Pros / Reasons to Buy
- Lock mechanism works very well
- Versatile length for all backcountry endeavors
Cons / Reasons to Avoid
- Molded hand grip doesn’t feel as ergonomic as some
- Does stick out of a pack more than fully folding poles
I really love the MSR Dyanlock Explore Backcountry Poles and in the time I’ve been testing them, they’ve become pretty much a go to for me. Their extended length of 140cm/55in means you’ve got a lot of scope for adjustment depending on the type of terrain and ascent/descent you’re taking on.
This is coupled with an easy to adjust mechanism (MSR use their wheel style lock mechanism called DynaLock) which makes on the go changes simple. This is great if you’ve got cold hands.
This pole also feels really robust and well designed. Whilst it is aluminum, it does feel very lightweight (544g/1.2lb) and is completely stable and designed for all conditions. These poles really are built to last, and I strongly believe they’ll be with you a long time if you buy them.
See the MSR Dynalock Explore Backcountry Poles in more detail:
Compare to Similar Products:
Leki Makalu FX Carbon AS | Leki Cressida FX Carbon AS | Leki Sherpa | Regatta Utralite Walking Pole | Leki Black Series FX Carbon | MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Fiber Backcountry Trekking Poles | Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork | Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Hiking Poles | Black Diamond Trail Back Poles | TheFitLife Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles | Trekology TREK-Z Walking Poles | Black Diamond Pursuit | Leki Black Series SLS XTG | MSR Dynalock Explore Backcountry Poles | |
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Buying Options | ||||||||||||||
Our Ratings | Best overall hiking pole | Recommended | Best for mountaineering | Recommended | ||||||||||
Price | $229.95 | $191.30 | $119.96 | $35.95 | $249.95 | $143.95 | $178.88 | $158.88 | $74.88 | $41.37 | Price not available | $149.95 | $197.25 | $115.15 |
Pros | Folds very compact. Replacement parts available | Folds very compack. Replacement parts available | Rock solid. Most versatile in round up in terms of length adjustment. | Fantastic price! Very solid | Lightweight. Replacement parts are available | Solid build. Lightweight when considered alongside its maximum extension | Spare parts are available. Whippet attachment will appeal to some users. | The lightest poles in this round up. The most compact folded dimentsions in this round up. | Budget choice from a respected brand. Solid build | impressive specivication at a keen price. Very light | Excellent price. Very compact when folded | Very good price. Comfortable for longer treks with heavier loads | Lightweight feel. Comfortable over longer periods | Great for changing terrain and circumstances. Very comfortable hand holds |
Cons | Expensive. Limited adjustment range | Expensive - and sometimes priced at a premium over the otherwise identical Makalu. Limited adjustment range | Heavy. Largest poles in this roundup when collapsed | Twist locks can be fiddly. Not the lightest | Lacks the anti-shock technology of heavier Leki folders. Expensive | Long collapsed length. Pricey | Pricey. Tool required to adjust flip locks. | Full carbon construction may present some durability concerns. Tool required to tension flip locks | Quite basic in terms of design. A tool is required to adjust the tension on the flip locks. | Long term durability may be an issue. Replacement parts are not available. | Heaviest poles in this round up. Spare and replacement parts are not available. | Heavier than some other poles. Doesn't pack down so small | Heavier than some poles. Sticks out in daypack if not using constantly | Packed size isn't so small. Not the lightest in our round up |
Type of pole (fixed, telescopic, folding, combination) | Folding (three section) with single telescopic section | Folding (three section) with single telescopic section | Telescopic (three section) | Telescopic (three section) | Folding (three section) with single telescopic section | Folding (three section) with single telescopic section | Telescopic (three section) | Folding (three section) with single telescopic section | Telescopic (three section) | Telescopic (three section) | Folding (three section) with single telescopic section | Telescoptic (three section) | Telescopic (three section) | Telescopic (three section) |
