Komperdell Carbon FXP Ultra Running Poles Review

Komperdell Carbon FXP Ultra Poles Review

If you’re familiar with the UK trail scene, you’ve likely noticed a certain brand dominating the running pole landscape. Leki is everywhere, and for good reason, but there’s another European powerhouse that has been quietly perfecting the art of the pole for over a century.

Based in Austria, Komperdell has been manufacturing poles since 1922. While they might be a newer name to some UK ultra runners, they are absolute titans in the skiing and trekking world. Unlike many brands that outsource production, Komperdell still makes every single pole in their own Austrian factory.

For the past month or two I've been testing out the Carbon FXP Ultra running poles that Komperdell kindly sent me. From an incredibly icy and wintry run across the Yorkshire Three Peaks to a gentle 50 mile ultra, I’ve tested them as both high-cadence trail tools and long-distance trekking stabilisers.

Weight and Specs

The first thing you notice is the weight, or lack of it. Being full carbon, they are exceptionally light. On my own scales, a single pole (125cm) came in at 165g, with the pair totalling 359g including the wrist straps.

In the hand, they feel balanced and "flickable", which is exactly what you want when you’re deep into a race.

Self-Deploying Running Poles

The standout feature here is the FXP self-deploying mechanism.

When you’re approaching a steep climb and you’re fatigued, the last thing you want to do is faff around with tension cords or clicking sections into place. With the FXP Ultras, you simply release the strap, and the sections snap into place automatically. No joke, they literally deploy themselves!

Being able to pull them out of a quiver and have them ready to plant before you’ve even adjusted your grip is a big win for efficiency and speed. It keeps your focus on the trail rather than your gear.

However, as with all things there's a trade off. Because these poles are under constant tension to open, they will not stay folded on their own. Each pole comes with a small Velcro strap to keep it collapsed. If you use a quiver, you might find you don't need the strap after some practice, but if you’re stowing them in the bungees of a race vest or a waist belt, you'll need to use the velcro. It’s an extra step when stashing them, but in my experience, the time saved during deployment far outweighs the two seconds spent wrapping a strap.

Collapsing

Collapsing the poles is slightly different from the "one-button" system found on many Z-poles. These have two separate release buttons per pole: one for the top two sections and one for the bottom.

The buttons are flush with the shaft, which looks sleek and prevents them from catching. However, because they're the same black colour as the carbon, they can be a bit "camouflage" and hard to locate, especially when wearing gloves. I’d love to see Komperdell add a pop of high-vis colour to these buttons in future versions. It's a small thing but it would make them much easier to spot at a glance.

Komperdell Carbon FXP Ultra Wrist Straps

Instead of a fixed loop, these use a "Fly Sport" strap. It’s a glove-like mesh that stays on your hand and loops over the top of the pole, similar to Leki’s trigger system but with a much larger, more forgiving loop.

This generous sizing makes it incredibly easy to "hook on" mid-run without needing surgical precision. I also found that this system allowed me to put significantly more power through the pole strike compared to a traditional fixed strap.

Komperdell 3-Year "No Questions Asked" Warranty

This is where Komperdell really wins me over, and it’s a point worth dwelling on. They offer a 3-year "No Questions Asked" repair or replacement warranty.

Let’s be honest: we live in a "throwaway" culture where it often feels like companies are just trying to squeeze every last penny out of you. Finding a brand that actually stands by their craftsmanship in this climate is incredibly rare.

We’ve all seen (or experienced) that heartbreaking "snap" during a race. High-end carbon poles are a significant investment, and knowing that Komperdell will fix or replace them regardless of how the damage happened, whether you tripped in a bog or caught them in a cattle grid, is a total game-changer!

I have an immense amount of respect for a company that puts its money where its mouth is like this. It’s not just about the saved cash; it’s a refreshing nod toward sustainability. It’s far better for the planet to repair a single pole than to have to bin a pair and buy a new set every time something goes wrong. In a world of "fine print" and hidden exclusions, this level of transparency and support makes me an immediate fan.

Value

At roughly £174 (though you can often find them closer to £150 if you shop around), these are definitely in the premium category. However, when you factor in that 3-year guarantee, the cost-per-year becomes much more palatable.

Pros:

✅ Incredible self-deployment (the fastest on the market).
✅ Very lightweight at 165g per pole.
✅ Superb "No Questions Asked" 3-year warranty.
✅ Robust enough for technical UK terrain.

Cons:

❌ Flush buttons can be a little tricky to find with gloves.
❌ Requires a Velcro strap to stay collapsed.

Verdict: Are Komperdell Carbon FXP Ultra Running Poles Good?

Overall, the Komperdell Carbon FXP Ultras are a fantastic alternative to the "usual suspects." You’re getting a pole that is significantly easier to deploy, while carrying a warranty that essentially guarantees your investment for three full years of racing. In the rugged, gear-destroying world of UK ultra running, that peace of mind is worth every penny. If you're in the market for a new set of running poles I'd definitely recommend give Komperdell a look.

Komperdell Carbon FXP Ultra Running Poles