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Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Review

A highly affordable pair of poles with all of the features of more expensive models
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Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Review (The Trekology Trek-Z at home on the trails in Hawaii.)
The Trekology Trek-Z at home on the trails in Hawaii.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi
Price:  $45 List
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Manufacturer:   Trekology
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 9, 2024
62
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#12 of 17
  • Comfort - 20% 7.0
  • Weight - 20% 2.0
  • Versatility - 20% 6.0
  • Locking and Adjustability - 15% 7.0
  • Packed Size - 15% 8.0
  • Construction Quality - 10% 9.0

Our Verdict

The Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 is a foldable and adjustable trekking pole that comes at a very attractive price. For a fraction of the cost of more expensive models, it provides a comfortable grip and handle, a secure locking mechanism, and some length adjustment. The aluminum construction is durable and guarantees this pole will last a long time, but the heavy weight also means it is less suitable for weight-conscious activities like mountaineering and mountain running. Still, these poles are a great deal for users who want a foldable and adjustable pair of trekking poles but who don't want to break the bank. See it rated versus top competitors in our review of the best trekking poles.
REASONS TO BUY
Durable
Comfortable grip
Packs small
REASONS TO AVOID
Heavy
Less versatile due to weight
Editor's Note: This review was updated on July 9, 2024, with more details about related products.

Compare to Similar Products

 
trekology trek-z 2.0
Awards Best Buy Award
Best Bang for Your Buck
Editors' Choice Award
Best Overall Trekking Pole
Best Buy Award
Outstanding Value in a Lightweight Pole
  
Price $45 List
$44.99 at Amazon
$169.99 at Dick's Sporting Goods
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$139.95 at REI
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$30 List
$29.30 at Amazon
$39 List
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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46
Star Rating
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Bottom Line These affordable and fully-featured trekking poles are a great valueThis versatile trekking pole is the best option for most usersThis is the best value in a lightweight pole, though it lacks the ability to adjust its lengthIncredibly inexpensive, these poles get the job done for casual hikersThese inexpensive poles get the basic job done, but there are better options out there, even for the price
Rating Categories Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 MSR DynaLock Ascent... Black Diamond Dista... Cascade Mountain Te... TrailBuddy Gear Alu...
Comfort (20%)
7.0
10.0
6.0
5.0
4.0
Weight (20%)
2.0
6.5
9.0
6.0
5.0
Versatility (20%)
6.0
9.0
6.0
7.0
5.0
Locking and Adjustability (15%)
7.0
9.0
3.0
7.0
5.0
Packed Size (15%)
8.0
9.0
10.0
3.0
4.0
Construction Quality (10%)
9.0
7.0
8.0
6.0
4.0
Specs Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 MSR DynaLock Ascent... Black Diamond Dista... Cascade Mountain Te... TrailBuddy Gear Alu...
Measured Weight Per Pair (Size Tested) 26.0 oz (size: 100-120 cm) 17.0 oz (size: 100-120 cm) 12.5 oz (size: 110 cm) 18.5 oz 20.0 oz
Measured Collapsed Length (Tested Size) 15.0 in (size: 100-120 cm) 14.3 in (size: 100-120 cm) 14.0 in (size: 110 cm) 26.0 in 25.0 in
Measured Max Length (Tested Size) 47.0 in (size: 100-120 cm) 47.0 in (size: 100-120 cm) 43.3 in (size: 110 cm) 55.0 in 54.0 in
Shaft Material Aluminum Carbon fiber Aluminum Aluminum Aluminum
Pole Design Foldable Collapsible Foldable Collapsible Collapsible
Grip Material Foam Rubber, plastic, foam EVA foam Cork, foam Cork
Locking Mechanism Snap button extension and metal lever lock Metal lever lock Snap button extension Plastic lever locks Plastic lever locks
Included Baskets and/or Tip Attachments Trail baskets, snow baskets, carbide tip, rubber feet, rubber tips Trail baskets, snow baskets, carbide tip, rubber tips (sold separately) Trail baskets, interchangeable carbide and rubber tips, snow baskets (sold separately) Trail baskets, snow baskets, tungsten-carbide tip, rubber feet, rubber tips Trail baskets, snow baskets, tungsten-carbon, rubber tips
Sizes Available (Size Tested) 2 Sizes: 115-135 cm, 100-120 cm (tested) 2 Sizes: 100-120 (tested), 120-140 cm 4 Sizes: 100, 110 (tested), 120, 130 cm One size One size
Advertised Weight Per Pair By Size (Per Manufacturer) 19.0 oz / 22.0 oz 16 / 17.0 oz 11.2 / 11.6 / 12.1 / 12.6 oz 20.8 oz 19.4 oz
Advertised Collapsed Length (Per Available Size) 15.0 / 15.0 in 14.3 in / 17.5 in 13 / 14.6 / 15.7 / 17.3 in 26.0 in 24,5 in
Advertisd Max Length (Per Available Size) 47.2 / 53.1 in 47.0 in / 55.0 in 39.4 /43.3 / 47.2 / 51.2 in 54.0 in 54.0 in

