Zpacks Carbon Fiber Trekking Pole Review
Updated:
Jan 20, 2025
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Weight
15.3 oz.
Type
Telescoping
Shaft Material
Carbon
Grip Material
Cork
Max/min Length
54/24.5 in.
Collapsed Length
24.5 in.
Pros
Cons
Zpacks Carbon Fiber
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Trekking Poles.
From the first time I picked them up, the Zpacks Carbon Fiber trekking poles felt pleasant to use. They’re simple poles but have several highlights on the comfort front: They’re light enough to go largely unnoticed in hand, they feature padded wrist straps, and, best of all, they have cork grips. Cork, at this price point, is relatively unique. The natural material wicks moisture well and naturally molds to your hands over time. All told, the Zpacks Carbon Fiber didn’t blow things out of the water in terms of comfort, but they’re a perfectly suitable trekking pole for long days on the trail.
Carbon fiber poles like the Zpacks often have certain tradeoffs, especially at this price point. They’re lighter than their aluminum counterparts but don’t bend as well—which can result in snapping if you take an unexpected fall or wedge your pole between rocks. In fact, a friend snapped these very poles when we were on a trip together. Given that experience, I was a little hesitant with mine.
That said, I’ve used the Zpacks Carbon Fiber trekking poles extensively while backpacking in the high country of Wyoming and Colorado and had no durability issues. It does feel like only a matter of time until they break—especially if I continue to use them in technical terrain—and I worry that the plastic lever locks will fail faster than metal designs. Zpacks does offer a two-year warranty on these poles and the option to purchase a single pole for $60, but neither option is something I want to rely on. As a result, I would hesitate to recommend the Zpacks Carbon Fiber trekking poles for anything but on-trail travel and shelter set-up—if you spend most of your time in cross-country terrain (especially with a heavy pack), an aluminum or more durable carbon pole (like Black Diamond’s Alpine Carbon Cork or MSR’s Dynalock Ascent Carbon) is a better option.
At 15.3 ounces per pair, Zpacks' poles sit in the lower-middle end of the trekking pole spectrum. You can go much lighter with a fixed-length pole like Black Diamond’s 9.9-ounce Distance Carbon Z, and even the adjustable, aluminum Distance FLZ checks in at just 14.8 ounces. However, the Zpacks’ weight is still reasonable given its price point—most $100 poles are aluminum and check in over 1 pound, including the REI Co-op Trailmade ($80; 1 lb. 1 oz.) and Leki Spirit Lite ($100; 1 lb. 3.2 oz.). While the weight savings of the Zpacks pole wasn’t dramatic, I did notice their lightness; in the backcountry, it was easy to forget I was holding them at all.
The packed size of the Zpacks is nothing to write home about. They compress down to just shy of 25 inches—more than two feet. That’s relatively large compared to folding poles like REI Co-op's Swiftland TT and Black Diamond’s Distance series, which can save you 10 inches or more of length. Still, it’s on par with most telescoping designs. While far too bulky for trail running, the Zpacks Carbon fit well into the side pockets of my backpacking pack. Given their size, they’d be hard to stuff inside any pack—but that’s not uncommon for a telescoping pole. In short, their packed size aligns with other telescoping poles, including pricier telescoping designs.
The adjustable Zpacks Carbon Fiber trekking pole is suitable for hiking, backpacking, and supporting a trekking pole shelter, and it comes with a nice array of extras for its price point. That said, not all the bonuses are of the highest quality. First, a nice touch is that you can purchase this pole with either a foam or cork grip for the same price. Cork, which I tested, custom molds to hands over time and tends to be a bit more comfortable. That said, it does tack an extra half ounce of weight onto each pole. Those focused on cutting weight should likely go with foam. Zpacks also offers the ability to purchase one pole at a time—a plus for those who like to hike with a single pole.
A somewhat polarizing feature is the pole’s lever locks. At first glance, these are bulky and cheap-feeling, especially considering their plastic build. However, they did have one feature I particularly liked: hand-tunable adjustments on the lever locks. Lever locks have the nasty habit of loosening over time, and hand-tightening is the most convenient method I’ve found to remedy this issue. Many Black Diamond poles include Allen wrenches or built-in hex tools to tighten their locks, which is significantly more onerous than the Zpacks’ simple design.
