When it comes to choosing the best running poles for trail running, ultramarathons, or mountain expeditions, two main materials dominate the market: aluminium and carbon. While both have their unique benefits and drawbacks, carbon poles, especially those made with high-quality materials like Toray 800 carbon, stand out as a superior choice for many runners and adventurers. In this comparison, we’ll explore the differences between aluminium and carbon poles, highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and explain why brands like Mountain King using Toray 800 carbon have a clear advantage over others that use cheaper materials like Toray 300.

Aluminium Running Poles by Mountain King: Unmatched Strength-to-Weight Ratio for Beginners and Beyond

While carbon poles have become synonymous with high performance in trail running, aluminium poles remain a popular and dependable choice, particularly for those who are starting their trail running journey or for runners who prioritize durability and reliability at a more accessible price point. Mountain King has redefined the aluminium pole category by using only the highest grade aluminium available and combining this with expert manufacturing techniques to produce poles that offer an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.

In this section, we'll delve into the unique qualities of Mountain King's aluminium poles, how they ensure an optimal balance of durability and lightness, and why they’re the perfect option for newcomers to trail running. Additionally, we’ll explain the meticulous manufacturing process, including the anodizing and heat-treatment procedures that make these poles so reliable and durable.

Highest Grade Aluminium: Strength Meets Lightness

When choosing aluminium poles, the material’s grade plays a significant role in determining performance. Not all aluminium is equal—some alloys are lighter but less durable, while others are stronger but bulkier. Mountain King stands out by using the highest grade aluminium available, which has been specifically chosen to deliver the perfect balance of lightness and strength.

What Makes the Aluminium Used by Mountain King Special?

• Superior Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Mountain King’s aluminium poles are made from a high-strength, aerospace-grade alloy. This allows the poles to maintain a low weight while offering outstanding durability. The material has been selected to provide a high tensile strength, meaning the poles can withstand heavy use without compromising performance. Whether you're tackling steep inclines, uneven trails, or dealing with challenging weather conditions, these poles offer the resilience needed without weighing you down.

  • Resilient to Impact: Unlike lower-grade aluminium, which may bend or deform under pressure, the high-grade aluminium used by Mountain King is significantly more resistant to dents, bends, and other damage. This means the poles are designed to hold up even in the most demanding conditions, which is crucial for trail runners who often find themselves navigating rocky, unpredictable terrain. The poles are built to last and take on significant force without failing, making them ideal for runners who are new to the sport and looking for reliability as they begin their adventures.

  • Perfect for Beginners: The combination of strength and lightness makes Mountain King's aluminium poles a great choice for those just starting in the world of trail running. For beginners, having poles that are lightweight yet durable can make a significant difference in terms of energy conservation and overall comfort. The lower weight helps reduce arm fatigue, while the strong alloy means beginners can trust their poles to withstand the learning curve of trail running without the worry of breaking or excessive wear.

Fully Treated and Anodized for Durability

In addition to using the highest-grade aluminium, Mountain King goes a step further to ensure their poles are virtually indestructible. All their aluminium poles undergo a special heat treatment and anodizing process that enhances their strength, corrosion resistance, and longevity. This multi-step treatment process is what sets Mountain King apart from many other manufacturers.

The Treatment Process:

• Heat Treatment: The aluminium poles undergo a heat treatment that hardens the material and improves its overall strength. This process ensures that the poles can handle greater forces without bending or breaking. The increased hardness also improves the poles' resistance to scratches and wear, which is especially important for those who use their poles frequently in rugged environments.

• • Anodization: Mountain King’s poles are also anodized, a process that adds a protective layer to the aluminium surface. Anodizing is not just an aesthetic touch—it’s a critical step that increases the poles' corrosion resistance. The anodized finish helps protect the poles from environmental elements like rain, saltwater, and dirt, ensuring they remain in top condition for years of use. The anodized layer also makes the poles more scratch-resistant, which is a crucial factor for maintaining their aesthetic and performance over time.

