LEKI Legacy Lite Trekking Poles Review

Bottom Line

The Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles make a great, no-frills option for beginners and those on a tighter budget. We love that these poles are listed at a more reasonable price point and have air vents in the handles. Their durability and adjustability are fairly good, with most of the rest of their features being standard for a trekking pole. While using the Legacy Lite poles on day hikes around Durango, Colorado, we found that they get the job done.

Some trade-offs to consider include a longer collapsed length, which is less ideal if you are stowing them frequently, and a snug lower shaft that requires more effort to extend. Both cons were noticeable on our day hikes, but would not stop us from buying these poles for use on the average adventure. See how they compare to our other favorites in our best trekking poles gear guide.

How We Tested

We tested the Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles on the trails of southwestern Colorado. We primarily used these poles on wider, well-graded, dry trails for day hiking. When on pavement or in transition areas, we carried the poles in a pack until we reached sections with trails.

Durability

The Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles have a significant amount of bend, even for an aluminum pole. We performed several durability tests as part of our quantitative testing process. These tests included leaning on the pole with our full body weight, dropping the pole straight onto a rock, banging them together, and throwing them like a javelin onto a hard surface. They performed well for the test where we clacked them together as well as in the javelin throw. When we dropped them on a rock, there was some cosmetic damage, but nothing that would stop them from performing in the backcountry. During the lean test, these poles had significant bend and did not feel nearly as sturdy as some of the other poles we have tested. It is normal for aluminum to bend to an extent, but these felt like they could have been damaged fairly easily with enough force.

That said, we did not notice anything of concern when we used these on local day hikes. We also appreciate that the flick locks feel relatively sturdy and the cork on the handles is thick. We would still use these poles on most trips, but would consider something sturdier in scenarios where falls are more likely, such as very rocky terrain with a heavy pack.

Weight

Compared to other aluminum poles, the Leki Legacy Lite poles are about average but a bit heavy overall. To test weight, we placed each pole in our lineup on a kitchen scale. When we did this with the Legacy Lite model, a single pole weighed in at 9 ounces even (for the larger size of 100 to 135 centimeters), which was slightly higher than Leki’s claimed 8.85 ounces. This landed it smack in the middle of all the aluminum models we tested. Aluminum is heavier than carbon fiber, as is the telescoping and flick-lock design, so it comes as no surprise that the Legacy Lite ranks towards the bottom overall for weight. One note we would like to make is

In the field, we did not find the weight to be all that noticeable. When using the pole to walk up and down hills, it felt pretty similar to other aluminum models we have used. We didn’t notice any undue fatigue, and they were easy to carry in our hands when not in use. Overall, those who are extremely focused on weight may want to look for a lighter option, but this pole’s weight is fine for the average user.

Comfort

We really like that the Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles have extra ventilation holes in the handle, but we wish that the wrist straps had some more padding. When evaluating comfort, we created a checklist of features that make a trekking pole more comfortable to use. When poles have these features, they receive a point. We also take away points for features that detract from comfort. In the case of the Legacy Lite poles, we awarded points for cork handles, a well-sized grip, and an ergonomic grip design. We gave bonus points for the unique ventilation holes in the handles of these poles, which we have yet to see in another model. However, these poles missed out on points for wrist strap padding, which is just a thin strap on this model.

We were initially hesitant about whether we would like the cork grip on the Legacy Lite pole, which has almost a rubbery texture, unlike other cork grips we have tested. However, we didn’t notice any difference in preference when we used these poles while hiking a trail near Junction Creek in Durango, Colorado. These poles felt pleasant enough to earn one of the top scores in our comfort category.

Ease of Use

The telescoping design is easy to use, but we found the lower shaft of the Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles to be quite snug, making it difficult to extend. To test for ease of use, we timed how long it took to set up a fully collapsed pole for hiking.

Unsurprisingly, the Legacy Lite poles had one of the longest times, coming in at 13 seconds. This is due to two different issues that we also noticed when using these poles on local hikes. The first is that the lower shaft of the pole has a lot of resistance when being extended, requiring more effort than most other poles. This was true for both poles, even after we loosened the flick lock mechanism.

The second issue was the lack of measurement marks on the lower shaft. When we used these poles, we only needed a bit of height from the lower shaft; the first marker was above that, at 100 centimeters. This resulted in either needing to guestimate how much to extend the pole or to extend it, place it on the ground to adjust, then close the pole. While this is not the end of the world, it is annoying and tiresome to do every time. The good news is that we found all the flick locks easy to use, and we would not consider these flaws a deal breaker, so long as the poles otherwise meet your needs.

Packability

The Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles have one of the longest packed lengths in our lineup, which is about what we would expect for a telescoping design. To test for packability, we collapsed each pole and measured its length from the tip to the top of the pole. We also considered the pole’s width at its widest section. When we did this with the Legacy Lite poles, they measured 26 inches long.

Telescoping poles do not usually pack down as well as folding poles due to the way the shafts nest, and this was evident in our testing results as well. That said, the measured length of the Legacy Lite poles was still several inches longer than our top telescoping model. For the average day hiker, this likely won’t make a significant difference, but it is evident when carrying poles all the time. For example, we carried these poles in a mostly empty day pack while road-walking a section of a hike, and they stuck out of the pack. This would not have been the case with many of the top performers for this category.

Features

There are a few basic features and add-ons that come with the Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles, but nothing that is exceptionally unique or notable. We awarded one point for each feature that the poles in our lineup included, and used those points to compare different models. When we evaluated the Legacy Lite poles, we noted that they come with one set of summer baskets, wrist straps, some adjustability features for the flick locks, and the ability to replace the carbide tips. This is about what we would expect a trekking pole to include, which is part of why these poles received an average score.

For day hikes and backpacking trips, these features are sufficient, and we didn’t have any complaints in the field. They got the job done when we used them in Colorado, but did not provide much opportunity for versatility or to stand out from the crowd.

Should You Buy The LEKI Legacy Lite Trekking Poles?

The Leki Legacy Lite Trekking Poles do all the basic things that we would expect a hiking stick to accomplish, and they have a relatively reasonable price tag. With that in mind, we would recommend these poles for beginner hikers, budget-conscious hikers, or anyone who doesn’t want any frills.

Alternatively, those looking for a niche trekking pole for fastpacking, a very durable pole for off-trail hiking, or a more versatile option for snowsports would be better off considering a different option. 

What Other Trekking Poles Should You Consider?

If the Leki Legacy Lite poles aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, consider some others from our trekking poles gear guide.

MSR Dynalock Explore Review: Another aluminum, telescoping trekking pole, we like the MSR Dynalock Explore for a lot of the same reasons as the Leki Legacy Lite. We found them to be a bit easier to use and to have a shorter collapsed length.

Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Review: Made with carbon fiber, the Cascade Mountain Tech poles are surprisingly strong and come with a plethora of features. The best part? They are extremely affordable.

Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Review: Another budget option, the Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 poles also have more bells and whistles than the Leki Legacy Lite poles at a lower price point. There is a tradeoff between durability and packability that may suit some users better.