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Gossamer Gear LT5 Review

These poles are light enough to be a thru-hiker's dream, but we found them to have durability issues
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Gossamer Gear LT5 Review
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Price:  $195 List
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Manufacturer:   Gossamer Gear
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  May 16, 2023
65
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#10 of 17
  • Comfort - 20% 8.0
  • Weight - 20% 10.0
  • Versatility - 20% 5.0
  • Locking and Adjustability - 15% 5.0
  • Packed Size - 15% 5.0
  • Construction Quality - 10% 4.0

Our Verdict

The Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles are notable for their high price tag, low weight, and lack of durability. With carbon fiber shafts, plastic twist-lock mechanisms, and foam grips, they are among the lightest poles we have ever tested. The grips are also pretty comfortable. However, this low weight comes with a significant sacrifice in durability and strength. They aren't reliable enough to carry on long backcountry adventures nor pack down small enough to be versatile for alpine climbing and scrambling. These poles are great for users with arthritis or who want the lightest poles for light hikes and walks, but we don't recommend them for serious backcountry missions.
REASONS TO BUY
Light
Comfortable
REASONS TO AVOID
Expensive
Break easily
Not made for backcountry use

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Star Rating
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Bottom Line Flimsy and expensive poles that are comfortable enough for short walksThis versatile trekking pole is the best option for most usersExpertly designed folding poles that are versatile, packable, and highly comfortableThis is the best value in a lightweight pole, though it lacks the ability to adjust its lengthThese affordable and fully-featured trekking poles are a great value
Rating Categories Gossamer Gear LT5 MSR DynaLock Ascent... Leki Cressida FX Ca... Black Diamond Dista... Trekology Trek-Z 2.0
Comfort (20%)
8.0
10.0
10.0
6.0
7.0
Weight (20%)
10.0
6.5
6.5
9.0
2.0
Versatility (20%)
5.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
Locking and Adjustability (15%)
5.0
9.0
9.0
3.0
7.0
Packed Size (15%)
5.0
9.0
7.0
10.0
8.0
Construction Quality (10%)
4.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
Specs Gossamer Gear LT5 MSR DynaLock Ascent... Leki Cressida FX Ca... Black Diamond Dista... Trekology Trek-Z 2.0
Measured Weight Per Pair (Size Tested) 10.0 oz 17.0 oz (size: 100-120 cm) 17.0 oz 12.5 oz (size: 110 cm) 26.0 oz (size: 100-120 cm)
Measured Collapsed Length (Tested Size) 24.0 in 14.3 in (size: 100-120 cm) 16.0 in 14.0 in (size: 110 cm) 15.0 in (size: 100-120 cm)
Measured Max Length (Tested Size) 51.0 in 47.0 in (size: 100-120 cm) 47.0 in 43.3 in (size: 110 cm) 47.0 in (size: 100-120 cm)
Shaft Material Carbon Fiber Carbon fiber Carbon Aluminum Aluminum
Pole Design Collapsible Collapsible Foldable Foldable Foldable
Grip Material EVA foam Rubber, plastic, foam Cork EVA foam Foam
Locking Mechanism Twist lock Metal lever lock Snap button extension, plastic lever lock Snap button extension Snap button extension and metal lever lock
Included Baskets and/or Tip Attachments Trail baskets, rubber boots, carbide tips Trail baskets, snow baskets, carbide tip, rubber tips (sold separately) Trail basket, universal carbide flex tip Trail baskets, interchangeable carbide and rubber tips, snow baskets (sold separately) Trail baskets, snow baskets, carbide tip, rubber feet, rubber tips
Sizes Available (Size Tested) One size 2 Sizes: 100-120 (tested), 120-140 cm One size 4 Sizes: 100, 110 (tested), 120, 130 cm 2 Sizes: 115-135 cm, 100-120 cm (tested)
Advertised Weight Per Pair By Size (Per Manufacturer) 10.0 oz 16 / 17.0 oz 17.2 oz 11.2 / 11.6 / 12.1 / 12.6 oz 19.0 oz / 22.0 oz
Advertised Collapsed Length (Per Available Size) 23.5 In 14.3 in / 17.5 in 16 in 13 / 14.6 / 15.7 / 17.3 in 15.0 / 15.0 in
Advertisd Max Length (Per Available Size) 51 in 47.0 in / 55.0 in 47.0 in 39.4 /43.3 / 47.2 / 51.2 in 47.2 / 53.1 in

Our Analysis and Test Results

These poles deliver good comfort in a lightweight package, but they don't hold up to heavy-duty use.

