Swiss Gear Hiking Pole :: Education by Design Store

Customer Reviews

el cheapo crappo grande

2008-09-22
Bought 'em at Wal-mart for cheap. Brush guard fell off inside of 100 meters - pole lock broke and collapsed in less than 2 miles. Save yourself the hassle and invest in something more substantial - ya get what ya pay for.

Value for money

2008-09-16
This is my first hiking pole. I am very happy with the quality and functionality. I have been using this product for more than a month now. It provides the necessary support when hiking. The end cap has so far held on. Value for money!

Hiking pole review

2008-08-17
I ordered 3 hiking poles they came in separate large boxes wasting resources. Two poles were in good shape and came in damaged boxes. The third pole was in an undamaged box but pole doesn't work as well as the other two. The protecting tip was missing and one of the tightening clutches spins and never locks down securely.

Not worth it

2008-08-02
The pole arrived broken. The telescoping didn't lock, and there's no way to fix it. That's what I get for buying cheap.

Acceptable trekking poles

2008-07-18
The poles were as described. They are sturdy, easy to adjust and lightweight. They are a good starter pair. They do not have all the bells and whistles of Leki but are good as a start for me and my wife.

Great value

2008-07-09
HIKING POLE

Fell apart in under ten miles

2008-06-15
I bought these to see if I liked using trekking poles, and I'm glad I was only expecting a trial run. The handgrip fell off of one somewhere around mile 7 and the inner workings popped out when I then retracted it for easier carrying. Now to buy a real pair.

Worth way more than $10

2008-05-08
I began backpacking about 3 years ago and was given and bought a lot of beginner quality gear. Since then I've been able to be out about 30days/nights, mostly in the Sierra, and have upgraded every piece of gear I started with. Except for these poles. These guys have been everywhere with me and won't quit! I've worn through the plastic caps and worn the metal beneath down to nothing. I've gotten them caught in rocks and put quite a bit of pressure on them but they haven't bent or broken, I'm pretty sure I would have snapped a lighter weight or carbon pole.
They're not light but they get the job done, and for me, they've worked as well as a $200 carbon fiber pole could have. The only issue I've ever had with them is in the locking mechanism- my girlfriend bought a pair and the lock on one broke right away. If you buy them test them out in the store to make sure you've got a good pair because it seems based on the other reviews that there is a quality issue from the factory.
Listen, they're $20 for a pair and I've had mine so long that I now show them off and scoff at people who blew $150 for some plastic Leki's.

Machu Picchu or Bust

2008-05-02
My wife and I and another couple trained every weekend with these poles for 5 months to do the Inca Trail, from which we have just returned. We had bought them on-line from Wal Mart for approximately $11/pole and had them shipped for free to a local store. Our excellent Peruvian guides offered to buy them from us several times. We made a gift of the poles to the guides at Machu Picchu. The poles worked flawlessly despite heavy use and looked almost as good as new.

One of the worst...0 out 5

2008-04-04
I have bought 4 of these and believe it is a manufacturer defect. Out of the 4 poles, only 1 of these will tighten correctly. The rest collapse even without any resistance at all.

I'm not going to comment on the comfort or other features. Basic functionality is simply not there.

I'd give it 0 stars if I could. Amazon requires at least 1 though.