Steph Wetherell judged the Harrier Catbells Aluminium Z-Poles V2 her best value buy. Find out why.
The Harrier Catbells Aluminium Z-Poles V2 foldable trekking poles are an affordable option that offer a lot of premium features, ideal for beginners or those looking to try poles for the first time.
Steph Wetherell’s Best Value
Good value and ideal for beginners, there is one downside to these poles, primarily designed for trail runners.- affordable
- excellent extended grip
- Integrated baskets aren’t ideal
- no proper top to poles
| Quick specs |
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| Price: $80 / £59.99 (available from Harrier) Weight: 502g Length: 110-125cm (35cm collapsed) Shaft: Aluminium Grip: Foam, including extension Adjustment: FlickLock harrierrunfree.co.uk |
They are surprisingly lightweight for the price point, pack down fairly small and offer a decent adjustment range. I found them quick to assemble, and the metal height adjustment flick lock felt secure and well designed, and easy to adjust using a small integrated wheel.
The aluminium poles themselves felt sturdy and trustworthy when using, and the wrist strap is comfortable, soft and easy to adjust. The grips are ok – they are better than a lot of other entry level poles, but don’t match the comfort of a more expensive pair. The shaping on the main part of the grip didn’t quite seem to fit my hand, but I really liked the undulating shaping on the extended grip section, and found it made these easier to use on ascents.
One drawback though is the lack of a shaped top to the pole – it may be that this hasn’t been prioritised as runners are one of the key target audiences for these poles, but I found the lack of a proper top made them less comfortable to use on descents.
The poles come with integrated small baskets, but I found that the fact they can’t be removed and that they sit quite close to the tip means that they got quite clogged up with mud. It also means you can’t add snow baskets, making them less versatile for those looking for cold weather winter use.
The carry case is a nice addition, especially if like me, you always keep a pair in your car, but it’s quite bulky so more suited to home storage than packing in your bag.
Testing conditions
Steph tested these trekking poles in all weathers in the Brecon Beacons and the South West of England. She uses trekking poles a lot when walking, and always uses them on ascents and descents, especially steep hills.
This review was first published in the July 2025 issue of The Great Outdoors. Compare these with more of the best trekking poles.
