Vipole represents the pinnacle of Italian engineering applied to trekking and Nordic walking poles. Founded by Nicola Vidale — an innovator who understood the anatomical and physiological benefits of properly designed walking poles — Vipole has built a reputation for technical excellence, ergonomic innovation, and meticulous attention to how poles interact with the human body. For trampers tackling New Zealand's demanding terrain, Vipole poles offer the perfect combination of lightweight construction, advanced shock absorption, and Italian design precision. Backwoods stocks Vipole as part of our trekking poles range for New Zealand adventurers.
The Vipole Story — Engineering Meets Human Anatomy
Nicola Vidale's vision for Vipole was built on a simple but profound insight: the right pole design doesn't just provide balance, it actively reduces joint strain, improves posture, enhances endurance, and opens the outdoors to people of all ages and fitness levels. This philosophy drove Vipole to invest heavily in research and development, leading to breakthrough technologies like the Super HSA hydraulic shock absorber and the Top Click quick-release strap system.
What started as one innovator's passion has evolved into a globally recognised brand, trusted by trekkers, Nordic walkers, and mountaineers worldwide. Every Vipole pole is 100% designed and engineered in Italy at the company's headquarters in Pove del Grappa, near Venice. This Italian manufacturing heritage ensures precision, quality control, and the kind of attention to detail that defines great engineering.
Super HSA — Revolutionary Hydraulic Shock Absorption
Vipole's patented Super HSA (Hydraulic Shock Absorber) system is a game-changer for anyone spending long hours on hard, uneven terrain. Unlike basic spring-loaded shock absorbers that can feel bouncy or unreliable, the Super HSA uses a hydraulic oil-damped piston to control compression and rebound precisely.
Here's how it works: when you plant the pole, only a controlled quantity of hydraulic oil flows through the piston, reducing the speed of the spring and eliminating harmful vibrations. This means your hands, wrists, elbows, and shoulders experience significantly less impact shock over the course of a day's tramping. The result is reduced fatigue, less strain on ligaments and joints, and the ability to keep hiking comfortably for longer.
For New Zealand's steep, rocky tracks — think the Kepler's ridge route, the Routeburn's Harris Saddle descent, or the Tongariro Alpine Crossing's scree slopes — the Super HSA system delivers tangible relief to your upper body while maintaining the rigid feedback you need for stability and control.
Top Click — Effortless Strap Engagement
Vipole's Top Click strap system is another Italian innovation that solves a problem every tramper has experienced: fumbling with pole straps when you need to use your hands quickly. The Top Click system uses a quick-release mechanism that allows you to detach your hand from the strap instantly without removing the pole from your wrist loop.
This is invaluable when you need to grab a camera, check a map, take a drink, or use trekking poles for balance on a tricky river crossing. Traditional straps require you to either fully remove the pole or leave your hand partially restricted. Top Click gives you the best of both worlds: secure support when walking, instant freedom when you need it.
The Plume Strap
Vipole's Plume strap is the physical component that makes Top Click possible. Entirely constructed from high-resistance polyester, the Plume strap is seamless, soft to the touch, breathable, and incredibly lightweight — saving 9 grams per pair compared to traditional straps. More importantly, it's designed to avoid pressure points and distribute load comfortably across your wrist during extended use.
Materials — 7075 Aluminium & 100% Carbon Fiber
Vipole poles are built from two premium materials, each chosen for specific performance characteristics:
7075 Aeronautical Aluminium Alloy
This is the same aluminium alloy used in aircraft construction — known for exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and full recyclability. Vipole uses 7075-T6 grade aluminium with reduced shaft diameters (12mm, 14mm, 16mm) enabled by Thin Shaft Technology. The result is poles that are lighter, better balanced, and easier to swing with reduced wind resistance.
7075 aluminium poles are the workhorse choice for trampers who prioritise durability, reliability, and value. They handle rough treatment, survive drops on rock, and keep working year after year.
