SkyRunner Ultra carbon fibre poles from Mountain King are ultralight, folding and above all easy to pack, writes Mike Gormley.
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Made in the UK, these are ultralight folding poles aimed at both the adventure racing athlete and those that just like to use poles for walking and trekking but, importantly, need something light and above all easy to pack.
I have been using walking poles for very many years and they not only help to preserve the legs and back as well as spreading the working load to the upper body. Importantly, they are a significant aid to ascents and descents, especially over rough terrain, making the user much more sure-footed and safer so therefore significantly less prone to injury.
As a long-term poles user, I have seen many changes. These, from Mountain King, are up there in the Formula One arena of walking poles, being all about design and weight. Carbon fibre and other light but durable materials, and some cunning design features, all add up to light, strong, and convenient-to-use poles. On top of this, if the worst should happen and you break a section or tip, all parts can be replaced.
These poles might seem super slim and light but by design and through the materials used they are tough; though it is not difficult to get any pole in between rocks when moving fast and therefore over-stress them. This said, I have come close to breaking a pole but so far I never actually have.
¤ This shows the top of the pull cord that secures the pole sections [©JG]
¤ When deployed the spare cord can be pushed back into the top of the pole to keep it tidy [©JG]
To minimise weight these poles are non-adjustable, so you need to select the size that best suits you. They are four-section so are very packable, at only 36cm long when folded, as well as being incredibly lightweight at 105 grammes for the 120cm poles that I have and only vary by about one gramme per size. It is easy to put them into your pack or attach them to the outside when not in use, but Mountain King are currently working on a quick access ‘quiver’ to enable their poles to be quicker and easier to deploy and hopefully I will be able to introduce this to our readers when available.
¤ Close up of the standard trekking baskets ~ snow and race options are also available [©MG]
When it comes to deploying the poles it is really simplicity itself. There is a strong and slightly elasticated cord that runs the entire length inside of the pole which keeps the sections together when folded. To deploy it is a case of holding the handle and letting the pole hang on the internal cord, making sure the sections engage, and then pulling the cord at the top to draw all the sections into place then, with a good tug of the top cap, you engage the knot into its slot. Job done. The spare cord can be easily stowed back into the top of the pole using the top cap section. No clamping or screwing or need to adjust while on the go.
The handles are quite simplistic, known as the Airflow grip, which I have found to be very comfortable to use. Firm to hold with a small amount of softness to aid grip, which is good even if wet, and being cylindrical in shape they are non-directional making use much easier. A security strap is fitted as part of the handgrip. Again, in respect of weight-saving this is non-adjustable in the more normal way, but is easy to adjust by taking a turn or two to take up any slack and to give additional support across the hand as you hold the pole; again spreading the load to be more than purely just your grip.
These poles come in a variety of colours and lengths to suit your personal needs and preferences. It is worth saying here that Mountain King offer a wide selection of poles in a variety of designs and materials so there are plenty to choose from, but I have to say I have really got to appreciate the lightness and convenience of these SkyRunner Ultras even though I am not an adventure athlete.
[images © Jean or Mike Gormley]
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