1) The standards
Just like a "normal" lure rod, there are some criteria to take into account according to the desired use which do not differ such as casting power, line power or length. These depend on your needs, so I will focus on criteria that you don't necessarily think about when buying a rod.
2) The linearity of the action
Year after year, the quality of the rods and the linearity of the action gets better and better and you never feel a "break" in the action. If you were to take most of these rods with your eyes closed, you would have no idea that this is a multi-strand version. So there is no need to be apprehensive on this point. If in doubt, the best thing to do is to test the rod in a store or in a salon if the opportunity arises.
3) The quality of the fittings
Another point not to be neglected if you have the opportunity to test the rod of your choice before buying it, is to try the joints. It is important that they fit well and that the sections, once fitted, hold well in place. A poor fit can completely break the linearity of the action, weaken it or the rod can simply separate during a cast. Moreover, this fitting will be solicited each time the rod is disassembled/reassembled, so its quality will be the guarantee of the rod's longevity.
4) The folded length
The idea of a travel fishing rod is to take up little space when folded. The number of parts that make up the rod should be taken into account because it determines the size of the rod once disassembled. Before, the standard was often 3 rods, today many manufacturers offer 4 rods with success so the choice will depend mainly on your space constraints and your affinities.
5) The transport tube
Commonly sold with fly rods, the transport tube is unfortunately rare with multi-stranded lure rods and I find this a shame. Often, the rods only come with a sleeve.
To conclude
From a design and manufacturing point of view, this type of rods is a bit more complex to produce than the classic single rods. It is therefore necessary to ensure that certain parameters are well executed to avoid unpleasant surprises. To avoid taking risks, it is better to choose brands that have proven themselves in the field. I can mention brands such as Hearty Rise, Tenryu, S-Craft or Bone which appeared recently.
