ELEVATE
Trekking Poles

Designed to be the last pair of poles you'll ever need to buy. Please refer to this guide to keep your poles ready for a lifetime of adventure.

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Videos available in desktop view.

 

A) Sizing:

For walking on flat ground, adjust the height of the poles so that your elbow rests at a 90° angle with your arms by your sides.

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For optimal support and posture when hiking, we recommend you:

• collapse the poles by 5 cm for long periods of incline

• extend the poles by 5 cm for long periods of descent

 

Do not extend the poles beyond their upper limit (“MAX” decal) when in use. This will greatly compromise their strength.​ Poles will also not support load if adjusted to below their minimum size.

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If poles slip closed under load when the friction lock lever is engaged, you may need to tighten the friction lock. Do this by turning the thumb nut clockwise while the lever is open. Do not over-tighten the lock, this can damage your poles.

 

B) Straps:

Best grip practice for hiking is to pass your hand under and through the strap and grip the handle so the strap passes through beneath your palm and around the back of your hand. This provides the best support while still allowing the pole to swing easily in your hand, reducing fatigue and ensuring confident pole plants.

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FOR TRAVEL IN AVALANCHE RISK AREAS: We recommend you either do not use the straps or remove the straps temporarily for your trip. See strap replacement guide below.

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Adjusting your strap:

1. Pull on the free tail of the strap to loosen the locking wedge.

2. Tighten or loosen the strap by adjusting the upper side of the hand loop.

3. Lock the wedge back in place by pulling the lower side of the hand loop.

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To remove your straps: 

Take care to not lose or damage your strap pin in this process. Replacements are available in our store if you do.

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1. Secure the hard plastic top section of the handle on a sturdy table, ideally in a small vise if you have access to one. Make sure you are holding the pole only on this hard plastic top and not the grip or shaft.

2. Using a mallet and nail-setter or other small metal pin, gently tap the small side of the plastic pin through the top of the handle.

3. Once loose, you can pull the pin and fabric strap out entirely and store them somewhere safe.

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To replace your straps: 

1. Fold the strap as shown and pinch a small loop into the strap.

2. Insert the loop to the gap in the handle and slide the pin into place. Be careful not to catch the fabric of the strap when putting the pin in place

3. Support the hard plastic top of the grip and apply pressure to the pin head with a hard surface to fully seat the pin.

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C) Tips & Baskets:

Elevate poles come with 4 pairs of attachments:

• Snow baskets – 85mm diameter: for use in deep snow

• Mud baskets – 50mm diameter: for use in loose rocks, mud, or sand

• Tip protector – 23mm max diameter rubber cap: use to protect sensitive environments or extend the life of your carbide tips

• Urban walking cover – curved rubber shoe: use to increase traction and reduce impact on joints when walking with poles in an urban setting

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Note: We intentionally selected tips which are compatible with a wide range of readily available baskets. Please feel free to use aftermarket baskets at your own discretion.

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To install/remove baskets: 

1. Insert pole tip into basket and turn clockwise to thread basket onto tips.

2. Continue until top of basket is flush with largest diameter collar on the tips.

   1. If overtightened you risk stripping the threads on the baskets, if
      under tightened the basket may fall off during use.

3. To remove, simply unscrew the basket by twisting counterclockwise.

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Pole tips are intended to be easily replaced in the case of extended use leading to heavy wear or extraordinary force causing premature failure. Replace your tips as needed to keep your poles trekking.

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To replace tips: 

1. Gently warm the plastic part of the pole tip using a heat gun on low or a hair dryer.

2. Wearing heat resistant gloves, pull the tip free from the lower pole shaft.

3. Insert lower pole shaft into new tip.

4. With tip in place, give the pole 5 or 6 HARD taps on pavement/cement/solid surface to fully seat the new tip.

5. Good to go! Tips will naturally seat further onto poles with regular use, just be careful if you are going directly into deep snow or mud.

 

D) Friction Lock

Friction (lever) locks and parts are also available for replacement without replacing the entire pole section. For replacing the lever or thumb nut see below. If replacing the entire friction lock assembly, please contact us for detailed instructions.

 

To replace lever:

1. Unscrew clear plastic thumb nut from lever assembly and remove lever with stainless steel screw attached.

2. Replace with new lever assembly in same orientation and screw on new (or old) thumb nut.

3. Tighten thumb nut until poles no longer collapse when load is applied. Do not over-tighten the nut, this can damage your poles.

 

After hiking in sand or volcanic pumice: Please clean out abrasive debris by removing lower section of poles and giving both shafts a light tap on a semi-hard surface like a wood table or bench.

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Please store your poles out of the sun. Although we finish the poles with a UV resistant clear coat, the aramid fiber used in the lower section can be sensitive to UV degradation over time.

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For broken parts: In our efforts for constant improvement, we collect any poles and parts that can’t be repaired to inform our design feedback loop. Please reach out to us for shipping instructions and possible store discounts.

 

Thank you for helping Ratio Made take part in the circular economy and reduce our carbon footprint!