10/29/13 grough — On test: MSR TR-3 Surelock Poles

www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2013/10/29/on-test-msr-tr-3-surelock-poles 1/4

Bob Smith, Editor

Tuesday 29 October 2013 12:43 AM GMT

Last updated at Tuesday 29 October 2013 12:48 AM GMT

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MAGAZINE / GEAR / ON TEST: MSR TR-3 SURELOCK POLES

On test: MSR TR-3 Surelock Poles

MSR TR-3

Surelock Poles

Country of

manufacture:

China

Weight: 604g

(pair)

Price: £105 a pair

Colour:

mustard/black/silver

Material: 7000 Series aluminium

The use of trekking poles seems to divide the walking community.

Some swear by them;; others swear at them. It’s certainly a hazardous activity following a walkercarelessly flailing a pair of poles behind them. Keep your distance is our advice.

But what advantage is there to using poles?

We put Mountain Safety Research’s TR-3 poles to the test, with a pair provided by the Seattlefirm.

The three-section poles come in two alternative lengths: standard and long. We had a pair of thelong version, which telescope down to 61cm when fully retracted for storage or carrying. Thestandard version packs to 58cm and is a touch lighter.

The TR in the namedenotes triggerrelease: a handyfeature that allows aone-handedadjustment of thelength from amaximum of 130cmto a minimum105cm. To adjust,simply put your footon the pole’s basketand lift the triggerwith two fingers.This can beaccomplished whilethe strap is in

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MSR TR-3 poles use the Surelock system

The MSR poles add stability when walking over difficult terrain

10/29/13 grough — On test: MSR TR-3 Surelock Poles

www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2013/10/29/on-test-msr-tr-3-surelock-poles 2/4

position round the hand.

This neat feature gets round one of the most annoying aspects of many poles: the necessity totighten and loosen the friction joints to lengthen or shorten poles.

It’s also a source of failure on many models as weight is put on the poles which unintentionallypartly collapse just when you probably need its rigidity most.

These MSR poles have the company’s Surelock system, which has an internal positive lockingsystem that doesn’t rely on friction but has a set series of lugs that engage at given lengths at5cm intervals.

This makes for very easyadjustment if, for example, youwant to make one pole longer orshorter when contouring;; extendthem for downhill sections orcollapse them completely whenhands are needed on scramblysessions.

The one curious feature is that,when fully collapsed the polesdon’t lock at that length. It wouldbe useful if they did to preventthem unintentionally extending ifthe basket is pushed into softground, for instance.

The straps have hook and loopadjustment strips. There is justenough length in them to allowthem to be slipped over a pair ofbulky winter gloves and stillfunction properly.

The crook of the thumb andforefinger is where most of theweight should be placed whileusing the poles, rather than tryingto grasp the grip tightly.

The straps have a soft inner lining.

The other advantage of the Surelock and Trigger Release mechanism is that it is in the top of thepole, meaning there is less of a moment from the lower end of the poles when swinging them inuse.

Poles really have two major functions. On uneven terrain, they give extra ‘four-wheel-drive’stability. This was particularly useful to me on a night hike in the Lake District with a particularlyrocky descent down a gill.

The ability to steady yourself on uneven ground is a great advantage and potentially saves a slipthat could lead to injury.

The other main use is to help propel you upwards when climbing hills.

With the correct technique, that is, with poles pushing backwards, the strain on legs is definitelyreduced.

It’s probable that your overall energy output could actually increase, as you’re using your arms,shoulders and upper body to help the ascent, but it certainly felt like the legs took less of theeffort when working hard on uphill sections.

You may or may not speed up the ascent. There is the additional need to concentrate on poleplacement as well as foot placement.

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The trigger-release mechanism means the poles' length can be

adjusted quickly with one hand

10/29/13 grough — On test: MSR TR-3 Surelock Poles

www.grough.co.uk/magazine/2013/10/29/on-test-msr-tr-3-surelock-poles 3/4

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I found this particularly the case on descents too, where the poles are used for balance ratherthan propulsion.

The poles give extra confidence during stream crossings too, with effectively an extra pair of legsto provide stability.

The MSR TR-3 Surelock poles are very easy to use and stow down to a small enough length toenable them to be packed on the rucksack when not needed or when technical, scrambly terrainis encountered.

The trigger mechanism and easy adjustability are a boon and eliminate one of the majorbugbears of using walking poles: the fiddly friction adjustment mechanisms that seem to causeso much trouble to walkers I have seen on the hills.

The quality is as good as youwould expect from MSR and theweight is not too much of aburden on a trip into the hills.

Although they’re at the top end ofthe poles price range, the ease ofuse justifies the outlay in myopinion. The poles now find a placestrapped to my pack on almost allmy trips.

Snow baskets, not supplied, canalso be obtained for the poles.

Performance 32/35Convenience 31/35Design 8/10Quality 8/10Value for money 5/10Total score: 84/100

More details on the MSR website.

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