Gear Review: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
Value Rating: 6
Durability Rating: 10
Overall Rating: 8
Location of Test: West Coast day hikes,backpacking, and ski touring
Duration of Test: 40+ days
Product Name: Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
Product Brand: Black Diamond
Best Use: Day hikes, Backpacking, Alpine touring
Size: One size; 63-130 cm
The Full Review:
From backcountry winter touring on Mt. Hood, slick and loose scree of summers naked mountains, to the steep passes of off-trail travel in the high mountains, this pole is by far the most durable out there. The carbon construction is sturdy and also allows these poles to be extremely lightweight. The dual Flicklock Pro design is by far the best and most stable of any of the locking mechanisms I've ever seen on collapsible poles.
Over the years I’ve used many poles, including other Black Diamonds which had the highly touted standard Flicklock system, and the Alpine Carbon Cork Poles are the only ones I've ever owned that don't slowly or suddenly collapse under my weight when catching full body-weight from a slip. These poles also come with cork grips which help decrease the amount of hand sweat and almost eliminate the possibility of blisters over multiple days of all-day use. They also last forever, and unlike some synthetic handles, do not degrade or rub off staining your skin. They will also collapse to a very compact size of 63cm for those extra steep scrambles or technical areas of the trail or mountain.
The Full Review:
From backcountry winter touring on Mt. Hood, slick and loose scree of summers naked mountains, to the steep passes of off-trail travel in the high mountains, this pole is by far the most durable out there. The carbon construction is sturdy and also allows these poles to be extremely lightweight. The dual Flicklock Pro design is by far the best and most stable of any of the locking mechanisms I've ever seen on collapsible poles.
Over the years I’ve used many poles, including other Black Diamonds which had the highly touted standard Flicklock system, and the Alpine Carbon Cork Poles are the only ones I've ever owned that don't slowly or suddenly collapse under my weight when catching full body-weight from a slip. These poles also come with cork grips which help decrease the amount of hand sweat and almost eliminate the possibility of blisters over multiple days of all-day use. They also last forever, and unlike some synthetic handles, do not degrade or rub off staining your skin. They will also collapse to a very compact size of 63cm for those extra steep scrambles or technical areas of the trail or mountain.