  • Quality Control in Newcastle: Another key factor that ensures the excellence of Mountain King's aluminium poles is that all the treatment and anodizing are carried out in Mountain King's own factory in Newcastle, where the company maintains strict quality control standards. This factory is where each pole is meticulously checked, treated, and finished, ensuring only the best poles leave the production line. With this in-house process, Mountain King can maintain complete oversight and ensure that their poles meet the highest standards before reaching customers.

Toughness and Durability: Designed to Withstand Significant Force

• Mountain King’s aluminium poles are designed to take a lot of force before breaking. This durability is essential for trail runners who may be using their poles on challenging, unpredictable terrain. Whether it’s an accidental hit against a rock or a slip on a slippery incline, these poles are built to absorb stress and continue performing without snapping or breaking easily. Even if you happen to knock your poles against hard surfaces repeatedly or place excess weight on them, the strength of the aluminium and the protective anodized layer means that the poles can absorb that force without compromising their integrity.

• For beginner runners, this is particularly reassuring. Starting a new sport like trail running can involve a steep learning curve, and using poles that can withstand errors—such as incorrect plantings or unexpected impacts—is invaluable. Mountain King’s aluminium poles are forgiving and resilient, so beginners can focus on learning the technique and improving their performance without worrying about their gear failing.

Conclusion: The Ideal Choice for Beginners and Beyond

• In conclusion, Mountain King’s aluminium poles, crafted from the highest-grade aluminium and treated through an advanced heat treatment and anodizing process, offer a unique combination of strength and lightness. They are designed to be exceptionally durable, able to withstand significant impacts and forces without breaking. This makes them the ideal choice for beginners who are just starting their trail running journey and need a reliable, affordable pole that can keep up with the demands of the sport.

• The poles' superior strength-to-weight ratio ensures that even newcomers can benefit from lightweight performance without sacrificing durability. The attention to detail in the manufacturing process—carried out at Mountain King's own factory in Newcastle—guarantees that every pair of poles is built to last and deliver the best possible performance in all conditions.

• For anyone venturing into trail running, Mountain King’s aluminium poles represent an excellent investment in both reliability and performance, providing a solid foundation for runners to improve their technique and enjoy their running adventures with confidence.

SkyRunner and SkyRunner Ultra Carbon Running Poles: Performance-Driven Design for Serious Athletes

When it comes to high-performance trail running, especially for ultramarathons and challenging terrain, having the right poles can make all the difference. Mountain King’s SkyRunner and SkyRunner Ultra carbon running poles are specifically designed for runners who demand lightweight, durable, and responsive poles that can withstand the toughest conditions. These poles utilize advanced carbon fibre technology to deliver exceptional performance, comfort, and efficiency, allowing athletes to go further, faster, and with less fatigue. In this piece, we’ll dive into the features and design philosophy behind both the SkyRunner and SkyRunner Ultra carbon poles, highlighting their differences and why they are trusted by elite runners worldwide.

SkyRunner Carbon Running Poles: Lightweight Performance

The SkyRunner Carbon Poles are engineered for runners who seek a balance of strength, lightness, and little to no flexibility. These poles are perfect for those who want high-performance gear but don’t necessarily need the ultra-durable specifications of the SkyRunner Ultra. With Toray 800 carbon (the top carbon available), these poles combine lightness with high tensile strength, making them ideal for mid-distance trail runners or ultramarathon participants who need a reliable and agile pole without extra bulk.

Key Features of Skyrunner Carbon Poles:

• Toray 800 Carbon: The SkyRunner poles are made from Toray 800 carbon, which is at the top end of Carbon available, compared to Toray 300 a lower-grade carbon fiber compared to Toray 800. Which is not as stiff or durable as Toray 800, an advanced material known for its lightweight nature and high stiffness-to-weight ratio. This makes the poles not only lightweight but incredibly responsive, providing immediate power transfer with every plant. Whether you’re making a fast-paced climb or navigating a technical descent, the Toray 800 carbon ensures that your poles are efficient without slowing you down.

