Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite Review

The Leki Ultratrail FX One Superlite are fixed-length carbon poles designed for racing and built to be forgotten in your backpack until you really need them. With such a low weight, they do not comply with DIN 79016, the standard that establishes requirements and tests for trekking and ski mountaineering poles: here, the focus is on extreme lightness, not compliance certification.

The Trail Shark grip system is a proprietary technology from Leki, developed specifically for trail running. The strap, which can be adjusted to fit the palm, attaches to the pole with a click, making the connection between hand and pole quick, secure, and intuitive, almost like a mountain alliance. A technical setting that prioritizes control and efficiency when pushing, especially uphill.

With this type of equipment, the philosophy is clear: maximum performance in correctly executed athletic movements, without asking them to do the work of a load-bearing beam. Elegant functionality, speed-friendly anatomy, and a slightly daring character, like any good racing tool.

Technical features of Leki Ultratrail FX One Superlite

• Type: fixed-length folding poles
• Size range: 105 to 130 cm (5 cm increments)
• Closed pole length: 36 cm
• Weight: 143 g in size 125 cm for a single pole including strap
• Segments: 4 cylindrical
• Segment diameter: Ø14-Ø12-Ø12-Ø12 mm
• Grip system: Shark System
• Grip: Trail Shark
• Grip material: 1K Foam
• Strap: Shark Frame Strap Mesh
• Strap size: S-M-L (105-115) | M-L-XL (120-130)
• Material of all sections of the tube: Carbon fiber
• Folding system: Push-Button
• Washer: Trail Running Basket, cylindrical shape, plastic material
• Tip: Trail Running Tip, metal material
• Bag for folding poles sold separately
• Country of manufacture: Czech Republic
•  List price: €190

Test mode

I used the 125 cm Leki Ultratrail FX One Superlite poles for three months on medium and high mountain trails, ranging from 5 to 45 km, with elevation gains between 500 and 3000 meters. I also took them on more exposed trails, even though Leki considers them outside their ideal realm: it was summer, I was working in a mountain hut, and they were my only support. In that context, they performed well, as long as they were treated with respect as racing equipment, not crutches for dinosaurs. Lightweight and quick to change grip, they provided solid support when pushing, especially uphill, without showing any obvious signs of weakness.

Leki Ultratrail Fx One Superlite on-site test

Opening/closing mechanism

The Ultratrail FX One Superlite are fixed-length trail running poles with a carbon fiber structure and a collapsible system. When closed, they take up very little space and are so lightweight that they almost disappear in your backpack. The pole consists of four sections: the first two are extendable and slide into each other, while the others fold up.

Opening is immediate: simply align and engage the ends of the adjacent sections and pull the upper segment until the metal locking button clicks into place. The internal cable connecting the segments, protected by a thick plastic sheath, showed no signs of wear during repeated bending cycles. The main point of attention is the precision of the coupling between the sections: dirt or dust on the ends can make assembly or disassembly less smooth, a problem noted on only one occasion during testing and solvable with spray lubricant.

Handle

The cork handle has a small diameter and minimalist design, with a slight bulge in the center but without any real ergonomic features. Using it without the dedicated strap can make it a little slippery, especially with wet hands.

IThe Trail Shark attachment system, an evolution of Leki’s Trigger Shark family, allows you to quickly attach and detach the adjustable Shark Frame Strap Mesh glove: simply press your thumb on the top of the handle to release it, or push the strap down to reattach it.The mechanism is stable and functional, particularly effective when pushing.

However, it is not easy to change the height of the grip along the pole, a limitation that only becomes apparent on trails where frequent changes of position or a lower grip are needed to avoid tripping.

The system’s lightening channels contribute to the reduced weight and improve air circulation, which is useful when sweating heavily.

Support during the push phase

The secure connection between the hand and the pole via the glove and the Trail Shark system provides optimal support during the push, especially on very steep and vertical trails, where the use of the arms becomes crucial. In this context, the poles allow you to transfer force efficiently, making your progress faster and more controlled. The effectiveness of the athletic movement benefits directly, provided that the fastening strap is used.

Build quality and weight

Lightness is the first thing you notice: whether open or closed, they are so light that you don’t even notice them on longer, more dynamic rides. Compared to the aluminum version, the difference in weight is significant and allows for freer, faster, and more natural arm movement, with almost no perceived inertia during prolonged use. The carbon makes them stiff and responsive, but vibrations are more noticeable than with the aluminum models.

Despite the weight, durability in the field was good: scratches and abrasions appeared on the paint, but without compromising functionality. The bending loads imposed by accidental snags in the ground did not cause any visible damage. However, high axial forces—such as stopping a major slide or prolonged support on a descent—are not their forte and represent situations where they could fail.

Tip

The non-directional tip is very durable and showed minimal wear during testing. The oversized fixed basket helps prevent the pole from sinking into soft ground, but its diameter is not sufficient for deep snow, where it is not intended for use anyway. Even on icy or light snow surfaces, the grip remained good and reliable. The basket is not removable.

Stability and final impressions

When climbing and pushing, the poles are responsive, solid when used correctly, and built with a clear goal in mind: lightness as a competitive advantage. For this reason, they do not meet the criteria of DIN 79016: a standard that is more muscular than the Superlite philosophy.

In the field, they performed better than their weight would suggest, provided they are treated for what they are: racing tools, not structural supports. The breathability of the cork and glove is good and does not cause any obvious discomfort in conditions of intense heat and normal perspiration.

Recommended for

I recommend the Leki Ultratrail FX One Superlite to trail runners who participate in short, intense races, especially vertical races, where control, speed of use, and efficient thrust are a real advantage. The closure system is one of its strong points, quick and reliable, as long as you avoid dirt accumulating on the coupling areas.

However, these poles are not designed for prolonged support on descents or exposed high mountain trails: in those contexts, it is better to opt for more structured models. For example, staying with Leki, there is a non-Superlite version with thicker carbon tubes: same design, less extreme minimalism.

But for those who want to shave off every gram to beat the clock, these are the perfect poles.