Review of Kaito BT409 Hiking Poles
The hiking pole industry has a lot of big names.
Black Diamond, Leki, Hammer these are all brands that are well known
amongst hardcore trekkers. With that brand name, however, comes additional
cost because these brands know that people will choose their poles, since
they have such a large market share. For some people, a high priced hiking
pole is not what they are looking for especially those that are looking to
try out hiking poles for the first time.
For those people that want to buy a hiking pole but
aren't sure if they are going to use it, they will want a lower cost hiking
pole that can meet enough of their functionality needs to get the job done.
One such example is the Kaito BT409 Anti-Shock Hiking Pole. The Kaito BT409
Anti-Shock Hiking Pole is very low cost (a single pole can be found for as
low as $17, and it has many of the features that people need from their
poles including a few extras.
Features of the Kaito BT409 Anti-Shock
Hiking Pole
·
3 section extendable hiking pole for
uphill, downhill, and level ground.
·
Very lightweight design for easy
travel.
·
Effective anti-shock system for
reducing arm pressure.
·
Ergonomic foam grip with plastic
handle.
·
Equipped with a 90 degree rotatable
flashlight in the handle.
·
Waterproof carbide tip.
·
Comes with both a thermometer and
compass attached to wrist strap.
Pros
Interestingly, as far as the number of features
goes, the Kaito BT409 Anti-Shock Hiking Pole actually has MORE features than
comparable name brand models. Flashlights, compasses, etc. are not found on
many of the expensive brand models. For those that believe in the importance
of a flashlight on their hiking pole, for example, the Kaito may be one of
your only options. And since the hiking pole is still adjustable, it
provides you with the support you need for both up and down hill.
Cons
The plastic grip is not going to be nearly as
comfortable as the foam and cork grips found on many of the other hiking
pole manufacturers. It is also not made from as strong or light a material
as some of the other poles, and the locking mechanism is iffy at best. The
pole isnt prone to breaking, but it is certainly not as durable as the more
expensive poles.
Also, Kaito is an electronics corporation, so their
strength should be in the flashlight, but the flashlight can be difficult to
turn on and off.
Overall Impressions
Having a flashlight, compass and thermometer on the
pole is a neat little addition that serves greater functionality to those
making an outdoor trip. Most regular hikers and trekkers do not use those
types of frills, but for the casual hiker they can be quite fun, and
certainly are a good safety feature for those not bringing a flashlight of
their own. The Kaito BT409 Anti-Shock Hiking Pole is not a professional
hiking pole, but it is not meant to be, and for an inexpensive pole it is
quite effective.
Return to Walking Sticks Guide Home Page