• Ergonomic and Comfortable Grip: The Skyrunner poles come equipped with ergonomically designed grips made from high-density foam, providing a comfortable and secure hold even during extended runs. The grips are designed to wick away sweat and keep your hands dry, which is essential during long-distance events. The poles also feature a long grip section, allowing runners to adjust their hand placement quickly without needing to change their grip position entirely. This flexibility is particularly valuable when navigating various elevations and terrain.

1. Sleek and Lightweight Construction: Weighing in at only 110g per pole at 110cm, the SkyRunner carbon poles are ultra-light, allowing you to carry them over long distances without even noticing they’re there. This is a major advantage for runners looking to reduce arm fatigue during long, gruelling races. The lightweight design also makes it easier to store the poles when not in use, whether by clipping them to your pack or sliding them into a side pocket.

Best for:

• Intermediate to advanced trail runners looking for a high-performing, yet reasonably priced, carbon pole.

• Long-distance trail runners who prioritize speed, comfort, and weight savings.

• Those seeking a versatile pole with good impact resistance but still light enough for long races.

SkyRunner Ultra Carbon Poles: The Ultimate in Performance

The SkyRunner Ultra Carbon Poles take the exceptional performance of the SkyRunner poles to the next level. Designed for elite athletes and those who demand maximum performance, the SkyRunner Ultra poles feature top-tier carbon technology and are built to withstand the most extreme conditions. Higher Stiffness: Toray 800 carbon fibre is known for its higher stiffness-to-weight ratio, meaning it is incredibly rigid while still maintaining a very low weight. This makes it ideal for poles that need to provide precise power transfer with minimal flex. When using running poles made from Toray 800, every pole plant delivers immediate energy transfer, which is critical when tackling steep climbs or challenging terrain.

• Lightweight Construction: Despite being incredibly strong, Toray 800 carbon fibre is extremely lightweight. This allows manufacturers to create poles that are easy to carry over long distances without sacrificing strength. For ultramarathoners and trail runners, reducing weight is crucial, and Toray 800 offers one of the best strength-to-weight ratios in the industry.

• Enhanced Durability: The high-performance nature of Toray 800 makes it resistant to wear, fatigue, and impact. It’s ideal for high-stress environments, meaning poles made with Toray 800 are less likely to crack, fracture, or break during extended use in rough conditions. This makes it particularly popular in elite-level running poles that need to perform under extreme conditions.

• Robust and Lightweight: The SkyRunner Ultra poles are incredibly light, weighing just 103g per pole at 110cm, making them the lightest carbon poles on the market for their performance level. Despite their ultra-light weight, these poles offer no compromise in strength. The secret lies in their reinforced carbon construction and the use of fully carbon connectors, which ensure that the poles remain rigid and capable of maximum power transfer with each pole plant. This combination of minimal weight and exceptional durability makes the SkyRunner Ultra poles an ideal choice for runners tackling technical terrains, steep climbs, and high-intensity races, where precision and strength are critical without adding extra weight to your gear.

• Ultimate Stability and Precision: The SkyRunner Ultra poles are engineered to provide absolute stability. The stiff construction offers minimal flex, which is ideal for when you need maximum precision and control on steep descents or rocky trails. They provide direct power transfer, reducing the energy loss that can occur with more flexible poles, allowing you to conserve energy and run faster with less effort.

• Designed for Extreme Conditions: The SkyRunner Ultra Carbon Poles are built with long-lasting durability in mind. The added stiffness and carbon construction make them impact-resistant and capable of handling the stresses of long ultramarathons, including extreme climbs, technical descents, and even rocky and snowy conditions. This makes them the perfect choice for serious athletes who participate in multi-day ultra-races or adventure races.

Best for:

• Elite athletes and ultramarathoners looking for the ultimate carbon pole for performance on tough terrain.

• Runners tackling extreme, technical courses that require precision, power transfer, and durability.

• Those who want a pole that can handle long distances, high-intensity ascents, and demanding weather conditions.

