For a long time, the folding carbon pole was a luxury item: 150, 180, sometimes 200 euros for a pair from Leki or Black Diamond. Then Decathlon showed up with its trail brand Kiprun (formerly Evadict) and a simple idea: a 3-section carbon pole with a tungsten tip for 100 euros. On paper, it looks like a provocation. On the trail, the question gets serious: how low can the price go without sacrificing what really matters when you are still poling after six hours of effort?
The Kiprun Bâtons Trail Carbone are ultralight 3-section folding poles (282 g per pair) built for trail running with serious elevation gain, with a tungsten carbide tip worthy of the premium benchmarks. They bet on low weight, compactness and a rock-bottom price of 100 euros, at the cost of a few compromises (EVA foam instead of cork, no glove). Right now, they are the best value for money on the market if you are starting out or want to gear up without breaking the bank.
For years, buying carbon poles was an investment. The historic brands in the category set a reference price between 150 and 200 euros, justified by build quality and cork grips. By launching this model at 100 euros, Kiprun is not just nibbling at the market: it is shaking it up. At RunMorph, we have watched poles evolve over several seasons from niche accessory to genuine performance tool in the mountains, able to take 20 to 30% of the load off your legs on steep climbs. Making carbon affordable opens the door to a whole group of runners who were hesitant to take the plunge.
The promise is clear: the lightness and compactness of high-end poles, without the entry fee. The real question is what Decathlon had to give up to hit this price, because a product half the price of the competition always hides trade-offs. Good news: none of them touch the essentials.
| Brand | Kiprun (Decathlon, formerly Evadict) |
|---|---|
| Model | Carbon 3-Section Folding Trail Running Poles |
| Type | Folding trail pole (push/pin system) |
| Sections | 3 sections |
| Weight (pair) | 282 g (110 cm) to 308 g (130 cm) |
| Folded length | 37 cm (110 cm) to 43 cm (130 cm) |
| Sizes | 110, 115, 120, 125 and 130 cm |
| Material | 60% carbon fiber, 40% fiberglass |
| Tip | Tungsten carbide (unscrews, replaceable) |
| Grip | EVA foam, long (high and low hand positions) |
| Strap | Adjustable polyester strap |
| Warranty | 2 years |
| Official price | €99.99 |
The numbers speak for themselves: 282 g per pair in the 110 cm size is barely more than the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite (274 g), which costs 55% more. The tungsten carbide tip, a material you find on premium models, also unscrews: you can replace it instead of buying a whole new pole. That is a real commitment to durability, backed by a 2-year warranty.
The 3-section folding design is now the trail standard: three segments joined by an internal cable that snap out in one go and lock with a push/pin system. In practice, you pull on the grip until it clicks and the pole is ready in under two seconds. Press the button and it folds back up in under three. On the trail, that speed changes everything: you deploy at the foot of a climb without breaking your rhythm, and stow them as soon as the trail tips back down.
The 60% carbon and 40% fiberglass construction is a smart choice. Pure carbon, stiffer and lighter, can snap clean under lateral stress. Adding fiberglass brings flex and impact resistance. You gain in reliability what you lose in a few grams, a trade-off perfectly suited to everyday runners. The fiber blend also absorbs a good share of the vibrations, which spares your forearms on long rocky descents.
RunMorph's advice: a pole is useless if you do not know how to use it. Before your next race with big elevation gain, practice double poling on steep climbs and alternating on gentle slopes. The right length? Elbow at a right angle when the tip touches the ground: 110 cm if you are between 155 and 170 cm tall, 120 cm between 171 and 181 cm, 130 cm above that.
At RunMorph, we put these Kiprun poles through the terrain that matters: long trail runs with big elevation gain, where a pole becomes a real partner after several hours. The first thing we noticed was the weight: folded, you forget them on your back or in a quiver, and once deployed, the push is clean and lively. The tungsten tip bites just as well on dry rock as on hard-packed ground, without slipping, exactly what you expect from a high-end pole.
The limits show up in the details, never in the essentials. The EVA foam grip does the job, but as soon as sweat or moisture builds up in your palm, it gets a little slippery where the cork on a Leki would keep its grip. There is no clip-in glove, just a classic adjustable strap, so you need the right technique (hand up through the strap from below) to transfer the push efficiently. Nothing deal-breaking: these are deliberate compromises that explain the price, not design flaws.
Three folding carbon poles, three different positions. The Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite remains the racing benchmark with its glove grip and cork handle. The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z bets on toughness and ultra versatility. The Kiprun plays the unbeatable value card.
| Criterion | Kiprun Carbon 3-section | Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite | Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight (pair) | 282 to 308 g | about 274 g | about 280 g |
| Tip | Tungsten carbide | Tungsten carbide | Tungsten carbide |
| Grip | Long EVA foam | Cork + Trigger glove | EVA foam |
| System | Push/pin button | Glove + Speed Lock | Z-fold + button |
| Price | €100 | about €155 | about €170 |
The RunMorph verdict: if you want the glove and cork grip for racing, the Leki keeps the edge. If you want the toughness of a proven ultra favorite, the Black Diamond is reassuring. But to get light, reliable carbon without blowing your budget, the Kiprun simply has no rival at its price.
If you want to try poles before investing in premium, this is the rational choice. You get light, reliable carbon for 100 euros, enough to learn the technique without regretting the purchase if poles end up not being your thing.
If you string together mountain runs and races with big elevation gain, these poles deliver the essentials: low weight, tungsten grip and fast folding. They handle the kilometers and can be repaired (replaceable tip): a true companion for the whole season.
If you refuse to pay 180 euros for a pair of poles, the Kiprun is the obvious answer. The compromises (foam, strap) are minor next to the money saved, especially for recreational running or untimed ultras.
The Kiprun Bâtons Trail Carbone pull off a real feat: they deliver 90% of what the premium benchmarks offer for half the price. The weight is there, the tungsten tip grips as it should, folding is fast and the carbon-fiberglass construction is cleverly designed to last. The compromises are real (EVA foam a step behind cork, no glove), but they stay secondary for the vast majority of trail runners. At 100 euros, with a replaceable tip and a two-year warranty, these poles bring within reach gear that was long reserved for comfortable budgets. It is exactly the kind of product we love at RunMorph: affordable, honest and effective. RunMorph score: 8/10.