Trekking poles not only help you with unstable walking during mountain climbing or trail running, reducing the risk of injury and fatigue, but also allow for lighter walking.
It's true that when you look at it, it's a simple tool that's just a "stand." But that's why, no matter which one you choose, it's basically the same, but only the difference in appearance, material (weight), and at most the fixing method, that's a big mistake. This seemingly plain mountain tools are packed with many details of each brand's ingenuity to make them easier to use and safer, and they are steadily evolving one step at a time.
This time we will introduce the latest trekking poles. The MCT12 Vario Carbon the latest trekking pole developed by the world-renowned pole maker LEKI . This exquisite piece includes the reliable quality unique to specialized brands, as well as many small innovations and balanced adjustments that can be reached in the itchy parts of the world, such as "I wish it was just a little more." I'm going to start using this spring and review this trekking pole that I can't always let go of with the recent play methods that allow me to easily get rid of the trail, such as hiking and trail running, which don't have much luggage.
table of contents
- Main features of LEKI MCT12 Vario Carbon
- Main Specifications and ratings
- Detailed review
- It's not easy to come off and is easy to put on and take off. Unique strap system that does not require grip strength and makes it easy to transmit strength when you grip it
- Each part has a balanced balance of reliability, ease of use, and lightness
- It is lightweight, yet highly durable enough to make it safe for light climbing.
- The bad points: The strap alone will provide an even better fit and comfort.
- Summary: A classic and smart piece with a balanced set of all the elements needed for a light activity
Main features of LEKI MCT12 Vario Carbon
Recommended points
- It's not easy to come off and is easy to put on and take off. Unique strap system that does not require grip strength and makes it easy to transmit strength when you grip it
- Comfortable grip
- Lock, length adjustment, and tip tip structure that balances reliability, ease of use and lightness
- It is lightweight, yet highly durable enough to make it safe for light climbing.
Points that interest me
- Comfortable to wear with the strap alone
- There is no option for large baskets for snowy seasons
- The durability of the full-scale traverse is a bit uncertain.
- price
Main Specifications and ratings
| name | LEKI MCT12 Barrio Carbon |
|---|---|
| Weight (g) | Approximately 400g (set) |
| How to connect | Three-tier foldable |
| Lock/length adjustment method | 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 | △ (Slightly available) |
| Dip Protector | ○ |
| Other accessories | Staff sack |
| evaluation | |
| Comfort | ★★★★★ |
| weight | ★★★★☆ |
| Fixed/adjusted | ★★★★★ |
| Storageability | ★★★★★ |
| Durability | ★★★☆☆ |
| Versatility | ★★★☆☆ |
Detailed review
From March to June, we used it on a snowless trail about 2,000m from the low mountains, for day hiking, trail running, and one-night fast packing.
It's not easy to come off and is easy to put on and take off. Unique strap system that does not require grip strength and makes it easy to transmit strength when you grip it
When it comes to activities that are oriented towards lightness, the most important thing is "lightness" to keep up with the stock rhythmically and quickly. However, when you run through the trail with force, it's not just the lightness of the pole itself that you're concerned about whether both hands, which are firmly gripping the grip, will fall apart, or the fatigue in gripping strength caused by holding it all the time. This is where we introduce a unique and innovative strap system unique to the LEKI MCT12 series
The wide strap "Shark Frame Strap Mesh" that can be gripped with your thumb and four other fingers is basically a structure separated from the pole, and fits like a glove rather than a loop. The entire piece is made of mesh fabric and breathable, and the width can be adjusted using a Velcro fastener, covering a wide range of sizes without worrying about the size of your hands (photo below).
After attaching the strap, it is connected to and removed from the pole for a moment.
Simply hook the strap loop onto the red notch on the grip (photo below).
When removing the strap from the pole, press the lever at the tip with your thumb to open the shutter in the notch and release the loop (photo below).
What's great about this new type of strap system is that you don't need the grip strength to grip first. The strap fits firmly and does not slip easily, placing your hands in the perfect position for the grip, allowing you to hold the pole without using unnecessary force on flat ground or downhill slopes, and of course, you can transmit force more firmly when you grip it, allowing you to fully demonstrate your strength even on uphill slopes.