Conclusion: Which Pole is Right for You?

Both the SkyRunner and SkyRunner Ultra carbon poles represent the pinnacle of carbon pole technology, each catering to different needs and performance levels.

• The Skyrunner poles are lightweight, versatile, and perfect for runners who want an excellent balance of comfort, speed, and efficiency. They are ideal for those entering the world of ultrarunning or those who tackle less technical trails but still demand high performance.

• The SkyRunner Ultra poles are designed for those at the highest levels of endurance racing, offering maximum durability, stiffness, and precision for tackling the most extreme trails and ultramarathons.

Whichever pole you choose, Mountain King has ensured that both models deliver top-tier Toray 800 carbon technology, high-quality construction, and comfort, setting you up for success no matter the trail or distance. Whether you're starting your trail running adventure or pushing the limits in an ultra, these poles will ensure you have the support you need to succeed.

SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole: The Ultimate Tool for Ultra-Endurance Athletes.

When it comes to elite ultramarathon and trail running, every piece of equipment plays a pivotal role in an athlete’s success, especially when the race stretches over hundreds of kilometres or involves complex, challenging terrains. Among the best in the market, the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole stands out as a premium carbon pole designed to meet the extreme demands of ultramarathon runners, adventure racers, and extreme endurance athletes. Combining the latest advancements in carbon fibre technology, ultra-light construction, and unmatched durability, the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole is engineered to give runners a competitive edge when it matters most: during those critical moments of fatigue and mental strain on the trail.

In this detailed piece, we’ll dive deep into the features, benefits, and design philosophy of the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole, and explore why it is considered one of the best trail running poles for ultramarathon runners, whether you’re racing in the mountains, the desert, or tackling multi-day events.

Designed for the Demands of Ultra-Endurance Racing

The SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole is meticulously engineered for athletes who demand the highest level of performance and precision. From high-intensity climbs to technical descents, ultramarathon running requires poles that not only help reduce fatigue but also provide critical stability, support, and power transfer to ensure athletes can maintain peak performance over long distances. Here’s a closer look at the factors that make the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole the go-to choice for serious trail runners:

Uncompromising Lightness: 107g of Precision

At just 107g per pole at 110cm, the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole is one of the lightest poles on the market, yet it offers unparalleled strength and rigidity. For ultramarathon runners, reducing weight is crucial for conserving energy and avoiding unnecessary fatigue, especially when covering long distances across tough terrain. Despite its featherweight construction, the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole sacrifices nothing when it comes to strength, rigidity, or performance.

Unlike traditional poles that rely on bulky materials or compromises in construction, the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole uses a fully carbon construction, ensuring that the entire pole is light as a feather without sacrificing power transfer or stability. The carbon fiber is precisely tuned to ensure high stiffness and minimal flex, allowing runners to make the most of every stride, especially during steep ascents and demanding descents.

Why Lightness Matters:

• Improved Speed: Ultra-light poles enable faster movements and faster transitions during races, making it easier to navigate challenging courses.

• Less Fatigue: With less weight to carry, athletes can conserve their energy over long distances, reducing strain on the upper body and allowing them to focus on the trail ahead.

• Easier Storage: The lightweight design means poles are easy to store on a pack when not in use, making them ideal for races where conditions can change rapidly.

Fully Carbon Connectors: Unmatched Strength and Durability

One of the standout features of the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole is the use of fully carbon connectors. These high-performance connectors ensure that the poles maintain structural integrity under pressure, while keeping the overall weight as low as possible. Traditional poles often use aluminum or composite materials for connectors, but the use of carbon in all components ensures that the pole remains strong, light, and resistant to fatigue even after hours of use in demanding conditions.

Advantages of Carbon Connectors:

• Superior Strength: Carbon connectors are stronger than traditional aluminum connectors, offering greater resistance to wear and breakage while maintaining a light weight.