100% Carbon Fiber
For trampers who want the absolute lightest setup, Vipole's carbon fiber poles deliver ultralight performance with natural vibration dampening. Carbon fiber absorbs more shock than aluminium without requiring mechanical systems, making it ideal for high-mileage days where every gram and every vibration matters.
Carbon poles are stiffer than aluminium, providing more direct energy transfer when pushing uphill or stabilising on descents. The trade-off is cost and impact resistance — carbon is more expensive and can crack if subjected to sharp impacts, whereas aluminium bends rather than breaks.
Roundhead Grip — Versatile Hand Positioning
Vipole's Roundhead grip is an ergonomic innovation that recognises trampers don't always hold poles the same way. The grip is designed to rotate 360 degrees, preventing wrist twist and allowing natural hand movement. More importantly, the Roundhead design lets you hold the pole by its rounded top when walking on flat terrain or slow descents, giving your hands a rest from the standard grip position.
On steep uphill sections or technical terrain, you switch back to the standard grip for maximum control and power. This versatility reduces hand fatigue over long days and gives you options for different trail conditions.
EVA Foam Construction
Vipole uses high-density EVA foam for grip construction — a material that absorbs moisture effectively, provides excellent thermal insulation in cold conditions, and remains comfortable even after hours of use. Unlike cork or rubber, EVA foam maintains its structure and cushioning across a wide temperature range.
Quick Lock & Twist Lock Adjustment Systems
Vipole offers poles with two primary length adjustment mechanisms:
Quick Lock (Lever Lock)
The Quick Lock system uses an external lever to lock and unlock pole sections. Pull the lever, adjust length, close the lever — done. This system is fast, easy to use with gloves, and provides visual confirmation that the pole is locked. Quick Lock is ideal for alpine use, winter tramping, or any situation where you need to adjust pole length frequently.
Twist Lock (Collet Lock)
The Twist Lock system uses an internal expanding collet mechanism. Twist to unlock, adjust length, twist to lock. When properly tightened, Twist Lock mechanisms are extremely secure and won't accidentally open under load. They're also lighter and more streamlined than lever locks, making them popular with ultralight trampers.
Vipole for New Zealand Tramping
New Zealand's tracks demand poles that can handle steep climbs, technical descents, mud, rock, river crossings, and multi-day loads. Vipole poles deliver in all these contexts:
Great Walks: The Super HSA system reduces cumulative fatigue on long descents like the Routeburn's Lake Harris to Lake Mackenzie section or the Kepler Track's Luxmore descent. The Top Click strap system lets you quickly free your hands for cameras, snacks, or stream crossings without removing poles entirely.
Alpine Routes: Lightweight carbon fiber poles with Quick Lock adjustment are perfect for alpine environments where you're transitioning between scrambling, walking, and steep snow. The tungsten carbide tips grip on rock and ice.
Day Hikes: Even on shorter outings, the ergonomic Roundhead grip and Plume straps reduce hand fatigue and make pole use more comfortable. The shock absorption protects joints on hard-packed trails and rocky sections.
Tungsten Carbide Tips
All Vipole poles feature ultra-hard tungsten carbide tips designed to resist wear on rock, gravel, and hard-packed trails. These tips provide reliable bite on slippery surfaces and last significantly longer than standard steel tips. Vipole poles include interchangeable rubber tip covers for use on paved surfaces or boardwalks where you want to reduce noise and protect the carbide.
Italian Design Philosophy — Passion, Consistency, Innovation
Vipole's approach to pole design is guided by three principles:
Passion: A genuine commitment to outdoor activity and the health benefits of movement. Vipole designs poles for people who love being outside and want equipment that supports their passion.
Consistency: Every pole delivers reliable performance whether you're on NZ's Great Walks, European Alps, or urban Nordic walking routes. Vipole doesn't cut corners or produce budget variants that compromise on quality.
