Here is how these two trekking poles compare on the numbers. They score within a hair of each other, so it comes down to the details below.
| MSR DynaLock Explore | REI Co-op Traverse | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 39✓ | 38 |
| Weight (pair) | 19.0 oz✓ | 19.2 oz |
| Packed length | 62 cm✓ | 64 cm |
| Max length | 140 cm | 140 cm |
| Min length | 100 cm | 105 cm |
| Price | $120 | $119✓ |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Fold style | Telescoping | Telescoping |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: DynaLock Explore in blue, Traverse in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Min length is shown for context and is not scored. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full trekking-pole comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
The MSR DynaLock Explore against the REI Co-op Traverse is a study in priorities. They are close enough that this really is about which handful of specs you weight most.
The DynaLock Explore is a little lighter and a little shorter packed. The Traverse is a little cheaper. Their GearScores land within a couple of points (39 vs 38), so neither runs away with it.
Pick the DynaLock Explore if you care most about low weight and packability, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Traverse if price matter more to you, or you are focused on getting the most for your money.
The MSR DynaLock Explore. It is a little lighter than the Traverse.
The MSR DynaLock Explore. It is a little shorter packed than the Traverse.
They are nearly tied at 39 and 38 on the default algorithm, so re-weight the score to your own priorities to break the tie.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the DynaLock Explore for low weight, or the Traverse for price. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.