Gossamer Gear vs Zpacks – Best Ultralight Poles? The Ultimate Showdown for Gram-Counters

In the rarefied world of ultralight backpacking, every gram matters. Two brands have risen to dominate this space: Gossamer Gear, the veteran innovator known for thoughtful, trail-tested designs, and Zpacks, the disruptive upstart pushing the boundaries of minimalism with cutting-edge materials. Both produce exceptional ultralight poles, but their philosophies and product designs are distinctly different. This comprehensive comparison examines Gossamer Gear and Zpacks head-to-head, exploring their construction, features, performance, and value to help you decide which is the best ultralight pole for your adventures.

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The Core Philosophies

Part I: Gossamer Gear – The Thru-Hiker's Choice

Overview: Gossamer Gear has been a fixture in the ultralight community for decades. Their gear is developed with extensive input from thru-hikers and is known for being practical, durable, and comfortable. Their poles reflect this ethos.

Key Models

1. Gossamer Gear LT5 – The Adjustable Ultralight

• Material: 5-section carbon fiber (unique design)
• Lock: Twist lock (but not the kind you're thinking of)
• Grip: Cork – a signature feature
• Tips: Carbide; replaceable
• Baskets: Interchangeable; snow baskets available
• Weight: 5.1 oz per pole / 10.2 oz per pair – incredibly light for an adjustable pole
• Price: $110–$130

Why It Excels:

• 5-section design: This allows the LT5 to collapse to a very compact 15 inches, making it incredibly packable.
• Cork grips: A Gossamer Gear signature. Cork molds to your hand, wicks moisture, and provides excellent comfort.
• Unique twist lock: Unlike cheap twist locks, Gossamer Gear's mechanism is reliable and secure when properly tightened. It takes a bit of practice but becomes second nature.
• Adjustability: You can fine-tune length for terrain – a rare feature in ultralight poles.
• Thru-hiker tested: Countless long-distance hikers have trusted these poles for thousands of miles.

Considerations:

• Twist lock learning curve: Some users never fully trust twist locks, even good ones.
• 5 sections mean more joints: More potential failure points, though Gossamer Gear's construction is excellent.
• Not for heavy loads or aggressive use: Designed for ultralight backpacking, not mountaineering.

🥈 Gossamer Gear LT3 – The Simpler Sibling

• Material: 3-section carbon fiber
• Lock: Fixed length (folding design)
• Grip: Cork
• Weight: 4.0 oz per pole / 8.0 oz per pair – even lighter
• Price: $100–$120

Why It Excels:

• Even lighter than the LT5.
• Simpler, fewer moving parts.
• Cork grip comfort.
• Folding design packs small.

Considerations: Fixed length – you must choose your size carefully.

Part II: Zpacks – The Minimalist Innovator

Overview: Zpacks built its reputation on using the lightest possible materials, especially their proprietary carbon fiber tubing. Their poles are exercises in extreme minimalism, shedding every possible gram.

Key Models

1. Zpacks Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles – The Original

• Material: Proprietary carbon fiber tubing
• Lock: Fixed length (folding design)
• Grip: Minimalist foam
• Tips: Carbide; replaceable
• Baskets: Interchangeable; snow baskets available
• Weight: 3.6 oz per pole / 7.2 oz per pair – among the lightest available
• Price: $100–$120

Why It Excels:

• Insane lightness: At 7.2 oz per pair, these are some of the lightest poles on the planet.
• Simple, elegant design: No locks, no mechanisms – just pure carbon tubes and a strong internal cord.
• Proprietary carbon: Zpacks' tubing is specifically engineered for this application, offering an excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
• Proven on long trails: Many thru-hikers swear by them.

Considerations:

• Fixed length: You must know your preferred length. No on-trail adjustability.
• Minimalist grip: The foam grip is comfortable but basic; no ergonomic shaping.
• Durability: Carbon is inherently more fragile than aluminum. Lateral impacts can cause cracks.
• Not for heavy loads or technical terrain.

2. Zpacks Carbon Fiber Tent Poles (Often Used as Trekking Poles)
Zpacks also sells their carbon tubing as standalone tent poles, which some hikers use as trekking poles. This is the ultimate modular approach but requires careful sizing.

Part III: Head‑to‑Head Comparison

Part IV: Model‑to‑Model Showdown

For the Adjustability Seeker

For the Absolute Lightest Weight

For the Comfort‑Seeker

For the Minimalist Purist

Part V: The Intangibles – What Else Matters?

Gossamer Gear's Intangibles

• Community connection: Gossamer Gear has deep roots in the thru-hiking community. Their designs reflect real-world feedback.
• Repairability: The LT5's sections are replaceable; you can get parts.
• Cork grip love: Many hikers simply prefer the feel of cork.

Zpacks' Intangibles

• Material obsession: Zpacks is constantly pushing material science. Their carbon tubing is a product of this focus.
• Modularity: Their poles can double as tent poles, appealing to the ultimate modular packer.
• The "Zpacks mystique": For some, owning Zpacks gear is part of the ultralight identity.

Part VI: How to Choose – A Decision Framework

Choose Gossamer Gear IF:

• You want adjustable length to adapt to terrain.
• You prefer cork grips for comfort and moisture management.
• You are willing to learn the twist lock mechanism (LT5) for the packability and adjustability it offers.
• You want a pole that's been tested by thousands of thru-hikers.
• You value versatility over the last fraction of an ounce.

Choose Zpacks IF:

• Weight is your absolute top priority – you want the lightest pole possible.
• You are comfortable with fixed length and know your preferred size.
• You appreciate minimalist design and have no need for adjustability.
• You are drawn to innovative materials and the Zpacks ethos.
• You are an ultralight purist counting every gram.

Part VII: The Verdict

Gossamer Gear and Zpacks both produce exceptional ultralight poles, but they serve slightly different ultralight philosophies.

Gossamer Gear is the choice for the practical ultralighter who wants adjustability, comfort (cork grips), and proven, trail-tested designs. The LT5, with its unique 5-section adjustable design, is a standout for those who refuse to compromise on versatility for weight. The LT3 offers a fixed-length option with the same great cork grips.

Zpacks is the choice for the extreme minimalist who prioritizes absolute minimum weight above all else. Their fixed-length carbon poles are among the lightest in the world, and their simple design appeals to those who want nothing extraneous.

The decision comes down to your priorities:

• Adjustability + Comfort + Proven Design → Gossamer Gear
• Absolute Lightest Weight + Minimalist Simplicity → Zpacks

Either way, you're choosing a pole that will serve you well on the longest trails.