ashenOnce the hype and enthusiasm has diminished a bit, we all need an extra set of limbs to help us conquer that terrain, especially with the backpack and other travel gear on. Using a trekking pole means not only reducing your chance of meeting with an injury, rather it enhances your movement efficiency and comfort. Today, we will review a well recommended pair of trekking poles backed up by a great reputation. The Leki Khumbu Lite is a 3-piece Aluminium telescoping trekking pole with quite a few beneficial features for hikers and trekkers alike. Experts have tested this pair even in diverse terrains such as the Tour Du Mont Blanc. This post is based on all of these expert reviews, customer feedback and everything else we managed to salvage.
Leki Khumbu Lite Specs
- Aluminium tube material and Aergon handle
- Length/Size: 100 – 135 cm, Weight: 245g
- Ultra-light and very breathable Leki soft strap
- Speed lock system
Let’s start off with the length and weight review.100-135 cm is the most appropriate range for anyone between 5-6 feet and above. It is recommended to have at least 51 inches of length if you are 6 feet plus, so tall people not to worry. The Aergon CorTec grips are ergonomic making it easy to handle with a better grip. Moisture absorption is not as strong as foam material, however, it does an adequate job. A user who tested these trekking poles in the Tour Du Mont Blanc stated that despite the alpine sunlight together with rigorous climbing generating sweaty palms, the grip kept his palms blister-free, comfortable and well fixated to the handle.
According to most users, the anti-shock system functions as promised when climbing downhill, thereby reducing the overall body impact. There isn’t much of an elaborated detail on the shock absorption material although they seemingly work as promised. The speed lock adjustment system is the noticeable feature here and it is quick and easy to use. If you are attempting to conquer a varied terrain, then this feature would play a crucial role in overcoming the challenges. You can easily collapse the poles for the downhill and extend just as swiftly for the ascend. The Trekking Basket at the tip end ensures that you don’t sink in while you climb a mountain under heavy snow. Note that these can be swapped out for more appropriate baskets depending on the terrain nature.
What The Customers are Saying
So all these specs look great on paper, but how well do they work in the practical world? We went through quite a few feedback and this is what the summary looks like.
So the reviews are mostly centered around the Speed Lock +. According to most users, they were initially skeptical about this whole setup but later after miles of usage, discovered no faults whatsoever. Speed Lock 2 was the previous version and it had removable pieces such as the locking nut. The material has also changed from metal to plastic. Users have found these modifications helpful in challenging climbs as opposed to the previous unscrew poles.
Apart from that, the The Aergon CorTec grip, intuitive adjustment system for hand loops and the lightweight nature have won the hearts of many trekkers and hikers. A durable, adaptive and assistive all rounder with a decent price tag that suffices the price to performance ratio.
Leki Khumbu vs Makalu
This is a clouded topic where most users are confused on which to choose. To start off, let’s take a look at the Leki Makalu specs.
- 0.52 Kilograms, 23.62 x 5.91 x 3.94 inches
- Aluminum material
- Aergon Cor-Tec grip
- 100-135 cm adjustable length
- Carbide Flextips
- Interchangeable baskets
A little heavier than the Khumbu but essentially the same dimensions and the adjustable length. The grip comfort is identical and so is the material. The Leki Makalu is best recommended for hikes over treks. On paper, there isn’t much of a difference between both these poles from Leki except for the weight and the flexible basket. The snow baskets are sold separately. How about the customer feedback?
The general feedback is quite encouraging for any potential buyer. Users are praising the dual adjustability of the poles because it proved to be very helpful in navigating the changes in elevations. The lightweight and collapsibility, comfortable handles and grips and of course the baskets are well received by the community. A common conclusion was that these poles are excellent for tall people, preferably above 6 feet.
We hope this review on Leki Khumbu Lite trekking poles shed some light for anyone looking for a reliable companion to help them succeed in their next hike or trek. Leki Legacy Lite is another good trekking pole which essentially has the same features. However, the Khumbu light is the one that has gained a majority of customers.
