Argali Guide X Trekking Poles Review: Trekking Poles with a Clever Twist

I don’t obsess too much over trekking poles. Pick a decent pair, and they’ll likely work just fine for many years. But when my friend Brad Brooks from Argali started making his own gear, I thought maybe it was time to try something new. I’ve known Brad for a while and have always respected his take on gear, and I knew if he was putting something out there, it had to be good. So I took them out on a 40-mile loop around Mount Hood on the Timberline Trail to see what they could do.

Key Takeaways:

• Carbon fiber + aluminum = strong and light

• Hidden U-thread under the handle adds serious versatility

• Great for hunters, filmmakers, or anyone who values multipurpose gear

• Minor grip and handle shape critiques, but overall a strong design

Argali Guide X Trekking Poles

First Impressions

For context, I’ve been using the same pair of Leki trekking poles for eight years. They’ve been with me through every mile of the PCT, every mile since, and have never failed. Cork grips, speed locks, aluminum shafts—nothing fancy. I’ve never once had a complaint about them, but the trekking poles from Argali had enough going for them that I thought maybe it was time to upgrade.

The Guide X poles are very light (17oz) with a carbon fiber upper and aluminum lower, which gives you the best of both worlds—lightweight but strong where it matters. They’re designed well and have a great feel, but what really sets them apart is hidden under the top of the handle.

For reference, here’s a list of features and specs pulled directly from Argali’s website.

Features

• Hybrid Design: Carbon fiber upper section and aluminum lower sections provide weight savings over traditional full aluminum poles.

• Lightweight: 17 oz. per pair

• Multifunctional: Remove the top cap on the handle and attach the X3 or QuickShot Adapters to turn your trekking poles into a shooting rest, a monopod for glassing, and more.

• Burly Construction: Carbon fiber top section helps to reduce vibration, while the 7075 aluminum lower sections provide added durability and abrasion resistance.

• SnapLock Telescoping Legs: Three-piece telescoping adjustability with integrated SnapLocks provides stable and adjustable sizing for any height.

• Adjustable Strap: Velcro adjustable wrist strap

Specs

• Weight: 17 oz

• Material: Premium carbon fiber and 7075 aluminum

• Tip Material: Tungsten Carbide

• Collapsed Length: 25.5"

• Max Length: 55" (140 cm)

The Trick Up Their Sleeve

Under a rubber cap on the top of the handle, you’ll find a hidden thread. That little feature turns these trekking poles into something a lot more versatile. You can thread on a shooting stick adapter (a big deal for hunters) or an adapter where you can link two poles together to use as a long tent pole.

But my gears started turning. Why stop there? Maybe you could one day…

• Mount a GoPro or action cam, and you’ve got an instant filming rig.

• Add a camera adapter and you’ve got a backcountry monopod.

• Design an ice axe-like head

This kind of modular design opens up a lot of potential. Instead of carrying extra gear, you can adapt your trekking pole to fit the task. Anytime you can turn one piece of gear into many, it’s a win, and I think these poles have a shot at doing just that.

Performance on the Trail

After 40 miles on the Timberline Trail, here’s where I landed:

What I Liked

• Lightweight and durable: No issues with performance or durability.

• Threaded Insert: Genuinely useful and full of future potential.

• Simple, clean design: A fine-looking pair of trekking poles

• Speed Locks: Quick to adjust with no fuss.

What I’d Change

• Grip Material: I prefer cork over EVA foam. The foam worked fine, but after a long day, I noticed a bit of black residue on my hands. Nothing major, just something to note. A cork option would be great to see.

• Handle Shape: I like to descend hills by pressing down on the top of the handle, and the pommel on these isn’t as rounded off as my Leki poles are. That made braking on descents a little using that technique a no-go. A larger and more rounded head would fix that.

None of those are deal breakers—just personal preferences that could be easily refined.

A Note On Materials: Aluminum vs Carbon Fiber

Just a quick note here on materials. The Guide X has a carbon fiber upper and aluminum lower, which is the best of both worlds, in my opinion. I’m always hesitant to have a fully carbon fiber pole because of the increased cost and overall durability. 

If carbon fiber gets a crack, it will no doubt break, whereas aluminum won’t. It will just dent and bend unless under severe stress. A recent trip proved that very clearly.

I slipped on a rock while walking around some water and bent the lower section of one of these poles really badly. The upper carbon was fine, but the lower was caught under a rock. The result was a functional but badly bent pole, whereas based on how much that lower section was damaged, I think carbon fiber would have shattered.

Shattered carbon fiber can create splinters, so if that happens, you’ll need to be careful when touching it, which makes packing out a broken pole a little tricky.

For these reasons, I like this hybrid design, with the upper made of carbon fiber and the lower of aluminum, but that’s just my own preference. Argali does make a Carbon X, where the entire thing is carbon fiber if you want to go that route.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a hunter, backpacker, or just like the idea of gear that can do more than one thing, the Argali Guide X poles are absolutely worth a look. They’re built well, have thoughtful features, and I’m guessing we’ll see more accessories coming to take full advantage of that threaded handle. 

A huge thanks to Brad and the Argali crew for letting me give these a spin.

You can check out the Argali trekking poles or see what else they offer HERE. It’s also probably worth checking out their tents and new sleeping bag lineup.

Lastly, Brad was kind enough to stop by the podcast to talk all things Argali and family outings in the backcountry. You can tune into that episode below.

New to Backpacking?

Check out my beginner backpacking course if you’re new to backcountry travel—or just want to get out with more confidence.

Emory, By Land

Thanks for stopping by! If you have any questions for me or want to connect, leave a comment below or shoot me a note at emory@byland.co.

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