My First Time Using Trekking Poles: LEKI Trekking Pole Comparison
{Written by Summit Hut Gearhead Jack Conners}
Recently, I had the chance to try some trekking poles for the first time. While I always scoffed at the idea of using trekking poles previously, I may be fully converted. All poles reviewed were a nice lineup of LEKI-specific poles that I would consider mid-tier. Luckily, I had some willing gear testers to help me decide where each pole ranks AND the major differences between the models. We hit some beautiful trails up in Northern Arizona that featured narrow single-track trails and lots of loose rock.
First Impressions
My first impression of the LEKI lineup would be that these are poles that are built with quality and experience. For any company that specializes in producing a single type of gear, such as trekking poles, I can assume that the item was created with purpose, especially when that company has been doing it for 50 years. This leaves the consumer to decide on price and a style that fits their needs, knowing that quality is included in any option.
Looking at products by LEKI, we have some middle-of-the-range poles ranging from $99-$149 that were all borrowed for the local Summit Hut rental fleet. This gave us the ability to find the pros and cons of each model as well as how they compare to one another. The poles we are looking at today are the Makalu Lite, Khumbu Lite, Jannu, and Legacy Lite.
Notable Features and Differences
All poles feature similar construction such as strap adjustment, lock systems (speed lock plus), material (aluminum), and a carbide tip spike.
What separates these products into different tiers would be weight, grip style, pack size, and price. As with most products, feature-packed items are ideal for those who choose comfort and luxury features over lighter and speed-style models.
Comparing trekking poles to backpacks, you understand that with more features, generally comes more weight, and a more speed/ultralight pack will result in less weight but less durability and fewer features. It all boils down to what you are using them for and your preference for weight. Below, we will be breaking down each model for comparison.
Leki Makalu Cork Lite $149.95
The Aergon Air grips by LEKI are a notable feature of the Makalu Cork Lite. These grips are what separates these poles from the others. The rubberized back and hollow core encased in soft materials contribute to better ergonomics and grip while hitting those steep downhill descents, also helping to eliminate shock from hitting a hard surface with the carbide tips. This is also the larger grip when compared to the other poles reviewed. More grip is never a bad thing…unless you have tiny hands. At 254 grams per pole, the Makalu Lite poles sit at the middle of the pack in terms of weight due to cramming all the important features such as softer cork grips or the 4.0 LEKI Security Strap, which is also featured on the Women’s Jannu.
Leki Khumbu Lite $119.95
Now onto the Khumbu Lite poles. These poles and the Women’s Jannu are extremely like one another, mainly differentiated by the size of the poles, the strap design, and weight. These poles come in at 246 grams, sitting below the Jannu line at 236 grams. Both poles are priced the same at $119.95 and feature a Compact Aergon grip which is slightly smaller than the Makalu Lite grips but more plastic-like with rubber features. The Khumbu Lites only feature a 2.0 Soft Strap when compared to the Women’s 4.0 Skin strap on the Jannu.
Leki Jannu $119.95
As discussed, I would consider the Jannu as a “Women’s” version of the Khumbu Lite but with better weight, pack size, and features such as the straps. This model is the lightest of the poles tested at 236 grams, which is a selling point for all those gram-saver backpackers/speed hikers. These poles use the 4.0 Skin locking security strap when compared to the Khumbu Lite which still uses the 2.0 soft straps. This should not be a huge deal breaker though as the function appears the same but material-wise, the Jannu feels nicer to the touch, which could mean a lot during a long expedition. The biggest deciding factor for the Jannu is whether they work with your height.
Leki Legacy Lite $99.95
Lastly, we have the Legacy Lite poles which are the more affordable option containing a lot of the same features as the rest but come with more weight and less grip surface. These weigh on the higher end, weighing 255 grams. These poles have the smallest grips of the group using EVOCON grips that are more cylindrical whereas the other poles are shaped like a goose head for ergonomics. The grip still feels good in the hand; however, you can feel the lesser quality of the materials used to cut back on price.
Final Thoughts
In conclusion, I found myself reaching for the Makalu Cork Lite poles for the days when I prioritize long hikes and comfort and the Jannu poles for when I want to optimize speed and weight. As mentioned, the Makalu Cork Lite poles feature the most comfortable grips of the line-up and in terms of weight are on the heavier side, however, the quality of the poles is felt with each step. When equipped with the lower tier Legacy Lite poles, the vibration and hollow feel throughout the length of the pole was felt up to the cheaper grips.
If you find yourself meeting the size criteria of the Jannu poles, I will highly recommend these as an option. These feature all the favorable attributes of each pole including grips, straps, and weight for only $119.95. Lastly, the Khumbu Lite model is perfect for those who run a bit too big in terms of size for the Jannu poles, but still want a lighter-weight option that won’t break the bank.
