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Forget pants, we’re for the sisterhood of the travelling hiking poles. We gave a pair to Jess, who passed them on to Claire, to see how they well they performed on multi-day hikes in the NT and NSW bush.
For those uninitiated into the Sisterhood, a bit of lighthearted viewing is in order to get you up to speed. Will the poles maintain the one-size-fits-all magic of the pants?
Why are we the right people to do this review?
We’ve both got feet that love to carry us where our eyes dream of going.
Jess has used hiking poles everywhere from icy trails in Swedish Lapland, the ascent to Everest Base Camp, and struggling through the mud and giant steps on Tasmania’s Overland Track and Victoria’s Great Ocean Walk. Poles are an essential item in her kit, especially for solo hikes.
Claire, on the other hand, is pole-apathetic. She finds them a bit inconvenient… until her knees come a-knockin’ and she starts negotiations with a hiking buddy to trade one pole for whatever snacks she has left. When she headed to the NSW mountains with the Helinox TL115 hiking poles, did they win her over?
Helinox TL115 Quick Specifications
Length: Fixed at 115cm (more sizes are available!)
Packed length: 35cm
Weight per pole: 160 grams
Pole section diameter: 13.7mm
Stowage method: Folding
Pole material: TH72M alloy by DAC
Warranty: 5 years
RRP: $249.99
Locked and loaded
Performance
Claire
I’m not sure how complex the performance of a hiking pole can really be described, but these worked as they should! They kept me balanced over creek crossings and scrambly terrain, all with a pack on – and I certainly don’t indulge in ultralight methodology. The tension lock never wavered.
One Helinox Passport TL115 pole is lighter than the average iPhone, so holding them over long periods of time was a forgettable experience (this is a good thing). The lack of weight is down to the use of DAC TH72M alloy (read about what that means in the FAQs!) which is also pretty environmentally friendly.
Helinox on some hella rocks in the Budwangs | @jackjbrookes
Durability
Claire
I took the Helinox Passport TL115 Hiking Poles on a multi-day hiking adventure through Budawang National Park on NSW’s South Coast. It was very rarely flat, with undulating rocky terrain. This meant the poles were almost redundant ascending, and an absolute lifeline descending.
During the three days out bush, they remained solid while working through every exasperated step. No slips, rattles, or cracks. However, I was sad to realise that one rubber cap was missing at the end of the trip – it wasn’t a match for all those rocks. Luckily those are easily replaceable.
Jess
I put these poles to work on a multi-day, mostly flat hike in the Northern Territory, dealing with rocky terrain, river crossings, and the odd slippery descent, but they ensured I remained steady at all times. The alloy is designed to handle rough terrain, and I was impressed that even with all the abuse, the poles showed no signs of wear beyond a few cosmetic scratches.
Comfort
Foam Grips
Jess
Sadly, these poles have no pockets (firm believer that every piece of gear needs at least one!) but once you get your fingers around the foam grips you’ll cease to care. The foam is firm without being hard, and soft and forgiving without being squishy and flakey.
This is high praise as historically, I’m not a foam-handle fan. In my experience they disintegrate quickly, feel harder and more unyielding than you’d expect, and sweat accumulates leaving them moist (ugh). I’ve been eyeing cork-handled hiking poles for months to replace my existing foam-handled pair but now my search is over – and I’m more surprised than anyone that it ended in foam and not cork.
The worst they got was slightly sweaty, but nothing I couldn’t handle. Helinox clearly knows foam.
Design
Aesthetics
Claire
The ‘Melon’ shade must be a cheeky test to see if chartreuse will still be the outdoor industry’s colour of choice in the future, because I don’t foresee these poles letting up anytime soon. For now, I don’t mind the tone. Could be worse. At least it won’t be easy to lose them!
Even in grass the same colour as the poles they stand out
Storage & Portability
Jess
The folding design of the Passport TL115 makes it incredibly easy to store and transport them. At just 35cm packed length (depending on the model), these poles were a negligible addition to my 65L hiking pack, and would easily fit in a daypack too. Perfect if you’re short on space.
