Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles Review

I’ve been using the Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles as my first experience with trekking poles, so I wanted to give my honest opinion of these trekking poles.

In this review, I’ll share my likes, dislikes, experience, and general information about the Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles.

The Purpose of Using Trekking Poles for Hiking

The Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles have done a lot to improve my hiking activities.

I do a lot of bushwhacking. This is where I go off-trail and bike the hillsides and bases of bluffs to find hidden gems. The trekking poles have helped with my balance and stability on uneven terrain, reducing my risk of falling.

I’m a tall guy standing at 6’5”. My knees and joints are already facing issues because of my height. These trekking poles have reduced some of the impact on my knees and joints and made it easier to hike.

As I go downhill (and uphill, too), the trekking poles have been very helpful in that department. I don’t put all my weight on them, as you should never do that, but they help me balance enough not fall. This is especially convenient when going down a steep hill.

The main reason why I wanted to use trekking poles was to get across creeks more easily. This is especially the case when balancing on rocks in deeper creeks. The trekking poles help me balance myself, so I don’t fall in.

The Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles are also a great survival tool. In the event that I would need to stay all night in the forest, I can combine the poles with my poncho and create a shelter with it. Many people (especially ultralight hikers and bikepackers) actually use the trekking pole tent setup to help reduce weight.

Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles Specs at a Glance

Here are the basic specifications of the Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles:

• Weight: 2 oz for the pair
• Extended Length: 135 cm or 53 in
• Collapsed Length: 62 cm or 24.5 in
• Pole Material: A mix of carbon fiber and aluminum
• Grip Material: EVA foam with adjustable strap
• Locking Mechanism: Swivel locking clips (very fast)
• Price Range: $89.99 for the pair

Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles Build Quality & Materials

As stated in the specs, the material used in the poles is a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum. This makes these poles very lightweight. I hardly notice they’re there when I am not using them.

The locking system uses flick locks on a swivel. This makes the pole locking system very fast. There are two flick locks on each pole, and the poles have a stop point branded on them where you should lock them.

The tip is made from tungsten carbide. There is removable walking caps for each pole included in your purchase. The tips and caps stay on the poles securely when in use.

I find the overall craftsmanship of the Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles to be efficient. I’ve used them quite a few times, and they have never failed me or broken in the process of using them. I consider them a very important piece of gear after using them.

Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles Grip, Straps & Comfort

The grip and straps are not only very durable on these trekking poles, but they’re also very comfortable.

The grip is made out of EVA foam, which is a soft, rubber-like foam. It is designed to absorb shock, be resistant to water, and remain durable for long periods. In my hand, the grip isn’t awkward feeling and it’s very comfortable.

I’ve used the Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles on long and short hikes. Each time, the grip and overall poles were comfortable and durable. I’ve had no issues with using these poles, and the grip works very well, even when I become sweaty, which is all the time for me.

The strap is padded, which makes it fairly comfortable to use, especially on a longer hike. It is very adjustable, too. These poles have been durable in warm, cold, and wet weather conditions without any issues.

Adjusting & Ease of Use of Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles

These trekking poles are really simple to adjust on the trail. The flick lock swivel system is fast to use. There are only two of them on each pole, so you’re not having to deal with so many of them just to make a simple adjustment.

The strength of the lock has resulted in no issues for me at all. The locks seem very strong, and there hasn’t been any slippage issue for me. The locks are also very durable in terms of look and feel and seem like they will last a while.

The trekking poles are easy to pull out and collapse. Once collapsed, the telescopic trekking poles fit perfectly in my backpack’s trekking pole holder. The poles are standard in shape and size, which doesn’t make them awkward to carry on a backpack.

In my opinion, these trekking poles should be easy for a beginner (like I was) or someone who has used telescopic trekking poles in the past.

On-Trail Performance of the Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles

The Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles have worked well for me while hiking in the rolling hills of the Shawnee National Forest. Whether I am hiking on the flats, uphill, or downhill, the poles are very durable. Since I’ve been using them, I’ve noticed that I tend to use them a lot, and they’ve been improving my overall balance.

I’ve been breaking in new hiking boots here lately. These poles have helped me go over technical terrain with rocks, roots, and holes covered by leaves. They’re helping me get used to the new boots, and that has been a lifesaver for me.

I especially like these trekking poles for creeks. I tend to lose balance when crossing creeks on stepping stones because I have nothing to hang on to. Trekking poles sort of trick my mind and give me the balance and stability I need to not fall in and get all wet.

Pros and Cons of the Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles

Here are the pros and cons of the Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles based on my experience using them on the hiking trails.

Pros

• Lightweight (a mix of carbon fiber and aluminum)
• Comfortable grip that doesn’t slip due to my sweat
• Easy to collapse and store in my backpack
• Easy to adjust and use the locking mechanisms

Cons

• Not a lot of color options

As you can see, I don’t have many complaints about the Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles. There are a lot more pros than cons for me. I’ve actually really begun to consider these an important part of my gear because they’re so useful and durable.

Who These Trekking Poles Are Best For

The Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles are for many different people who need a trekking pole solution.

• Beginner hikers would like these poles for stability and balancing.
• Long-distance hikers would like these poles to help them keep their stamina up.
• Older hikers and folks who are tall like me would like these poles for knee and joint issues.
• Trail runners could use these poles to quickly get through technical terrain without falling.

Are Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles Worth It?

Honestly, if you want to try out trekking poles, based on my experience, I highly recommend the Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles.

These poles are lightweight because they use carbon fiber but are not so prone to breaking because it also has aluminum in the materials. They adjust, collapse, and lock well. The grip is comfortable, and you can adjust the strap to your liking.

These trekking poles have been most beneficial for me when I cross creeks because of the stability it gives me. As I mentioned above, they’ve also been beneficial in helping me get used to my new hiking boots. I always use them now when going off trail because they help keep me upright.

If you don’t like carrying stuff and you have no balance issues, then you probably don’t need these trekking poles.

Final Verdict & How to Buy Alps Mountaineering Alliance Trekking Poles

I’m glad to have the Alps Mountaineering Alliance trekking poles as a part of my regular gear.

They’ve become a lifesaver for me, especially as I age and my balance kind of worsens. As a bushwhacker, they really help me in that area. I don’t even notice the extra weight they contribute, and that really makes a difference as I continue to look at how to shave weight from my pack.

If you’re interested in getting these trekking poles, you can find them on the official Alps Mountaineering website.

Thank you for reading my review of these trekking poles. If you enjoyed it and you’d like to support me for writing it, consider becoming a monthly supporter for as little as $3 a month. You can also make a one-time donation if you’d rather do that.

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And until next time, I’ll see you on the trail!