Technological Innovation: Continuous investment in R&D to develop patented systems like Super HSA, Top Click, Thin Shaft Technology, and the Roundhead grip. Vipole leads rather than follows in technical pole development.
Vipole Technologies — Innovation in Every Detail
Alu 7075 Aerospace Alloy
Aluminium is the ideal material for trekking pole construction: strong, adaptable to precise mechanical processes, and environmentally friendly as it's fully recyclable. Vipole exclusively uses 7075-T6-F56 aerospace-grade alloy — the same material used in aircraft construction.
All aluminium components undergo an anodising process that creates a hard, corrosion-resistant surface layer. This treatment makes Vipole poles resistant to oxidation even in harsh coastal environments, saltwater exposure, and alpine conditions. The 7075 alloy provides exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, allowing poles to remain lightweight while maintaining structural integrity under high loads.
Thin Shaft Technology (12/14/16mm)
Vipole's Thin Shaft Technology reduces pole section diameters to just 12mm, 14mm, and 16mm respectively. This precision engineering delivers multiple performance benefits:
The reduced diameter creates a lighter, better-balanced pole with significantly reduced swing effect. When you're planting poles thousands of times over a day's tramping, the cumulative weight savings and improved balance reduce arm fatigue. The thinner profile also improves wind resistance — particularly valuable on exposed alpine ridges or in strong coastal winds where standard poles can catch gusts and pull your hand off-line.
Quick Lock Adjustment System
The Quick Lock system uses an external lever mechanism for fast, tool-free length adjustment. Pull the lever to unlock, slide the pole section to your desired length, close the lever to lock. The system is particularly valuable for alpine use or winter tramping where you need to adjust pole length while wearing gloves.
Quick Lock provides visual confirmation that the pole is locked — you can see at a glance whether the lever is in the locked position. The mechanism is also more resistant to dirt and debris compared to twist-lock systems, making it reliable in muddy or sandy conditions.
Pop-Up Foldable System
Pop-Up technology combines extreme compactness (only 34cm when folded) with the practicality of adjustable-length poles. The system uses a two-step deployment: insert the two lower sections and pull them into the locking position, then use the Quick Lock mechanism for final length adjustment.
This design is ideal for trampers who want packable poles that don't compromise on adjustability. The folded length fits inside or straps to most tramping packs without protruding, yet once deployed you have full control over pole length for different terrain.
Roundhead Grip Design
The Roundhead grip allows poles to be held from the top, enabling multiple hand positions for different terrain. On flat sections or gentle descents, you can palm the rounded top for a relaxed walking pace. On steep uphills or technical terrain, switch to the standard grip for maximum power and control.
The grip is constructed from high-density EVA foam that absorbs moisture, provides excellent thermal insulation in cold conditions, and remains comfortable even after hours of use. The Roundhead also rotates 360 degrees, preventing wrist twist and allowing natural hand movement throughout your stride.
Automatic Plume Strap
The Plume strap sets the benchmark for comfort in trekking pole straps. Made entirely from high-tenacity polyester and completely seamless, the strap is exceptionally soft and pleasant to the touch, breathable, highly durable, and lightweight. It offers a weight saving of 9 grams per pair compared to standard straps.
The "Automatic" designation refers to the quick-engagement system that allows you to slip your hand in and out without adjusting the strap length. This design works in conjunction with Vipole's Top Click system (on applicable models) to provide instant hand freedom when you need it.
Deluxe Pack
Vipole's Deluxe Pack is premium packaging that includes essential accessories: interchangeable trekking baskets (32mm round pads) and a practical pole carry bag made from durable 600D nylon reinforced inside with a tear-resistant PU layer. The carry bag protects poles during transport and storage, preventing damage to pole shafts and keeping sharp carbide tips safely contained.
Shop Vipole Poles at Backwoods
Browse our Vipole range above. Pair with tramping packs, hiking boots, and outdoor clothing for a complete setup, or explore our full trekking and hiking gear range.
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