Performance Comparison


gossamer gear lt5 - the gossamer gear lt5 is suitable for light trail use, but not much...
The Gossamer Gear LT5 is suitable for light trail use, but not much more.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Comfort


The Gossamer Gear LT5 has a comfortable foam grip that is well-contoured and fits easily into any hand size. The foam is relatively soft, making it easy to hold these poles all day long, but they don't offer much precision or support for rugged terrain. The top of the grip is firm enough to push down upon, but it's a bit floppy around the edges. The wrist strap is soft, supple nylon that fits comfortably around the wrists.

gossamer gear lt5 - the lt5's light foam grip is comfortable and pleasant to hold.
The LT5's light foam grip is comfortable and pleasant to hold.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Weight


At 10 ounces per pair, the Gossamer LT5 is one of the lightest trekking poles on the market. This is achieved with carbon shaft construction, foam grips, and plastic twist-lock components. These poles are easy to hike and walk with, swinging comfortably from our hands. If you need a lightweight pole for your daily fitness walk or suffer from chronic pain in your wrists, these poles are a lightweight delight. However, the same lightweight components also make them too delicate for backcountry use.

gossamer gear lt5 - carbon shafts and plastic twist locks keep weight to a minimum.
Carbon shafts and plastic twist locks keep weight to a minimum.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Versatility


The Gossamer LT5 poles come with mud baskets and rubber tip attachments. While these are appreciated, they don't add much versatility since the construction of these poles is their main limiting factor. They are light enough for casual hikes and fitness walks and are even suitable for light trail running. However, they are not durable enough to be used on long backcountry hikes where support is needed in remote terrain, and they are definitely not strong enough to be trusted for overnight trips or in talus fields.

gossamer gear lt5 - mud baskets and tip attachments come with the poles, and help add...
Mud baskets and tip attachments come with the poles, and help add some versatility for different trail conditions.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Locking and Adjustability


The LT5 uses the antiquated twist-lock system to secure the shaft sections into place at the chosen length. Most other poles have moved away from this technology and towards lever lock adjustment mechanisms, which are easier to adjust and provide a more secure length lock. The twist locks on the LT5 are easy to manipulate, but they take a good deal of effort to tighten fully. There is 25 centimeters (10 inches) of length adjustment, which isn't as much as most other poles on the market. If you have to adjust the length of your poles regularly, or collapse and extend your poles every time you use them, the Gossamer LT5 will be annoying to use.

The Gossamer Gear LT5 uses a twist-lock mechanism to set the pole's length, which requires strength and a lot of work.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Packed Size


These poles are three-section telescoping poles, meaning they don't collapse as small as foldable poles. The LT5 collapses to a minimum length of 24 inches (60 centimeters), which is about as small as telescoping poles get, but this is still much longer than the minimum length of folding trekking poles. If you plan on stowing your poles on the inside of your backpack, these won't work. They will, however, fit into most luggage.

gossamer gear lt5 - this is a big pack, and the gossamer gear lt5 still sticks out above...
This is a big pack, and the Gossamer Gear LT5 still sticks out above the top.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Construction Quality


With carbon shafts and plastic length locks, the LT5 does not promise longevity. In fact, we broke our poles during the test period! The twist locks work by expanding a small plastic sleeve over a screw at the end of a shaft section, and that plastic sleeve tightens against the inside of the next larger shaft section. Since the shafts are made of carbon, which is not strong in shear (bending), the expanding plastic sleeve easily shatters the carbon shaft sections if they are overtightened. This is easy to do since twist lock poles invite overtightening. If you want poles that will last, look elsewhere.

gossamer gear lt5 - we cracked the shafts on the lt5 just by tightening the twist-lock...
We cracked the shafts on the LT5 just by tightening the twist-lock mechanism. This serious design flaw signals major construction quality problems.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Should You Buy the Gossamer Gear LT5?


These poles are light, but we don't think they are worth the price. Other lightweight poles are much more durable and cost less. For the price, these poles lack the versatility, durability, and locking security that we would expect. The brand motto on the pole instructs you to “take less,” and for us that usually meant we didn't take these poles at all. That said, the LT5 does seem to be popular with the thru-hiking community for a reason — they are incredibly light and if they work for your needs and the terrain you plan to cover, they could be a good match. We just can't fully recommend them after our experience and would encourage you to have a plan for an in-field repair should they break while you're miles from civilization.

gossamer gear lt5 - the gossamer gear lt5 is nice to use on well-groomed trails, thanks...
The Gossamer Gear LT5 is nice to use on well-groomed trails, thanks to its low weight and comfy foam grips.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

What Other Trekking Poles Should You Consider?


If you are enticed by the light weight of the LT5 poles, check out our favorite lightweight pole, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z, which weighs the same as the LT5 but doesn't have an adjustable length. If you want that feature, you'll have to opt for the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ, which costs about as much as the LT5 but performs much better. Our favorite trekking poles on the market are the MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon, which also feature carbon construction, adjustable length, tons of versatility, and cost a bit less.

Jeff Dobronyi