Photo by 선인장 on Unsplash

Carbon Fiber: What Is It, Why Does it Matter, and What are Your Options?

It seems as though carbon is all the rage – Carbon trekking poles, carbon bikes, carbon fiber plated running shoes. You name it, we have no doubt the outdoor industry has probably provided a carbon version by now. But, what is carbon fiber? And why are we so obsessed with it? Keep reading to hear more about this mystery material. Carbon fiber is essentially a mix of long chains coming together that are made up of carbon atoms. Carbon, in its most basic form, is a nonmetallic element that is naturally occurring and makes up 0.025% of the Earth’s crust. These long chains form super strong and thin crystalline filaments of carbon that become the material we love so much today. (If you want to get real nerdy, check out this video on how the filaments of the main component of carbon fiber are produced.)

Photo Credit: Beth Lopez Now that we know what it is, what’s the big deal? We’ll use trekking poles as the examples for the rest of this article, but know that the statements made apply to just about anything made with this material used for outdoor recreation. Carbon fiber is notoriously lightweight making it a pretty stellar way to cut back on ozs when, say, thru-hiking a trail where weight really matters in terms of keeping you comfortable and moving fast. Carbon fiber is also five times stronger than steel and twice as stiff making it pretty dang durable for the most part. While these are great attributes, they do come with some downsides. While the durability of carbon fiber is seemingly unmatched when it comes to vertical impact, the lateral durability is iffy. If carbon fiber is bent from a sideways blow, the product (in this case poles)can become incredibly compromised depending on the severity. That is to say that carbon fiber in all its glory can be fragile in certain situations and environments and incredibly difficult (if not impossible) to repair. Hiking tricky terrain with these poles could be great until something slips, a pole gets bent, and you’re out $100+. This is to say while nice and light, carbon fiber items will also come with a large price tag. Photo Cred: Shotkit:Carbon Fiber Vs Aluminum Tripod Enter aluminum! Aluminum is the other material you’ve heard about on the market. And, it has its own benefits that just might outweigh the carbon counterpart depending on what you’re getting up to. Aluminum will most certainly be heavier. On average, to be specific, about half an ounce heavier (for poles). However, it’s not all bad news from here for our Ultralight stans! Aluminum can be a better option if traversing rugged or techy terrain as it can withstand more weight and more impact. Aluminum is also cost effective and a safer option for those just getting into an activity or looking for budget friendly gear. They might not have all the bells and whistles of some carbon items either, but aluminum poles are just as comfortable to use. If damaged, aluminum items also have a better chance of getting you through your activity longer than damaged carbon… depending on the damage, of course! Feel like you have a better understanding now? We certainly do after researching (+ some trial and error throughout the years)! Be sure to check out UnNew trekking poles and more just in time for camping season at Geartrade. As always, have fun, be safe, and we’ll see you out there! Finola McDonald thinks bios are really hard but here is her best go: Finola is a runner, a writer, a climber, snack enthusiast, cat mom, and city lifer turned nature lover who loves getting people outside. She is a firm believer that time in Earth’s wild spaces is time best spent and we need it more than ever. She hopes by sharing her passion for our planet and outdoor recreation, she can convince others of the same. In her free time, you can find her touching cool rocks, running around SLC and the Wasatch, and trying her hardest to leave this earth better than when she entered it. Follow us on Instagram + Facebook: Tag us @geartrade with the hashtag #unnewoutdoor #wearitout on your post or story for a chance to be featured on our page.

Have Summer gear to sell? Get cracking.

Have Tents, Sleeping bags, Hike & Camp gear, or Bike gear? Now is the time to sell them. It is now easier than ever to sell your gear on Geartrade. With our new Consignment Selling option you can finally reclaim your gear closet. Send it in. We take care of the rest.