Packed size | 40cm/15.7in | 40cm/15.7in | 70cm/27.5in | 65cm/25.6in | 40cm/15.7in | 44.5cm/17.5in | 63cm/24.8in | 37cm/15in | 62cm/24in | 62cm/24.4in | 38cm/15in | S/M: 62cm/24.4 in, M/L: 68cm/26.7 in | 68cm/26.7in | 62.2cm/24.4in |
Minimum Extended Length | 110cm/43in | 100cm/39in | 110cm/43in | 100cm/39in | 110cm/43in | 120cm/47in | 100cm/39in | 110cm/43in | 100cm/39in | 90cm/35.4in | 115cm/45in | S/M: 100cm/39.37 in, M/L: 100cm/39.37 in | 110cm/43.3in | 100cm/39.3in |
Maximum Extended Length | 130cm/51in | 120cm/47.2in | 145cm/57in | 135cm/53in | 130cm/51in | 140cm/55in | 130cm/51in | 125cm/49in | 140cm/55in | 135cm/53in | 135cm/53in | S/M: 125cm/49.21 in, M/L: 140cm/55.11 in | 135cm/53.1in | 140cm/55in |
Adjustment mechanism | Flip Lock | Flip Lock | Flip Lock | Twist Lock | Flip Lock | Flip Lock | Flip lock | Flip Lock | Flip Lock | Flip Lock | Flip Lock | Flicklock+ | Twist lock | Flip lock |
Basket size | Supplied with standard trekking basket | Supplied with standard trekking basket | Supplied with standard trekking basket | Supplied with standard trekking basket | Supplied with standard trekking basket | Supplied with trekking and snow baskets | Supplied with standard trekking basket | Supplied with standard trekking basket | Supplied with standard trekking basket | Supplied with trekking and snow baskets | Supplied with trekking and snow baskets | Supplied with standard baskets | Comes with standard baskets | Comes with standard and snow baskets |
Shaft Material (Carbon Fiber, Aluminum) | Carbon Fiber with Aluminum fittings | Carbon Fiber with Aluminum fittings | Aluminum | Aluminum | Carbon Fiber | Carbon Fiber | Carbon Fiber | Carbon Fiber | Aluminum | Carbon fiber | Aluminum | Aluminum | 100% carbon fiber | Aluminum |
Weight (pair) | 534g/1lb 3oz | 516g/1lb 2oz | 572g/1lb 4oz | 540g/1lb 3oz | 468g/1lb 1oz | 500g/1lb 1.6oz | 500g/1lb 1.6oz | 340g/12oz | 484g/1lb 1oz | 400g/14oz | 612g/1lb 6oz | S/M: 465g/1lb M/L: 500g/1.1lb | 200g/0.4lb | 550g/1.2lb |
Grip Ergonomics and material | Ergonomic high density foam | Ergonomic high density foam | Ergonomic high density foam | Ergonomic high density foam | Ergonomic natural cork and high density foam | Ergonomic high density foam | Ergonomic natural cork and high density foam | Ergonomic high density foam | Ergonomic high density foam | Ergonomic natural cork and high density foam | Ergonomic high density foam | Cork | High density foam/ rubberized | EVA foam grip |
Analysis and Test Results
The MSR Dyanlock Explore Backcountry Poles are the perfect trekking poles for time in the backcountry, over mixed terrain. They handle just as well for summer alpine missions as they do for time in the snow in winter.
I loved their versatility and came to love their dependability for pretty much anything you can throw at them. In my tests, I couldn’t find a single scenario where they faulted. For a bargain price of $119.99, they may well be the only pole that a lot of hikers need through the year.
As a three section telescoping pole, they use the DynaLock system, which is MSR’s system of locking and making pole adjustments. This works exceptionally well and I found making adjustments on the trail, even with gloves on was easy and the adjustment was locked in place until I next wanted to change it, with no movement at all.
Performance Comparison
Comfort
I generally found the MSR Dyanlock Explore Backcountry Poles to be really comfortable to use. The aluminum construction provides really good shock absorption. I’ve tested these poles on mountaineering trips with steep ascent and descent over loose and hard rock and they have never left my wrists or knees feeling bad after.
One area that I didn’t like quite as much was the slightly smaller shape of the hand grip. In many other trekking poles I’ve used over the years and tested, I’ve preferred things like the Leki Makalu FX Carbon for their grip shape. This is of course a personal preference, and I know some hikers will love or even prefer this shape.
I also found that making adjustments to the pole length on the go depending on the type of terrain I was experiencing was very easy, even with cold hands. The Dynalock mechanism is really simple and feels robust once it’s locked in place.
Weight
The MSR Dyanlock Explore Backcountry Poles are pretty lightweight, coming in at 544g/1.2lb. This means that they come in at a similar weight to many of the carbon fiber trekking poles we’ve reviewed in our best trekking poles round up.
