Montem Ultra Strong Review

The Montem Ultra Strong is a budget option for low-impact walking and activities, without impressing us in any one category.

Comfort

Though the Ultra Strong's handles appear at first glance to be cork, they're actually constructed from EVA foam. Montem offers this pole with an actual cork grip, but it costs a bit more. The EVA handles look a lot like cork in the photo, so just be sure you understand what you're purchasing if you opt for this pole, and select the cork option if that's what you want. That said, we found the EVA handles to still be decently comfortable.

In addition to the typical foam, these poles feature a useful foam grip under the standard handles, which are very comfortable for “choking down.” The extra texture on this section was beneficial when climbing steps. The wrist straps are padded and reasonably comfortable, but they can come loose occasionally.

Weight

These poles are surprisingly light for the price. Since one of our main concerns with budget poles is strength, the aluminum Montem poles are a good option for those who aren't concerned with saving every last ounce. Unless you're taking these on a weeks- or months-long thru-hike, we think they are an acceptable weight for casual use.

Versatility

The Ultra Strong come with mud baskets and are compatible with Montem snow baskets (sold separately). They come with a pair of basic rubber tips, and Montem sells several different styles if you want more. The adjustability and secondary foam grip make them excellent for climbing on steps.

Locking and Adjustability

These poles sport a standard three-section telescoping design. This is nice for hikers who prefer to adjust their poles to different lengths depending on the terrain. The poles can range from 25 to 53 inches, or 61 to 135 cm.

The problem that we found in this area was the locking mechanisms. They need to be tightened quite a bit to keep the telescoping sections secure, and they are nearly impossible to tighten enough by hand to keep the pole sections from sliding in on themselves when you put all your weight into them. The locks needed to be readjusted frequently. While we didn't have any issues with the plastic clips, they seem like they could be one of the first parts of the pole to break.

Packed Size

The Ultra Strong collapses to 25 inches, which is standard among telescoping poles. We could easily strap these poles onto the outside of our packs in several different ways. While they fit nicely on the outside of a pack, these poles don't fit easily inside. If that's what you're looking for, you should consider a folding Z-pole style.

Construction Quality

Durability is one of our main concerns with this pole. During our testing, we had no issues with the pole's strength. We did have significant challenges tightening the locking mechanisms, and the sections would collapse if we couldn't dial them in tight enough. The generic design of the pole raises questions about its longevity. Some reviews online mentioned the pole bending easily; however, we put significant weight on the pole and never saw any bending. This isn't to say the pole can't bend or snap, but we would be surprised if the sections snapped without excessive force. The main issue was tightening the sections, making it difficult to secure them to a point where we could trust the pole with our weight.

What we are more concerned about is the durability of the plastic locking mechanisms. We needed to tighten them to keep the telescoping sections secure, and it's possible that tightening them too much could cause them to snap. If we tighten them too little, the pole will not bear our weight or that of our gear. The benefit of the Ultra Strong is that we trust the aluminum pole strength more than the carbon fiber sections of a discount brand.

Should You Buy the Montem Ultra Strong?

We think these are a good value for the casual hiker. They don't offer anything fancy, but they are practical for beginners or budget-buyers who will use them on walking paths or day hikes. We wouldn't recommend them for backpacking or in more challenging terrain, but for an entry-level pole or occasional use, they are a decent choice.

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