Low-cost, multi-activity poles in stock at big box discounter
Costco is now carrying inexpensive (i.e., $24.99) all-purpose poles from China imported by Synergy Sportz LLC of Pocasset, Massachusetts. These adjustable aluminum poles are labeled as “All Season Trekking Poles” by Yukon Charlie’s, a company best known for snowshoes. Each pair of poles comes packed in a plastic shell along with Nordic Walking paws and baskets for snowshoeing or ski-touring.
For the record, I have never advocated cheap imports except for people who cannot afford higher-quality ones or for people loathe to make a bigger investment until they know whether they enjoy Nordic Walking. I know all the false economy arguments, but human nature is just that and some people just look at the price tag.
This post is simply informational and not a recommendation. I haven’t used the poles, but merely grasped a handle that stuck out of the plastic, but here are some photos:
The sign above this Costco display identifies them as Yukon Charlie's poles, priced at under $25.
Sign on display extolls the benefits of using poles. It is not Nordic Walking-specific, but there was a photo of a Nordic Walker on the display.
Poles and acccessories neatly packaged in clamshell plastic.
Hangtag includes instructions.
The cork handle was actually quite comfortable, but I don't know the pole's swingweight feels like or how easy it is to catch, so it it impossible to tell how it is in a real walking situation.
I bought these Synergy Sportz All Season Trekking Poles at Costco and could NOT get them to adjust in length. Following the vague instructions was no help and after an hour of fruitless work I gave up and returned them for full refund. Not sure what I was doing wrong or if they are poorly made. The frustration was not worth the effort. Beware.
You most likely were not doing anything wrong. There is a “you get what you pay for” syndrome at work here. The poles were both inexpensive and cheap. I wrote this post as informational, not as a recommendation, But being able to return them is a benefit of dealing with an ethical company like Costco.
You probably were not gripping them tight enough with your hands.
I was hoping these inexpensive poles would get more people out walking. People are always stopping to ask where I got my Leki poles, which I love. Hopefully Costco will upgrade to a better, at least adjustable, pole. Thanks for the info, Claire.
Gail – I am ambivilant about cheap poles being carried by a discount retailer. On the one hand, you are right that this could raise awareness of walking with poles among the American public. On the other hand, people like Gerald who have a bad experience might be turned off altogether. Costco did the right thing by refunding his money, but his post makes it seem as if he is not planning to replace them with decent ones.
You are quite right about the poor documentation but there is a very informative video at http://yukoncharlies.com/trekking-poles/. Please give this a try before giving up on the poles.
I’m one of those people who isn’t quite ready yet to commit large $ to trekking poles. I was pleased to find a less expensive alternative at Costco that still had cork grips, light weight, triple telescoping poles and some shock absorption. I walk rural road shoulders, paved and unpaved trails, and cover grades up to 10% regularly. I find the grips comfortable, the poles light, and have had no trouble adjusting or re-adjusting the length of the poles or the straps. The adjustments stay secure and readjust easily. It would be lovely to have the higher end poles, but I’m very happy to finally be able to experience Nordic Walking for myself, and haven’t seen any drawback so far to using the less expensive poles.
I am not a large discount stores member but i’ve found these identical poles in Marshalls in northern CA for $29.99. I’ve quickly found a way to adjust them, without looking at instructions, which indeed are short as i later discovered. I am not sure why other people have had troubles figuring it out. I used the poles several times and i loved how they performed. The aluminium build is light, cork handle is comfortable and shock absorption is a nice feature too. I’ve already recommended them to my friends.
I have been hiking for many years and have owned some more expensive poles but these are very good poles for the money and easy to figure out and adjust. I highly recommend them!
I bought these at Costco and used them for 2 weeks to Nordic walk. Please note that I’m an experienced hiker and know how to use Trekking Poles. They worked great at first. Then suddenly one pole just stopped being able to tighten. So, I took them back. Too cheaply made.
Just used these in a recent hiking trip. They felt good. Not too heavy, the cork grips were comfortable, and the shock absorbers were nice. They were easy to adjust as well. The only real problem I found with them is that you have to baby them a bit. I loaned one to my 71 y.o. father and found at times he was leaning over to rest, placing the full weight of his upper body and that of his approx. 40 lbs pack. I estimate he was putting upwards of 140 lbs pressure on one pole. Near the end of the hiking trip the rubber tip of the pole snapped off. Going to have to read up on the warranty to find what my options are. The pole is still usable, and I still like them, just be aware that they are not invincible. Also, I periodically found the need to give the telescoping pieces a twist to tighten them up. I suppose if I had not been checking on them, they might have eventually unexpectedly collapsed down on me.
where do we get replacements for the rubber “feet” on the Pro trekker sticks. I love them and really need replacements.
