Leki Khumbu Lite (SS26)

Our Review – Leki Khumbu Lite (SS26):

The Leki Khumbu Lite (SS26) is a three-section aluminium trekking pole built for adults who want reliable, full-featured mountain performance without carrying any unnecessary weight. It takes the proven Khumbu platform and delivers it in a slimmer, lighter build — a strong choice for walkers of all experience levels who want a dependable, capable pole for regular use on the hill.

At 245 g per pole, the Khumbu Lite is noticeably lighter and less bulky than the standard Khumbu, achieved through a slimmer 16|14|12 mm section architecture while retaining the same Aluminium HTS 6.5 construction throughout. The Aergon grip is sized in Compact — making it particularly well suited to smaller hands, and to users who prefer a trimmer, less bulky grip in hand. It is finished in 2K CorTec, a material that blends natural cork with rubber for a grip that is warm in cold conditions, moisture-managing in the heat, and durable across seasons.

The 100–135 cm length range is one of the wider adjustments in the LEKI trekking lineup, making the Khumbu Lite genuinely versatile across a broad spread of user heights. Speed Lock plus delivers fast, glove-friendly adjustment. Flex Tip Short (Carbide) and Trekking 2.0 basket handle mixed mountain and trail terrain without issue.

What’s new for SS26: Updated graphics in Black / Pale Clay Light / Dark Anthracite. Construction and specification are unchanged from the SS25 Khumbu Lite (LE65221531). This is the Standard variant, covering 100–135 cm. A Compact version is available as the Khumbu Lite Compact (LE65621532C), and an antishock version is available as the Khumbu Lite AS (LE65621561S).

Specifications – Leki Khumbu Lite (SS26):

• 245 g per pole — lighter than the standard Khumbu with the same durable aluminium construction throughout
• Aergon grip in 2K CorTec, Compact size — warm, moisture-managing, and shaped for smaller hands
• Wide 100–135 cm range covers a broad spread of user heights from a single pole
• Speed Lock plus for fast, reliable length adjustment with gloves on
• SS26 updated graphics in Black / Pale Clay Light / Dark Anthracite
• Lighter 16|14|12 mm section construction — slimmer build than the standard Khumbu
• Durable Aluminium (HTS 6.5) throughout all three sections
• Aergon grip (2K CorTec, Compact size) — warm, moisture-managing, durable
• Lock Security Strap Soft 2.0 — one size, continuously adjustable
• Speed Lock plus for fast, glove-friendly adjustment across the full 100–135 cm range
• Three-section Vario telescopic construction — 67 cm pack size when collapsed
• Flex Tip Short (Carbide) for reliable performance on rocky and mixed mountain terrain
• Trekking 2.0 basket and rubber pad included
• Grip - Aergon grip in 2K CorTec, Compact size. The Compact sizing suits smaller hands and users who prefer a trimmer grip profile. 2K CorTec blends natural cork with rubber to produce a grip that is warm to the touch in cold conditions, moisture-managing in warm weather, and resilient under sustained use. The Aergon shape provides an ergonomic contact surface with a positive grip angle that supports a neutral wrist position throughout a full day on the hill. No extended lower grip zone — this is the standard Aergon profile. No antishock system is fitted on this model; for the antishock variant see the Khumbu Lite AS (LE65621561S).
• Strap - Lock Security Strap Soft 2.0 — one size, continuously adjustable. Soft-touch webbing material for comfort across extended use. Standard strap attachment — no integrated click-in glove interface.
• Locking system - Speed Lock plus external lever. Provides fast, precise length adjustment across the full 100–135 cm range. Operable with gloves on. Lever tension can be adjusted to suit different grip preferences using the integrated tensioning screw.
• Section construction - Three-section Vario telescopic construction. Aluminium (HTS 6.5) throughout all three sections — upper, middle and lower. Section diameters 16 | 14 | 12 mm, which is slimmer than the standard Khumbu (18|16|14 mm), contributing directly to the lighter overall weight. Matt finish. Pack size 67 cm when fully collapsed.
• Tip and basket - Flex Tip Short (Carbide) provides a durable, secure point of contact on rocky, mixed, and mountain ground. The short profile keeps the pole geometry close to vertical on impact. Trekking 2.0 basket is included for mixed trail and mountain terrain. No antishock system on this model.
• Length range - 100–135 cm
• Pack size - 67 cm
• Sections - 3
• Section diameters - 16 | 14 | 12 mm
• Section material - Aluminium (HTS 6.5) — upper, middle and lower