A folding aluminum pole for under 60 euros a pair, when most carbon models in our catalog run well past 150 euros. The price is tempting, but the strap and the play at the joints quickly remind you that aluminum money doesn't buy premium carbon.
Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 Review: Featherweight Aluminum on a Budget
7.5/10
The essentials in 3 sentences
The Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 is a folding trail pole made of 7075 aluminum, weighing just 172 g per pole and packing down to 36 cm, priced at 79.90 euros a pair (often under 60 euros on sale). It's one of the lightest and cheapest poles in our catalog, but its basic strap chafes the skin after four hours on the move, and several testers report slight play at the section joints. Each size also comes in a fixed length, so you need to pick the right one when you buy.
7.5
/ 10 · RunMorph overall score
Camp, the century-old Italian brand our catalog was missing
RunMorph has already published reviews of eleven trail poles, but none from Camp. Yet the Italian brand, founded more than 130 years ago, remains a benchmark in lightweight mountain gear alongside Black Diamond, Leki and Petzl. The Xenon Pro 2.0 is its most affordable trail pole, designed as an aluminum alternative to the premium carbon models that dominate the segment: the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite, Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z FKT and Guidetti Platinium Néo, all significantly more expensive.
At 79.90 euros full price (commonly around 59.90 to 65 euros at retailers), the Xenon Pro 2.0 sits in the same budget segment as the Kiprun Bâtons Trail Carbone we've already reviewed, but with aluminum construction instead of carbon.
Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 specs
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Weight | 172 g per pole with basket (344 g per pair, up to 380 g depending on size) |
| Material | 7075 aluminum, 4 sections |
| Folding | 36 cm folded, internal Kevlar cord with tension adjustment |
| Sizes | 115 / 120 / 125 / 130 / 135 cm (fixed length, not telescopic) |
| Handle | Extended EVA foam |
| Strap | Adjustable nylon, marked left/right |
| Tip | Tungsten carbide |
| Basket | Removable, 44 or 55 mm depending on terrain (Dart Basket) |
| Official price | €79.90 (often €59.90 to €65 on sale) |
The tech: Kevlar cord and interchangeable Dart basket
The 4-section fold relies on an internal Kevlar cord with a tension adjustment system. It lets you assemble and stow the poles quickly, without the more complex locking mechanisms found on high-end poles. The removable Dart basket comes in two diameters (44 and 55 mm) to handle packed dirt, rocky ground or soft snow. The tungsten carbide tip delivers lasting traction on most surfaces.
Unlike telescopic poles, the Xenon Pro 2.0 is sold in a fixed length per size (115 to 135 cm). You have to choose your size carefully when you buy, but in return you get more direct power transfer, without the slight wobble some telescopic systems introduce.
On the trail: excellent weight for the price, but comfort stays basic
TrailPulseActive (full named review, France) tested the Xenon Pro 2.0 on technical terrain and vertical kilometer climbs. The verdict is positive on the essentials: featherweight (172 g/pole), stable on climbs thanks to the stiffness of 7075 aluminum, and a tungsten tip that bites well on wet scree or soft snow. But the review also flags "slight flex at the section joints" under hard pole plants, plus an upper section that looks a bit cluttered with the strap, hook-and-loop fastener and exposed cord.
On Outzer.fr, the 3 verified reviews for this exact model average 8.3/10. BastienReb (7/10) confirms it holds up after almost a year of heavy use, tip still spotless, but stays lukewarm on the overall finish. ElPecor (9/10) sounds a warning: he broke a pair descending on a ski tour and explicitly advises against using this 4-section model for that purpose, recommending a 2-section pole for winter use instead. Angeliqueatmc (9/10) switched to aluminum after watching a carbon pair from a major brand break quickly, and she's happy with the strength-to-weight balance of the Xenon Pro 2.0.
A long-term review by Tanya Naville on pasquedescollants.com (France) covers the previous model, the Xenon Trek (360 g per pair, similar 4-section aluminum build): two years of heavy use in trail running, hiking, mountaineering and ski touring, with no breakage or sign of weakness. The same comfort limits come up: a handle judged poorly shaped ("tends to blacken your hand a little" in high heat) and a strap too simple for long outings. We're keeping the disagreement between sources visible rather than smoothing it over. The durability of Camp aluminum is a consensus across several generations of poles, but handle comfort remains the recurring weak point, and at least one source explicitly advises against use outside trail running and hiking (ski touring descents).
Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 vs Kiprun Bâtons Trail Carbone: head to head
| Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 | Kiprun Bâtons Trail Carbone | |
|---|---|---|
| Material | 7075 aluminum | 60% carbon / 40% fiberglass |
| Weight (pair) | 344 g | 282 to 308 g depending on size |
| Official price | €79.90 (from €59.90) | €99.99 |
| Folding | 36 cm, 4 sections, Kevlar cord | 37-43 cm, 3 sections, push-button system |
| Adjustability | Fixed length (5 sizes) | Fixed length (5 sizes) |
| Strap | Simple nylon, L/R | Adjustable polyester, no glove-style strap |
Both poles target the same tight budget. The Kiprun is lighter thanks to carbon, while the Camp bets on the proven strength and longevity of aluminum, at an even lower price on sale.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Very low weight for aluminum (172 g/pole)
- Compact fold (36 cm) with a quick Kevlar cord system
- Effective tungsten tip and interchangeable Dart basket
- Very competitive price, often under 60 euros a pair on sale
- Durability confirmed across several generations of the model
Cons
- Basic strap that chafes the skin after 4 hours on the move
- Slight play at the section joints under dynamic pole plants
- Fixed, non-adjustable length: picking the right size is critical
- Not recommended for ski touring descents, according to one user
- Handle slightly blackens your hand in high heat
Who is it for?
Trail runners and hikers who want a light, sturdy pole without breaking the bank, for outings under four hours where strap comfort matters less than weight and price. Also a good pick as a backup pair or a first pair.
Who should skip it?
Ultra runners who want premium strap comfort over efforts lasting many hours. Ski tourers who ski downhill with their poles: both the brand itself and user feedback recommend a 2-section pole with more lateral strength.
Want to get better on your long runs?
Your poles are sorted, now you need structured training to match. Check out the RunMorph training plans, built to prepare you for trail and road without getting injured.
RunMorph Coach verdict
The Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 delivers on its promise: a light, sturdy and very affordable folding pole, backed by several generations of independent reviews. But the strap stays basic, testers note slight play at the joints under dynamic pole plants, and the fixed length means you have to choose your size carefully. It's an excellent first pole or an unapologetic budget option, but not a direct rival to the high-end carbon benchmarks in our catalog on pure comfort. RunMorph verdict: 7.5/10.
Key takeaways for your training
- Choose your size carefully when you buy: the length is fixed, with no way to adjust it later.
- Plan on an aftermarket strap or thin gloves if your outings go beyond 4 hours, to avoid the chafing several testers reported.
- Keep this model for trail running and hiking: skip it for ski touring, where a 2-section pole is recommended.
- Check the Kevlar cord tension regularly to limit the joint play reported under heavy use.
- Swap the basket (44 or 55 mm) to match the terrain and get better support on soft snow or loose ground.