Each section is conically tapered from top to bottom, friction keeps them up but they have a tendency to collapse from the top down in a concertena fashion, especially with a heavy brush. Now mine are worn in I just pull apart to extend telescopically, and twist to unlock and push closed. 4-5ft closed and stacked inside each other, made from glass fibre. Made from glassfibre but thinner than std telescopic poles, should with stand dropping or knocking. I prefer the 9m one as the base section fits my hand better, weighs 1kg.
There is a possibility that in freezing conditions that the wet sections may freeze together, but aint got to winter yet and it wont fit in the freezer
As with anything new there is a knack but hey for the price
and available worldwide.