Expert Pick #06

Zpacks Carbon Fiber Poles.

Fixed-length carbon fiber poles at 3.4 oz each — the cottage ultralight choice for thru-hikers who also use them to pitch their Zpacks tent.

Zpacks Carbon Fiber Poles

The Verdict.

9.0/ 10

Gavler Meta-Score

The lightest trekking poles available — period. 3.4 oz per pole for thru-hikers who are optimizing every gram. Fragile and non-adjustable; the tradeoff that extreme ultralight requires.

The Gavler Verdict

Precision Engineering

3.4 oz Per Pole

Lightest trekking poles in production — 1.2 oz lighter per pole than the Gossamer Gear LT5.

Tent-Pitch Optimized

Designed to work as tent poles for Zpacks Duplex and other trekking-pole-supported shelters.

Cottage-Made in Florida

Direct from Zpacks' workshop — the same team that makes the Duplex Pro tent.

Technical Specifications

Weight3.4 oz (96 g) per pole
MaterialCarbon fiber (thin-wall)
AdjustmentFixed length (order to size)
GripEVA foam (short)
TipCarbide

The Scoreboard

Expert Consensus85%
Community Rating87%

Lightest poles tested. Deducted for fragility and limited grip relative to other ultralight options.

Cast Your Vote

Do you think Zpacks Carbon Fiber Poles deserves the #6 spot in Best Trekking Poles?

Best Price Availability.

Prices checked April 2026

Global Critique

The lightest trekking poles we've ever tested. Fragile, but that's the UL bargain.

Outdoor Gear Lab

Zpacks poles with a Zpacks tent is the lightest pole-and-shelter system in backpacking.

Section Hiker

3.4 oz per pole. For some hikers, that number is all that matters.

Backpacker Magazine