By the way, the grips are as expected from pole specialist manufacturers, and not just this model, but LEKI's carefully calculated ergonomic design makes them so easy to grip. The grip material uses cork-like EVA foam, which combines elasticity that is easy to fit in, non-slip, and easy to absorb sweat, ensuring a comfortable grip. However, if I were to be greedy, I would have preferred the "Ergon Grip" shape, which is used in many LEKI grips. Personally, there is no grip in this world that surpasses that.
You can remove the strap with just one button press, so you can be impatient to transfer one pole to the other hand while walking to replenish your water and food without disturbing your stride.
Although it is a hassle to put on a strap at the beginning, once you have worn it, the smartest mechanism that allows you to switch between comfortable stock work and free hand work with just one touch, without stopping your actions, making it perfect for trail running and fast packing.
Each part has a balanced balance of reliability, ease of use, and lightness
are equipped with LEKI , although not unique to the series
The mechanism for securing and unlocking the pole is not the type of "pull it tightly and hooking the spring-type pinstopper" that often causes you to pinch the skin of your fingers, but rather the "core locking device" (photo below) that locks it up by stretching it to the longest. The design is smoother and more secure, and another small problem has disappeared.
Furthermore, the lock mechanism for adjusting the length also uses the brand's latest "Speed Lock 2 System" (photo below). Compared to previous models, it is much smaller and lighter than before, and has no impact on the swing balance and is extremely comfortable to use.
The basket at the tip of the pole is not intended for snow or deep mud, and uses an integrated basket (non-removable) tip, designed to be lightweight and compact with the most important factor (photo below). I'm very satisfied with the lightweight, compactness and excellent swing balance, but I would have liked the option to replace it with a wide snow basket if possible.
It is lightweight, yet highly durable enough to make it safe for light climbing.
Designed to aim for activities that allow you to travel lightly through the fields and mountains, from light hiking to trail running, this pole is of course made with the premise of being "light," but that doesn't mean that it's even more of a lighter one, which personally makes me like it.
The lightweight, strong carbon shaft is thinner than for general climbing purposes, and has an exquisite size that is durable and safer than for trail running purposes.
When stored, it is a three-tier folding type that can be easily stored at a fairly compact size of 42cm (photo above), but the joint is made of strong aluminum, and the wire inside is reinforced with a tube to prevent it from being twisted or damaged by friction, making it easy to break while being light enough to keep it from breaking (photo below). This is the perfect LEKI sense of security.
The bad points: The strap alone will provide an even better fit and comfort.
Taking into account the functional excellence of the unique strap system, it was thought that there was still room for improvement in the comfort of this strap.
Unlike traditional straps, once you've worn it, you'll be left wearing it, whether you're holding the pole or not, and it's durable and breathable, but the discomfort caused by the thickness of the palm doesn't go away. For this reason, it is often necessary to take off the poles during long breaks without using them for long periods of time, or when you remove them and do your own work.
In that sense, if this strap were just a "thimble gloves" rather than a strap, it was a part designed to be comfortable to wear on its own, then it might have been very satisfying.
Summary: A classic and smart piece with a balanced set of all the elements needed for a light activity
It would be easy to write "traditional climbing trekking poles and running poles, fusions without compromising the benefits of each," but in reality it's difficult. If the model is simply a balanced balance between weight and durability, if it is not good enough for either activity, it could end up being a half-hearted product that is incomplete.
In this regard, the LEKI MCT 12 Barrio Carbon maintains minimal durability without compromising its lightness, and by adding new features that thoroughly pursue the convenience required for light activities, we have achieved an unprecedented balance and ease of use, allowing you to fully satisfy a wide range of activities, including trail running and weekend hiking. However, it is certainly thinner and weaker than traditional climbing equipment, so it is not recommended to use it in heavy loads, such as carrying a tent-catching equipment and food for a few days.
By the way, this model is the flagship model of the MCT series, which features a newly developed "cross shark grip" that was developed with ease of use in light activities as the first priority. This series also has other variations in uses and price ranges, such as women's models, aluminum shafts and telescopic models, so if you're interested, you should take a look.