Finally, the trekking poles have two additional features worth digging into. First, they come with rubber road tips. These slide over the tip of the pole and can be handy over particularly rocky terrain or for folks who like to use their trekking poles for walking in urban environments. Unfortunately, on my first trip with these poles, those rubber tips slid off and were lost forever on the trail—a typical complaint with slide-on tips. We much prefer Black Diamond’s screw-on tips, which can alleviate this problem. The pole also features a foam grip extension, which is particularly nice for exceptionally steep and uneven terrain. Other comparable budget offerings—like REI Co-op’s Trailmade—lack grip extensions.
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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 Zpacks Carbon Fiber are one-size-fits-most trekking poles. It collapses down to about 24.5 inches at its very smallest and extends to 54 inches at the maximum (137 cm, although you can technically extend to 142 cm—but only for use with a trekking pole shelter). This is a wide size range that makes passing the pole back and forth between users a reasonably easy affair. However, the wide range also means there are no wider or smaller grips for those with differing body sizes.
Leki Spirit Lite ($110): A Heavier Workhorse
Like the Zpacks, Leki’s Spirit Lite is a budget-oriented pole built to do nearly anything. For the same price, the all-aluminum Spirit Lite weighs considerably more than the Zpacks (1 lb. 3.2 oz. for the 100 to 135 cm model), but has several notable features. First, it comes with a cork composite grip, which we find extremely comfortable for the price point. The lever locks also feel sturdier and more trustworthy than those of the Zpacks. Finally, the Leki’s aluminum build is more trustworthy under weight and in rowdy conditions than the Zpacks’ carbon. Unless you’re die-hard about saving a couple of ounces, the Leki is the better trekking pole for those looking for a do-all all-rounder. For more, read our review of the Leki Spirit Lite.
REI Co-op Swiftland TT ($189): Much Lighter and Smaller Package
Like the Zpacks Carbon, the REI Co-op Swiftland TT aims to be a lightweight yet adjustable trekking pole. But if you’re willing to spend up, we think the REI pulls off a much better pole. The Swiftland TT checks in at almost four ounces less than the Zpacks (11.2 oz.) and features a folding design that packs down to just 14.5 inches—that’s 10 inches shorter than the unruly Zpacks. It’s also worth noting Black Diamond’s adjustable FLZ series of poles here too, including the Distance FLZ, Distance Carbon FLZ, and Pursuit FLZ. All of these poles will cost you significantly more than the Zpacks, but will pay dividends for serious hikers who want a better combination of weight, packed size, and durability. For more, read our review of the REI Co-op Swiftland TT Carbon trekking poles.
For budget-minded shoppers in search of a lightweight carbon pole (with a cork grip!), the Zpacks is a compelling option. However, it’s not competitive with most carbon poles (and even some aluminum models) in terms of weight, and we’re not impressed with the quality of its components.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
The budget-oriented Spirit Lite offers a sturdy, no-frills build with a wide range of adjustment. The partial-cork grips and well-built locks feel like a step up from the budget market. However, it fills an odd middle ground and we think most hikers will want to go with a true budget pole or step up to a more premium mid-range design.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Ounce counters and runners, look out! REI Co-op’s Swiftland TT is a solid offering that feels like a feather and still holds up great on the trail. But while it has a lot to offer, it can’t compete with the performance or price of poles in Black Diamond’s Distance series.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Is the Zpacks Carbon Fiber for You?
Zpacks knows its way around ultralight gear, and the Carbon Fiber trekking pole is its offering for long-distance hiking and backpacking and setting up trekking pole shelters. But after testing the Zpacks, we can’t recommend it with confidence. In short, no matter your priorities, there are better poles to consider. Despite its carbon build, the Zpacks is not particularly lightweight, which puts it out of the running for weight-conscious hikers and runners (instead, consider the Black Diamond Distance Carbon series or Durston Iceline). And while the Zpacks is priced for those on a budget, we’d point penny pinchers toward more durable options like the Leki Spirit Lite or REI Co-op Trailmade. However, if finding a lightweight, adjustable pole at a low price is your aim, the Zpacks is a compelling choice.
The most compelling reason to look at the Zpacks is that it’s one of the few poles on the market that is available to purchase as a single. A lot of hikers and climbers prefer to travel with just one pole (freeing up the other hand for stabilizing on rocks, snacking, and navigating via GPS), while others only need a pole for occasional river crossings. Or, maybe you broke one of your trekking poles and are looking to replace it without purchasing a brand new pair. If this sounds like you, the $60 Zpacks Carbon Fiber single pole is worth considering.
the backcountry awaits
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