Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Poles Review (2026)

Name: Gossamer Gear LT5 Carbon Poles
Brand: Gossamer Gear
Price: 210.00 USD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 9.5 (1 reviews)

At 4.5 oz per pole (9 oz for the pair), the LT5 Carbons are the lightest poles in this roundup and among the lightest available anywhere. I've used them on every kind of terrain in Shenandoah and along the AT and they've never felt like a weak link. The cork grips handle sweat well — better than foam or rubber on long hot days — and the carbide tips are replaceable when they wear. The one limitation is fixed-length: you need to pick the right length at purchase. Gossamer Gear's sizing guide is accurate; measure your torso and follow it.

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$210 retail

9.5

/ 10

TrailCraft Score

What Works

4.5 oz each — genuinely ultralight without sacrificing rigidity
Cork grips are the best material for sweaty hands
Replaceable carbide tips extend pole life
Lifetime warranty from a specialist brand

Limitations

Fixed length — requires correct sizing at purchase
Carbon can snap under severe lateral force
No adjustability for sharing between users

Specifications

Weight4.5 oz / 128 g per pole

MaterialCarbon fiber

TypeFixed length

GripCork

TipReplaceable carbide

WarrantyLifetime

Length Options100, 105, 110, 115, 120, 125, 130 cm

StrapAdjustable nylon

Score Breakdown

Weight

10.0

Trail performance

9.5

Build quality

9.3

Value for money

9.2

Grip comfort

9.4

On the trail

I use fixed-length carbon poles for most solo day hiking and the LT5s have become my default. The weight advantage over adjustable poles (typically 6–8 oz per pole) is real and you notice it by the end of a long day. On the Appalachian Trail sections I hike most often, there's enough technical terrain that pole rigidity matters — the carbon shafts don't flex under normal use and the tips plant with satisfying precision.

Cork grips are underappreciated. They conform slightly to your hand over time and handle moisture better than any synthetic material. On a humid Virginia summer day when every piece of gear is damp, the cork grips are comfortable where foam and rubber get slippery.

The fixed-length consideration

Fixed poles require that you buy the right length upfront. The standard calculation is height (inches) × 0.68 = pole length in cm. I'm 6' and use 125cm. Gossamer Gear's sizing guide matches this formula and I've found it accurate. The limitation is that you can't adjust on the fly for steep climbs or share with someone significantly different in height.

"Nine ounces for the pair. After a full day on the AT, that weight savings is something you feel."

Comparing options?

See all four Best Trekking Poles side by side — specs, scores, and pricing.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What length Gossamer LT5 poles should I buy?

The standard formula: your height in inches multiplied by 0.68 gives you the pole length in centimeters. At 6', that's 72 × 0.68 = 49 in, or about 124cm — so the 125cm option. Gossamer Gear's sizing chart on their website confirms this.

Can fixed carbon poles be used to pitch ultralight shelters?

Yes — trekking poles that pitch shelters like the Big Agnes Copper Spur or most ultralight single-wall tents use poles in the range of 100–125cm. Fixed-length poles work perfectly and are actually preferred for shelter use since there's no adjustment to slip under load.

Is carbon safe for technical scrambling?

Carbon handles downward load (normal pole use) excellently. What carbon doesn't handle well is sudden lateral force — like catching a pole in a crack while falling. For serious technical terrain with fall risk, aluminum gives you more confidence. For established-trail hiking including rocky scrambles, carbon is fine.