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Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 Review
January 9, 2018The Good
- Affordable
- Cork grip
- Anti-shock
- Padded wrist strap
The Bad
- Heaviest model tested
- Least collapsable model
Weight
At 20 ounces (560 grams) the Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 trekking poles were noticeably heavier when compared head-to-head with the other models in the test. Yet, one tester commented that he would still prefer to take these on his long distance treks rather than not have any poles. Another tester felt that the weight of this thicker aluminum pole felt like it may be more durable in the long haul.
Packability
The minimum collapsed size of the Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 trekking poles was 26.5 inches, making them the second least collapsible model in our test. This could make traveling with them difficult as they would not likely fit inside carry-on dimensions (22 inches max – maybe on the diagonal in some bags). The longer minimum length also makes strapping them on small backpacks for scrambling less convenient.
Comfort/Swing
Testers appreciated the cork handles that are comfortable in both warm and cold conditions along with the padded and adjustable wrist straps. Over long distances some of our testers commented they would prefer a slightly more angled grip to keep the wrist in a more natural position.
Features
Our testers favorite feature was the cork grips, which have a small shelf of high density foam just below the grip which facilitated a limited amount of room to “choke down” on the handle when hitting a short, steeper section. The padded adjustable wrist strap improved long-distance comfort. The “twist to adjust length” mechanism that is becoming more rare in this category worked reliably over the test period. The anti-shock mechanism worked as designed, though a couple testers felt this feature did not have much effect on performance mainly due to how stiff the “shock absorber” felt. Standard trekking baskets and rubber “boot” tips for indoor use are included.
Durability
After hundreds of miles, the Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 trekking poles only show typical scratches in the finish. The carbide tips are still in excellent condition and all testers felt that this heavier model would probably give many years of service and was an excellent value at the price point.
David is a self proclaimed snow & navigation geek and teaches all aspects of climbing and avalanche safety for Eastern Mountain Sports Schools in North Conway, NH. He tests GPS's for the Gear Institute.
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