I've thought about upgrading mine.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

So far so good but check out the pinned comment. Apparently there's a very similar cheaper alternative. I want to get my hands on that to try out as well.

[@CatherineGregoryAdventures]

Hmmmm...less expensive is good. lol Sounds like they might be made well too from what I'm reading.

[@jakegreen326]

What kind of hammock you have on the back?

[@RESTLESSOUTDOORS]

Cool Tim! These are set up like exactly like my Leki Corklites! Not a big fan of the stand alone carbon poles from Zpacks to set up my Duplex but these seem to be way more rigid! Thanks for sharing!

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

I'm actually bummed right now. See the pinned comment. These might be rebranded poles. Hoping zpacks responds like they did last time.

[@PREPFORIT]

Always good info/reviews Tim ✔️ I might try trekking poles soon.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Thanks, I think trekking poles are worth it in most areas. If I knew it was going to be completely flat I wouldn't bring it but overall well worth it.

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Cool! It's always nice to see new gear. Can't wait for the review!

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

That's what I thought. See my pinned comment if you're thinking of these though.

[@RoughingItWithRuth]

Thanks for the heads up!

[@ShinyKnife]

I have the same kind lol.. Nah I'm not much on hiking.. but I do like to ride my Mountain Bike.. Great Review

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

thanks!

[@CarolinaChrisOutdoors]

Looks like they'll do just fine to me..... I guess you'll find out soon!!!!

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

They did do well! Just got back Sunday.

[@nickrodriguez6013]

push that plug in as far as it will go. It will stay put on its own no issue.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Yup, I've had no issues with it so far.

[@Datsyzerberg]

Those look like the mountain cascade poles degraded. Should be the same, even weights match. I have the same exact ones but cork handle. 34.95 on ebay.

[@Datsyzerberg]

Degraded=rebranded

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

+Datsyzerberg they do look like that but I haven't done a side by side comparison to know for sure.

[@Datsyzerberg]

Tim Watson I'm in Dublin if you want to see, but aside from color they're identical. Color pretty sweet though, mine are straight black

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

+Datsyzerberg lol. The color alone wouldn't justify the extra cost. I might just pick up a pair. Dublin would be a haul for me.

[@arcana1973]

I want free stuff!

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Nothing is free. :)

[@OUTDOORS55]

I have a love hate relationship with poles. I really like having use of my hands for pictures/video but poles make it difficult. Plus they are not great when the trail is super rocky. But, I have bad knees from years of doing flooring so is nice to have them on the down hill😉 I'd like to see how these hold up in the long run. Thanks for the review 😀

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Yea, just got back from WV and noticed I actually didn't use them a whole lot because there were quite a few flat sections. In the up and down though it did what it was supposed to.

[@TACHILL]

i have an outdoor products one that has a built in selfie attachment that not only allows the use of phone but has a camera mount. it comes as a single but works really well. same type locking system as this one

[@TubaSolotheHiker]

The only concern I would have with a all carbon pole is the abrasion on the last section of the pole. In So Cal we've got lots of rocks and you inevitably will hit the bottom section of your poles on rocks. I would much rather choose, or wish that Zpacks sold, a carbon shaft with an aluminum end section. That way you get the best of both worlds. The lightweight aspects of the carbon with the abrasion resistance of aluminum on the section of the pole that can see the most amount of wear. Still an awesome set of poles none-the-less.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Now that's a good idea. I don't have that particular problem out East but could see why you've thought of that.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

Good first look. I'll be interested to see how you like those poles while hiking. Great video!

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Thanks Evan. Apparently these might just be rebranded cascade mountain poles. We'll see if zpacks responds to the thread of comments I pinned. I'll be using them for sure though.

[@EvansBackpackingVideos]

I didn't notice the pinned comment thread but I've read through it now . . . very interesting.

[@uptrail7169]

Wow!! Zpacks is now sending you stuff to review! Cool....! We don't use trekking poles yet. Actually we did use trekking poles until I got my pack weight down and when I started making videos carrying the camera. Very good review! The Dolly Sods video will be great... I will keep you posted on our October plans, but so far it don't look good with my wife's mother. The cancer has spread a lot.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Sorry to hear that Bob. Cancer is awful. Keep me posted!

