Bushwalk Australia

Looking for a few UL dry sacks in various sizes such as the sea to summit dry bags or similiar. Also a set of superlight collapsible hike poles. unless I find something competitive I am planning to get a pair or Ruta Locuras from the states at a weight of only 230g for the pair.

Have you looked at Helinox poles?

Dry sacks are pretty easy to make, if you are in to DIY. Simon at Tier Gear sells all the raw materials. You can use double sided tape to make a decent dry bag, with no sewing, although the ability to sew a seam makes the final outcome stringer.

A

I have looked at the helinox and they are an option but are heavier and aren't really significantly cheaper than my current choice(unless I can find some second hand) I do need adjustable rather than pull apart as I need to be able to adjust height for my tarp

Another option is the Gossamer Gear LT4s. They're pretty light. I use Locus Gear C/f poles which are very light and I like but I've modified to put stronger wrist straps.

Thanks, I will keep an eye out in case I spot any of those second hand too. I do like them but they are a lot more expensive than the Rutas

I have used Ruta Locura poles for several years and are happy with them. I do suggest paying a little more for the 3 piece rather than the 2 piece as it makes them much easier to travel with and attach to a pack.

Great Mark thanks. I found it very hard to see exactly what the poles look like as they only have part photos on the site. How do you find the locking mechanism for adjustment? At this stage I am leaning towards the Locus poles simply because I like the idea of the tab lock on them rather than the twist lock(which is what I understand the Rutas to have??).

The Ruta Locura poles have a simple internal twist lock system. They can slacken off occasionally but that usually because they haven't been tightened quite enough. I would have considered the Locus Gear poles especially with the better locking system but I bought mine before Locus Gear began production. I have had excellent service from Ruta Locura after a possum severely chewed the foam grip one evening. They sent a replacement grip and glue no charge even though it wasn't a warranty issue.

Thanks. My dad has actually ordered a pair of the Locus poles so he is going to review them in a couple of weeks when they arrive and I will decided what I get for myself after that

Hi, I ave used the Black Diamond FLZ fixed length poles really hard for three years now and they are still going strong. I bought the one up from the lighter version for sturdiness
and it seems to have worth while.

The one thing I miss is the fact that I can not vary the length when setting up a tarp, have been looking longingly at the Locus gear poles but the FLZ are still going so won't replaced soon.

Wim