I have been testing the new LEKI Neotrail Pro FX.One Superlite running poles on hill and mountain runs and hikes. Here are some of the features and my pros and cons.
Features of LEKI Neotrail Pro FX.One Superlite running poles:
- Leki’s lightest fixed-length trail running pole
- 14mm carbon shaft
- Weight: 120g (120cm) for each pole
- Spartan Grip – developed using feedback from top athletes to deliver high performance with no excess
- Lightweight and breathable D-Loop Mesh Strap
- Fast adjustment – a cap system lets you dial in strap tension quickly
- Trail Speed Shape – flattened side cheeks on the grip to improve control and feedback
- 1K foam – extremely lightweight with a contour tailored to the Trail Shark grip
- Sizes: 105cm to 130cm
- Folds into three pieces
- Pack size: 35cm
- RRP: £170 (per pair)
- See Leki.
My thoughts: LEKI Neotrail Pro FX.One Superlite running poles
These poles are very lightweight. This is a bonus if you are doing long-distance events because it means you can reduce the load in your pack (if the poles are stowed in the pack) and lessen the weight you are carrying when using the poles.
The pole weight is light because they are made of carbon and also the shaft is thin. This might lead to the poles being more easily damaged, bent or snapped but so far I have found them to be robust enough for my use.
The times when I have damaged a pole – not these poles! – is when it gets stuck in a rock and I move forwards, or when a heavier person has leant badly on the pole.
So, while lightweight is good, there can be some potential problems to be aware of.
The poles fold into three and to a length of just 35cm. This is a neat size and easy to carry on a pack.
The poles fit together thanks to an internal cord. I do find the poles quite stiff to put together because you have to pull the sections taut to get the fastening button to pop out. I am expecting this to become easier with use.
Many running poles have a glove style strap that fastens to your hand and then to the pole. Instead, the LEKI Neotrail Pro FX.One Superlite running poles have a more traditional wrist strap. I like this because I find it easier to use than the gloves. The gloves are a good idea but they can be a bit of a fiddle, especially and when I try to use them over my running mitts.
It’s easy to shorten and lengthen the wrist straps once you work out how to do this.
The lightweight grips are made of a cork-look “1K foam”material, whatever that is! I confess I am not a fan of this type of material because it feels a bit rough on the hands compared to grip tape. I will probably add some tape if the handles do not soften up a bit. They are fine but not super comfy to use.
I read about this feature with interest: “Trail Speed Shape – flattened side cheeks on the grip to improve control and feedback”. I am not sure what control and feedback I need from the grip of a running pole.
I like the poles because they are lightweight and easy to use and carry. They are an aid uphill and keep me steady on the descents. But I don’t think I would rely on poles to give me feedback and control. Maybe I am missing a trick?
I also like a longer handle although I can see that this would add weight to the pole. A longer handle, one that extends further down the shaft, allows you to hold the pole at different levels, especially if you are running or hiking while contouring a mountainside and have one hand higher than the other.
Overall, I feel like the poles are a maybe too light. They feel a bit floaty and not well weighted to give good momentum and confidence. Sometimes a bit of weight can help with how the poles feel in the hands and for stability.
Planting these ultra-light poles doesn’t give me the same confidence as a slightly heavier pole. I am surprised to be writing this because I really do not like a heavy running pole, yet somehow a bit of robust stability has been lost.
However, when running downhill with the poles in my hands, or when they are attached to my pack, it is a joy to use these poles because they do not even feel like they are there.
The £170 price tag is what I would expect for carbon running poles. These type of poles are not cheap but I have seen others that are much more expensive. You are paying for the carbon material and for the design to create a very lightweight pole.
If super lightweight is critical to you and you do not need a longer grip handle or thicker shaft, these poles could well suit you.