Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock Trekking Poles Cork Grip review: good performance, good value

Bargain priced, the Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock Trekking Poles are good-quality poles with impressive features for the cost

By Berne Broudy
published
Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock Trekking Poles Cork Grip
(Image: © Cascade Mountain Tech)

Advnture Verdict

Extremely reasonably priced, four-season capable poles with an impressive range of features.

Pros

  • +

    Affordable

  • +

    Replacement parts available

Cons

  • -

    Heavier than carbon poles

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Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock Trekking Poles: first impressions

In our opinion, the Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock Trekking Poles are hands down the best trekking poles you can buy for the price.

They have a wide range of adjustability, so that you can climb and descend even the steepest slopes, and always have poles that are the right length.

The three-section poles are made from durable aircraft-grade aluminum. The sections lock to length with clips that flip open and click shut. The cork grips are easy to hold onto, and they won’t get slippery on humid days or when your hands sweat. 

The poles have tungsten carbide tips for aggressive, no-slip grip on every imaginable trail surface. But they also come with four sets of tip covers – rubber boot tips, mud baskets, snow baskets and small rubber tips – for four seasons of use. 

They’re light for aluminum poles at 295g / 10.4oz per pole without a rubber tip. And they come in a carry case. 

The poles have a one-year warranty, and because Cascade Mountain Tech wants to make sure you get many years of use from your poles, each section is replaceable in case it’s damaged or wears out. See how to use trekking poles for more on the subject.

Specifications

• RRP: $25 (US) / £40 (UK)
• Shaft: Aluminum
• Grip: Cork
• Tip: Tungsten carbide
• Gender: Unisex
• Operational length: 66–137cm / 26–54in
• Weight (per pair): 680g / 24oz
• Compatibility: Hiking, backpacking and day walking

Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock Trekking Poles: on the trails

When it comes to outdoor gear, I appreciate having a great option that’s also an affordable option. 

These fully adjustable poles took the load off trekking in New York’s Adirondacks, Vermont’s Green Mountains, and in New Hampshire’s Presidentials. And they did it for the price of a couple of cocktails. 

No, they’re not the lightest, but having trekking poles to share the load and to provide extra balance made a huge difference in my stability and speed. For the price, I was super impressed with these pole’s features, including cork grips, three adjustable sections, and an aggressive carbide tip. If you’re wondering should I buy trekking poles? then try these out, and they may convince you.

Berne Broudy
Berne Broudy

Vermont-based writer, photographer and adventurer, Berne reports on hiking, biking, skiing, overlanding, travel, climbing and kayaking for category-leading publications in the U.S., Europe and beyond. In the field, she’s been asked to deliver a herd of llamas to a Bolivian mountaintop corral, had first fat-biking descents in Alaska, helped establish East Greenland’s first sport climbing and biked the length of Jordan. She’s worked to help brands clean up their materials and manufacturing, and has had guns pulled on her in at least three continents.