Our Komperdell Compact Cork Trekking Poles review looks at the high-quality trekking poles produced by this long-established Austrian manufacturer. We hope you find it useful.
introduce
Over the years I have used and tested many types of ski poles, running poles, and hiking poles from different manufacturers. I’m also excited to follow their evolution as they become lighter, more compact, and have ever-evolving innovative features. We’ve linked to some previous Peak Mountaineering pole reviews at the bottom of this review.
My review also includes various models from the Austrian manufacturer Komperdell. Maybe they’re not a brand that some British climbers are familiar with, but they’ve actually been making trekking poles since 1922. It’s also worth noting that each trekking pole is still assembled in their Austrian factory. They produce a selection of other products such as snowshoes and back protectors, but ski poles remain the core element of their business. This Komperdell Compact Cork Pole review explores a hiking-focused model designed for ease of use, reliability, and a small package size. Please read on to learn more, we hope you find it useful.
feature
modeling
The compact cork pole features a traditional style three-section telescoping design. What I mean is that the sections slide against each other for storage and adjustment, rather than the alternative Z-fold style. The compact version (tested) has an adjustment range of 90 to 120 cm. However, they also offer a longer Contour Cork version with the same features but with an adjustment range of 105 to 140 cm.
Material
Compact cork pole made from 7075-T6 aluminum. The top rod section is 18mm in diameter, the middle section is 16mm in diameter and the lower section is 14mm in diameter.
Adjustability
The sections are secured with Komperdell’s Powerlock 3.0 closure. The closure is made from forged aluminum and offers what the company says is the strongest locking system. The folded length of this version is 57 cm. The longer Contour Cork model has a stowed length of 65 cm.
Grip
The trekking pole is equipped with a Trek Pro Foam 280 cork grip on the top and a longer grip area. It is designed to provide flexible grip options for steep terrain. The strap is ventilated via the Komperdell air filling system. The interior also features woven technology for maximum wearing comfort.
basket and tip
The bottom end of the rod features a carbide tip and Komperdell’s small-format Vario basket. Komperdell’s snow basket has a simple click opening and closing system that allows the user to switch to a larger snow basket as needed. Larger baskets are not included but can be purchased separately.
In use
modeling
Let’s start with first impressions. The shape of the compact cork is subtle. Komperdell chose a polished aluminum finish, which looks great. It pairs perfectly with the cork grip and subtle logos. In a world where many pole colors are vibrant and flashy, in this case, consider understated. I think they look really good.
Build quality
The build quality is also excellent. Everything about the compact cork is beautifully crafted and the attention to detail is evident. This has been a theme with the Komperdell rods I’ve tested before. Clearly, this is something Komperdell is proud of. After all, their poles have their backs 3 year maintenance guarantee.
Rod diameter
Komperdell uses a stout 18/16/14mm tube combination. The compact cork looks sturdy and is a good choice when reliability is critical. I tested them during the Norwegian winter and they didn’t blink when used in deep snow and very challenging terrain.
Of course, the only downside to thicker tubes is the slight increase in bulk. The bonus is that the pole can be held comfortably along its length. I often move my hands up and down the pole to account for things like different terrain angles. Rods with a wider diameter are generally easier to grip.
beltEnglish
The pole has a thin strap made of mesh material with lightweight padding. Komperdell calls this an “air-fill” system. The straps are also woven inside to ensure a comfortable fit. The belt is indeed very comfortable to use. They also have a very clever adjustment system where you just pull the tape to make it smaller. Then, to extend the belt, you simply pull up on the tape and the belt pulls away easily. This is a very easy to use system.
In fact, I almost always avoid using straps on poles because I find they hinder me more than they help. I like to adjust my hand along the length of the pole on different terrains. I also don’t want to be tied to a pole in case I trip or slip. Some users do like them, so it’s nice to have them out there, but the best of both worlds is having a leash that doesn’t get in the way when you don’t need it and is easy to deploy when you need it. In this case, the design works well whether you use a compact cork or not.
Deployment adjustments
Deploying poles is easy and fast. You pop open the lower Powerlock 3.0 closure, slide the lever to the desired length, and then reclose the lever. Repeat on the top half for the desired length and you’re good to go. The lower mark will warn you when you’ve reached full adjustment, and the upper mark will show you what length you’re at. This makes it easy to make both rods the same length.
