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Leki Ultratrail FX.One Trekking Pole Review

Langdon Ernest-Beck (gear tester)
Eli Bernstein bio photo
May 14, 2025
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Our Take:
4.1/5
The Leki Ultratrail FX.One ($220) is the Porsche of trekking poles—precision-built for fast-and-light mountain travel. It’s ultralight, folds down small, and delivers best-in-class control and power transfer thanks to its glove-style strap and extended cork grip. (And yes, it’s a Porsche, not a Ferrari—Leki’s German, after all.) The minimalist feature set, non-adjustable design, and steep price tag won’t be for everyone, but for trail runners and alpine athletes chasing efficiency and performance, this pole is in a class of its own.
Comfort

Comfort

4/5
Durability

Durability

2/5
Weight

Weight

4.5/5
Packed Size

Packed Size

5/5
Features

Features

2.5/5
Sustainability

Sustainability

1.6/5

Weight

12.8 oz.

Type

Folding

Shaft Material

Carbon

Grip Material

Cork

Max/min Length

47.2 in.

Collapsed Length

15 in.

Pros

Lightweight and extremely streamlined packed size.
Durable enough to endure falls and other abuse.
Glove-like “Trail Shark” system offers great power transfer.

Cons

Grip material cracks and degrades easily.
Expensive and not Leki’s lightest option.
Trail Shark attachment system is onerous if you don’t want to wear the gloves all day or consistently use your hands on rocks.

For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Trekking Poles.

The Leki Ultratrail FX.One is easily one of the most comfortable trekking poles I’ve used—especially when I’m grinding uphill or navigating steep, off-camber terrain. The glove-style wrist strap (dubbed “Trail Shark”) wraps snugly around my palm and connects me to the pole in a way that traditional straps just can’t match. It felt like an extension of my arm, offering noticeably better control and power transfer, especially while sidehilling or on long climbs.


That said, it’s not the perfect setup for every situation. On more technical routes with third- or fourth-class moves, I found it a hassle to stash the poles quickly—the strap system requires me to unclip each one before I can transfer them to one hand. The grip is also narrower than most, which may not be ideal for everyone’s hand size. Still, the cork handles wick sweat well and the extended grip is fantastic for changing hand positions. When I’m anticipating a fast-moving day and want performance and comfort dialed in, this is the pole I grab first.

Carbon poles will never be the most bombproof option, and the Leki Ultratrail FX.One is no exception. That said, I put these trekking poles through a master class during an expedition in the Waddington Range, hauling loads over 100 pounds. The shafts held up impressively well through repeated falls—including plenty with the tips wedged into rocks or snow. But durability issues cropped up elsewhere: after just a couple of weeks of consistent use, the grip material began to split and peel away from the pole body—disappointing on such a premium product.


Further down, the carbide tips are tough but slipped more than I’d like on rock, especially in steep or technical terrain. And while the shaft seems tougher than the poles’ sub-12-ounce weight suggests, the overall construction feels a little too fragile for extended, rugged use. For shorter missions or fast-and-light outings, they’ll shine—but for high-mileage, gear-abusive treks, I’d want a burlier backup.

At just 12.8 ounces for the 120-centimeter size, the Leki Ultratrail FX.One hits a near-perfect balance of weight and features. They felt light in my hands and even lighter stashed in my pack—plenty nimble for trail running and quick alpine missions. While they’re not the absolute lightest trekking poles we tested (the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z comes in at 9.9 oz. and the Gossamer Gear LT5 at 9.8 oz.), those models are more bare-bones in both comfort and features. The Ultratrail’s premium cork grip, extended handle, and glove-style strap system give it a clear edge in real-world usability.

With its three-section folding design, the Leki Ultratrail FX.One is among the most compact trekking poles we tested. The 120-centimeter version folds down to just 14 inches—shorter than the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z (15.7 in.) and far more packable than any telescoping pole. I had no trouble stashing it in the side pocket of a daypack, on the back of a running vest, or even inside a carry-on bag for flights. Compared to traditional telescoping poles—and even many hybrid folding/telescoping models like the MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon—the Ultratrail FX.One is in a league of its own for packability, making it an excellent choice for fast movers, travel, or anyone short on space.

The Leki Ultratrail FX.One is stripped down in the name of speed, and its feature set reflects that ultralight, performance-first mindset. It uses a three-piece folding design with a push-button lock: once you snap the sections together, a secure “click” lets you know the internal tension cord has locked everything into place. It’s quick and intuitive after a few uses, and far faster to deploy than many twist-lock or screw-style designs.


The pole’s glove-style strap is its most standout feature—comfortable, performance-enhancing, and removable—but it’s not for everyone. Because the strap fastens your hand firmly to the grip, taking both trekking poles in one hand to check GPS, snack, or scramble involves unclicking first, which takes a little extra time. Beyond that, features are limited: no interchangeable tips or additional baskets (just a small trail running set) and no tip covers or built-in adjustability. For fast, light alpine travel or long trail runs, the FX.One is hard to beat—but for general-purpose backpacking or four-season use, you’ll want a more versatile model.

