Gossamer Gear’s LT5 are premier carbon trekking poles in cost, performance and ultralight weight.
Overview: Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
MSRP: $195
Weight: 4.9 ounces each pole
Material: Carbon fiber
Grips: EVA foam
About the Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles
The LT5s are trail-tested trekking poles that combine a sturdy grip on the trail with ultralight performance. The carbon fiber poles weigh 4.9 ounces each, among the lightest trekking poles available, making them a pleasure to use.
LT5 Performance
I ask a lot of my trekking poles. I want to push down on them while climbing a steep trail. I lean on them to stay steady and slow while picking my way down a leaf-covered trail. And I’m happy to say that the Gossamer Gear LT5 poles have been a champ for me while navigating those conditions.
Rock-strewn trails are another gauntlet for trekking poles. I’ve hiked on many trails that are covered with rocks—I live in New England, after all—and the LT5 poles have helped me stay up and moving. I do take care not to keep moving forward if one of my poles gets caught between rocks because putting lateral pressure on carbon fiber poles is their weak spot. Unlike aluminum poles, carbon fiber poles don’t bend. They break.
Because of that weakness carbon fiber poles are best for established trails, not bushwhacking or crossing scree-filled slopes.
But I’ve put countless miles on carbon fiber poles in some of the worst New England trail conditions without breaking them, and I expect to get the same kind of long use from the LT5 poles.
Comfort
It’s evident when picking up the LT5s for the first time that they’re light. Super light. At 4.9 ounces per pole they’re among the lightest trekking poles available.
The EVA foam grips are soft and are a good fit for the contours of my hands, and my hands are comfortable holding the grips for miles of trail.
The wrist straps are easy to adjust by pulling up on them, and downward pressure keeps the straps stable. The thin straps are comfortable and don’t dig into my hands.
Construction
The LT5s are three-section poles that collapse to 23.5 inches and are easy to fit into a pack or strap on the outside.
Gossamer Gear uses old-style twist locks to keep the poles extended at the length I want, up to a maximum of 51 inches. The twist locks are easy to use and when tightened don’t slip during miles of use.
The poles come with detachable rubber tips and small baskets. The rubber tips (.24 ounces each) are good for walking on solid, mostly flat surfaces and for protecting the tips when the poles are stowed inside or outside a pack. And the baskets (.31 ounces each) can keep the poles from sliding into small openings between rocks and getting stuck. For that reason Gossamer Gear recommends using the baskets at all times.
Carbon fiber poles dominate the trekking pole market, and with good reason. Carbon fiber is stiffer, stronger and lighter than aluminum. But carbon fiber poles’ downside is that they snap under lateral pressure rather than bending. This can than be a problem if you’re left with one usable pole on a steep, rocky trail or carrying a trekking-pole shelter. Aluminum poles are more durable and bend under pressure, making them hard to render useless.
Good to Know
Warranty: Gossamer Gear’s warranty covers products it sells, for the purchaser only, to be free from manufacturing defects within one year of the purchase date. Gossamer Gear does not consider a broken pole a manufacturing defect.
Beyond the Trail: Once you’re at camp, don’t put aside your trekking poles. Gossamer Gear has these tips for life off the trail.
LT5 Pros
Ultralight: 4.9 ounces for each pole is an impressively low weight for trekking poles.
Easy to Adjust: The twist locks are easy to adjust, and don’t slip over miles of trail.
Sturdy: The poles support all my weight as I jump down from rocks on trail.
EVA Foam Grips: The grips are soft and comfortable.
Spare Parts: Replacement pole sections, baskets and pole tips can be ordered at
Gossamer Gear.
LT5 Cons
Breakable: Carbon fiber poles can snap, causing problems for hikers carrying a trekking pole tent or tarp.
Twist-Lock Adjustment: The poles are not as easy to adjust as flip-lock poles.
Price: The $195 tag puts the LT5s at the upper end of prices for carbon fiber poles.
Longevity: Because the poles are so light Gossamer Gear says they may not last as long as heavier poles.
Overall Value
The Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles’ $195 price nudges the upper boundary for carbon trekking poles. They aren’t the most expensive, but they’re also miles above the price for low-budget carbon poles. I’ve used middle of the road aluminum poles and inexpensive carbon poles for years and the LT5s impress me in a way none of my other poles do. The price is high, but for weight, comfort and ease of use the LT5 poles stand out as a solid performer.
Similar Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
Zpacks Carbon Fiber
MSRP: $59.95 per pole ($119.90 for two)
Weight: 7.2 ounces per pole, foam grip; 7.7 ounces per pole, cork grip
Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber
MSRP: $125
Weight: 7.35 ounces per pole
LEKI Makalu FX
MSRP: $229.95
Weight: 8.7 ounces per pole
Durston Ice Line
MSRP: $199
Weight: 4.7 ounces per pole, strapless; 5.1 ounces per pole, with straps
This product was donated for purpose of review.
