With a price tag of €169.95 these poles don't come cheap, but with prior experience of Komperdell poles the expectation was that they'd justify the price tag. The real question was how easily they would adjust in temperatures approaching -20°C with gloved hands, and how stable would something that light really be.

What Komperdell says:

Ultralight and length-adjustable touring pole made of high quality carbon. The extended grip zone provides gick and effortless regraping in steep terrain and adjustment of the heel lifts.

Features:

• Touring Foam 280 grip - extended, lightweight grip zone
• Comfort Padded strap - especially soft, padded strap, best wearing comfort
• Powerlock 3.0 - our strongest lock made of forged aluminium
• ice-flex basket - moveable basket system adpats up to 28° to the slope inclination
• 2-sections: carbon ∅  16mm/14mm
• packed size 98cm
• Adjustable from 110 - 140cm

On Test:

The first thing you notice is the weight, followed swiftly by their length when fully compressed. The name says "Ultralight" but that doesn't prepare you for just how light. Our scales tipped at 376g, just a tad below the quoted weight of 378g but somehow they felt even lighter. At 98cm compressed the poles felt long after years of using three section poles. The length was to prove a potential issue later, but first impressions were pretty much as expected. The feel and look were almost futuristic with the carbon fibres showcased in the construction, but above all they oozed quality.

When you're way above the Arctic Circle in November you really need your hands well insulated, but thankfully the Komperdell Carbon C.2 Ultralight touring poles come with large wrist loops; large enough for expedition gloved or mittened hands and easily adjustable for the perfect fit. 

The marketing says the straps are "especially soft" and padded. Of course with thick, insulated, gloves on this wasn't really that noticeable, but with uncovered hands they do actually feel softer and less abrasive than many pole straps. Combined with the Touring Foam 280 grip the hand grip is solid; non slip but flexible enough for those subtle hand movements as inclines change. 

On arrival the poles came with a pair of ice-flex baskets clipped between the poles. These baskets clip into place by way of three lugs, and this is where you immediately notice a difference between the Komperdell Carbon C.2 Ultralight touring poles and standard walking poles; rather than clipping into a rigid, fixed, retainer these clip into a holder than allows up to 28° of movement. It's not until you're out on the snow and ice that this really makes sense, but once you're out there it's wonderful! With that amount of play you can almost forget about the angle you place your poles at as the baskets adjust to the surface under your feet, balancing whether it's uphill or downhill. The baskets add a little weight, taking the combined weight up to 444g but they are, quite simply, the best snow and ice baskets we've ever used and the main reason is this ability to flex to fit the terrain.

Next up, is the pole length. With a maximum length of 140cm these poles are going to be a delight for tarp users! Of course, for the average user the range of 110 - 140cm means these poles will sit perfectly whatever your height and allow enough adjustment to handle steep inclines in both directions; something we really noticed on the climb out of Tromsø. The only potential issue, as mentioned earlier, is the packed length of 98cm. Compared to the almost ubiquitous 3 section aluminium poles the Carbon C.2 are long. If you're flying it's important that you bear this in mind when packing as they wouldn't fit our normal Rohan wheeled duffel and being slightly "pointy" at the end airlines are reluctant to let them on board as hand luggage. So check they'll fit in your hold luggage or you'll need to look at carrying them as "sports equipment" and an extra charge (£35 each way with Jet2 for example) and an extra case for them so they don't get damaged.

Once you've adjusted the poles to the required length they lock in place with the impressive Powerlock 3.0, the only (I think) aluminium parts to be found. This clamps shut around the pole locking them securely at the selected height even when fully weighted. Leaning on the poles after a tiring climb they remain solid; not a bit of slippage  and no flex - it's like using solid rods of steel but without the weight.

Conclusions:

Apart from the luggage issue for flights there really is no downside t the Komperdell Carbon C.2 Ultralight touring poles. In use they proved to be seriously stable, bearing weight without even a sign of flexing or of the lock allowing any slipping between the sections. The grips and hand loops were a pleasure to use whether with gloves or bare hands and it was noticeable that they remained soft even as the temperature plummeted towards Nordkapp and the Russian border at Kirkenes. The snow/ice baskets were a revelation with their 28° of movement.  Finally there's the weight; for long days of touring every gram counts and these are true ultralight poles where the weight saving comes without compromise (except price). We've only tested them on snow and ice but over the coming months I can see these poles supporting tarps and taking on the hills of the Peak District with no problems whatsoever.