Cascade Designs Tracks Compact Travel Staff

I wanted a staff to fit in my carry-on since I travel light. Ideally, I wanted lightweight but solid, compact, able to hold and steady camera for great shots, and a good price. This one's a bit pricey, but it meets my other desires.It pops apart quickly into three pieces held together by a stretch cord inside. The wooden knob removes to fit a camera on a "universal" screw, and there's an elastic strap for holding the unit together when folded which I use as a second wrist strap. It's attached to the actual wrist strap that one can adjust for length. Finally, a solid rubber knob on the point which so far as held up nicely.Folded up, it measures 17". and easily fits in my carry-on which I believe they allow 22". If one removes the wooden knob, it shrinks to 16 1/2" with the screw protruding- for what that's worth.The upper segment of the staff has several 1-3/4" adjustments for height from 48"-54". One simply, pushes the adjustment button in and slides the segment up to a chosen opening and height(same method typically seen in crutches).It's costlier than I wanted to spend. An alternative might be "Stansport Outdoorsman Trekking Pole". I chose this one based on camera mount and solid reviews. So far so good; I have several more aggressive hikes coming up and will update pole's performance. Happy trekking!Update- still going strong after 2 years. Memorable hike on Moloka'i at Kalaupapa National Park- sure came in handy along that steep Pali(cliff edge)!

My 220lb frame make it feel as though I was walking with a toothpick, and before the first day I noticed that the tip was bent and walkwd no further with it. They happily took the return though and I would not have a doubt that someone who was smaller and easier with it than I would be peefect for it. I'm a bang-n-clanger qhen it comes to gear.All that said, it was SUPER nifty, folded down to almost invisible size (easily fit a purse) and seemed well made...but not for big ol country-thick boys like me. The stars are personal experience, I'm sure it's 5 star quality product, juat not for me.

I just bought a replacement for one of two Tracks that I have had for many years. The internal elastic cord had finally failed. I use them both as walking sticks and as a mono-pod for my camcorder. The only problems I have experienced is that on rare occasions the tip will get caught either in deep mud or in the cracks between boards in a board walk. It can be difficult to work it loose since the stick tends to come apart as the internal elastic cord stretches. Last year I used them on trips to Eastern Europe, Mongolia, and India. They fold up small enough to fit into my small roll-on bag and extend to a convenient length for use as a mono-pod for my camcorder.

The product was great and fortunately did arrive ok. This was the second pole of this miodel and I searched quite a while to find a supplier. I was happy to find it on Amazon. It is the most compact staff available and it works great as a camera monopod. HOWEVER, apparently the packer did not realize that it needed to be folded up for shipping. He tried to ship it wihtout compacting it (see picture). It was in a HUGE box and during shipping the tip wore through the box and was sticking out at least 6 inches. Your packing staff needs more instruction on this item.

I bought this as a birthday gift for my ever ambling father. He lives in out West and wanders all over canyons and rocks and mountainsides.He wrote me after using it for about a week to tell me how much he loved it and what a great gift it was. He'd even been accosted by another gentleman who wanted to know where it came from because his daughter had been pestering him to "be more careful" while hiking.He says it is lightweight and easy to work with and learn to depend upon for extra support. He loves it!

My wife uses this when we travel. She needs assistance when walking and standard canes are too short. This fits the bill perfectly. It has a 6 inch range of adjustability that once you've found your setting, you never touch it again. Although it does fold up, the staff sometimes is difficult to separate if full weight has been put on the staff. The foot is small and the only replacement tips are from a Tracks vendor. You won't find suitable tips in the drugstore.

I ordered two collapsing poles as Christmas gifts for friends and they received one collapsing pole and one non-collapsing pole. This was very disappointing, since they travel a lot and need to be able to put the poles in suitcases. I found out about this mistake after the 30 day return window, so I can't return the un-used pole to exchange it for the one I ordered.

This purchase was to help me maintain an erect position as it was to replace the cane and it worked...BVS