• Impact Resistance: Carbon is more resistant to cracking or breaking under impact compared to metal, making it an ideal material for the extreme conditions found in ultramarathons or trail races with unpredictable terrain.

• Precise Power Transfer: The use of carbon ensures that the entire pole remains rigid and responsive, resulting in better energy transfer when pushing yourself up a steep incline or powering through technical sections of the race.

Toray 800 Carbon: Advanced Technology for the Elite Athlete

The SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole is crafted from Toray 800 carbon, a premium material known for its exceptional stiffness-to-weight ratio. This particular grade of carbon is used in high-performance sports equipment due to its ability to deliver maximum rigidity, lightweight performance, and superior strength. It is a key reason why the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole is able to offer such impressive durability and power transfer, while maintaining a weight that is unrivaled by most other poles on the market.

Why Toray 800 Carbon?

• High Stiffness: Toray 800 carbon is designed to provide minimal flex, making it perfect for high-performance poles that need to deliver instantaneous power transfer when climbing or descending.

• Lightweight Excellence: Despite its high stiffness, Toray 800 carbon is light, reducing the overall weight of the pole without sacrificing performance. This makes it ideal for ultramarathon runners looking for a pole that won’t weigh them down over long distances.

• Durability and Longevity: Toray 800 is impact-resistant and highly durable, meaning your poles can endure the wear and tear of multi-day events or high-altitude races without showing signs of fatigue.

Optimized Grip for Maximum Comfort

The SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole features an ergonomic grip designed to provide both comfort and control over long distances. The grip is crafted from high-density foam that provides a secure, non-slip surface, even during rainy or sweaty conditions. The shape and feel of the grip are optimized for comfort, ensuring that the pole remains easy to hold for long periods of time without causing discomfort, even when used in extreme conditions.

Additionally, the poles feature a long grip section, giving you the ability to adjust your hand position quickly without needing to adjust the overall pole length. This is particularly useful for changing terrains, such as when you go from a flat section to a steep incline or need to adjust for a downhill descent.

Grip Features:

• Non-slip: Ensures you have full control, even in wet or muddy conditions.

• Comfortable: Long grips allow for easier hand adjustments, reducing strain during long races.

• Sweat-wicking: Keeps your hands dry, providing better control and reducing the risk of hand fatigue.

• Quick-locking system: Allows for quick and secure length adjustments on the fly.

• Stability: The lock system is secure, preventing any unwanted movement or slipping of the poles while in use.

Race Day Ready: Why It’s the Ultimate Pole for Ultrarunners

The SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole is designed with the ultramarathon and race-day athlete in mind. It combines lightweight construction, uncompromising strength, and durability, making it the ultimate tool for runners who need the best performance in demanding conditions. Whether you’re facing mountainous ascents, technical descents, or just enduring the grueling miles of a long-distance race, the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole is engineered to support you every step of the way.

Key Features Recap:

• Weighs just 107g per pole at 110cm – the lightest poles in the market without compromising on strength.

• Made from Toray 800 carbon – providing exceptional stiffness, durability, and low weight.

• Fully carbon connectors – ensuring maximum strength and minimal flex.

• Ergonomic grip for comfort over long distances and changing terrain.

Whether you’re competing in a multi-day ultra, a high-altitude race, or a challenging trail, the SkyRunner Ultra RaceDay Pole offers unmatched performance, providing you with the speed, stability, and support you need to go the distance and achieve your goals.

Using running poles, especially in trail running and ultramarathon races, offers numerous physical benefits that can significantly enhance a runner’s performance and reduce the risk of injury. While many runners may initially think of poles as a tool for hiking, they are also incredibly effective for trail running and long-distance events. Here’s a closer look at how running poles can improve posture, reduce knee strain, and enhance balance during your runs.

Improved Posture

One of the most immediate benefits of using running poles is the improvement in posture. As you plant your poles with each stride, your body naturally aligns into a more upright position, especially when running on steep terrain or technical trails.

How Running Poles Improve Posture:

• Encourages an Upright Spine: The use of poles engages your upper body, helping you maintain an upright posture. This prevents slouching, which is common during long-distance running when fatigue sets in.

