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Yana Poles

Upgraded for 2025, the Worlds lightest trekking poles have had .25 and .45 ounces per pole removed from the older versions. This was accomplished by custom machining UHMW tips and adding titanium points along with UHMW straps. UHMW is half the weight of most plastics, while also being highly abrasion and cut resistant, making it difficult to work with. The 6Al-4V titanium points, while not as hard as carbide, have been heat treated and aged to increase their abrasion resistance by 125%(https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-023-38250-2#Sec2). By reducing the bulk of the weight at the tip of the pole, the “swing weight” is reduced, thereby increasing motion efficiency.

The rubber adjuster is our tried and true, almost 20 year old design. The carbon fiber friendly neoprene rubber expander rides on top of two nylon washers on a titanium stud.

 

 

Specifications for poles with out wrist straps:

  • 3.5oz (99 grams) Each, not including baskets.
  • Adjusts from 31 to 53 inches (78 to 135cm)
  • Takes down to 28 inches when upper and lower are separated.
  • Straps can be added later, but the poles must be sent in.
  • Price is per pair.

$145.00

In Stock




Specifications for poles with wrist straps:

  • 3.75oz (106 grams) Each, not including baskets.
  • Adjusts from 31 To 53 Inches(78 To 135cm)
  • Takes down to 28 inches when upper and lower are separated.
  • Price is per pair.
  • Straps are UHMW

$165.00

In Stock




The baskets are “snap” on. The UHMW lends itself to this, and like a ski binding, the basket is designed to “release” under load. So if your pole basket gets stuck in talus, and your hand is locked in the strap, the basket will pop off the tip, hopefully preventing injury or pole breakage. The baskets require some force to put on. This is best accomplished by removing the lower shaft, and placing the end on a piece of wood, at a table or higher height. Then “wobble” the basket while pulling it down onto the tip until it “snaps” in place. Removal is done by placing the point on the ground, while using both shoes around the large toes, to push the baskets off.

Note about UHMW, brand name Dyneema, Spectra, etc.: Not only is it extremely abrasion resistant, it has a temperature working range of -40° to 180° F. Which is why it is used by the US military for components in the snow sleds they use, that we machine(https://www.wildernessengineering.com/u-max)

The titanium points, and urethane rubber points(sold separately) can be removed and interchanged. By replacing the titanium points as they wear, the life of the tips can be extended. The points should not be over-tightened, there are lock washers to keep them in place. Tighten to approximately 20 inch pounds. While the titanium points are about half the hardness of carbide points, they have almost 3 times the surface area of contact, with a large concave(hex for allen wrench) recess in the face, that aids traction. Yes, they are off the shelf titanium bolts, that we heat treated. We could have spent 5 times more machining something that was almost identical.

Adjusting your poles: While intuitive to some, it is not so intuitive to others. Once you get a “feel” for it, you will get it. Place the lower shaft in your right hand, and the upper shaft in your left hand at the desired length. With both thumbs pointing towards each other, place some light pressure on the pole with your thumbs, like you are trying to “bow” the pole, while turning the lower shaft clockwise(looking from the bottom) inside the upper shaft. This pressure helps the internal rubber expander on the lower shaft grab the inner wall of the upper shaft. Once the expander engages and begins to tighten, no more side pressure is required. No need to over tighten, tighten until the poles don’t slip. This is another “feel” that comes with some use.





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