It does not compact to what the description said, it's not 26'' more like 37'' when compacted.  Very very big, too big.

As others have said you can't bring it as carry-on, on a plane due to the size.  I went with a Black Diamond Trail Compact which compresses down to 23'' and is very light weight at 1.1 lbs for both poles.  The description here is also inaccurate on the weight, it's more like 1.4lbs for the pair I assume, I didn't weigh the poles or check other sources.

I returned these, Amazon refunded me for shipping the item back via customer service.  I don't think gearx would have given me back the shipping due to the bad description.  Sucks for anyone relying on the description which they still haven't fixed, so take it from me, good pole but not as described by amazon.  The price is amazing too!