Trekking poles not only assist with unsteady walking when hiking or trail running, reducing the risk of injury and fatigue, but also allow you to walk more nimbly
It's true that at first glance, a pad looks like nothing more than a walking stick, making it a simple tool. But that doesn't mean you're choosing one that's all pretty much the same, and that you're only choosing based on appearance, material (weight), and at most the method of attachment. That's a big mistake. This seemingly unassuming mountain tool is packed with numerous ingenious ideas from each brand to make it easier to use and safer, and they continue to evolve steadily, step by step
Today, we're introducing the latest in trekking poles. These the MCT12 Vario Carbon , developed by LEKI . In addition to the reliable quality you expect from a specialist brand, these exquisite poles incorporate numerous small innovations and balance adjustments that address even the most irritating aspects of your life. Having started using them this spring, these trekking poles have become an essential part of my daily routines, from light hiking to trail running, where I breeze through the trails. Here's my review.
table of contents
- Key features of the LEKI MCT12 Vario Carbon
- Main specifications and evaluation
- Detailed Review
- It is hard to come off and easy to put on and take off. The unique strap system does not require grip strength and transmits force easily when gripped
- Each part achieves a good balance of reliability, ease of use, and agility
- Lightweight yet durable enough for light hiking
- What's disappointing: I'd like to see a better fit and comfort when wearing the strap alone
- Summary: A classic and smart watch that has all the elements you need for light activities in a balanced way
Key features of the LEKI MCT12 Vario Carbon
Recommended points
- It is hard to come off and easy to put on and take off. The unique strap system does not require grip strength and transmits force easily when gripped
- Comfortable grip
- The lock, length adjustment, and tip structure provide a good balance of reliability, ease of use, and lightness
- Lightweight yet durable enough for light hiking
Points of interest
- Comfort of wearing the strap alone
- No large basket option for snowy weather
- Durability is a bit questionable for serious mountain climbing
- price
Main specifications and evaluation
| name | LEKI MCT12 Vario Carbon |
|---|---|
| Weight (g) | Approximately 400g (set) |
| Connection method | Three-stage folding type |
| Lock and length adjustment system | Core Locking Device Lever Lock + Speed Lock 2 System |
| Size (cm) | 110-130 |
| Storage size (cm) | 42 |
| Shaft Material | carbon |
| Shaft diameter (mm) | 14/12mm |
| Grip Material | Cross Shark Grip (cork-like EVA foam) |
| shock absorption mechanism | × |
| Snow Basket | × |
| Extension Grip | △ (somewhat) |
| Dip Protector | ○ |
| Other accessories | stuff sack |
| evaluation | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Fixing/adjustment | ★★★★★ |
| Storage capacity | ★★★★★ |
| durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed Review
From March to June, I tried using it on day hikes, trail runs, and overnight fastpacking trips on snow-free trails from low mountains to around 2,000 meters above sea level
It is hard to come off and easy to put on and take off. The unique strap system does not require grip strength and transmits force easily when gripped
For activities that emphasize lightness, lightness is paramount for rhythmically and quickly carrying your poles. However, when you're sprinting down a trail, it's not just the lightness of the poles themselves that can be a concern; you're also concerned about whether your hands will slip off the poles, or whether your grip will become fatigued from holding on for too long. This is where the unique and innovative strap system unique to the LEKI MCT12 series
The Shark Frame Strap Mesh is a wide strap that you grip with your thumb and four fingers. It's basically separate from the pole, so it fits more like a glove than a loop. The entire strap is made of breathable mesh, and the width can be adjusted with a hook-and-loop fastener, so it can accommodate a wide range of hand sizes (see photo below)
Attaching the strap, connecting it to the pole, and then detaching it is a snap
Simply hook the strap loop into the red notch on the grip (see photo below)
To remove the strap from the pole, press the lever at the end with your thumb, which opens the shutter in the notch and releases the loop (see photo below)
What's great about this innovative strap system is that it requires almost no grip strength to hold on to the poles. The straps fit snugly and stay in place, placing your hands in the perfect grip position, so you can hold on to the poles without using extra strength on flat ground or downhill. Of course, if you grip it tighter, you can transfer more power, so you can exert more force when going uphill
