Are Leki Cima trekking poles durable for everyday use in the New Forest?

The Leki Cima is an older model that uses a twist‑lock mechanism rather than Leki’s modern SpeedLock flick‑locks. For everyday walking in the New Forest – a beautiful area of heathland, gravel paths, sandy tracks, and occasional muddy patches – the Cima can be a serviceable budget option, but with significant caveats. Their long‑term durability depends heavily on proper maintenance and the specific conditions you encounter. This article examines the pros, cons, and practical realities of using Leki Cima poles for daily New Forest walks.

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Understanding the Leki Cima

The Cima was typically an entry‑level aluminium pole (6061 or 7075 grade, depending on year) with twist‑locks. It featured a foam grip and a steel or carbide tip. It was sold as a lightweight, affordable alternative to Leki’s flick‑lock poles. Although discontinued, many pairs are still in use or available second‑hand.

Why the New Forest is a particular challenge

The New Forest has sandy, acidic soil. Sand is the enemy of twist‑locks. Fine grains get between the inner and outer shaft and into the expander mechanism. Over time, this grit acts like sandpaper, wearing down the plastic expander and causing the lock to slip. Additionally, the area has wet, muddy patches after rain, which also infiltrates twist‑locks. For everyday use (e.g., daily 5‑10 km walks), the wear accumulates quickly.

Durability assessment for everyday use

The good

• Lightweight and comfortable: The Cima is light (approx. 220‑240g per pole). For flat New Forest terrain, arm fatigue is minimal.
• Foam grip: Comfortable in warm weather and adequate for short walks.
• Leki build quality (for its era): The aluminium shafts are decent and resist bending under normal walking loads.

The bad

• Twist‑lock liability: With daily use on sandy paths, you will need to clean the locks very frequently – ideally after every walk. If you neglect cleaning, the expander will wear out within weeks or months, causing the pole to collapse unexpectedly.
• Slippage on wet days: When mud and water enter the joint, the lock can lose grip, especially on slight uphills. A sudden collapse on a damp root could cause a fall.
• Non‑replaceable expanders? Some Cima models have non‑user‑replaceable expanders. If the plastic wears out, the pole is effectively disposable.

Maintenance required for daily use

If you choose to use Leki Cima poles every day in the New Forest, you must:

1. Rinse after every walk: Use fresh water to flush sand and mud from the joints. Extend and collapse the poles several times while rinsing.
2. Disassemble weekly: Unscrew the end cap, pull out the inner shaft and expander. Clean all parts with a toothbrush and mild soap. Dry completely.
3. Lubricate with dry silicone spray: Apply a light coating to the expander and the inside of the outer tube. Never use oil or grease.
4. Tighten the lock properly: Twist firmly but not overly tight. Test by pushing down hard before each walk.
5. Replace expanders when needed: If the pole slips despite cleaning, buy a replacement expander (if available). Otherwise, retire the pole.

The verdict: are they durable enough?

For everyday use (daily or near‑daily) on the New Forest’s sandy, muddy paths, Leki Cima poles are not recommended. The twist‑lock mechanism is simply not durable enough to withstand constant exposure to grit and moisture without frequent, intensive maintenance. Most users will find the poles slipping within a few weeks, leading to frustration and potential safety risks.

For occasional use (once a week or less, with careful cleaning), they may last a season or two. But for true everyday walking, invest in poles with external flick‑locks (e.g., Leki Khumbu Lite, Decathlon Forclaz MT500, or Black Diamond Trail Sport). Flick‑locks are easy to clean, resist sand ingress, and provide consistent holding power.

Better alternatives for the New Forest

• Leki Khumbu Lite (flick‑lock, 7075 aluminium, foam grip) – around £70‑90. Much more durable for daily use.
• Decathlon Forclaz MT500 (flick‑lock, cork/foam grip, £35) – unbeatable value, handles sand and mud well.
• Black Diamond Trail Sport (flick‑lock, 7075 aluminium, ~£80) – reliable and tough.

All these have external levers that can be quickly rinsed and will not clog like twist‑locks.

Final advice

If you already own Leki Cima poles, you can use them for occasional New Forest walks if you are diligent about cleaning. However, for everyday use, the constant maintenance will become a chore, and the risk of sudden lock failure is high. Save yourself the frustration and invest in a pair of flick‑lock poles. Your safety and peace of mind are worth the extra cost.