• Prevents Leaning Forward: Running poles can help you avoid excessive forward lean, which is especially beneficial when tackling steep inclines. By using poles, you’re less likely to hunch forward, which can cause lower back strain and fatigue.

• Engages the Core: As you plant the poles and push off, you engage your core muscles, which further stabilizes your posture and helps to maintain good form throughout the run.

Benefits of Better Posture:

• Reduces neck and lower back pain often caused by poor running form, especially during long runs.

• Promotes better breathing by opening up the chest and preventing hunching that restricts lung capacity.

One of the most immediate benefits of using running poles is the improvement in posture. As you plant your poles with each stride, your body naturally aligns into a more upright position, especially when running on steep terrain or technical trails.

How Running Poles Improve Posture:

• Encourages an Upright Spine: The use of poles engages your upper body, helping you maintain an upright posture. This prevents slouching, which is common during long-distance running when fatigue sets in.

• Prevents Leaning Forward: Running poles can help you avoid excessive forward lean, which is especially beneficial when tackling steep inclines. By using poles, you’re less likely to hunch forward, which can cause lower back strain and fatigue.

• Engages the Core: As you plant the poles and push off, you engage your core muscles, which further stabilizes your posture and helps to maintain good form throughout the run.

Benefits of Better Posture:

• Reduces neck and lower back pain often caused by poor running form, especially during long runs.

• Promotes better breathing by opening up the chest and preventing hunching that restricts lung capacity.

One of the most significant concerns for long-distance runners, particularly those tackling downhill sections, is knee strain. The constant pounding on hard surfaces, combined with the downward force on steep descents, can lead to joint stress and increase the risk of injuries like runner’s knee or patellar tendinitis. Running poles help to redistribute some of the impact forces, reducing the strain on your knees.

How Running Poles Reduce Knee Strain:

• Support on Descents: When running downhill, poles act as a shock absorber, helping to redistribute the load from your knees to your upper body. By planting the poles with each step, you can reduce the force exerted on your knee joints by up to 30-40% on steep descents.

• Less Impact on Joints: On flatter or uphill terrain, poles can reduce the impact felt on your knees and joints by sharing the work between your upper body and legs.

• Engagement of Upper Body Muscles: The poles help shift some of the effort to your arms, shoulders, and chest, taking some of the workload off your legs and reducing the overall strain on your knee joints.

Benefits of Reduced Knee Strain:

• Prevents Overuse Injuries: By alleviating some of the stress on your knees, poles can help prevent conditions like patellar tendinitis or IT band syndrome, which are common in long-distance running.

• Improved Endurance: Less knee pain or fatigue means that runners can sustain longer runs, particularly on technical terrain where downhill running can be tough on the knees

Maintaining balance and stability is critical, especially when navigating uneven, rocky, or root-laden trails. The use of running poles provides an additional point of contact with the ground, which improves overall balance and control while running.

How Running Poles Enhance Balance:

• Three Points of Contact: With two feet and two poles making contact with the ground, runners have a more stable base of support compared to using just their feet. This reduces the risk of falls, especially when navigating tricky sections of trail or running on loose surfaces.

• Prevents Slipping: Poles act as a stabilizing force, particularly on slippery surfaces such as mud, ice, or wet rocks. They allow you to adjust your position and regain balance quickly, especially when encountering sudden obstacles.

• Better Control in Technical Terrain: For technical sections of a race or trail, poles give you the ability to control your speed and stability as you navigate sharp turns, steep drops, or obstacles. They offer additional leverage when climbing or descending, allowing you to move more efficiently.

Benefits of Enhanced Balance:

• Reduced Risk of Falls and Injury: By improving your balance, poles help prevent twisted ankles or falls, which are common when running on rough trails.

• More Confident Running: When you feel more stable, you're able to run with greater confidence, especially on challenging and difficult terrain, allowing you to maintain speed and momentum without hesitation.