Powerlock 3.0 closed
Interestingly, Komperdell uses a forged aluminum closure in its Powerlock 3 system. Many brands use some combination of metal and plastic. It does feel very durable and runs reliably. It’s also very smooth to operate and can be easily operated while wearing winter gloves. I’m not sure how much of a weight penalty it adds, but Komperdell clearly thinks it’s worth it for the other benefits. It looks great too. To adjust the tightness of the closure clip in the field, you will need a screwdriver.
cork grip
Cork grips work really well. The shape fits in your hand and the cork feels comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The top of the pole is also shaped to fit nicely in your hand. I often find myself holding poles at the top of mountains so I take this very seriously. The cork also feels really nice to hold. It feels great without gloves, but has enough grip with gloves to keep you feeling secure. This does not seem to be adversely affected by the cork getting wet.
I’ve always placed a huge emphasis on grip extension on the pole. It really helps to have your hands under the pole when you’re traversing a slope. This means you don’t have to constantly readjust the length. It also gives your hands a rest by changing the holding position. Komperdell’s design is spot on. They also added some ribs to the bottom of the extension. This looks nice, but more importantly, it provides a tactile indicator when your hand is at the base of the extension. After some use, you’ll find that you intuitively know when you’ve reached this point.
innovation basket
Beyond that, other aspects to consider are at the bottom of the pole. As expected, the durable carbide tip is sure to hold up to tough use. I would like to mention that the difference between these poles is the basket. Komperdell uses a different system to secure the basket than many manufacturers. You simply push their baskets onto the poles and twist to lock them in place. It’s simple and very effective. I was a little concerned that they might come loose, but so far that’s never happened and I’m no longer concerned. They feel rock solid.
They come with a small size basket attached to the pole, but you will need to purchase any replacements or larger baskets separately. While I love the design, it does mean they aren’t always easy to find replacements for. They are also not interchangeable like many manufacturers. On a recent trip to Norway, a team member lost a basket, but a quick trip to a local store found a replacement, albeit a different brand. This is not possible with Komperdell baskets unless you find a local store that sells their specific baskets.
Telescopic and Z-pole
One consideration is whether to choose a telescoping rod model over a z-rod design. Like everything, both have their pros and cons. One of the great things about telescoping is its simplicity. The rod sections simply slide inside each other and clamp together to lock. For the z pole, there are more internal mechanisms that can go wrong. This may make them more difficult to repair in the field.
Another important factor is portability. If you want to store your trekking poles inside your backpack (we discuss this in our trekking pole storage article) here) Then the telescopic pole has a smaller width package than the Z-pole model. On the other hand, they usually last longer when stored. As with all decisions, calls must be based on what you plan to use them for.
weight
Nominal weight per rod is 229 grams. In this Komperdell Compact Cork Pole review, I also put them on an office scale. Each rod weighs 332 grams, which is a little over the top. A cane of this weight is arguably lightweight, but there are many lighter models on the market. Whether the weight penalty is a reasonable trade-off for the durability and functionality of a cane is a decision for each user. I think what we have here are very reliable general purpose rods that are good for a variety of uses, but they won’t be popular with those who want something super light or a very small package size.
Durability
Although they are not the lightest poles around, they are designed to be very sturdy and will undoubtedly be very durable. This is a great thing in an outdoor world where we strive to be as sustainable as possible. It’s certainly better to have a set of poles that will last for many adventures than to have poles that may fail or be destroyed after not as many adventures. There’s always a trade-off between weight and performance and durability.
generalize
Our Komperdell Compact Cork Pole review details a durable and lightweight product from the respected Austrian manufacturer. They are easy to use and adjust, look great and are great value for money. If you want a high-quality product that is durable and suitable for a variety of activities, a compact cork may be the ideal choice for you.
The compact cork has an RRP of £129. There are certainly cheaper poles out there, but in today’s market this is actually a great price. There is no doubt that their performance and durability are excellent. It’s worth considering that these poles also benefit from Komperdell’s amazing 3-year warranty. It’s a “no questions asked” guarantee, Komperdell said. No matter what happens, they will repair your poles. This applies to every country and operates directly through the manufacturer. Their website has a function to initiate returns. This is a great feature for items like poles that are easily damaged.
So, Komperdell has done a great job producing another well designed and beautifully built pole. They are a pleasure to use and the guarantee is a reassuring added bonus. Full details visit the Komperdell website here.
We hope you found our Komperdell Compact Cork Pole review useful. We’ve also tested a variety of other Komperdell models, and these reviews may also interest you. Our FXP4 Cloud Compact pole review is here Our Carbon Cloud review is here. We have also created a general pole user guide that may be of interest to you. you can find here.
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