LEKI

Leki: a brief biography

The name Leki is a portmanteau of the name of founding father Karl Lenhart and the German town of Kirchheim. It was in 1940s Kirchheim that Lenhart first began to use his wood processing equipment to create new equipment that would enable him to indulge in his two passions: skiing and hiking. Within twenty years, Leki was a global leader. From its earliest days, Leki has been dedicated to creating stronger, lighter, higher quality poles. From the first glass fibre composite shafts in the 1960s to high-strength aluminium shafts of the 1970s, Leki now specialises in aluminium alloy, Vario Carbon, and telescopic sticks.

The Gear

As an international leader that still adopts in-house construction for many of its poles, Leki justifies a price tag at the top end of the range. However, it is one that serious hikers and skiers are all too happy to pay. This is partly because of Leki's attention to detail, with as much innovation going into handle design as into the aluminium or ultra-lightweight vario carbon shafts. Foam handles make for a comfortable grip, whilst the carbon can withstand most terrains and weather conditions. The Micro Vario Carbon model has won multiple industry awards due to its strength and ergonomic design.

Ski poles

Leki offers a range of ski poles, from the high-strength aluminium Vista to the technology-infused Spitfire and Giulia. If you want poles that come with a litany of spec, Look no further. With internal auto-release springs, integrated angle positioning, tear-proof materials including the iconic the Dyneema Cord, quick release functionality, and Carbide Tips, these poles bring together high-tensile durability with slick style. Sticks are available for men, women, and children, with differences in shape reflecting the different gaits and pressure points.

Gloves

With poles and gloves working together hand-in-hand, Leki offers a range of gloves tailored to the specific design of its sticks. With integrated straps that clip effortlessly onto the poles via the combined Trigger S system, Leki is known for its traditional glove and mitten designs as well as its lobster models. Reinforced with protective paneling and designed with agility and ventilation in mind, these top-end gloves can handle even the most extreme off-piste freestyle.