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Longevity

Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.

The Leki Ultratrail FX.One is a fixed-length pole, which means it doesn’t offer any on-the-fly adjustability—a tradeoff that helps keep weight down but limits versatility. It comes in seven sizes ranging from 105 to 135 centimeters, so you’ll want to be confident in your sizing before purchasing. This setup isn’t ideal for pitching trekking pole shelters or sharing between hiking partners, but if you know your size and stick to consistent terrain, the tailored fit helps maximize performance and power transfer.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z ($220): Lighter Weight
With an identical tri-folding design and lighter overall weight than the Leki’s, Black Diamond has dialed in a stellar and long-lived mountain running pole with its Distance Carbon Z. The Distance weighs a scant 9.9 ounces for the 120-centimeter option, which is almost three ounces less than the Ultratrail. Furthermore, it’s a burly pole that’s held up to everything we’ve thrown at, from mountain running to mountaineering. The newest generation of these trekking poles also features screw-in tips (and includes both carbide and rubber options), which are easy to replace as the miles add up and the carbide wears down. Sure, the BD lacks the Leki’s fancy Trail Shark grip system, but for most users, its standard wrist straps work just fine. For the same price, the Distance Carbon Zs are hard to pass up. For more, read our review of the Distance Carbon Z.

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork ($230): The More Versatile Contender
If you're after high-end comfort and performance but don’t need a dedicated trail running pole, the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork is a better all-arounder than the Leki Ultratrail FX.One. It’s significantly heavier at 1 pound 1 ounce per pair, but that extra weight brings more versatility: full adjustability via FlickLock levers, standard (and very comfortable) straps, and a long foam extension below the cork grip for varied hand positions. Its telescoping design also lends itself to better long-term durability. The main tradeoff is packability—the Alpine Carbon collapses to 24 inches, which is much bulkier than the Ultratrail’s 14-inch folded length. But if you’re not chasing FKTs and want a reliable, trail-ready trekking pole for everything from backpacking to snowshoeing, this one’s hard to beat. For more, read our Alpine Carbon Cork review.

Leki Ultratrail FX.One ($220)
Leki Ultra Trail FX.One trekking pole hiking with heavy pack
4.1/5

The Ultratrail FX.One is a fast-and-light hiker’s dream, featuring Leki’s glove-like Trail Shark grip system that offers next-level control and power transfer between body and pole. However, it’s heavier than the BD Distance Carbon Z and $20 more.

Weight
12.8 oz.
Type
Folding
Shaft Material
Carbon
Grip Material
Cork
Max/min Length
47.2 in.
Collapsed Length
15 in.
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Comfort

4/5
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Durability

2/5
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Weight

4.5/5
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Packed Size

5/5
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Features

2.5/5
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Sustainability

1.6/5
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z ($220)
Grip and shaft of Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z trekking poles
4.5/5

If you're moving fast or far, the Distance Carbon Z is the pole to get. Our testers swear by this ultralight offering for mountain and trail running, fast-and-light mountaineering, and fastpacking—despite its high price, middling durability, and lack of adjustability.

Weight
9.9 oz.
Type
Folding
Shaft Material
Carbon
Grip Material
Foam
Max/min Length
47.2 in.
Collapsed Length
15.7 in.
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Comfort

3.5/5
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Durability

2/5
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Weight

5/5
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Packed Size

4.5/5
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Features

2/5
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Sustainability

3.5/5
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork ($230)
Ascending steep snow with Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork trekking pole
4.3/5

This sturdy, four-season pole is built for comfort and durability during demanding trips in variable terrain. However, the carbon build will cost you, despite not saving much in terms of weight. The Alpine Carbon Cork is undeniably premium, but we’d look elsewhere for better value.

Weight
1 lb. 1.1 oz.
Type
Telescoping
Shaft Material
Carbon
Grip Material
Cork
Max/min Length
51.1/39.4 in.
Collapsed Length
24 in.
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Comfort

5/5
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Durability

4/5
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Weight

3/5
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Packed Size

2.5/5
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Features

4/5
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Sustainability

3.1/5

Is the Ultratrail FX.One for You?

The Leki Ultratrail FX.One is made for serious mountain athletes who move fast, travel light, and want maximum efficiency from their gear. With an ultralight weight, glove-style straps for top-tier control and power transfer, and a compact folding design, it’s built for trail runners, speed hikers, and alpine minimalists who prioritize performance above all else. If you regularly stash your trekking poles mid-route, obsess over ounces, or like your gear to feel like an extension of your body, this pole checks all the boxes. That said, the glove-style strap system—while brilliant for momentum—isn’t as convenient for quick hand transitions on scrambles or snack breaks, and it’s probably overkill for standard day hiking or backpacking. But if speed and precision are the name of your game, the Ultratrail FX.One is hard to beat.

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