Using my Leki walking poles on the Tour de Mont Blanc

When my friend Julia and I started walking the Tour de Mont Blanc three years ago, we weren’t convinced that we needed walking poles at all. We’d done plenty of walks around Britain without them and couldn’t really see the point.

In fact I remember that Julia had to hire one pole from the local ski hire shop in Les Houches. I had one and borrowed another from Hotel Slalom, which I managed to break before the end of the trip.

The Tour de Mont Blanc is an arduous mountain hike

Three years on and we are both totally convinced that walking poles are essential on a mountain hike that is as arduous as the Tour de Mont Blanc. In the second year of our walk Julia suffered from altitude sickness. We had to cut short one of our days walking because of it, so she really regretted only having one pole to support her on that trip.

Last year I had some inexpensive telescopic poles, but they managed to get wedged together. I couldn’t pack them down small, and they had to go.

This year I was convinced that I needed some quality walking poles that would stay the course and see me a through a few mountain treks in years to come. I checked out what my local Ellis Brigham store in Bristol had to offer.

My eye was caught by a pair of Leki Micro Vario carbon poles which admittedly weren’t cheap. But, they had the great advantage of packing down much smaller than anything else I’d seen.

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Why do you need walking poles?

Perhaps you’re planning a long mountain trek like the Tour de Mont Blanc and are undecided on whether you need walking poles. Let me tell explain why they are essential.

Firstly, if you are walking for up to 10 hours a day, carrying a backpack that is 10kg or more, your legs deserve all the support you can give them.

The poles spread the load on your knees, legs and ankles through your whole body. You’ll be less exhausted at the end of the day and with less risk of twists and sprains.

Secondly, the walking poles help you balance on uneven ground and sleep slopes, when your rucksack makes you top heavy. Or when you’re picking your way across a slippery stream.

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Trudge up the mountain for 3 hours or more as we did regularly on the Tour de Mont Blanc.The poles will help propel you up the hill, steadying you on the climb.

I remember that when I went Nordic Walking on Dartmoor, it was described as “like walking in 4 wheel drive”. This is just the traction you want on an uneven mountain trail.

You might think that once you’re over that mountain crest, the walk downhill will be a breeze in comparison. In fact that can be just as tough, if not more so on your knees.

The path may be quite slippery with shale or mud and there could be stones or boulders along the way. You are just as much in need to poles to support your legs on the downhill run.

Why I chose the Leki Micro Vario walking poles

When I looked around the range of walking poles in Ellis Brigham, I knew that Leki were one of the leading manufacturers of high quality walking poles. There wouldn’t be any of the mishaps with breaking or locking poles as I’d experienced in previous years.

I decided to try the Leki Micro Vario poles because they have a unique design and fold up into sections for storage. They were some of the smallest and lightest poles I’d seen.

We were travelling to Geneva on cabin baggage only, keeping our packs as small as possible. So, this was a big bonus, as my poles could easily fit easily into the side pocket of my rucksack.

The fold-up design also meant that I could pack up my poles and store them in my room in the mountain refuges. The alternative is leaving them in the communal boot area.

Although I’d met the most friendly people on the mountain, I did have a mysterious experience one year. I discovered a piece of my pole had gone missing, so I was a little wary.

How to assemble your Leki Micro Vario Poles

You may think that it would be completely obvious how to assemble a pair of walking poles. However, I found that my Leki micro vario poles had a locking button that was hidden when the poles were broken down. I puzzled for quite a while to work it out, so I’ve made the video below to show you how.

1. First fit the two lower sections that are joined by cord together.
2. Next extend the third section until a small metal button clicks into place to secure the whole pole firmly.
3. Extend the fourth upper section until you have it at the correct height, marked by the rings on the pole. Then push the locking lever down against the pole to secure.
4. Finally adjust the wrist straps by pulling the top strap upwards to flip up the locking mechanism. Adjust the strap length from the underneath and then flip the locking mechanism back down to secure.

I hope you find the video below useful, about how to assemble your Leki Micro Vario Walking Poles

If you can’t see the video above about the Leki Micro Vario walking poles, watch it on my blog here or on Youtube here. You can subscribe using the button above.

Another great feature of these poles is the grip handle which was extremely comfortable. The egg shaped top fits into the palm of your hand. An equally comfortable shaped grip features soft wrist supports.

Who are these poles good for?

I should mention that the Leki Micro Vario poles are at the expensive end of the range of poles stocked by Ellis Brigham. There are plenty of options for poles from Leki and other manufacturers, but none that pack so small and light.

If you are not a regular hiker and plan to do the Tour de Mont Blanc or a similar mountain trek as a one-off, then I would probably buy some walking poles at the cheaper end of the range.

However, for frequent walkers and those who like to travel light, the Leki Micro Vario poles are an excellent investment. This is the sort of kit that is always a pleasure to use.

These poles are also great for those who combine hiking with climbing. The poles pack away easily into a rucksack pocket when you need your hands free.

Whatever your budget, do make sure that you have walking poles of some sort on the Tour de Mont Blanc. It’s an arduous trek and you really do need them.

About Leki Micro Vario poles

Resources for those walking the Tour de Mont Blanc

We used the Cicerone Tour of Mont Blanc guide by Kev Reynolds. It’s an excellent guide for both the clockwise and anti-clockwise route. There’s a detailed route guide, maps, accommodation information and points of interest along the route.

The Autour du Mont Blanc website has useful information to help you plan your Tour de Mont Blanc walk.

Read Next

Read about the mountain clothing you’ll need for trekking the Tour de Mont Blanc

More tales from the Tour de Mont Blanc

Read about the whole walk on the Tour de Mont Blanc, what we saw each day, where to stay and practical hiking tips.

• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 1 – Les Houches to Refuge la Bellachat
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 2 – Refuge de Bellachat to la Flegere
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 3 – Refuge Flégère to Lac Blanc
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 4 – Flégère to Refuge Col de Balme
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 5 – Col de Balme to Champex Lac
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 6 – Champex Lac to Ferret
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 7 – Ferret to Rifugio Elena
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 8 – Rifugio Elena to Rifugio Bonatti
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 9 – Rifugio Bonatti to Courmayeur
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 10 & 11 – Courmayeur to Chapieux
• Tour de Mont Blanc – Day 12, 13 & 14 – Chapieux to Les Houches

More great gear for the Tour de Mont Blanc

How to choose the perfect hiking boots for the Tour de Mont Blanc
The mountain clothing you’ll need for trekking on the Tour de Mont Blanc – video
What I packed for my mini Tour de Mont Blanc – video

Thanks to Ellis Brigham who gave* me a pair of Leki Micro Vario Carbon Poles to try for this review. They offer a wide range of waterproof jackets, trousers and other walking gear you might need for a trek on the mountains. Items are available both through their website and UK stores.

* More info on my policies page

This article is originally published at Heatheronhertravels.com

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