[@live4wild968]

Trekking pole are a must for me with my knee issue

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

They're definitely good for taking some of that pressure off.

[@SalineScott]

I like the way you can adjust the quick lock system. I have to use an Alan wrench to adjust mine. I find myself choking up on the poles a lot of times too, so I like the way the foam comes down further.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Thanks Scott, yes I use the extended part alot myself.

[@BluecollarBackcountry]

Wow, that's about half of what I paid for my Leki Carbonite poles. The grips even resemble my Leki's except for the retention of the strap. That looks a little sketchy. It will be interesting to see how that works out.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

That's what I thought as well. Still not a fan of the strap configuration. See the pinned comment though. These are looking like rebranded cascade mountain tech poles.

[@dr.dolittle6363]

Once I figured them out and made my adjustments they've not slipped for almost a year and I can't tell you how comfortable they are! Except I found the straps on eBay and ordered 3 pair just in case of mice damage and did put a set on my cheap everyday poles!

[@tundra1770]

Anyone else out there think high tech walking sticks are a waste of money and resources? I still have both my walking sticks that are 36 years old and were custom made to my requirements and specifications. I should mention that they are 100 percent biodegradable and did not require mineral or petrochemical extraction or use any source of energy accept solar to produce. Yes folks, they are, you guessed it, sticks. Free sticks! The added bonus is they naturally reproduce in approx. 2 years.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

Ha! I like your attitude! I prefer the poles to the walking sticks for a couple of reasons but mostly because of the ease of height adjustability for porch mode or other tarp pitches and the weight for when I want to put my poles up.

[@houseboatrob4238]

I never used poles, I bet their good for going up hill on trails. Good review tim

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

More of an overview this time. Still have to use it a bunch. Thanks Rob.

[@MrDanAng1]

Poles are ok on flat ground, good when going uphill, but where they are REALLY good is when you go downhill. They improve balance, taking some of the load from the knees and leave you with frescher legs at the end of the day. Plus, if you use tarp or tents with walking pole set up, you don't have to carry any kind of poles on your back.

[@mrdonelsonglhs]

Love the extended foam for choking. But I'm still happy with my Wal-Mart specials. Cost $25 for two, and the clamping system and wrist band are very similar. I usually don't go farther than 10-11 miles at a time, so I can get away with the cheaper models!! But for me, poles are a must on almost every hike and backpacking trip.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

I agree the poles I bring every time!

[@trailsnail2892]

I'll parrot, what has been said. Except for small differences in the appearance of the locking mechanism they match my Cascade Mountain Tech poles. My guess same factory different label.

[@trailsnail2892]

The Cascade Mountain Tech poles are made in China, where are the Zpack poles made? If made here(USA) that would account for the price difference, and be worth the cost.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

That would make sense but their site says it's imported.

[@MikeComedies]

Tim looks like the cop on Super Troopers.. its amazing haha. Awesome review btw and thank you :)

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

+MikeComedies lol. If had a dollar for everytime someone said that.😂

[@layrathompson2869]

Tim- been following your videos- thank you once again for the inspiration! I purchased some of your recommendations, then saw your link to your amazon store.. I think you should put that link in all your videos! I am now watching Subaru Josh's videos ( thank goodness for the nicknames!) - fun to see the same hikes from another perspective. I am practicing with day hikes ( and getting in shape) waiting for weather to warm up here in Michigan.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

I started doing just that in my most recent videos! Yea, I love watching his videos because he does a nice job capturing the hike too. Thanks for being a viewer (and commenter!). Those day hikes are the best way to start! I still love them and the kids and wife too.

[@TACHILL]

i like the extra gripping surface and the lock system. they are a nice set.

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

I do as well.

[@joshuamahabir3441]

Liking the new hammock and B-Roll in the vid

[@TimWatsonOutdoors]

I knew you'd notice that! :) Trying to do it more when I can. It makes alot of sense, especially in product review videos. I just have to remember to do it.