Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles - Pair
Trek through 4 glorious seasons in the alpine with the Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles from Black Diamond. Their lightweight, ergonomic design offers stability and comfort on rugged, steep hikes.
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- 3-section carbon-fiber shaft offers quick and secure length changes thanks to dual FlickLock Pro adjustability; Aluminum FlickLock Pro technology is light and easy to use
- Premium cork grips have soft rubber grip extensions and solution straps for better handling and security
- Interchangeable carbide Tech Tips; 38mm trekking baskets
- Ski-compatible ferrules will accept 100mm powder baskets (sold separately) for deep snow
Imported.
View the Black Diamond Alpine Product LineView all Black Diamond Trekking Poles| Best Use | Hiking |
|---|---|
| Shaft Construction | Carbon fiber |
| Grip Material | Cork |
| Adjustable | Yes |
| Maximum Length (in.) | 51 inches |
| Minimum Length (in.) | 24 inches |
| Collapsed Length (in.) | 24 inches |
| Maximum Length (cm) | 130 centimeters |
| Minimum Length (cm) | 61 centimeters |
| Collapsed Length (cm) | 61 centimeters |
| Locking Mechanism | External Lever Lock |
| Basket Type | Standard Trekking |
| Weight (Pair) | 1 lb. 1.1 oz. |
| Gender | Unisex |
| 100 CM | 110 CM | 120 CM | 130 CM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height Range | < 5 ft. 1 in. | 5 ft. 1 in. - 5 ft. 7 in. | 5 ft. 8 in. - 5 ft. 11 in. | 6 ft. + |
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Literally a life saver
These poles saved me from falling off the mountain during my recent trip. I slipped and was able to hold all my weight (with my pack) on one pole. I've already put them through a lot. They aren't the lightest option but I certainly think they are the lightest considering their strength. The clamps easily adjust and I suggest you tighten them before use (tool included). Not sure why other reviews are upset about them not being very collapsible, they aren't advertised to collapse very short. In my experience, trekking poles that fold break more frequently than straight ones like these. Black Diamond really did an excellent job with these.
Repairing poles w/ >2000 miles
Repairing poles w/ >2000 milesFor the last two years, Black Diamond Carbon Cork trekking poles have gone with me over 2000 miles. I broke one 2 years ago crossing Elliot Creek, Mt Hood Timberline Trail (REI replaced that one as it was brand new). They are light enough, the cork handles are great imho. I have used them from North Cascades to Crater Lake in rain, snow, hot weather and freezing rain. I also crossed 10 miles of 3-6 feet of snowpack on OR PCT in mid-July 2022. For me and my fast-hiking style, good trekking poles are essential gear. Mid-season this year, with a bottom of foot blister due to sand and ash working thru mesh-upper trail runner, I bent the tip on the left pole; actually used as a crutch for 75 miles in some rocky scree on Mt Jefferson / 3 Finger Jack on to Mt Washington. Black Diamond sells parts to repair old friends. I now have 2 straight poles and a spare replacement part if one breaks (I also have a spare middle part that was found (aluminum) on trail. Summary: I love these poles. They served me well and now that both are straight, and ready for another 1000+ mile season next year. I try to keep them extended to maintain the lock adjustments, and have only adjusted them 1x at the end of year 1. Like most gear, it’s personal. It needs to be felt, handled and ideally used on the trail before ‘keeping’. I recommend these to at least try
A bit frustrating
High marks in every category (grip, straps, weight), but far from frustration free. The locking sleeve has very low tolerances and I've found the sleeve will slide down the pole just a hair and keep it from locking tightly. This happened to me in the middle of the trail and I just assumed the sleeve needed to be tightened (I didn't bring the allen tool with me) so I stowed the poles. It wasn't until I stopped later in the day and took a closer look that I realized the sleeve just needed to be rotated and pushed back into place. Hopefully this helps someone else when their poles start slipping in the middle of an adventure. Sadly the need to twist and push happens regularly now. I'll have to look into a touch of epoxy, but from what I understand the locks aren't permanently attached to the poles. because they're intended to be replaceable.
