If you’re looking for a pair of trekking poles with a great balance of strength and low weight, you can’t go wrong with the Gossamer Gear LT5s. These carbon fiber trekking poles have quickly become our go-tos for 3-season backpacking, and we’ve put them through hundreds of miles of hard use over the years. We named the LT5s the best ultralight trekking poles overall on our Best Trekking Poles list because of their weight, comfort, and durability.
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Gossamer Gear LT5 Trekking Poles Review
Published:
October 26, 2021
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Quick Specs
Gossamer Gear LT5
Price: $195
Weight (Pair): 10.6 oz.
Shaft Material: Carbon Fiber
Grip Material: Foam
Collapsed Length: 23.5 in.
Pros
- Ultralight
- Comfy handles
- Easy to adjust
- Very durable for the weight
Cons
- Expensive
- Carbon fiber isn’t as tough as aluminum
Pros
ULTRALIGHT
At a mere 10.6 ounces for the pair, the LT5s are feather-light. This not only saves you energy while you’re hiking, but it’s also a huge plus for times when you need to stash your poles in your backpack. If you backpack with an ultralight tent that uses trekking poles as part of the structure, the LT5s will help keep the total weight of your shelter system to a minimum as well.
DURABLE
Despite how lightweight the LT5s are, they’re surprisingly tough. We’ve used ours for nearly 700 miles, including thru-hikes of the Long Trail and the John Muir Trail. We’ve found them to be plenty supportive and durable enough to withstand the toughest of terrain. The LT5s have also been great to use as supports for our favorite ultralight tents. We’ve used them to hold our shelter up in all kinds of conditions, including high winds and pouring rain.
COMFORTABLE HANDLES
The handles of the LT5s look like cork, but they’re actually a soft foam. While we typically prefer cork handles on our trekking poles for the breathability and comfort, the foam handles of the LT5s have proven to be very comfy and haven’t caused us any blisters. If you like to use wrist straps with your trekking poles, the ones on the LT5s are padded, adjustable, and comfortable. If you prefer not to use straps, they can easily be removed.
SMALL COLLAPSED LENGTH
The collapsed length of the LT5s (23.5 inches) is about average – a manageable length for stowing in your pack or for storing them at home. For trips that include a flight, the collapsed LT5s are slightly longer than the standard carry-on length in a backpack. That said, we’ve carried them on flights and stashed them in the overhead bins without any issue.
EASY TO ADJUST
The LT5s use a simple twist lock system – all you have to do is set them to the length you like and twist the sections tightly to get a secure lock. If you’ve never used this style before, it may take some getting used to. But once you’ve got the hang of it, the LT5s are quick and easy to adjust.
Cons
EXPENSIVE
There’s no denying that the LT5s are pretty spendy. That said, we find the quality and low weight to be well worth the cost. Their exceptional durability will no doubt make them a reliable part of your hiking kit for many years.
CARBON FIBER ISN’T AS STRONG AS ALUMINUM
While we feel that the LT5s are plenty strong, it should be said that they’ll never be as durable as a pair of aluminum trekking poles. When under too much stress, carbon fiber snaps, whereas aluminum will usually bend first. We haven’t even come close to snapping our LT5s, but this point is just food for thought to help you in your decision-making process.
Bottom Line
The Gossamer Gear LT5s are about as light as trekking poles come, and they’re an excellent choice for anyone looking to save weight in their hiking kit. They’re exceptionally strong for carbon fiber poles, and they’re comfortable to carry thanks to their soft foam handles and padded wrist straps. Check out how the LT5s compare to our other favorite trekking poles on our Best Trekking Poles list. If you’re completely new to using trekking poles, head over to our Pros and Cons of Hiking With Trekking Poles post to see why we like them.
