Trekking Poles - 2-pc Pack Adjustable Hiking or Walking Sticks - Strong, Lightweight Aluminum 7075 - Quick Adjust Flip-Lock - Cork Grip, Padded Strap

So I will start by saying that I am a 250lb male power lifter, so fully loaded backpacking gear, water, boots, I weigh in about 300 lbs. So I a well above the average weight of a backpacker. So keep that in mind when I review the stability and strength of these trekking poles.I used these poles on an eight day traverse across olympic national park. With about 10,000 feet of elevation gain and loss each. With an average of about 1,000 ft/mi on unstable shale talus/scree slopes. Going uphill these poles were forcefully jammed hard into the loose soil in order to ensure I didn't side down some of these super sketchy slopes. I was pleasantly surprised how well these super light poles held up to constant barrage of use. Going down slope I was even rougher on these poles. Putting most my 300lb weight on these poles in order to save my knees. In several places as in moving over fallen trees i would put my entire weight on a single poles, will no flex or give on these here poles. After 8 days of 10+ miles a day I felt no pain associated with joint pain. I was worried that these poles wouldn't stand up to my weight and brutality I was to put on them, but they lasted and kept up without a single scratch or dent. I admit I am rough on my gear and put their strength to the test.I worried how the condition of the tips would be moving over so much rock, gravel, soil, tree litter, etc.. The tips on these grip all these surfaces very well. I barely had any slips and when they did it was on rocks that offered little grip surface and were at a high angle, aka not flat. These tips came through with no scratches dinks or dents, They are made with tungsten carbide, which is equivalent to having a corundum ( ruby or sapphire) tip. With that being said unless you are walking on field of these minerals or diamonds, these tips will come through from scratching and being messed up. Was very pleased with the quality of these tips. I also think these would make a great defense against wild animals, I did not use these in defense,but a jabbing a tree with the poles, I would not want to be on the receiving end.The grips and straps are are also good quality and very comfortable. Going down hill I would position the straps so that would go across my palms, so my weight would be put in the straps and not trying to hold my wrists firm and risk wrist injury. These straps were comfortable, easy to adjust and did not give me blisters despite constant rubbing and use.Not mentioned in the description (unless I missed it, quite possible) the poles when extended having height marking in inches and cm to easily move these poles into position from a collapsed state. They also a have an indicator line and sort of sight that you can easily and precisely line up the length. The sigh is just below the locking levers. Speaking of locking leavers, They are easy to adjust, just open the lever and hand tighten the nuts. I however, didn't even need to adjust the screw very tight at all to hold myself up. Not once did the poles unexpectedly collapse under my weight. Me and my buddy always get swollen uncomfortable hands when we hike. With these poles it keeps the blood flowing, and causes no discomfort.In conclusion, these poles well surpassed my expectations of these poles. In all honesty I was gonna just store these poles in my pack and use the only in very rough conditions, but after I first used them, I used them the rest of the time. Like I said I was very rough on the poles and they stood up to my beatings. They are also very light and caused no discomfort in wrists or arms. Especially at this price, they are definitely worth it! If you're on the fence about getting these poles, as I was, I would go for it. I did a lot of comparing the different available poles on amazon and I deciding on these ones. I highly like these poles, and are a great price to add to your gear!! Buy these poles!!! Also their customer service is great.Also for you gents that think that using trekking poles is unmanly to use these poles. I would say its quite smart to save your joints. Also you won't look like a dummy when you slip and fall in the mud. Any who, buy these poles!!

EDIT: Modified rating from 3 stars to a full 5 stars after interaction with customer service (see at end of review).Purchased these specifically for the Spartan Race World Championships at Lake Tahoe 2 weeks ago (Obstacle Race on a ski mountain). Unpacked them and they seemed great. Were light, high quality, easy to operate, and could be attached to the back of my CamelBak hydration pack when I didn't need them. If you are unfamiliar with these races there are many obstacles that require climbing over, under, swimming, etc. so the ability to quickly use and store is vital. Started the race without them (there was a 5-mile loop that came back to the start area), then took them from that point on (about another 10 miles to the finish). I alternated between using them on steep ascents, and collapsing them and storing on my hydration pack when not needed (see pic where I had them stored horizontally on the bungee system of the hydration pack and for extra safety had the handles looped through my waist clasp so there was no way they could be lost). Never had them slip on me during use (I'm about 185lbs), and they were comfortable and I received many positive comments while passing fellow racers (most were envious I had thought to bring them!). The last 2-3 miles were downhill on dry hard dirt and so I had them stored and didn't check on them after that point.Finished the race and the bottom piece of one of the poles was gone (upper and middle were still connected). The locking clasp was secured and the screw was tight, it had just slipped out under the vibration of the hiking/running. Super disappointed because these were not cheap and now the one pole is worthless. Again if the clasp was undone or the screw loose I could see fault, but this just looks like it had a poor fit.Hopefully the supplier can offer a replacement end.EDIT: Less than 6 hours after writing this review I was contacted by email by customer service. This was not an electronically generated email but by an actual human being. I had expected to get the typical, "We are sorry for your experience but too bad", with the end result being SOL. Instead I was asked to confirm my shipping address and rather than send out the single lower piece I'm missing they are shipping a new pole. Just like that. No inquiries or run around, just good old-fashioned customer service that did so much more for me than the $40 poles. You've won a customer and my recommendation on here and to other racers. I just need to see if there's a backup mechanism I can rig up so it doesn't happen again (maybe a bungee or something that attaches to the handle and goes around the base to prevent the screws from slowly loosening after lots of vibration).5 STARS!