From www.backpackgeartest.org - 20 year backpacker -- Gail Staisil - Excerpts I have continued to use the poles with good success. I still pinch my fingers sometimes when I put the sections together but I guess I am not being careful enough.....During my August Isle Royale trip, I ventured to an area of the island that is not as well traveled. Part of it has several large beaver dams which need to be crossed. There are no boardwalks over them and two of the dams are probably as long as a football field. Each step has to be checked with a stick or pole to make sure that the footing is OK to move forward one step at a time. Otherwise I could end up in unknown places and I am not kidding. With water and mud flowing over the dams it is a slow process and I completely relied on the poles to keep me upright. I am happy to say that I trusted the poles and was successful in not getting wet. The thumbscrew on the adjustable top part of the pole has remained tightened. I do check it before I cross any uncertain areas (deep drops off rock, beaver dams and water crossings) as I wouldn't want the pole to suddenly shorten. In summary, I have found the Tiger Paw Z-Poles to be highly dependable and durable during all my treks. The few shortcomings don't affect their performance in any way. I do plan to continue to use the poles especially for trips where dependable poles are important. Pros Adjustable Compact Easy to set up Cork handles for comfort Cons None

First of all, these are great poles for the price. I left my originals propped against the car and drove away without retrieving, hence new poles. I wanted ones that set for short heights and used the shock cords inside to stretch for break down for transport, rather than those that broke into pieces. I read all the reviews on these which seemed true. There were problems listed about setting up the poles and not holding the set size. Setting up was tricky, I made a blood blister on my index finger trying to pull far enough to engage the button to hold it all erect. Watching the YouTube video on these poles helped. Second, the size setting is to open the clasp, choose height in cm. Close clasp and tighten the nut by hand to hold. On one of my poles that works perfectly, the other gradually compresses through using it and putting pressure. Now I try to remember to reset both poles at every use or one will be about an inch too low. Next, I have very small hands. The cork handholds have a ridge for your thumb and the fingers below. That ridge just doesn't fit my hands. If I hook my thumb above ridge, my fingers below never quite get comfortable and if I put all my fingers lower that changes the angle of my hand so that I can't just relax and allow the wrist bands to hold my arms steady. I'm fooling with one or both most of the time. I mostly do short hikes as I live in big city so not a huge problem, but with average size hands it should be just fine.

From www.backpackgeartest.org - 20 year backpacker -- Gail Staisil - Excerpts I have continued to use the poles with good success. I still pinch my fingers sometimes when I put the sections together but I guess I am not being careful enough.....During my August Isle Royale trip, I ventured to an area of the island that is not as well traveled. Part of it has several large beaver dams which need to be crossed. There are no boardwalks over them and two of the dams are probably as long as a football field. Each step has to be checked with a stick or pole to make sure that the footing is OK to move forward one step at a time. Otherwise I could end up in unknown places and I am not kidding. With water and mud flowing over the dams it is a slow process and I completely relied on the poles to keep me upright. I am happy to say that I trusted the poles and was successful in not getting wet. The thumbscrew on the adjustable top part of the pole has remained tightened. I do check it before I cross any uncertain areas (deep drops off rock, beaver dams and water crossings) as I wouldn't want the pole to suddenly shorten. In summary, I have found the Tiger Paw Z-Poles to be highly dependable and durable during all my treks. The few shortcomings don't affect their performance in any way. I do plan to continue to use the poles especially for trips where dependable poles are important. Pros Adjustable Compact Easy to set up Cork handles for comfort Cons None