Tim – You might click on the link to Yukon Charlie’s and see whether they carry replacement tips. Or, if that fails, find Synergy Sportz LLC of Pocasset, Massachusetts, and ask them. Because the poles are inexpensive, it is possible that no replacement feet/paws are available. You could check other brands (LEKI or Exerstrider, for instance) to find out whether they happen to fit.
any luck in finding replacement tips. I’ve worn out two pairs in short order.
Dennis – Are you referring to Costco poles? If so, I can only give you the same answer I gaveTim back on August 25. You might click contact Yukon Charlie’s and see whether they carry replacement tips. Or, if that fails, find Synergy Sportz LLC of Pocasset, Massachusetts, and ask them. Because the poles are inexpensive, it is possible that no replacement feet/paws are available. You could check other brands (LEKI or Exerstrider, for instance) to find out whether they happen to fit.
I too wore my main tips all the way through within three months of regular use. I went to Amazon and searched nordic walking pole tips and came up with several choices, a cheap brand at $2.99 a set that looked like about the same soft material as the ones I just wore out and LEKI tips (I wanted the rocker shaped ones) for more like $14 (currently $12.99), and an Excel brand that says they are not cheap china made tips for $12.99. I read the reviews and decided to get the LEKI tips. It looked like they would outlast the cheap tips four to one and keep me from spending most of my time walking with worn down tread. I got two pair to get free shipping.
They were larger than my husband’s rocker LEKI tips and have a deep tread that gives them a springy feel. They are not wearing down yet in any visible way after a month of use. I like their feel much better and don’t regret paying more. They fit my poles perfectly.
I too, have worn out the tips on my pro trekker poles that I bought at Costco last year. It sure would be nice to be able to buy some that fit. I have tried all over. Guess new poles are are cheap as new tips.
Planned obsolescence. If your budget permits, buy a brand-name pair of poles — poles for which replacement parts are available. They’ll also be more robust and stand up better to lots of use.
Not sure what you mean by planned Obsolescence-see my post above Barb’s..The tips I got were expensive relative to the price of my Costco poles, but way less expensive than buying Leki poles when my Costco poles are still out there with me several times a week working perfectly,only now with tips that don’t wear down. I don’t expect to need to discard the poles anytime soon, but if I did and was able to get higher end poles the tips I bought would work for them too.
Barb, do consider the Leki tips from Amazon. They fit and work great!
By “planned obsolescence,” I meant materials that don’t wear out prematurely. By “tips,” I am also assuming the the reference is to the rubber “feet” or “caps” that slip on and off the inteegrated metal tips, not the metal tips themselves.
Thanks Claire! It is so true that the tips that come with the poles are such low quality that they are useless very quickly compared to the potential lifetime of the poles. I hope it helps others to know the Leki tips fit these poles as well as the cheap ones. It seemed a good compromise to me since the poles already work well for me and are holding up fine.
I want to buy a bottom tip for my walker. The bottom tip fell off and I need to buy a new tip.
When you write “walker,” I assume you are talking about walking poles, not the kind of walker people with balance issues use. The replacement tips (a.k.a., paws) depend on the brand of poles. Here are some resources.
Exel – http://www.exelnordicwalking.com/Buy_EXEL_Poles_NOW.html
LEKI – http://revelsports.com/leki/tips.htm (Also available from Campmor. http://www.campmor.com/leki-nordic-walking-fitness-tip.shtml)
Swix – http://www.swixnordicwalking.us/nordic-walking-poles.asp
Exerstrider – http://www.walkingpoles.com/content/view/153/102/
My wife and I have used these poles for about 2 years now and love them. The cork handles have remained perfectly intact and the adjustments are simple for anyone with common sense. I actually purchased an extra set for when ours wear out, but that hasn’t happened, despite 4-5 mile mountain hikes 3-4 times/week. Anyone who says these are cheaply made simply hasn’t used them, or is a brand snob. You don’t need to pay for more expensive poles, these work fine.
Claire, sorry but you have no idea what you’re talking about and should not be commenting on poles that you haven’t used, or a company that you have no experience with. I sent an email to Yukon Charlies and they’ve sent me to pkgs of replacement tips (about 20 tips total) FREE OF CHARGE!
Tracy – I am so glad that you and your wife are happy with the Yukon Charlies’s poles that you bought at Costco. I am delighted that YC sent you replacements FREE OF CHARGE!
Love these poles purchased at Costco several years ago. Am trying to delay a second knee replacement as long as possible, and these poles hve done the job as I walk about 3 miles a day on city streets, etc. Like so many products from Costco, these have provided excellent value.
My question is….came back from a long hike yesterday and the spring is showing in the middle. Is is time for a new set?
I am not intimately familiar with the design of the Costco poles, having only seen them once the the store — and in their package. If the spring is showing but the pole is still functioning, I suppose it’s OK to keep using them until you get another pair. If you are Nordic Walking for the long haul, however, you might consider a higher-quality pole where the only components likely to wear out are the rubber paws.