LEKI Legacy Lite PRO AS & Sky Terra FX Carbon Review: Carbon or Aluminum? Folding or Telescopic? A Serious Comparison of the Brand's Leading High-End Trekking Poles

Friday, August 1, 2025

Gear Review , Recommendations , Trekking Poles , LEKI , Sponsored

written by Yosuke.C

Trekking poles are the unsung heroes that help reduce the risk of falls and fatigue when hiking. At first glance, they may seem like simple tools, but there are more options than you might think, depending on the material, structure, and construction of the small parts, and it can be surprisingly difficult to decide which is right for you.

Is carbon fiber the best material? Or is it aluminum alloy? Is the structure a simple telescopic type? Or a compact folding type? What about the material and shape of the grip? What about shock absorption features? How do the differences in the features of each model actually affect how they feel to use in the field?

So, this time, we will be trying out two models of trekking poles for serious mountain climbing from LEKI Legacy Lite PRO AS and the Sky Terra FX Carbon , and we will be reviewing these two trekking poles, which can be said to be at the cutting edge of modern trekking poles, to see what differences their different features make.

table of contents

Main features of LEKI Legacy Lite PRO AS & Sky Terra FX Carbon
LEKI Legacy Lite PRO AS & Sky Terra FX Carbon Impressions
Summary: The stable Legacy Lite PRO AS and the light, speedy Sky Terra FX Carbon were two unbeatable choices.

Main features of LEKI Legacy Lite PRO AS & Sky Terra FX Carbon

Legacy Lite PRO AS

The Legacy Lite PRO AS is a retractable trekking pole made of durable aluminum. The Speed Lock Plus system allows for easy assembly and infinitely adjustable lengths between 64cm and 125cm. The lightweight Evocon grip, made of EVA material with moderate cushioning, offers excellent shock absorption. The Anti-Shock System (AS) absorbs the maximum impact of the pole when thrusting, reducing the impact on joints, muscles, and ligaments. These trekking poles are easy to use and durable, making them suitable for beginners and experienced trekkers alike.

Favorite points

Anti-shock system that absorbs shock when struck
Telescopic for easy assembly
A locking system that is easy to operate and adjust the fixing force
Continuously adjustable between 64 and 125 cm
Made of sturdy aluminum alloy for peace of mind as it is "unbreakable"

Points that interest me

Size when stored
Made of aluminum alloy, it is heavier than carbon

Sky Terra FX Carbon

The Sky Terra FX Carbon is a durable, reliable, lightweight, and compact carbon trekking pole designed to meet the needs of climbers aiming for 8,000m summits. It folds down to approximately 40cm when stored and can be infinitely adjusted between 110 and 130cm when in use. The new "Core Locking Device" locking system, completely different from conventional ratchet systems, allows for easy shaft locking and release, enabling quick assembly and storage. The ergonomically designed Verticon grip not only provides a comfortable grip, but also offers extended grip options for a variety of situations. The breathable, quick-drying, and adjustable D-loop mesh straps ensure comfortable trekking even during extended use.

Favorite points

Good feel with little shaking
Core locking device for quick assembly
A locking system that is easy to operate and adjust the fixing force
Foldable for compact storage
Lightweight enough to not tire you out even during long periods of activity
The extended grip allows you to change your grip position depending on the situation.
Steplessly adjustable between 110 and 130 cm

Points that interest me

Fragility when force is concentrated at one point (relatively speaking, it requires more care when handling than aluminum)

Main Specifications and ratings

name	Legacy Lite PRO AS	Sky Terra FX Carbon
How to connect	Telescopic	Foldable
weight	Approx. 456g (set)	Approximately 356g (set)
material	aluminum	carbon
Pole diameter	16/14/12mm	14/12/12/12mm
Adjustable size width	64-125cm	110-130cm
Storage size	64cm	40cm
Outdoor Gearzine Review
Comfort	★★★★☆	★★★★★
weight	★★★☆☆	★★★★☆
Setting and length adjustment	★★★★☆	★★★★☆
Storageability	★★★☆☆	★★★★★
Durability	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
Versatility	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆
Cost Performance	★★★★☆	★★★☆☆

LEKI Legacy Lite PRO AS & Sky Terra FX Carbon Impressions

The Legacy Lite PRO AS and Sky Terra FX Carbon poles we're introducing are both serious mountain trekking poles, but they each have different characteristics. We tested them in a variety of locations, including the ridges of the Southern Alps, Okuchichibu, and Tanzawa. We'll review our impressions of using them, focusing on the differences between them.