Removable velcro ties allow you to secure these tightly so they take up minimum space when stowed
Fixed Height
Claire
The only qualm I have with the Helinox Passport TL115 hiking poles comes down to my personal preference – and that’s their fixed height. Jess and I shared the 115cm version, and being vastly different heights meant that one person wouldn’t be as suited as the other. My hands sat a little higher so there wasn’t that nice 90˚ elbow angle, and for Jess they were just slightly too short.
You’ll find the specs on the pole if you forget!
Unfortunately, these poles don’t pass the one-size-fits-all travelling sisterhood test. It would’ve been nice to adjust the height to suit different terrains too.
But famously, fixed poles tend to be more durable than telescopic ones, and there’s no risk of accidental collapsing if the locks aren’t tight.
Lock Mechanism
Jess
The tension lock system on the TL115 is a standout feature. Unlike some telescopic poles that require you to twist or clamp, this lock simply snaps into place, giving you immediate confidence that your poles won’t collapse under load. It’s simple, effective, and reliable — which is everything I look for in hiking gear.
It might be small, but it’s mighty strong
Sustainability
Jess
Helinox’s main claim to sustainability is a commitment to product longevity, and a strong advocacy of ‘buy quality, buy once’ principles. This is backed up by the provision of a five-year warranty on the Helinox Passport TL115 hiking poles. This is great to see and really encouraged me to trust the poles that bit more.
In addition, the selection of DAC aluminium alloy for the body of the pole is another demonstration of Helinox’s commitment to protecting the environment.
DAC has an exclusive ‘Green Anodisation’ process that removes the need for harmful chemicals and additional water needed to dispose of the chemicals post-anodisation.
Finally, Helinox has partnered with Higg Index to track and measure the environmental impact of the supply chains required to get each of its products to and from customers. This demonstrates a strong commitment to do better now and in the future.
Knowing your hiking poles are leaving nothing but temporary pockmarks is something worth smiling about
Price
Claire
Considering the most expensive pairs of hiking poles on Wild Earth sit around the $400-$450 mark, the Helinox Passport TL115 seems pretty reasonable in comparison at $229.95. The durable yet lightweight alloy construction won’t let you down even if you take it bush bashing.
It’s priced in the upper-mid range offering and would be a reliable purchase for someone looking to break out of the low-quality, budget bracket.
If you see hiking poles as a mainstay in your kit, this is well worth the investment. Especially if you use yours for other functions, like as a pole for an ultralight tent (but you’d probably need a telescopic pair for this). If you’re indifferent, there are cheaper models on the market, but if you buy these you’re unlikely to need to replace them.
Final Thoughts
Jess
The Helinox Passport TL115 hiking poles are a stellar option for serious hikers. With durable DAC alloy, comfy foam grips, and a reliable tension lock system, these poles hold their own in a variety of conditions. For best functionality make sure the fixed height length is the right size for you – if you’re unsure head in store to try before you buy.
Whether you’re descending mountains or hiking through dense bush, they’ll keep you supported and balanced without weighing you down. For someone like me who falls over my own toes and uses poles on nearly every hike, they’re just as valuable (arguably more so on some occasions!) as my own legs.
The Helinox Passport TL115 hiking poles represent stability you can trust
FAQs Helinox Passport TL115 Hiking Poles
What is TH72M alloy by DAC?
TH72M alloy by DAC (the Donagh Aluminium Corporation) is a high-strength aluminum alloy used in hiking poles because it’s super light yet incredibly durable. It’s engineered to take a beating on rugged trails without weighing you down. In other words, you’ll get the strength you need for stability, minus the extra grams that slow you down.
What’s the difference between fixed height hiking poles and adjustable hiking poles?
Fixed height hiking poles are set at one length, making them simple, sturdy, and great if you don’t need to adjust them. They’re typically lighter and perfect for straightforward hikes. Adjustable hiking poles, on the other hand, can be extended or shortened, giving you flexibility to adapt to different terrains or share them with hiking buddies of different heights.
If you’re hitting steep climbs or descents, the adjustable option is the better choice for optimum comfort and versatility.
