Leki Helicon Lite Pole – More Bang for Your Buck and Bounce for the Ounce

Wil Rickards

Leki Helicon Lite Pole

 Let’s be real; not only does riding in the backcountry take a serious investment in knowledge. It also tends to empty your wallet quicker than you can say, “check out my turns, bro.”

Finding something that does not cost an arm and a leg is a sweet relief. So to bring you a pleasant turn to your day, I introduce the Leki Helicon Lite Pole (on sale! $60). 

The Helicon is a fantastic two-piece pole that will stand up to some abuse. The Speed Lock adjustments are sturdy, light, and quick. Fewer pieces equal less to go wrong. Two pieces mean you can put it in a smaller space when collapsed.

It will not go in your backpack; however, when strapped to the side, your pack will not look like a military comms unit, replete with an antenna either. The basket is the right size, big enough to not sink in powder, small enough to not be in the way.

It also has two tools; one for lifting your bindings risers, the other for scraping ice from your skins. The tip is robust and precise, and the straps easily adjustable.

Two features make it work well for backcountry users. Firstly the balance is just right. These swing well. Secondly, the Evocon soft-grip extends down the pole so you can choose where to hold it, a handy feature when side-hilling or skinning diagonally up a hill. 

The thing that sets these apart, though, is the price. I thought they were cheap at $80, they have now dropped down to $65, and if you hunt around, you can find them for less than $50. These are a steal. If you are looking for your first pair of adjustable poles, this is an excellent place to start.