Feel when walking: Legacy Lite PRO AS equipped with an "Anti-Shock System" that absorbs shock when walking, and Sky Terra FX Carbon that firmly grips the trail.

the Legacy Lite PRO AS is its "Anti-Shock System." This system allows the tip of the trekking pole to act as a suspension, absorbing the impact when the pole hits the ground and reducing strain on the body. According to the official website, it reduces maximum impact by approximately 40%. During field testing, it felt like the pole bent the moment it hit the ground, but this was actually the effect of the anti-shock system.

Anti-shock system that absorbs shock when load is applied. On the right side of the photo, when load is applied, the part indicated by the arrow expands and contracts to absorb the shock.

As you can see in the photo, when you apply force, the anti-shock part collapses, absorbing the impact. I was a little worried about putting all my weight on it, but when I actually put my weight on it, it didn't wobble, and it eliminated the slight vibration and rebound feeling you get when poking an aluminum alloy pole, and it supported the load firmly. It didn't slip when I poked it, and there was absolutely no negative impact on the comfort of using it compared to regular poles.

On the other hand, the Sky Terra FX Carbon does not have an anti-shock system, its carbon shaft has less wobble than aluminum alloy, so when you thrust the pole, it grips the trail firmly, doesn't feel like it's bending, and provides stable support even when you apply weight. Even though it doesn't have shock-absorbing parts like the anti-shock system, there's no discomfort from impacts, and you can feel the trail's hardness and condition naturally, which gives you peace of mind. Of course, because it's made of lightweight carbon, you can easily swing the pole and use the force of propulsion to increase your pace, making it useful not only for mountain climbing but also for any situation that requires speed.

Differences in usability depending on the material: Aluminum for balance and security, carbon for ease of swing and thrust

The materials used for trekking poles are broadly divided into carbon and aluminum, or a combination of aluminum and carbon. Carbon is generally lightweight and rigid, making it less tiring to use for long periods of time and helping to reduce the weight of your equipment, but it is also brittle and can break if a strong force is applied to one point, so care must be taken when handling it.

On the other hand, although aluminum is heavier than carbon, it has an excellent balance of durability and will not break immediately even if more force than necessary is applied (it will bend first), so in the worst case scenario, you can avoid the worst-case scenario of the trekking pole instantly losing its function.

In the past, when I used carbon trekking poles, the tip of the pole got caught between rocks, and when the force was concentrated at one point using the principle of leverage, it broke easily. With this in mind, it is important to remember that carbon trekking poles need to be handled with care.

The weight of one club is Legacy Lite PRO AS on the left and Sky Terra FX Carbon on the right.

Also, in terms of feel when used in the field, (as I mentioned earlier) carbon trekking poles shake less when you thrust them and the impact is transmitted instantly, whereas aluminum alloy trekking poles feel the vibration caused by the impact when they thrust into the ground longer than carbon. It's a matter of preference, so it's hard to say which is better, but carbon poles are lighter and easier to swing, and the vibration you feel when you thrust them is only felt for an instant, so I personally found them more comfortable (although the difference is small).

In that sense, it seems that if you are looking for a reliable, break-resistant racket for beginners, you should go for an aluminum alloy racket ( Legacy Lite PRO AS ), while for experienced riders who are familiar with handling and prioritize lightweight rackets, you should go for a carbon racket ( Sky Terra FX Carbon ). However, as we learned from this test, even aluminum rackets can provide almost the same comfort as carbon rackets if they are equipped with an anti-shock system or other shock-absorbing mechanism, so the "aluminum + anti-shock" option may be the best for beginners.

