Arva Compact 240

PACKABILITY Without sacrificing standard, fully-deployed length (240 centimeters, or nearly 8 feet), this probe folds down to just 33 centimeters (a tad shy of 13 inches), about a finger-length shorter than most. “I stowed it in the smaller, front pocket of my pack for easy access, instead of in the main compartment where it can get swallowed,” one tester says.

DEPLOYMENT In our hidden beacon test, our testers could cast and lock together this probe with 100-percent success in seconds. Its superlight construction (an aluminum body and Kevlar cordage keep this probe about 3 ounces lighter than most) makes it easy to toss, while the tension-locking mechanism proved effective.

$50; 8 oz.; en.arva-equipment.com