Hawu Mittelstange

Setup was a breeze once I realized I could just use a sturdy tree branch instead. The aluminum sections lock together tightly with no wobble, and the whole thing packs down small enough to fit in my daypack.

Weighs almost nothing but feels solid when you set it up, and it slots right in where a tree trunk would do the job. I’ve used it on two trips now and it holds the tent taut without any fuss. Exactly what I needed for those open spots.

Finally got to use this as a spare for a rocky campsite, and it held up well even in a gusty evening. The metal is sturdier than I expected for a centre pole, though I wish the locking mechanism felt a bit more secure. Still, a solid backup when you can't find a suitable branch.