I have been testing the new Komperdell Carbon FXP Trail Running Poles. I have the Erlkönig version. The redesigned poles are slim and made of lightweight carbon. I have been using them for running and hiking in the Scottish hills and mountains. I previously wrote about the first version of the Komperdell Carbon FXP Trail Running Poles.
Features of Komperdell Erlkönig Carbon FXP Trail Running Poles
3-sections: Carbon Ultralight 14mm
Weight: 167g (125cm)
Packed size: 45cm
Available in sizes: 105cm to 135cm (in 5cm steps)
Trail Pro Tape Griff – slim grip shape
Changeable non-slip grip tape
Fly sport strap
Self-deploying thanks to FXP-folding mechanism
Price: £249.95; Other versions: Carbon FXP Ultra in pink or green, £199.95; FXP Composite £169.95.
See Komperdell.
My thoughts: New Komperdell Carbon FXP Trail Running Poles
There are a few main differences between the newly designed poles and the first version I tested, including the way they are constructed, grip, weight and glove.
The signature Erlkönig poles are what is called a “complete tube design”, which is described as being “much more complex and is made by the so-called water tipping process”. This apparently adds to the cost.
Rather than cork grips, the grip of the Komperdell Carbon FXP Trail Running Poles is a softer material covered in tape. It feels much like a tennis raquet handle.
It’s useful that the tape, which is grippy and tactile, can be replaced because I think that after many miles of use, the tape will wear and fray but I do prefer the feel of it to the cork.
The handles are long and I like this because it means you can hold them at different heights depending on the gradient or the uphills and downhills.
The Erlkönig poles are a bit heavier. The first version weighed 209g while the Erlkönig is model is 167g each. I stil find them very light.
I have found the older and newer versions to be sturdy and durable despite being lightweight.
The poles self-deploy. Until you give this a go, you can’t quite believe it will happen but as soon as you undo the velcro fastener, the three parts of the pole lengthen and ping together to make a long pole.
It’s both fun and useful because there is no need to faff about putting the poles together. As soon as you need to use them, you open the velcro fastener and they flick together ready for action.
Getting the poles to fold up again isn’t so easy, though. As soon as you press the button to release parts of the pole, you need to fold them up and hold them tight. If you let go, they re-deploy, which is a tad annoying. If you hold on to the three parts firmly and find the velcro fastening strap around them, all is good but it takes concentration.
Another issue with the Erlkönig, the black and white pattern hides the black buttons. It’s not so easy to find the buttons to press. With other poles, the button colour is different from the pole colour and easier to see.
However, I do like the funky pattern and a few friends have asked about the poles because of the design.
The poles fold into three parts and a maximum length of 45cm. I have owned other brands of poles with a pack size that is shorter. I don’t mind the 45cm, although I would prefer a shorter folded length because this can be critical when adding to a running pack. I have been using the poles with my Ultimate Direction pack. The poles fasten to the side of the pack at the front and they are just about ok. It would be better if the poles were slightly shorter when folder but this would compromise on the length of the grip. I think that having a pole carrier at the rear of the pack makes better sense, although then it is not so easy to access them without taking off the pack.
The poles have useful “gloves” that attach to the top of the poles. The gloves are lightweight and made of mesh. These are fine to use with bare hands but if you need to wear gloves, it’s a but tricky to get the gloves on over the gloves. It’s not impossible, just a bit faffy.
The fly sport gloves are great though because you can keep them on throughout your activity and attach/release them from the top of the poles whenever you want to be separated.
It’s simply a case of pulling at the loop of cord that attaches or fixes the glove to the pole. Other poles have a system where you need to unclip or unlock the attachment point but with the Komperdell Erlkönig Carbon FXP Trail Running Poles, it’s simply a quick pull off or on.
I expect that the glove loop will wear with use and this will need to be replaced but so far all has been fine with my testing. It makes sense that a system where there is less “pulling” and a smoother attachment/unattachment process will cause less wear on the glove loop. But this system on the newly designed poles works well and makes the process simple. It’s also lightweight, which is one of the aims of the running poles.
When running with poles, I want then to be lightweight where they are in use or tucked into my pack.
Kompedell offers a “no questions asked” free three years’ repair service for all its touring and trekking poles, which is a positive.
What’s not so attractive is the price of the poles. It’s an eye-watering £250 for the Erlkönig version. For £50 less you can have the pink or green ultra poles and I think I would most likely go for these if you want full carbon. While the extra £50 was explained by Komperdell as being due to the construction and design, I expect I would rather save money and go for the Ultra version.
Overall, Komperdell make great poles and I really like the weight, design and usability of the Komperdell Erlkönig Carbon FXP Trail Running Poles.
Note: I was sent the poles to test in return for an honest review.