This makes me pretty happy to see, as carbon fiber can have its limits in colder temperatures. So it makes a big difference that you don’t have to really sacrifice anything in terms of weight here to get a more fully ranging hiking pole.
They’re also great in terms of weight for backpacking trips. Whilst they do stick out the side (if you don’t usually lash your poles on the front) on a day pack, they fit pretty neatly in place on a larger backpacking pack.
Shaft Materials
Tying in with weight, the material used for the shaft is aluminum. This, whilst it isn’t always as sought after now as carbon fiber, is more versatile as there have been cases where carbon fiber poles have cracked in extreme temperatures.
This just means that if you do plan to hike in much colder temperatures and want that peace of mind, then you have it. Which does really mean these hiking poles are backcountry suited and ready for every eventuality.
Packed Size
Coming in at 62.2cm/24.4in these trekking poles from MSR are about the same length roughly as most other three section trekking poles I’ve tested. I didn’t really find this too much of an issue, but I know some hikers much prefer the size of a fully folding pole.
However, if you are going to be using these poles right from the start of your trail, then they make a lot more sense too. They’re also perfect for ski mountaineering in this regard too.
If you keep your poles on the side of your pack, they do stick out a little, but not too much. If you’re using a larger backpacking pack, this isn’t really too much of an issue.
Pole Adjustment Mechanism
I absolutely love the pole adjustment mechanism that MSR uses on this range, which is called DynaLock. This is a well thought out lever and wheel lock system, which allows you to make easy adjustments that feel rock solid on the trail.
I’ve tested this out to its limits really, and I’ve never found any scenarios where this has become loose whilst using. They’re also really easy to adjust when you’ve got cold hands or even if you don’t have as much strength in your hands.
I actually had my mother in law test out making some adjustments with these poles who has bad arthritis in her hands, and she was able to adjust and lock them no problem. So this system is pretty versatile and built to actually be made use of easily.
Basket Size
I like that MSR include both standard and snow baskets with the Dyanlock Explore Backcountry Poles. This should be pretty standard with a pole that classes itself as backcountry, but there have been times when I’ve tested poles where you’re expected to buy the snow basket as an extra, which has kind of annoyed me.
This mean that you can very ‘easily’ change between the two. I say easily, in hyphens because I actually found the basket quite difficult to get on and off. This is something to keep in mind, and it may be worth deciding on your poles before you head off for the day.
I wonder if this will become easier over time with more and more use, but it really does take some force. To the point where I wondered if I might break the poles when I first did this.
Grip Ergonomics and Material
I mentioned earlier about the grip ergonomics when talking about the comfort offered with the MSR Dyanlock Explore Backcountry Poles. I do find that the shape of the grip isn’t quite as ‘all there’ for me as some other poles I’ve tested.
The head is more like a circle, as opposed to an oval, which I do generally find the latter more comfortable to hold. The shape of the barrel and hand grip below it is much less molded too. Some hikers won’t be bothered with this, but I have found myself preferring other models for their grip design over these trekking poles.
In terms of the actual material use for the grip, these MSR poles use an EVA foam, standard to a lot of other poles we’ve reviewed. This is good for soaking up shock, and I have had no problems with wrist pain whilst using these poles too. I also haven’t found them to get particularly sweaty, which does help with comfort.
Price
These trekking poles currently come in at $119.99/£115. So, there is a slight premium for buying them outside the US. This doesn’t really surprise me as MSR are based in the US so you will likely be paying more for import duty.
I think for the price, these MSR Dyanlock Explore Backcountry Poles are a brilliant proposition as for many hikers, this may well be the only trekking pole you’ll need. This of course has a good impact on sustainability too as you will not need to buy various pairs for different types of exploring.
Conclusion
Overall, I was really impressed with the versatility of the MSR Dyanlock Explore Backcountry Poles. They’re a beautifully designed hiking pole that I found great for every type of exploring I did with them.
As a backcountry pole, their range of pole extensions and the sturdy aluminum construction means they feel light, agile and easy to use. The DynaLock mechanism for making adjustments is easy and locks solid with no movement. They’re pretty much a perfect pole for a (relatively) bargain price that I think are hard to ignore.
If you find yourself hiking in mixed and varied terrain, I think the three-section telescoping is something you can make peace with for the versatility they offer. They’re comfortable, dependable and built to last.
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