Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 trekking pole Review

Mountainsmith® Pyrite 7075 Trekking Pole Review

Basic Description of Item:

Mountainsmith Pyrite trekking Pole made of 7075 aluminum. One of the best trekking poles available for hiking, camping, hunting and other outdoor activities.

Just the Facts:
Here is a quick list of form and features for the Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 Trekking Pole review:
• Molded cork/EVA handle
• Three telescoping sections
• Spring loaded anti shock system
• Twist lockout double-cam adjustment
• Removable hiking baskets with locking pins
• Removable rubber boot tips and snow baskets
• Adjustable webbing wrist strap

My Story
I’ve spent months and months out in the wild, most of the time on foot. I have hiked who knows how many miles coming and going…and never once used a trekking pole.
Wow. I wish I had known!
Maybe, like me, you’re no spring chicken any more. The trekking pole adds stability and provides balance and security along your route. The surprising thing, to me, was how much the trekking pole actually helps with your overall stamina and strength to get you to where you are going. Preserve your strength for performing the activities for which you are hiking in!
The Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 trekking poles get their name from being made of aircraft grade 7075 aluminum. They are a modest 1 lb 5 oz, and their fit range is from the compressed 26.5 in. to an extended max. of 54 in. They spec out at a maximum load of 160 lbs. (Yeah, you can lean on them!) I found them to be strong, comfortable, and easy to use.
My first hike with these was a day hike in the Wasatch mountains near my home. I wasn’t loaded down too heavily. But immediately I noticed how easily I weaved my way through the trail scree and detritus. Whenever I had a misstep, the poles provided immediate recovery and prevented me stumbling or turning my ankles.
The cork handle grips and EVA molded contours are just superb, and the adjustable wrist strap lets you get your loop right so you don’t drop the poles. I had to play around with the twist-lock sections a couple of times until I had the correct angle. Those adjustments were simple and quick and there was no problem with sticking or slipping. Marks along the side of the poles make it easy to get the length of each pole exact to your liking.
The poles come with an impressive carbide tip, which digs in and holds well on diverse conditions. I took off the snow baskets and the rubber tips and just went with the bare carbide tip. I have yet to have the carbide tip slip or fail on any surface, even when wet. So, I cannot overstate the feeling of security it offers on the trail. I really liked that the shock absorber function can be turned on or off with a backwards twist when the twist locks are fully engaged.
In summary, I’d give the Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 trekking poles the following marks (of a possible 5):
Durability – 5
Comfort – 4.5
Ease of Use 4
Reliability 4.5
Overall 4.5

What They Could Do Better
This is not the lightest option on the market. I mean, we are talking a few ounces here. I don’t know if something design-wise could be done to reduce weight and retain strength. This was not a big deal to me.
I did not test the snow baskets and so this review does not include any assessment of that feature set.