By the way, the grips are as you'd expect from a specialist pole manufacturer as they are, and not just on this model, LEKI's meticulous ergonomic design has always made them incredibly easy to hold. The grip material uses a cork-like EVA foam that combines comfortable elasticity with slip resistance and sweat absorption, ensuring a comfortable grip. However, if I were to be greedy, I would have preferred the "Ergon Grip" shape used on many LEKI grips. Personally, I don't think there's a grip in the world that surpasses them yet
The strap can be released with a single press of a button, so you can quickly transfer one pole to the other while walking to get some water or food without disrupting your stride
Although it does take some effort to attach the straps at first, once you've done so you can switch between comfortable stocking work and free manual work with just one touch, allowing you to continue moving without stopping.This unprecedentedly smart system is perfect for trail running and fastpacking
Each part achieves a good balance of reliability, ease of use, and agility
feature LEKI , although this is not unique to the series
The mechanism for locking and releasing the pole is not the dreaded "pull it hard and catch the spring-loaded pin stopper" method that often pinches the skin of your fingers and makes you regret it, but a "core locking device" that clicks into place when you extend it to its fullest length (see photo below). This is a smoother and more reliable design, eliminating another small problem for me
Furthermore, the locking mechanism for adjusting the length also uses the brand's latest "Speed Lock 2 System" (see photo below). It is significantly smaller and lighter than previous models, and offers excellent usability without affecting swing balance
The basket at the end of the pole is designed to be lightweight and compact, with an integrated (non-removable) basket tip (see photo below) that is not intended for use in snow or deep mud. I am very happy with the light weight, compactness, and excellent swing balance, but I would have liked the option to replace it with a wider snow basket
Lightweight yet durable enough for light hiking
These poles were designed with an eye on activities that require light movement through the mountains and fields, such as lightweight hiking and trail running, and needless to say, they are made with "lightness" in mind, but that doesn't mean they are specifically aiming to be the lightest, which is something I personally like about them
The shaft is made of lightweight and strong carbon material and is thinner than those used for general mountain climbing, but is stronger and more reliable than those used for trail running, making it an exquisite size
It has a three-folding design that can be easily folded down to a compact size of just 42cm when stored (photo above), but while it is lightweight, it is also durable, with high-strength aluminum used for the joints and reinforced with tubes to prevent the internal wires from twisting or being damaged by friction (photo below). This is the reliability you get from LEKI
What's disappointing: I'd like to see a better fit and comfort when wearing the strap alone
While the unique strap system is functionally excellent, we felt there was still room for improvement in the comfort of the strap
Unlike conventional straps, once you put this on, you basically have to wear it whether you're holding the poles or not. It's durable and breathable, but the thickness of the strap on the palm of your hand still feels uncomfortable. For this reason, you often want to take it off during long breaks when you're not using the poles or when you're doing manual work
In that sense, if this strap had been more like a fingerless glove than a strap, and had been designed with comfort in mind when wearing it on its own, satisfaction might have been higher
Summary: A classic and smart watch that has all the elements you need for light activities in a balanced way
It would be easy to write, "A fusion of traditional mountaineering trekking poles and running poles without compromising the advantages of each," but in reality it's difficult. If the model simply balances weight and durability, it could end up being an incomplete product that is unsatisfactory for either activity
In this regard, the LEKI MCT 12 Vario Carbon maintains a minimum level of durability without sacrificing lightness, and by adding new features that thoroughly pursue the convenience required for light activities, it has achieved an unprecedented exquisite balance and ease of use that is satisfactory for a wide range of activities, from trail running to weekend hikes. However, it is certainly thinner and weaker than traditional mountaineering boots, so we would not recommend it for use when carrying heavy loads such as camping gear and several days' worth of food.
By the way, this model is the flagship model in the "MCT series" that is equipped with the newly developed "Cross Shark Grip" that was developed with ease of use for light activities in mind. This series also has other models for women, aluminum shaft and telescopic models, and other variations in uses and price ranges, so if you're interested, you should take a look at those as well
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