New Clamp Design Flaw
I really wanted to like these poles. I spent a considerable amount of time researching trekking poles. Pole specs I was looking for were carbon fiber, cork grip, Eva foam lower grip, dependable/easy to use locking mechanism, light weight, and strong! I first bought a pair of carbon fiber Leki poles that I did not like right a way. Hand grips were not comfortable and the pole vibration made me send them back. I then bought these which seemed like they should be the best of the best especially at that price right? I've only owned and used black diamond poles and really liked the rubber/foam aluminum poles design and feel. Never had any issues with them for many years of heavy use. The metal tip eventually broke off but I was not disappointed as I really put them through the wringer. NOW for the review of the Alpine carbon cork trekking poles. I had only owned these poles for a month before all of the following problems occurred. First looking at the cork grips. I had read a lot of articles comparing cork to rubber and Eva foam grips. Consensus was that it's more of a personal preference. Which to some degree is true. My take on cork is that it's an outdated material that can't stand up to rubber or Eva foam. Cork is supposed to be better at absorbing sweat and provide better grip. This is not the case. Yes they might absorb some sweat which is going to turn those cool looking cork grips into nasty discolored ones where rubber or foam will not change. Also it will only take a short amount of time before the cork reaches its maximum absorption and then is just as slick as the other options if not more. So that myth is busted. Next is that they are a bit more comfortable than rubber as it compresses a little more. This is kinda true it does have more give than rubber but definitely not foam. But its so minor that I don't find it any more comfortable than rubber. Also cork fans will add as a pro that the cork will naturally contour to your hands which is also true, but in doing so become compressed thus taking away from the compression ability. Now for the most important characteristic, its durability. Being that its cork it is porous and will essentially naturally begin to crumble and fall apart from regular use. I myself had the unfortunate case of having a mouse chew up and virtually destroy the grips during one night of backpacking. So yeah buyer beware I guess if you leave your poles out over night animals are going to be attracted to them due to the sweat and the fact that its bark! For these reasons I really can't recommend cork grips. Next the carbon fiber material. Is it worth it? I thought it was fine seemed to be light, strong, and not to much vibration while using them. So I guess they might be better than aluminum. Most important review and the Achilles heel of these poles are the new and terrible locking clamps. They are real bad lol. First ease of use. They are not as comfortable to unlock and lock as the original "L" clamp design. They have big gaps which will collect material like grass and dirt that you'll be picking out. "L" clamps are very sleek with no gaps. You control the tension of the clamp by tightening/loosening a very small allen wrench which is pretty standard. Although you will absolutely need to carry it with you as you hike because these clamps loose tension EASILY! Imagine hiking along a sheer drop off along the face of a mountain and having all your weight on your pole to have the pole suddenly collapse! Not good.. Also if your like me you'll inevitably be using your poles to whack brush out of your way. I've had the lower part of the pole launch off many many times after properly tightening the tension that morning. First time it happened I was hiking through dense brush in the Sonoran desert in the heat and thorns and almost lost the lower section. After searching for a long time finally found it but realized that the clamp also flew off and was gone. Now my $180 trekking poles was now just a useless piece of metal. These clamps are not attached to the poles at all and will absolutely slide off the top half of the pole easily and often! I was able to MacGyver the pole together using a pole splicer found at your local hardware store but obviously this is not ideal. That's my review. I can not recommend these over priced defective poles to anyone.
disappointed
I have an set of these poles which are 2 generations older. I purchased the 2019 model wanting new grips.. I was disappointed to discover that the upper flick lock is impossible to close when the pole sections are fully retracted. You have to extend the bottom pole section at least 6in to get it to close. Loosening the screw at the flicklock would have put that screw close to falling out. Not to mention that screw required a hex bit. Older model used a philips which I have on my tiny pocketknife or coin... Who has a hex bit in the backcountry? dumb design. My two-gen old poles will due for while longer.
Great product life saver for an old man 10 out of
I’ve owned my pair for about 4yr strong tuff life saver, used in Alaska, and in Oklahoma quicksand , for real I’m an an avid outdoors man and rancher and im76yrs young I actually use mine 7 days a week 365 days a year on my ranch or trekking the backcountry of Alaska but I use them most on a small river on my ranch looking for cattle every single day these poles have littery saved my life more than once in quicksand , yep and after 4yrs I finally broke one today waiting the quicksand and I’m ordering a new pair 10 out of 10. Thank you Black Diamond for helping an old man being able to do what I do everyday and do it safely.
Excellent poles, light and well built.
There’s a reason these poles show up at the top of several “best of“ lists on the popular review websites. They are light, extremely durable and feel highly comfortable in the hand. They don’t flex as much as my old leki poles which i appreciate when in use. I feel more reassured when i really load them on descents or using them for leverage on a big step during ascents. They collapse small enough although since the locking mechanism is set for the wider shaft diameter when locked in place, when they are collapsed they are a little loose. My other piles are a fold style which I have found make it a little more cumbersome, when transporting or strapping to a pack and having to deal with the loose sections flopping around. However, the z fold style do typically collapse a bit shorter - I feel that the difference is pretty negligible and not worth the floppiness of the z fold. The only thing I’d say is that for the price they should include rubber tip covers and snow baskets. Thankfully those are inexpensive but at the price point I just think it should be included. I can’t take off points for that because the quality, build and feel are outstanding.
Was great...now frustrating!
I've owned several pairs of both the telescoping and FLZ versions over the years and swear by the telescoping version. Strong enough to survive thousands of miles on a thru. Unfortunately, I had one of the v3 version locks fail on me today. This is the first time I've had the failure where the locking bracket continually slides out of place. The inability to fix without a specific allen wrench is particularly concerning. It was annoying being unable to maintain a locked pole coming down a mountain, but the idea of a failure on a pole I rely on for a non-freestanding tent is truly problematic. Hopefully, they'll go back to a version that can be tightened with a nail file. Until thenm I can't give a rating over 3.
First Set of Poles
This was the first set of trekking poles I've used. I took them on a 5 day trip in Olympic National Park. They worked well. I found the poles light-weight. The handles and straps were comfortable once I figured out that there is indeed a right and a wrong way to put them on. It's not complicated though. The poles were easy to adjust for ascending or descending steep terrain. They helped ford streams and made a nice noise to alert bears of our presence. One thing to note that I have not seen elsewhere. Small creatures seem to enjoy the cork handles -- perhaps a little salty after a long hike. I found some nibble marks on mine after the first night. Afterwards I kept the handles protected and had no further problems.
Ode to the greatest of trekking poles
After 4 years of unintentional abuse in every corner of the U.S mountaineering, thru-hiking, ski patrolling, alpine touring, trail-running, I have finally found love. The grips with the soft extension are supple yet burly, the carbide tips have to be nuke proof, the baskets actually stay on, the wrist straps-okay they aren't great, and the telescoping flicklocks hold solid after every yardsale and only requiring the occasional tightening. They are certainly not a showroom model but they are burly and I trust them implicitly. These may be the last trekking poles you ever buy.