I have spent years sniggering at ‘ramblers’ with their walking poles swinging as they pootled along. My sniggering stopped when, due to inevitable aging, I had knee trouble just before a long anticpated Scotland trip. Not wanting to spend a lot on a problem that I hoped would only be temporary made the Gelert Ascent seemed ideal.
They compare reasonably well with more expensive poles in terms of weight but the overall finish is (obviously) of a lower quality. The sections can be awkward to open up particularly with gloves on or in the cold which can be frustrating. I’ve found the lack of a bottom spike to be a drawback in snow and ice. More expensive poles have a metal spike that can gain purchase on hard ice but the broad rubber button on the Gelerts can feel unsteady in winter conditions.
The poles pack down small enough to be stored in the wand pocket of all but the smallest sacks. The wrist straps are basic but do their job adequately although the contours on the grip sometimes cause soreness if not held at the correct angle. These small niggles matter less when using the poles in colder conditions as gloves make the straps and grip more comfortable.
Although I bought these thinking I would only be using them for a short period of time I find that they keep reappearing when I am packing for a trip. They do what walking poles should do and they do it as well as much more expensive models, what more could you ask for?
(Written by: ayuplass)