Gear shouldn't interfere. But I'm picky. I have a pair of Leki Makalu Ti AS and they are high quality if you don't over-tighten. But the Black Diamond Terra Cf is it! First, they are strong and secure. The lower section (aluminum) has a fixed squeeze lock that is secure and is easy to operate even with gloves, if you avoid any twist when clipping or unclipping. The mid section (carbon fiber) is held by the famous flip lock which is quick and secure. They are definitely quieter because of the carbon mid section compared to all aluminum. And this mid section gives all the shock absorption I want. The anitshock spings in my Lekis are too mechanical feeling for my taste, and anti shock "give" dampens tip feedback, which I like. Grip material and shape, strap softness, and especially the forward tilt are a fit for my medium hands. Though I rarely use a choke down grip (but heck, why not for no weight), I do use the cork top knob on downhills. The Blue Ridge can be demanding on poles, but these stand up. BD has a new model with an oval shape (all aluminum), but I don't think it's possible to improve on the Terra CF. I like this US based company. You can find discounts with patience.

I’m biased against shock absorbing poles. I want to feel terra firma, solid (or not) and shock absorption just doesn’t feel right. I’ve used these poles in the mountains of Idaho and Utah, wearing the baskets to tattered fragments of their former selves and love, I mean LOVE, these poles. If you’re tall (I’m 6.5’), or not, these poles will help take you to the top of any peak (and back), faithfully stay at your side through any terrain, and reduce hand/arm fatigue through the clever application of the Science of Ergonomics. Quiet, flip locking, easy-to-use, carbon graphite fiber, aluminum marvels of modern gear engineering.

I'm a pretty big guy (215lb) and these things stand up to everything I've done to them.
They have a great swing weight and grip so you don’t even notice you’re using them. Also, the carbon fiber middle section makes these things weight next to nothing.
I was able to power up hills like I never have before. One of the best buys I've made in a long time.

These poles are wonderful in every way, shape, and form.
The carbon fiber mid section makes them light and strong. The handles on them make you forget that you have them in your hands.
Even the swing weight of them just seems better than any other poles I've used.
I'm a pretty big guy and they hold up my weight without a problem.
And if you’re rolling your eyes at the fact that they have no anti-shock system, please don't take that into account, these poles make up for it in performance.

I love to hike but unfortunately I tend to be a bit wobbly on my feet. I also have screws in both my feet. After running into a much older gentleman on the trail who claimed that trekking poles saved him from early hiking retirement, I decided to give them a shot. They definitely gave me leverage on the down hill, taking away a lot of pounding on my knees and feet (although my arms and shoulders ached a bit after using them). I also felt steadier on my feet especially on uneven terrain. I don't have the experience with trekking pole that the others who posted review do. So I greatly appreciated their guidance on this product.

Terra CF Trekking Poles are a well-thought out improvement over previous poles I have used. Black Diamond's clever locking system appears to work and work well. I am very rough on equipment so my first trek/light non-technical mountaineering adventure left the poles slightly damaged but they should last years if one limits themselves to hiking and trekking.

I purchased these poles for my daughters after I had acquired some Leki poles for myself. They are a bit heavier than other brands, but the locking system is much more secure and the straps are more comfy and supportive than the Leki's.

The poles are great - light and durable. I was disappointed, however, that on my first trip out with them, a four night backpacking trip, one of the tips fell off and was lost.

Terrific grips and straps. The Flicklock works well. I have my doubts about its longevity, but that's an engineering analysis. They seem pretty tough. The lower section wobbles a bit, even when pins are engaged. That's annoying, but most all of these pull/lock third section poles do the same thing. They tick/click comparitively loudly on every plant due to the slop in the third section engagement. That's REALLY annoying for me, though others may not be bothered by it. Oh, pole manufacturers, were two sections just too mundane? Please go back to the long two sectioner on few robust models... por favor.

...after reading many reviews about these poles I decided to give them a try and am very impressed. At first it was a little strange getting used to the fact that they weren't anti-shock (which is what I had been using) but, the flick-lock, extended grips, and angled handles really make a winning package. I would highly recommend them.

The poles worked well on the steep hikes we have taken but I have two complaints.(1) I experienced great difficulty in collapsing the poles. The release button on both poles are very hard to press down far enough to make them collapse.(2) The lock mechanism on one of my poles is not closing properly, and so it does not grip the pole. It seems to be locking the pole regardless of it's malfunction, so I did not go through the hassle of returning it.

This is a great set of poles. They are very sturdy which I rally needed when my left knee (blew out) was so bad I could hardly walk. both poles helped me to make it back down after a 6 hour hike. Only thing I would criticize is that the straps could be a little more adjustible. Once you reach the limit there is nothing more you can do.

I am very hard on trekking poles being 6'4" and over 200 pounds. I have always used the expensive Leki poles with the springs but they let me down with a lot of hard wear. These Black Diamond poles have a very simple locking mechanism that works well. I wish they would have the springs but I got used to the less bouncy feel. The tips do not go in easily but they haven't let me down. The hand grips are the best.

I got these for my trek down the Kaibab trail and back, and they lived up to the fan fare. They're super light weight and compact. The grips are comfortable and don't promote blisters. The locking mechanisms are easy to use and ultra-secure. These poles are definitely worth the few extra dollars.

Have used these poles in some trekking in PA and love them. Sturdy, well made and rock solid. Snap-em shut and they are locked. No worries with them collapsing at an inopportune time.

Well designed poles with good shock absorption. Anodization to upper shafts a little weak and they weigh slightly more than posted.