G3 Pivot Poles
Price
£132
Brand // Manufacturers
G3 (AKA Genuine Guide Gear)
What we liked …
Compact and strong
What we didn’t …
How much?
The Verdict
Our Rating
4.5 out of 5
the Short Read…
Quality poles form the Canadian Brand G3, that fold up super short to fit in your bag, and with real ease grow to a hefty shaft that’s up to the job, nice and light too.
The Long read …
The aluminum Pivot pole comes in two sizes, short (105-125cm at 297g per pole) and long (115-135cm at 307g per pole) and is sold as the definitive backcountry folding pole for splitboarders, and I have to say that I almost agree with them.
For a start, it’s a pole that is obviously designed for the splitboader that likes to stow away their poles within their backpack.
As someone who recently lost mine off the outside of my backpack, while wading through neck high snow in a Georgian forest, I plan to keep these little puppies snug inside my bag.
The Short has a very respectable folded length of only 35cm, and the Long 38.5cm, both easily fit into my avi backpack and should jolly well fit into yours too.
The main difference to other collapsable poles (such as the Black Diamond Compactor) is the cool way the inner connecting cable folds over a groove in the top of the handle, it really helps hold the poles together when folded, as does the large and firm snow basket that clips onto the thickest shaft, just below the excellent foam handle, firmly locking the three pieces together.
When extending the pole, for the uphill, the handle pole is extended with an adjustable clip and the other two sections pull together like a tent pole, with a small spring loaded button locking them into place.
The yellow hooked handle is great for shifting your risers up and down, while the foam grip is long enough you can shift your hand easily up and down, when traversing a steep slope. The Pivot comes with wrist loops, but I took mine off as I think its safer that way. There’s been recorded cases of people being unable to pull their avalanche bag, as the poles basket has dragged their hand away from the trigger.
The basket is sturdy and can be unscrewed, if it ever needs replacing or you want to use the pole for a summer hike.
Conclusion
If you want some poles that fold up small, yet become super strong when extended buy these, you won’t regret it!