Viperflex Shooting Sticks

I have been using Viper-Flex quad sticks for almost 9 years and always found them a truly enabling tool to improve shots from standing positions. After a few iterative evolutions, I’m wondering where Claus can go next, because he listens to his customers, only improving function and never any ostentatious detailing.

Carbon fibre

I was sworn to secrecy when I received these over a year ago and in fairness, I have been using them ever since, with nobody even noticing or commenting on them. When you close in, detail reveals that they are now carbon fibre. Elsewhere, this could be seen as a simple marketing tool but here, you get the key functional benefits of weight saving, noise reduction (the adjustment holes are now wrapped in a thin rubber sleeve) and perhaps most noticeable, the carbon fibre doesn’t draw the heat from your hands, so they never feel icy cold. As a secondary benefit, mechanically induced noise from vibrations, bumps or heavier foliage is all minimised by the natural resonance dampening of the material, rather than a ‘ringing’ aluminium tube.

Trust me

These factors will be appreciated by current users but if you have never used quad sticks, these are all truly beneficial functions with no performance compromises! The official launch was held back over a year as the rubber sleeves were developed and manufacturing equipment was in place to satisfy likely customer demand. Plus, of course, COVID delayed things as well. This gave time for Claus (Viper-Flex owner) to listen to his prototype shooters and in fairness, we didn’t have much to critique. The only addition from the prototype to the finished item is that the laser engraved length indicators will now benefit from subtle white lettering, to aid visibility when returning to any of the 15 known length settings.

Core factors

Each set of legs features twin spring catches, enabling extension from 1084 to 1807mm in 50mm stages to suit user height. The overall weight for the carbon version is 965-grams, with an additional 209-grams if you opt for the additional fifth leg accessory. This enables an entirely hands-off capability and improved shot stability if you have the extra seconds to arrange it. It clips on/off quickly as desired and will remain solidly in place with the four legs if not of use.

When clipped together, they make a superb stiff walking aid over uneven terrain, with approximately a 10% weight saving but infinitely greater comfort and lessened noise. A broad-winged, front rubber lipped yoke allows lateral tracking and the deep rubber ‘V’ rear remains assured in position. I stand at 5ft 11” and use position 12 of the 15 available. Plus, because the yokes offer a broad immediate angle change when positioning the spiked feet, you can instantaneously alter the height to the shot elevation and terrain angle underfoot.

Verdict

An already superb product now benefiting from an updated material to further cement its leading market position - less weight, noise and cold. These travel with me everywhere!