Which is better – one-piece or two-piece telescoping poles?

I started out in 1988 with only the one piece poles, and I still proudly offer them today. Because they come in just six standard lengths which fit users from 4’-11” to 6’-8” (each fit about a 3” height range) they are not fit as precisely to each person. They are, however, a great value as well as a top quality piece of equipment which some users prefer for the inherent simplicity and dependability of one-piece poles.
I introduced my OS2 series two-piece early in the new millennium after nearly a decade of requests that I do so. For years I had promised that I would never sell telescoping poles unless I could engineer and design them to equal the performance, or out-perform my one-piece poles.

For years telescoping poles were annoyingly noisy and did not adequately dampen the vibration of the shaft when telescoping poles were used for walking. Several proprietary features of the OS2 series Exerstrider poles served to solve both of those persistent performance shortcomings, and since shortly after their introduction the telescoping models have been by far our most popular models. I personally don’t consider one model’s design better, I believe the two-piece telescoping poles have proven to be more popular by virtue of their convenience for travel, the fact that family members of different heights (as well as growing children) can share the same set, and the fact that the “EZ-fit™” markings on the lower shaft make the poles more precisely adjustable to the user’s exact height (as well as allow experimentation with using different lengths of poles). (Note: The ACTIVATOR’s pop button and hole locking system was designed for people with limited gripping strength who found it difficult to twist lock the OS2 series telescoping poles. This button/hole locking system is inherently less quiet, but has been engineered to be as quiet as possible.)

« back to FAQ