At the foot of the Vercors, in a Grenoble workshop, craftsmen hand-assemble trail poles that some of France's best ultra trail runners have chosen to carry in their packs. Guidetti has never made noise with marketing: the brand prefers patents. The Flashlock® Modulo is one of them, a fold-and-deploy system that works in 2 seconds and has no direct equivalent on the market. After several weeks of testing on alpine singletrack and smooth dirt paths, here is what we really think of this 100% French pole at €179.99.
Guidetti Platinium Néo Review: 100% French Carbon Trail Poles
9/10
The essentials in 3 sentences
The Guidetti Platinium Néo is one of the lightest carbon poles on the market (149 g), with a patented Flashlock® folding system that deploys one-handed in 2 seconds, effortlessly. The mesh Race glove strap detaches in one click, a real time saver at aid stations. At €179.99, it faces German and American benchmarks, but it adds lifetime repairability and Made in France to the equation.
9
/ 10 · RunMorph overall score
Who is it for?Trail runners chasing ultralight carbon, long-distance runners who care about Made in France and repairability, and anyone who stops often at aid stations (quick-release glove strap).
Who should skip it?Beginners looking for an entry-level first pole (the aluminum Silver Néo at €119 is a better fit), and runners who only want the lowest price.
Guidetti, the French brand that writes its own rules
Founded in Grenoble, at the foot of the Vercors, Guidetti never followed the usual path of the big pole brands. No production offshored to Asia, no bloated catalog: the company bet on local craftsmanship, in-house patents and a lifetime repairability philosophy that breaks sharply with the throwaway model dominating the industry. The Platinium Néo is its most complete expression in the trail range.
The Flashlock® Modulo system sits at the heart of that identity. Patented by Guidetti, it is described by the brand as "unique in the world" in its features: one-handed opening and closing in 2 seconds, automatic locking the moment the tip touches the ground, and modular sections that let you swap a carbon section for an aluminum one depending on terrain, or change grip type without tools. In practice, every section is interchangeable, and spare parts are sold individually. One broken section doesn't write off the whole pair.
© Guidetti, official photo used for editorial purposes
RunMorph tip: the Platinium Néo is built for the trail runner who uses poles regularly and often stows them in a quiver or slides them into the pockets of a hydration vest. Its low weight (149 g) and compact size (38 cm folded) make it an ideal partner for long runs with big elevation gain, where every gram counts.
Objective technical data
| Spec | Value |
|---|---|
| Material | 100% carbon (3 sections) |
| Weight per pole | 149 to 167 g (depending on size) |
| Available sizes | 105 / 110 / 115 / 120 / 125 / 130 cm |
| Folded length | 38 to 48 cm |
| Folding system | Patented Flashlock® Modulo (2 s deployment) |
| Grip | Long ergonomic foam Viper+ Race |
| Glove strap | Detachable mesh Race (push button) |
| Tip | DROP shock-absorbing (80% vibration reduction) |
| Baskets | FULLTREK Ø 50 mm (included) |
| Modularity | Interchangeable sections (carbon/aluminum), lifetime repairability |
| Manufacturing | Made in France France |
| Price | €179.99 |
| Customer rating | 5/5 (36 verified reviews) |
Who is the Platinium Néo for?
The mountain trail runner who times every aid station
In a race, every second lost at aid stations counts. Guidetti's Race glove strap answers that need head-on: press a button and the strap releases instantly, freeing your hand while you eat or refill your flask. To fold the pole, pinch two clips and the 3 sections bunch together. To deploy a pole at the start, just set the tip on the ground. It's this kind of functional detail that sets the Platinium Néo apart from a standard folding pole.
The ultra runner who thinks in kilometers, not races
At 149 g per pole, the Platinium Néo sits in the leading pack of ultralight carbon poles. Over an 8 h outing or a 100 km race, the weight difference against 200 g poles translates directly into saved energy. Lifetime repairability is an extra argument for the runner who trains 12 months a year: a damaged section is replaced for €23.99, not the whole pair at €180.
The eco-conscious runner who wants to back local industry
Made in France isn't just a marketing line here: it's a verifiable commitment, from the Grenoble workshop down to spare parts sold individually. In a market dominated by American (Black Diamond) and German (Leki) brands whose production is largely offshored, the Platinium Néo is a credible alternative for runners who put their convictions into their purchases without sacrificing performance.