Our Analysis and Test Results

Foldable poles are taking over the trekking pole market, and the Trekology Trek-Z is the first truly affordable pair that uses this design configuration. It scores well across almost all of our metrics and comes with powder and trail baskets, boots, and narrow tips.

Performance Comparison


trekology trek-z 2.0 - the trekology trek-z is a good choice for rugged trails and...
The Trekology Trek-Z is a good choice for rugged trails and budget-minded hikers.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Comfort


The Trek-Z features a soft foam grip that is lightly contoured and very comfortable to hold. The top of the grip handle is rounded and coated with rubber, making these poles easy to grasp in any configuration. The wrist strap is silky and soft, for added comfort when carrying heavy packs or hiking up steep hills. This pole ticks all of the boxes for a modern, comfortable pole.


The only downside to the comfort of these poles is their weight. It isn't a deal-breaker, but our experienced testers noticed the heavy weight after just hours on the trail. They are both heavy to pick up and heavy to swing forward with each step. If stowed in a backpack, they add considerable heft to the user's load. Still, these are comfortable poles overall, thanks to their grip design.

trekology trek-z 2.0 - the foam grips on the trek-z are colored to look like cork, and are...
The foam grips on the Trek-Z are colored to look like cork, and are comfortable to hold in any orientation.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Weight


Tipping the scales at 26.0 ounces per pair, the Trek-Z is one of the heaviest pairs of poles that we've ever tested. This weight comes from the solid aluminum construction of the shaft sections, additional metal reinforcements at the shaft joints, and a vinyl protector for the inner tightening cord. These touches add to the product's durability, but also make it an unwieldy pole to use for more than a couple of hours.


At more than twice the weight of some lightweight poles on the market, the Trek-Z feels heavy to experienced users and isn't suitable for missions where light weight is important. We wouldn't carry these up and over an alpine climb, or take hiking when trying to move quickly. But to inexperienced users or those who spend all of their time on trail, the additional weight might not be noticeable.

trekology trek-z 2.0 - the thick metal lever lock and aluminum joint reinforcements add...
The thick metal lever lock and aluminum joint reinforcements add considerable weight to the Trek-Z.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Versatility


With a foldable design, small packed size, comfortable grip, and a plethora of tip and basket attachments, this pole is relatively versatile. However, some uses like alpine climbing and mountain running require a pole that is lightweight, rendering this pole unsuitable for these activities. Long-distance speed hikers and thru-hikers will also find this pole too heavy to be used for day after day.


