REI Co-op Traverse Trekking Poles review

Evidence-based assessment; not a hands-on test. The current REI Co-op Traverse page describes a matched pair of three-section, 7001-aluminum poles with cork grips and external locking levers. Its two size plans should be treated as separate setups: 95–120 cm collapses to 59.7 cm; 105–140 cm collapses to 63.5 cm. The larger plan is not simply a longer adjustment within the smaller pole.

Choose the size by the setting you actually need

The shorter plan has a 120 cm maximum, while the taller plan reaches 140 cm. Both start 25 cm below their respective maximums. REI also attaches different height guidance to the two configurations, but a general height suggestion cannot replace a fit check. Set the pole to the working length you expect to use, with your normal shoes and pack, and verify that your hand, elbow and wrist position remain comfortable. Slope changes may call for a different setting; the upper limit is a range endpoint, not a promise that it is right for every person of a given height.

There is a practical storage difference too. The 95–120 cm plan is listed at 59.7 cm collapsed and 1 lb. 2.5 oz. for the pair. The 105–140 cm plan is 63.5 cm and 1 lb. 3.5 oz. for the pair. These are size-specific values, and neither is an independently measured result. A small difference in pack length can matter if the pole must fit through a narrow side sleeve or inside luggage, so compare the dimension with the real opening rather than the pack’s advertised volume.

Cork grip, lever tension and baskets

REI describes an extended ergonomic cork grip with a palm rest, padded adjustable straps and a tool-free micro-adjust mechanism for tightening the lever locks. Those are useful distinctions from a foam-grip model. The page’s own caution is more important than the marketing shorthand: lever tension may loosen in transport or over time, and the levers need to be fully tightened and locked before each use. Follow the supplied instructions and check the clamp before a hike; do not infer that “tool-free” means maintenance-free.

The current page names carbide tips, trail baskets and removable rubber tips for smooth pavement. It does not list snow baskets in the supplied package. The baskets are identified as trekking baskets even though the page notes that they can float in soft ground and snow. A shopper who needs a specifically supplied snow basket should verify the exact package, not assume that a broad reference to snow flotation includes a separate winter basket. The page does not identify a shock-absorbing system.

How this differs from other REI pairs

Traverse uses cork grips and has two adjustable reach plans. Trailmade uses EVA foam, one 90–140 cm size and a 63.7 cm collapsed length. Flash Carbon models keep an external lever but use a carbon-composite construction and shorter or longer size-specific ranges; Swiftland is the fixed-length folding option rather than a telescoping adjustment system. These comparisons describe manufacturer-listed distinctions, not a ranking or a field test. A label such as “premium” cannot establish how the grip fits your hand or how secure a clamp will feel to you.

The exact current item is REI product page 251371, shown in Shadow Bay. REI has separate older Traverse product pages with different IDs; they are not used here to fill in current dimensions or package details. Check that the retailer listing you are considering is the exact 251371 version and selected length before comparing a used, older or marketplace listing.

Who should look closely—and what to verify

Traverse is worth comparing if you want a matched aluminum pair, a cork grip, adjustable external levers and an upper setting of 120 or 140 cm, depending on the selected size. It is less compelling for someone who needs a fixed-length pole that folds shorter than 40 cm, a documented snow-basket package, an EVA or rubber grip, or a single staff. The longer size plan is the relevant one only if 140 cm is needed; it also packs and weighs more according to the page.

Before buying, confirm which size is selected, whether the hand-grip length works for your grip preference, how the padded strap adjusts, and that the pole’s collapsed dimension clears your actual storage path. Confirm the included items in the precise package, especially if snow baskets or rubber pavement tips matter. No independent stability, strength, slip, shock or durability test is claimed. The current category card supports that REI listed the model in the U.S. lineup when checked; it does not establish availability today.