© Guidetti, official photo used for editorial purposes
Flashlock® Modulo: the 2-second deployment tested on the trail
On paper, the Flashlock® Modulo promises one-handed deployment in 2 seconds. On the trail, the verdict comes in two parts. After 2-3 learning runs, opening really is near-instant: the pole aligns itself and locks the moment it touches the ground. Closing means pinching both clips between thumb and index finger and pulling slightly. That's slower than opening, especially with gloves on, a point many user reviews confirm.
Flashlock® Modulo modularity goes beyond folding. You can separate the sections and replace any one of them on its own. A concrete example: on very technical terrain where the bottom section risks snapping on a rock, you can swap it for a tougher aluminum section, at €23.99. On a light outing, you keep full carbon for minimal weight. No other pole in the segment offers this flexibility.
© Guidetti, official photo used for editorial purposes
Platinium Néo vs the competition: head-to-head
| Model | Weight (per pole) | Folding | Packed size | Glove strap | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guidetti Platinium Néo | 149-167 g | Flashlock® 2 s | 38-48 cm | Detachable Race | €179.99 |
| Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite | ~110 g | Speed Lock 2 | 36 cm | Shark Frame | ~€230 |
| Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z | ~120 g | Fixed Z-Pole | 36 cm | Simple strap | ~€190 |
| Kiprun Carbon Trail Poles | 141-154 g | Push/pin, 3 sections | 37-43 cm | Polyester strap | €99.99 |
Against the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite, the Platinium Néo loses on raw weight (149 g vs 110 g) and on price (€180 vs €230 for the Superlite). But the Leki offers neither modular sections nor part-by-part repairability. Against the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z, the Guidetti adds the detachable glove strap and modularity. The Kiprun Carbon Trail stays far cheaper (€99.99) but lacks the folding quality and the Made in France label. The Platinium Néo holds a premium spot that is justified as soon as you value long-term durability.
Pros
- 149 g: among the lightest in its category
- Flashlock® Modulo: 2 s deployment, unique modularity
- Race glove strap detaches in one click
- Made in France, handcrafted in Grenoble
- Lifetime repairability, section by section (€23.99/section)
- DROP shock-absorbing tip: vibrations cut by 80%
Cons
- One-size Race glove strap (can feel tight on large hands)
- Closing is slower than opening, especially with gloves
- €179.99: a premium investment
- Hard to find in physical stores (sold mostly online)
How to fit the Guidetti Platinium Néo into your RunMorph training plan
The Platinium Néo is made for the runs where poles really make a difference: long climbs from 600-800 m of elevation gain upward, where sustained pushing works the arms and spares the quads, and technical descents on muddy ground, where the extra stability makes up for tired legs late in the run.
In a typical training week, save them for long weekend sessions (15-30 km, 800+ m of elevation gain) or for active recovery outings in the mountains where you hike more than you run. For short runs or road sessions, leave them in your pack. In a long trail race build, add weekly runs with poles starting 8 weeks before your goal race to get your footwork and technique used to them.
RunMorph Coach verdict
9/10
The Guidetti Platinium Néo is the best trail pole made in France, with no real competition in that segment. At €179.99, it delivers where it counts: low weight (149 g), fast Flashlock® deployment, a functional Race glove strap and lifetime repairability. Its only blemishes are the one-size glove strap and a closing action that's a little less intuitive than opening. If you want a premium carbon pole with a strong commitment to durability and French origin, it's the most consistent choice on the market at this price.
© Guidetti, official photo used for editorial purposes
Key takeaways for your training
- 149 g per pole: one of the lightest carbon poles on the market, ideal for long runs with big elevation gain.
- Patented Flashlock® Modulo: one-handed deployment in 2 seconds, carbon/aluminum modular sections to match the terrain.
- Detachable Race glove strap: frees your hand in one click at aid stations, a real gain over long distances.
- Made in France, repairable section by section for life: the durable choice against limited-lifespan models on the market.
- At €179.99, it sits below the Leki FX.One Superlite and level with the Black Diamond Carbon Z, with more modularity.