LEKI Makalu Trekking Poles Review

Overview

The LEKI Makalu is a full-featured, 3-segment telescoping trekking pole built around LEKI’s time-tested HTS 6.5 heat-treated aluminum shaft and Aergon Air grip system. It sits at the heavier, more durable end of the Makalu family — which spans everything from the ultralight Cork Lite to the packable FX Carbon folder — and is aimed squarely at hikers who want a reliable, long-haul workhorse rather than a weight-weenie tool. Think extended treks over rough terrain, heavy pack loads, and back-to-back mileage where a snapped shaft in a remote canyon is not an acceptable outcome.

Key Specs

Spec	Value
Weight (pair)	515.2 g (18.2 oz)
Shaft Material	Aluminum (HTS 6.5)
Construction	3-segment telescoping (Vario)
Tube Diameters	18 / 16 / 14 mm
Locking System	Speed Lock
Grip	Aergon Air (foam)
Grip Extension	Yes
Basket	Compact Trekking Basket
Adjustment Range	~100–135 cm
Collapsed Length	~67 cm (26.4 in)
Tip	Carbide
Comparison	See how Makalu compares to similar gear

Performance

Durability and Shaft Integrity

This is where the Makalu earns its money. The aluminum shaft sections are durable and make the poles strong enough that you can take them over rough terrain and put plenty of stress on them — they will not break. It’s a reassuring feature you want, especially in remote locations. The HTS 6.5 designation refers to LEKI’s heat-treated aluminum alloy, and the relatively thick tube diameters (18/16/14 mm) give the Makalu noticeably more rigidity than thinner-shafted competitors. Under heavy loads these poles bend a decent amount, which is actually a useful feature because they bend but don’t break, then snap back into form when the weight is lifted. That’s the kind of compliance that saves poles — and wrists — when a load shifts unexpectedly on a steep descent.

The long-term picture is just as encouraging. Having put a couple thousand miles on the first set, the sturdiness holds despite being relatively light — with the HTS 6.5 aluminum put to the test across New England miles full of rocky trails and slabby ridges.

Locking System

The Speed Lock lever is simple and field-serviceable. The SpeedLock adjustment levers have proved very reliable, never slipping even on long, steep descents, and the tension on them is easily adjusted using fingers — no tool required. A textured plastic knob can be turned with just the fingers to tighten or loosen the lever locks in the field without an additional tool. That matters on a thru-hike when you’re fumbling with gloves or numb fingers at altitude. One caveat: the lever locks are made of plastic, which creates a weak point, but it also saves weight compared to aluminum lever locks. I’d prefer metal hardware on a pole in this durability tier, but LEKI’s plastic locks have an extensive track record and I’ve never personally seen one crack.

Grip and Comfort

The Aergon Air grip uses a hollow-core foam construction rather than cork. The Aergon Air grip has been redesigned in terms of comfort and control. Special hollow-core technology combines lightweight construction and large, supportive surfaces that meet your hand’s ergonomic needs. The back of the Aergon Air grip is fully rubberized for maximum grip and control when going downhill. That rubberized cap on top is genuinely useful — it gives you a stable palm-rest surface when you flip the grip on steep descents without shortening the pole.

The grip extension — a few inches of foam material below the main grip body — is a small but practical detail. The grip material extending down the top pole section for about 5 inches gives you the ability to deal with steep terrain or traverse on the fly without stopping to re-adjust length. Not flashy, but exactly the kind of feature that pays off on real trails.

The wrist strap is a mild weak spot. One thing some users would prefer is a padded wrist strap. The current straps work fine for short amounts of time, but the fabric, while somewhat soft, has a thin width that is less comfortable. On a long day with heavy lateral loading through the strap — think traversing sidehill on scree — you’ll notice it.

Adjustability

These three-section telescoping poles extend to a broad range of lengths: 100 to 135 centimeters — accommodating virtually every user from adults well over six feet tall to younger hikers.

They are also long enough to use with tents that pitch with trekking poles, which require a pole that extends to 130–135 centimeters.

If you’re running a shelter like a Zpacks Duplex or Hyperlite Dirigo that needs full-length poles, the Makalu clears that bar comfortably.

Packability

This is the Makalu’s least compelling attribute, and you should know going in. Packability is not a strong area: at 26.5 inches collapsed, these are among the longest telescoping poles in any comparative lineup. This is a more significant problem when flying or fastpacking. For the average hiker who doesn’t often need to stash them for scrambling, it won’t make a huge difference. If you regularly use a trekking-pole shelter and clip the poles to your pack’s exterior lash points, the length is a non-issue. If you’re trying to stuff them into a 30L bag for a flight, you’ll be frustrated.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• HTS 6.5 aluminum construction is genuinely rugged — these hold up over thousands of miles
• Speed Lock adjusters are fast, reliable, and tunable with bare fingers in the field
• Wide adjustment range (100–135 cm) fits a broad range of users and terrain types, including trekking-pole tents
• Aergon Air grip head provides a solid palm-rest surface for descents
• Grip extension aids quick height changes without stopping
• Replaceable tips and field-serviceable parts extend service life

Cons

• 515.2 g (18.2 oz) per pair is heavy — weight-conscious packers will want to look at the Makalu Lite (~493 g) or cork variants (~508 g)
• Collapsed length of ~67 cm limits packability compared to folding poles
• Plastic Speed Lock hardware is the one durability compromise on an otherwise burly pole
• Wrist straps are thin and unpadded — expect some irritation on high-mileage days with a heavy pack
• No anti-shock damping in the base model (an AS version exists separately)
• Winter baskets not included

Who Should Buy This

The Makalu is a good match for hikers heading into territory where a broken pole is a genuine problem — remote backcountry routes, international treks, long thru-hikes, or anything involving repeated big-mileage days with a heavy base weight. The large packed size, heavier weight, and large grip make these poles less versatile than others — they are clearly designed for heavier use with big backpacks across unforgiving terrain, day after day. As such, they aren’t ideal for mountain running, ultralight backpacking, or approaching technical climbs. If you’re already carrying a 35-pound loaded pack across multi-week terrain, the weight penalty versus lighter poles is marginal, and the durability dividend is real. Dedicated UL hikers chasing sub-16 oz pole pairs should look at carbon options instead.

Verdict

The LEKI Makalu doesn’t win any weight competitions, but that’s not what it’s trying to do. Although not very packable and a bit heavy, these poles offer a broad and versatile range of adjustability and excellent durability — at a highly competitive price compared with many of the best models. For backpackers who log serious miles in serious terrain and want a pole that simply won’t fail them, the Makalu is a dependable choice. Just don’t expect to forget you’re carrying it.

Rating: 7.5 / 10