Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Weight
12.8 oz.
Type
Folding
Shaft Material
Carbon
Grip Material
Cork
Max/min Length
47.2 in.
Collapsed Length
15 in.
Pros
Cons
Leki Ultratrail FX.One
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.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Replacement Parts
Replacement parts help extend a product’s lifespan by allowing consumers to repair damaged components—like ski goggle lenses or trekking pole clips—rather than purchasing a new one. A green check indicates a brand offers a robust selection of replacement parts, a yellow check indicates a more limited offering, and a red X indicates no replacement parts are available for this product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
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.
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.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
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.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
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.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
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.
the backcountry awaits
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