Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles Review

Bottom Line

The Gossamer Gear LT5s are our favorite ultralight trekking poles. To maximize the weight savings, these poles are made from carbon fiber and have the most essential features, but nothing more. Bear in mind, carbon construction also makes them slightly less durable, so they are best for experienced hikers on well-maintained trails.

To reduce even more weight, they also utilize twist locks. We are not big fans of this locking mechanism because it takes longer to use and can be more prone to failure, but in our years of testing at CleverHiker, they haven’t let us down. 

Lastly, they aren’t uncomfortable by any means, but the comfort features are minimal to keep saving those ounces. The wrist straps are designed simply, and the handle is made of EVA foam. 

Overall, these poles get the job done without lots of bells and whistles to weigh them down. We hiked up washes without any trails in southern Arizona, and they held up much better than we expected. We still would not recommend putting a lot of strain on these poles if you can avoid it. If that’s your plan, check out our other favorites on our best trekking poles gear guide.

Durability

The LT5 trekking poles hold up well with care in rough and uneven terrain, but a big wipeout on unforgiving ground could easily cause these poles to break. 

We tested these poles by putting them through a three-part durability trial and using them in the field. During the durability trial, we threw these poles like a javelin, dropped them on a large boulder, and leaned on them to test the amount of bend. 

The LT5 poles performed well during the throw and drop tests, with only minor cosmetic damage. The bend test was a different story. The poles were very easy to curve and felt extremely easy to break. This is not surprising given these poles’ carbon fiber and ultralight build. 

We weren’t trying to snap any poles, but the LT 5s did great in the field. We used these poles while hiking up two different off-trail washes in the Chiricahua Mountains of Arizona. Even with the uneven footing and the body weight they were under during the climb, they didn’t seem to show any signs of vulnerable spots. We still wouldn’t trust them to break a big fall, but it is promising that they did well in the wild.

Weight

The Gossamer Gear LT5 poles are the lightest that we tested. We weighed the poles on our home scale, and a single LT5 pole came in at 5.3 ounces, including the wrist strap and basket. These poles are noticeably lighter than other models we tried in the field, especially compared to aluminum models. 

We specifically chose to use these poles on trips where weight was critical, particularly if they would be stowed away on our pack for more extended periods. While using these poles in the Chiricahua Mountains, it was easy to forget we were even using them due to their featherlight weight. If ultralight is a priority, then look no further than the LT5!

Comfort

Due to its streamlined design, the LT5 lacks many comfort features. We ranked comfort by adding points for features such as padded wrist straps, cork handles, and ergonomic grip designs. 

The LT5 poles have foam handles, but they feel softer than others we have used. The EVA foam is also silkier than some of the others we have used. However, we aren’t totally fooled by the cork-like foam color. They still do not outdo the comfort of cork handles. 

The straps on the LT5 are also not as comfortable as they could be. Though they are made of flexible material, they are thin and don’t have any extra padding. While backpacking with these poles in the Chiricahua Mountains, we didn’t particularly notice them being more or less comfortable. However, we were also more focused on the rugged terrain and were moving at a slower pace.

All in all, these trekking poles are pretty comfy for such a lightweight minimalist design.

Ease of Use

We don’t particularly care for twist lock mechanisms like those found on the LT5 poles, which is why they are more complicated to use. Twist locks take longer to use because they must be loosened, which takes a few seconds, then the pole must be expanded and tightened. This process takes longer than assembling a folding pole and considerably longer than using a flick lock system. 

There is also more that can go wrong with a twist lock system. Bending is much more likely to render them impossible to use; they can get stuck and are not as reliable for keeping the pole expanded, in our experience. 

Unsurprisingly, it took us longer to extend these poles than any other during our comparison test. We also found it annoying to deal with the twist lock at the end of a long day of backpacking.

Packability

The Gossamer Gear LT5s demonstrate good packability compared to other telescoping poles. During this test, we measured the length of each pole when collapsed. One thing to note is that folding trekking poles tend to pack down smaller than telescoping poles. It was no surprise that the folding poles in our lineup all had the shortest length when collapsed. The LT5s were the second most packable when considering just the telescoping poles. This put it in the middle of our lineup when every model was included. 

Because they are also very lightweight poles, they make an excellent choice for fast-packing trips. They are also ideal for use as a tent pole when setting up a non-freestanding tent, especially if a trekking pole isn’t needed for the entire day. When we carried these poles on our pack while backpacking, they stayed in place well and fit nicely on the outside of the pack.

Features

For an ultralight trekking pole, the LT5s are relatively simplistic, though they have a few features. We ranked each trekking pole that we tested based on the number of features it had. In the case of the LT5s, we gave it points for having wrist straps, baskets, tip covers, replaceable tips, and a lot of adjustability. Most of these features are standard on a pole, but we like the LT5’s tip covers! 

While these are not the tip covers that are suitable for hiking, they are great for traveling with the poles—they help protect other objects from the carbide tips. We also awarded points for the twist locks being inherently adjustable. Unlike flick locks, no special tools are needed to tighten the locking mechanism. We wish these poles had a set of winter baskets, but overall, we never felt they were lacking on the trail.

Should you Buy the Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles?

We love the LT5 as an ultralight trekking pole for backpacking, but it may not be the best choice for everyone. This pole is specifically designed with weight in mind, which means it lacks the features and durability many people need for hiking in more rugged off-trail locations or heavy packs. 

It also lacks the necessary features to be useful for snow sports, such as larger baskets for flotation. That said, it is a terrific choice for most trails or those who hike many miles quickly.

What Other Trekking Poles Should You Consider?

We tested many fantastic trekking poles. Below are a few more of our favorite ultralight options.

Durston Iceline Review:  One of our favorite trekking poles we tested, the Iceline trekking pole has a unique design unlike any other on our list. These Durston poles are very similar in weight to the LT5s but offer better durability and are faster to expand. They are also slightly less expensive.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Review: The Distance Carbon FLZs have an extremely packable, lightweight design that makes them optimal for activities like trail running. They are more expensive than the LT5s and have even fewer features, but they may be worth it when size really matters.

Zpacks Minimalist Review: The Minimalist trekking poles are not as well-made as the LT5s, but they make up for that with a very reasonable price tag. We also like that they can be purchased as a set of two or just one pole. They are another worthy option for a lightweight trekking pole.