A close look at two trekking poles buyers cross-shop. The Traverse leans on low weight while the Aluminum Quick Lock answers with packability, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| REI Co-op Traverse | Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 38✓ | 34 |
| Weight (pair) | 19.2 oz✓ | 20.8 oz |
| Packed length | 64 cm | 53 cm✓ |
| Max length | 140 cm✓ | 137 cm |
| Min length | 105 cm | 66 cm |
| Price | $119 | $30✓ |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Fold style | Telescoping | Telescoping |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Traverse in blue, Aluminum Quick Lock 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.
Put the REI Co-op Traverse next to the Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock and the trade-offs are clear. The Traverse wins on low weight and reach, and the Aluminum Quick Lock pushes back on packability and price.
The Traverse is 1.6 oz lighter per pair and a longer reach (140 vs 137 cm). The Aluminum Quick Lock is 11 cm shorter packed and $89 cheaper. On the default GearScore the Traverse leads 38 to 34.
Pick the Traverse if you care most about low weight and reach, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Aluminum Quick Lock if packability and price matter more to you, or you are focused on saving space in your pack.
The REI Co-op Traverse. It is 1.6 oz lighter per pair than the Aluminum Quick Lock.
The Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock. It is 11 cm shorter packed than the Traverse.
The REI Co-op Traverse, 38 to 34 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Traverse for low weight, or the Aluminum Quick Lock for packability. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.