Grip: Lightweight Sky Terra FX Carbon for quick response to various terrains, Legacy Lite PRO AS for gentle grip

Legacy Lite PRO AS on the left, Sky Terra FX Carbon on the right

The Sky Terra FX Carbon features an ergonomic shape and a lightweight Verticon grip. The ultra-lightweight EVA foam grip prevents slipping even when sweaty, providing a stable grip even after extended use. Additionally, the foam at the bottom of the grip allows for quick shortening depending on the conditions, eliminating the need to adjust the length. This allows for speedy, stress-free movement even in areas where rock and trails alternate one after another without having to adjust the length. During field testing, this extended grip proved extremely useful during hiking along the ridges of the Southern Alps, where rock and trails mix.

the Legacy Lite PRO AS features a lightweight Evocon grip made of EVA material with a rounded top that's easy to grip . The protrusions at the bottom of the grip catch on your hand when you grip it, so you can thrust the pole without gripping too tightly, which actually reduces fatigue. Using trekking poles for extended periods can cause muscle pain in your hands the next day, but the Legacy Lite PRO AS , my hands didn't experience any muscle pain. While the grip isn't extended, it's possible to hold it shorter by changing the fingers you place on the grip's protrusions. By varying your grip style depending on the situation, you can adapt to a variety of situations.

Easy setup and storage: The Legacy Lite PRO AS is intuitive and has a wide range of adjustments, while the Sky Terra FX Carbon is extremely compact and easy to store.

Folded. The folding Sky Terra FX Carbon is very compact, while the telescopic Legacy Lite PRO AS is easy to handle.

telescoping Legacy Lite PRO AS pole features a Speed Lock Plus system that allows for infinitely adjustable lengths between 64 and 125cm. Its telescoping design makes it easy to use and intuitive. The pole features 5cm increments for easy length adjustment, and the dial for adjusting the clamping force is designed to prevent the pole from coming loose even if it's too loose. These features make the Legacy Lite PRO AS . However, its downside is that it's only 64cm long when stored, meaning it will stick out too much from smaller backpacks. Care should be taken when carrying it on public transportation.

The Sky Terra FX Carbon, on the other hand , is foldable. Its appeal lies in its lightweight, compact design (high storage capacity), which can be folded down to just 40cm. It fits snugly into a backpack's side pocket, eliminating the need to worry about it getting caught on trees overhead when tucked away. The length can be the Legacy Lite PRO AS . The shaft connection uses a new locking method called the Core Locking Device, which is completely different from the conventional ratchet system, allowing you to easily lock and release the shaft by simply pulling up the top of the pole. However, unlike the Legacy Lite PRO AS, the setup isn't immediately obvious, so you'll need to learn how to assemble it first.

When stored, it fits in your backpack and doesn't get in the way when you're on the move.

Summary: The stable Legacy Lite PRO AS and the light, speedy Sky Terra FX Carbon were two unbeatable choices.

We reviewed the Legacy Lite PRO AS and Sky Terra FX Carbon

After comparing them, we realized that aluminum alloy telescopic trekking poles like the Legacy Lite PRO AS the Sky Terra FX Carbon offer many benefits for people who already know how to use them and want something lighter and more compact.We also learned that the anti-shock system, added to aluminum, which is more susceptible to vibration, is a very effective feature that helps beginners avoid fatigue.

Another option may be an aluminum alloy folding model for long routes or snowy mountains where you want to minimize risk.

The two poles have similar but different features, such as being made of aluminum alloy or carbon fiber, telescopic or folding, and equipped with an anti-shock system (only the Legacy Lite PRO AS). the Legacy Lite PRO AS and the Sky Terra FX Carbon are trekking poles that can be used safely in serious mountain climbing situations.

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Yosuke.C

People who act with just one backpack with the motto of "as light as possible" so that they don't get inconvenient. From spring to autumn, I chase after char deep in the mountains and go fishing in the mountain stream. We walked the mountains in search of spectacular views that cannot be seen from the ground. Camping to be healed by the bonfire. Snowboarding is a floating mountain with a mountain of silver. A freelance writer who enjoys outdoor activities all year round. I share my own experiences and tools that I've been using.

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