Why one staff, not two poles?

A single staff plants decisively and supports lateral loads when the ground tilts or slips. Stability first, fewer moving parts, and a natural stance for river crossings, scree, and steep descents.

  • Confidence in one hand — the other stays free for tasks.
  • Stability-first geometry that handles side-loads.
  • Minimal, intuitive adjustment — locks by default.

Features

Contained Helical Lock

Twist-extend to set length; twist-compress to shorten. Releases only when you’re holding the sleeve and locks by default during use. High clamp force for confidence on scree and boulders. Clean silhouette — no protruding levers, low-fiddle in gloves.

Carbon-Fiber Upper

Damped precision for quiet, accurate placements. Layup tuned for stiffness without harsh vibration. Low-sheen finish that disappears in the bush.

Fiberglass Lower

Tough and forgiving when rock strikes happen. Slight compliance helps the tip bite and stay quiet. Lower surface can be refreshed with wax after abrasion — not part of the locking system.

Grip & Strap

Durable, replaceable grip with positive texture for wet conditions. Soft tubular-rope strap works with gloves and lets you choke up or down quickly.

Tip System

Reinforced alloy housing tolerates big side-loads. Swap carbide bite and rubber foot in seconds. Field-serviceable parts for long trips.

AV Fittings

Top section accepts common camera/optics threads (via adaptor). Doubles as a steady monopod for glassing and photos.

Specs

Materials
Carbon-fiber upper, fiberglass lower, anodised alloy tip housing
Lock
Contained helical clamp — locks by default
Target lateral load
~100 kg (sideways lean)
Typical axial load
~40 kg (downward press)

Field conditions vary; always use judgment.

Use-Cases

  • Hunters — stable for glassing ridgelines and creek crossings.
  • SAR teams — one rock-solid point of contact in mud, rivers, and steep gullies.
  • Trampers — sure footing when packs are heavy and tracks fade.
  • Photographers — converts to a sturdy monopod for long lenses.

From Alpenstock to Stowt

Long before trekking poles existed, mountain hunters and shepherds in Europe carried a single, stout staff — the Alpenstock and its cousins. These long poles were used on steep scree, snow-grass slopes, icy benches and river crossings, where one strong point of contact mattered more than speed.

Early New Zealand stalkers, musterers and river-crossers used the same approach: one dependable staff they could trust with their weight when the ground slipped, tilted or disappeared underfoot.

Stowt continues that tradition in modern materials — a carbon-strong, adjustable staff built for the same kind of steep, loose, hazardous country.

Born in the New Zealand backcountry

Stowt grew from long days in scree and swollen rivers, when flimsy poles weren’t enough. Musterers, hunters, and SAR volunteers reminded us: the old staff still works. We refined it with modern composites and a simple helix lock. Tough, intuitive, and purpose-built — Stowt is for the gnarly bits.

To pre-order or ask about upcoming batches, email: info@stowtstaff.co.nz