Gear Review
Black Diamond Spire Contour Trekking Pole
Fantastic Poles
By Matt Lutz
Ranked #26 - Snowshoes
November 10, 2008
The best feature of the Spires is their FlickLock. The lock holds the pole in place and you know it's closed; no turning and wondering if the lock is holding like other poles. The lock does need minimal maintenance, however. The screw that holds the lock's latch needs to be checked after and before every trip. It is a standard Phillips screw, and can be turned easily with a penny, knife blade or fingernail. I consider this minimal maintenance just part of taking care of one's toys, so it is not a detractor.
For their weight, these are the best trekking poles around. The straps are a easily adjustable and large enough to accommodate gloves (but not big mitts) and have a 3D mesh to wick away moisture. Should you break a part, you can get replacement parts from Black Diamond.
I've put a 400 or so miles on mine, and they look good-as-new. They hold just as well, too.
View Details: Black Diamond Spire Contour Trekking Pole
Helpful Votes: 2 Yes | 0 No
Tech Specs:
- Shaft Material:
- Aluminum
- Grip Material:
- Dual-density rubber and foam
- Tip Material:
- Carbide
- Collapsed Size:
- [Standard] 27in (68.5cm), [Compact] 25in (64cm)
- Usable Range:
- [Standard] 41-55in (105-140cm); [Compact] 37-49in (94-125cm)
- Locking Mechanism:
- FlickLock top, Binary bottom
- Shock Absorber:
- No
- Replaceable Baskets:
- Yes
- Replaceable Tips:
- Yes
- Protective Rubber Tips:
- Available separately
- Number of Baskets:
- 1 Pair
- Weight:
- [Standard] 1lb 4oz (572g); [compact] 1lb 3oz (536g)
- Recommended Use:
- Hiking, backpacking
- Warranty:
- 1 Year
- Country of Origin:
- China
Change me.
2 Comments Last Reply: July 27, 2009 By: Matt Lutz
Have you had any problems with the bottom section getting sticky. After 7 days on the west coast trail one of my poles was very sticky, there was some sort of grit caked onto the pole that would not come off very easily ( my nails couldn't scratch it off) what would you advise for fixing this?
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No
I've never seen something like that on my poles. I have had some grease on the lower two sections, but nothing like that. It sounds like you got some foreign substance on the poles that adhered to the pole.
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes | 0 No