Gear Review
Black Diamond Trail Trekking Pole
Really nice
By Brian G. Sweeney
Ranked #103 - Trekking Poles
July 26, 2009
I just got a chance to try these out - they were overall really nice. As usual pros and cons exist...pros:-grip is very comfy-straps are the most ergonomic straps of any hand held equipment ive ever used (lots of ski poles traverse poles, ice axes and so on...)-markings on the shaft allow you to quickly adjust them to your known preferred length-the tips actually provide GREAT purchase even on the granite that permeates the white mountains! i could hardly believe it but where my boots slip these things can be relied upon for a great amount of weight and balance-comes with interchangeable powder basketscons:-while comfy, the padded straps did cause my hands to sweat a bit more than i would have preferred. i sweat a lot other may not experience this - it was only about 60 the day i used them-the obvious trade off with trekking poles is the use of your hands - certain terrain mandates that you stow them or something so that you can scramble uphilloverall good purchase.
POST-HOC UPDATE:
-After a good 60 miles of usage one of the seams on the padded straps started to come undone. I imagine this is a defect and wont happen again once i get them replaced. Furthermore it did not really impede my usage of them at all, its just irritating that new gear has something wrong with it.-On a really long hike after a lot of downhill your wrists start to get tired - i have small weak wrists though so this may not be true for everyone.-I just finished a hike that had a combined 20ish miles worth of scree rock fields - trekking poles are indispensible in such terrain.
More Updates:
My replacement pair of these has yet to experience the trouble i had where the seam on the wrist strap came apart. I've got one day resort skiing, one day back country skiing and hikes on them now - so comparable to the original pair i had. Must have been a defective pair - these ones are fine.
More:
I was hiking in the Tuckerman Ravine and postholed through the snow - one of them bent beyond repair. I managed to straighten it enough so that you could continue to hike with it but you can no longer extend and retract the sections. I think i need to replace the two bottom sections. Also the wrist straps started the disintegrate again. This is after less than one year of usage - including a number of hikes and a bunch of skiing.
View Details: Black Diamond Trail Trekking Pole
Helpful Votes: 5 Yes
Tech Specs:
- Usable Range:
- 25 - 55 in
- Collapsed Length:
- 25 in
- Shaft:
- aluminum
- Grip:
- dual-density foam, foam extension
- Tip:
- Tech Tips (interchangeable carbide and rubber)
- Locking Mechanism:
- FlickLock
- Included Baskets:
- yes
- Weight:
- (pair) 1 lb 2 oz
- Recommended Use:
- hiking, backpacking
- Manufacturer Warranty:
- 1 year
Change me.
2 Comments Last Reply: February 2, 2011 By: Tim L.R.
The new wrist that I had orded (are the same) as the ones that came with the poles when I first bought'em. Now knowing where the weak point is on the wrist strap I will reenforce the stitcing in that area.. I had no problem with replacing the wrist straps.. When taking apart, take notice of how the straps were assembled at the factory and replace the same way....
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes
The wrist strap came apart on me too but I wasn't about to give up my ol'poles, so I took needle and threat in hand and did some repair. but in the mean time I had orded a new set of straps and they should be on their way. Thanks to Black Diamond in Salt Lake City for there friendly service. Thank you Brad for all your help....
Helpful Votes: 0 Yes