The Last Trekking Pole You’ll Ever Need: LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Black Series

Can trekking poles be sexy?

If they are the  LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Black Series (MSRP $249.95), yes.

LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Black Series

They took Outdoor Retailer by storm in 2018, being named as a finalist for an Outdoor Retailer Innovation Award, and later nabbing the Outdoor Industry Award in Climbing at the OutDoor Show in Friedrichshafen, Germany.

Do they live up to the hype? A resounding yes.

The best folding trekking poles LEKI has made to date, the LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Black Series trekking poles are sleek, ultra light (207 g), packs compactly, and thanks to the Core Locking Device (CLD) internal tension system and Speed Lock 2 Adjustment System, assembles in mere seconds. 

Speaking as someone who has pinched her fingers on traditional push button closures several times over the years, the game-changing CLD system cannot be more welcome. I would purchase these trekking poles just for the CLD system alone.

The CLD system has spoiled me.

Ever since receiving the Micro Vario Carbon Black Series trekking poles, I’ve tested trekking poles from other companies that have their own unique merits, but I find myself perpetually disappointed that they do not lock and fold with the ease of the CLD system.

In addition to the CLD system, the Micro Vario Carbon Black Series are loaded with features: ultralight Aergon Thermo grip technology with compressed foam body (I still prefer cork, but the foam does offer extended comfort), flex tip, and breathable LEKI skin strap. Furthermore, they can also accommodate interchangeable baskets for a variety of seasons and conditions.

Don’t let their slim appearance fool you, these poles are beasts. Consider, for example, its SpeedLock 2 technology. SpeedLock 2 is the strongest external pole locking system on the market: 25 percent lighter, 30 percent smaller, and can accommodate 20 percent higher holding force. Astounding.

Comprised of 100 hundred percent carbon, they are superb shock absorbers and work well in a variety of environments. Over the years, various ski injuries have caused enough damage to my knees that using trekking poles are mandatory.

While  I have had the opportunity to use them for several months (we included them in the Engearment Holiday Gift Guide 2019), I constantly marvel at how much thought and technology was put into them.

I used them most recently for a hut trip in Summit County, and use them on casual training hikes around Jefferson County. Without fail, other hikers usually approach me to ask about using such thin poles.

From the Makalau to the Micro Vario TI Cor Tec DSS poles, I’ve used LEKI for over a dozen years, slowly upgrading. However, after using the Micro Vario Carbon Black Series trekking poles, my days of upgrading may finally have come to an end.


Micro Vario Carbon Black Series Trekking Poles $249.95