I need new trekking poles-suggestiions?

[philos]

I will use to set up tent and tarps also.

Thanks

 

[Backpack Hunter]

The Black Diamond Trails have served me well for several years.

 

[Colbyqueso]

Leki corklite.

 

[gelton]

I bought two pair last year one for me and the other for my dad. I bought a pair of REI's top carbon pole and a pair of black diamond carbon poles. The REI version was lighter but not nearly as sturdy and the flick locks didn't work as well as the Black Diamonds did. If you were trying to save weight you might find a better choice but if you are looking for sturdiness the black diamond carbon poles do a great job of combining strength in a relatively lightweight package. If I were going to use them to pitch a tarp I would definitely choose the black diamonds over the REI poles that I chose.

 

[Ross]

Tough to beat the options provided by black diamond both for durability and weight.

 

[Sam Millard]

Tough to beat the options provided by black diamond both for durability and weight.

I would second Ross on this. Very tough poles and the locks work perfectly...

 

[Brock A]

Tough to beat the options provided by black diamond both for durability and weight.

X3. Love my trailbacks

 

[7mag.]

I've never used name brand poles, just cheap aluminum ones until a couple of weeks ago when I bought some carbon fiber poles from Costco for $30. I really like the new ones a lot. They have flip locks, and come with 2 sets of removable rubber feet plus sand baskets and snow baskets. By look and feel, they seem very similar to Black Diamond carbon fiber poles. My hunting partner liked them so much, he bought a pair this weekend.

 

[Rocky]

Just picked up a pair of black diamonds today. I spoke to a sales person and was told the cork on the bd was better than the cork on rei model.

 

[tenth1]

The REI carbons were great until one broke, the flip lock mechanism isn't very stout...

Now I run the Leki aluminum corklites. Very good with the exception of being louder than the the carbon.

 

[DaveC]

BD Alpine Carbon Corks are the Cadillacs of trekking poles. Lightish, strong, stiff. And expensive. The Trail Backs are a good, cheaper alternative.

Replace the stock grips with Gossamer Gear grips for significant (~2 oz/pole) weight savings and increased comfort.

 

[Rackmastr]

DaveC,

How do you a swap of the grips? May have to look at them!

 

[Mike7]

My favorite poles so far have been the REI Traverse Powerlock(flicklock type) poles. They have a larger grip than the Leki's that I've tried (something that I prefer), they are very tough (I am fairly certain that I would have broken a carbon pole by now with what I've put them through), they are not ultra-short but break down short enough to fit on the side of my pack, they are adjustable which I prefer for going up and down hills and for use in pitching my pyramid shelter, they are not ultralight but light enough, they don't have that dumb shock absorbing mechanism, and they have a cork grip which I prefer.

I did have to put blue Locktite on the flicklock pin when I first got them (maybe the newer ones you don't have to do this to?) to keep it from sliding out, and I have had no problems since then over the past 2 yrs. I have only ever tried one black diamond pole in the past, and I believe it was the cheapest entry type model and so not as good as these REI poles.

 

[trophytaka]

carbon poles from costco. $30 bucks. cant beat em for that price. fairly durable and ultra lightweight.

 

[Brock A]

carbon poles from costco. $30 bucks. cant beat em for that price. fairly durable and ultra lightweight.

While they are affordable, they weren't very durable in my experience with them. I broke mine in a few scouting trips plus 1 hunt. Then my step dad had a set fail on him this year hunting in Idaho, which resulted in him falling and cutting his hand up pretty bad. Those are great for the weekend hiker but not something I would rely on.

 

[DaveC]

It's not the simplest project, but not too complex either.

1: Remove stock BD grips by submerging the grips in boiling water for 2-5 minutes. Eventually the glue will soften and you can yank them off by hand.
2: Ream out of the first few inches of the hole in the Gossamer Gear grip. Stock the Gossamers have a 13mm ID. Poles like the Carbon corks have an 18mm OD on the uppermost section. The Gossamer grips stretch, but sanding out the first bit by a few mm helps get them started.
3: Pour a bit of Gorrila Glue into the Gossamer grip.
4: Splash some mineral spirits on the end of the pole section.
5: Insert pole into grip, before mineral spirits evaporate.
6: Make sure the pole is all the way to the end of the grip. Twist it around a bit to make sure the glue fully coats. Let dry overnight.
7: When you do the second pole, make sure you've stretched both grips the same amount. You can easily make one a cm or so longer than the other.

The glue it vital for longterm durability. Without it, the poles will eventually push up through the grip material.

 

[weaver]

Thanks for the info Dave. I need to replace the grips on my BD poles. Bear chewed them up.

 

[Screamrider]

BD Alpine Carbon Corks are the Cadillacs of trekking poles. Lightish, strong, stiff. And expensive. The Trail Backs are a good, cheaper alternative.

Replace the stock grips with Gossamer Gear grips for significant (~2 oz/pole) weight savings and increased comfort.

Another vote for BD Alpine Carbon Corks. Light, strong, and just the right amount of shock absorbency.

 

[charvey9]

I've never been a regular treking pole user, but this year I'll be running with a Tipi tarp and needed a pole(s).

Previously, on occasion, my only use for a pole was the REI shocklite as a gopro boom since it has the camera mount. I found this feature very handy if you like to film and photo. Although he shocklite pole also worked fine for pitching my Tipi, I wanted something lighter since the REI single pole is about 10oz.

The only other brand I could find with a camera mount was the Leki's, and ended up going with the Carbonlite XL's, which are about 7oz per pole. Expensive, so I hope the hold up.