The Trek-Z strikes an interesting balance between durability and versatility. Most foldable poles are designed for lightweight missions and versatility in mind. This pole retains the foldable design but sacrifices some versatility for extreme durability gains. Most users won't be affected by the pole's heavy weight, but users on the extreme sides of the spectrum, like day-mission alpinists and month-or-more thru-hikers will certainly want a lighter pole.

trekology trek-z 2.0 - the trek-z comes with two sets of baskets and two tip attachments...
The Trek-Z comes with two sets of baskets and two tip attachments, adding versatility for a variety of trail surfaces.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Locking and Adjustability


The Trekology Trek-Z extends easily and then locks into place with a satisfying click as the snap button pops out through the shaft sections. The aluminum lever lock is easy to adjust and manipulate, but the pole only affords 7 inches (17cm) of length adjustment, which is less than other products on the market. In general, however, we like the locking mechanisms on this pole.


When it is time to disassemble the pole, the shaft sections can be released by firmly pushing on the lock button. This intuitive design is what we prefer. The length adjustment lever is easily tightened by hand by spinning an aluminum dial. As previously mentioned, the length of the Trek-Z can only be adjusted by 7 inches, which is low compared to other poles on the market, but still enough to cover most lengths that users want.

trekology trek-z 2.0 - a simple button keeps the trek-z's foldable pole sections extended...
A simple button keeps the Trek-Z's foldable pole sections extended, and a durable lever lock with hand-tightening dial keep the pole's length steady.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Packed Size


The Trek-Z packs down to 15 inches when folded and collapsed completely. This is about average for the foldable poles and much shorter than the packed size of all of the telescoping collapsible poles on the market. This makes it suitable for use when traveling, scrambling, mountaineering, or for winter snow travel.


We also like how the Trek-Z comes with a drawstring bag. This helps you keep the poles tidy and folded when packed, and prevents the sharp tips from damaging other items in your pack or from snagging and unfolding when you pull them out of a pack. The bag is also nice for keeping all of the included tip and basket attachments together.

trekology trek-z 2.0 - the trek-z packs down as small as most other foldable poles on the...
The Trek-Z packs down as small as most other foldable poles on the market.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Construction Quality


The Trek-Z stands out for durability. All shaft sections, reinforcements, and locking mechanisms are constructed with aluminum, which makes this pole bombproof. In our testing, we couldn't get it to show any sign of weakness. We backpacked with heavy packs, crossed streams with slippery rocks, and used it to pitch lightweight tents, and this pole never gave us cause for concern.


Aluminum construction comes with the major downside of heavy weight, compared to carbon. This pole takes durable construction to the extreme, and we aren't sure that the pole needs to be as robust as it is, except for use in rugged trekking to remote destinations. If you need a durable pole when venturing to parts of the world where a replacement pole will be hard to find, this pole is a great choice. But for most casual uses, this pole's durable construction is overkill.

trekology trek-z 2.0 - aluminum joint reinforcements, aluminum shaft ends, and a vinyl...
Aluminum joint reinforcements, aluminum shaft ends, and a vinyl sheath for the tension cord make the Trek-Z a very durable pole.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Should You Buy the Trekology Trek-Z 2.0?


The Trek-Z 2.0 offers an incredible value, making it one of our top choices, especially for users on a budget. For a fraction of the price of the best poles on the market, you'll get a small packed size and enough comfort and adjustability for any hiking trip. Even our discerning testers don't mind the added weight for most uses. Mountain runners, alpine climbers, and lightweight through-hikers might want to spend more money for a lighter pole, but most other trail users will find exactly what they need in the affordable Trek-Z 2.0.

What Other Trekking Poles Should You Consider?


If you like the foldable design of the Trek-Z but want a better grip and lighter weight, the MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon is our top choice. Even lighter is the Black Diamond Distance Z, which doesn't have any length adjustment, but still boasts a comfortable grip and a reasonable price. The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z is one of the lightest poles on the market, at a fraction of the weight of the Trek-Z 2.0, but it's a lot more expensive. If you're looking for a women's-specific foldable pole, the Leki Cressida FX Carbon is the best option, but it's also astronomically expensive. If you're looking for a similarly durable pole with more refinement, the Black Diamond Pursuit is a great choice.

Jeff Dobronyi