Black Diamond Powder Basket - 1 Pair Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I just bought a pair of these "Black Diamond" baskets after my old baskets broke. I have a pair of "Yukon Charlie" poles and the baskets included with them broke after several times of use. So I bought these "Black Diamond Powder Baskets" without knowing if they would fit onto my "Yukon Charlie" poles. They fit just fine, although the threads don't quite match up exactly. It's close enough because the baskets stay on quite firmly.
So those of you who may be nervous and wondering if these replacement baskets will work for your poles, I can confirm that they at least work with Yukon Charlie poles. I would assume that they will work for other brands as well. Hope this review helps!

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The Black Diamond Powder baskets have a hard biting inner diameter design for good hard-snow grip and the 100mm diameter basket is great for you powder hounds.

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Leki Corklite AERGON Speedlock Trekking Poles Review

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(More customer reviews)This review will be a comparison between the two hiking poles I have owned, the Leki Corklite Aergon and the Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Pole.
I did some research before I purchased my original pair of poles (the Black Diamond) and was confused by what features would be most important to me. There were different types of handles, some had differing degrees of shock absorption, and then of course there are the flick locks compared to the twist lock. I went to my local outdoor store (REI) to check out the different poles and immediately fell in love with the new corklite handles on the Lekis. I almost bought those until a sales person convinced me to get the Black Diamonds. I eventually traded them back for the Lekis since they have a good return policy and I am quite satisfied now.
Here are my thoughts on the different parts of the trekking pole.
Handles: I wasn't sure what feature would be most important and thought it would likely be the flick locks or the shock system. Part of the reason I decided on getting the Black Diamonds was because it had a shock system that went along with the flick locks (Leki does not currently make such a pole as they apparently haven't come up with a design that satisfies them that incorporates both those features on a pole). I thought these features would override the importance of how the handles feel, but for me that was not to be the case. That isn't to say that the Black Diamond handles are terrible. It is a decent quality pole. But they are soft and easily get warm and after about two hours of gripping warm handles in 90 degree weather it gets to where you want cooler handles. Also, the new corklite handles aren't made completely of cork. It appears to be made of some sort of mix of rubber/plastic/with bits of cork mixed in that makes the handle stay cool but with enough texture to give good grip. The black that runs up through the handle is actually plastic and the very top of the handle is rubber so that if you grip it from the very top your hands won't slip off. When I first gripped this newer corklite handle in the store I immediately fell in love with the feel of this grip and it almost made me buy those poles right then. I should have. In addition, these poles feel like they have the perfect thickness for my hands (medium sized woman's hands) and would also probably work well if I ever needed to use gloves because colder weather since they have a narrower grip. There also seems to be a bit more tilt to the handle which might not seem like a big deal, but it definitely increases comfort on the trail. I actually wouldn't have minded more of a tilt, and some poles out there do have that feature. As you are going downhill, you flick your wrists up to cause the pole to go forward. Then you are pressing into the ground with your wrist locked at an awkward, vulnerable angle which doesn't feel comfortable. The more tilt the handle has, the more ergonomically useful the handle is. This is why I actually prefer to grip the poles from the top when I descend. I place my palms at the very top part of the handle and allow my fingers to wrap around the knobby part. This allows my wrists to stay at a more natural straight position. It also means I don't have to constantly be changing the height of my poles as I go up and down the trail. I keep them at the perfect height for both ascending a hill and walking level, and then when I go downhill I grab the top part of the pole and it works out perfectly for me. The Black Diamond has an extended handle so that you can slide your hands down for ascents and have your hands on the regular part of the handle for everything else, but I found that I didn't like having all that extra pole above my hands. It also has a much shorter knob at the top which makes it less comfortable grip if you prefer to grab the handles from the top.
To sum up, the handles are most important because they are what you will be holding for the entire hike and the comfort of the grip will make a difference. The ergonomic nature of the handles will also make a big difference in your comfort level.
Flick Locks: Both of these poles have flick locks and that was important to me because of ease of use. According to the information I read on the web, the twist locks can handle considerably more weight, so if you are hiking with a massive pack on your back, you will likely want to purchase a twist lock pole. I read many reviews where the person thought they had twisted their poles enough, but it wasn't and it collapsed on them during their hike. In order to avoid this, I made it a priority to get a flick lock pole since it is very easy to visually see if they are locked completely or not. I read online that the Lekis can handle 10x more weight with their flick locks compared to any other flick lock poles on the market. Part of my issue with the black diamonds was they collapsed on me several times during my hikes. One time my foot hit a soft spot on the edge of a trail. I went sliding down 5 or 6 feet. When I finally got back up I noticed both of my poles had collapsed about 5 or 6 inches and I had to readjust them. This is part of the reason that I went to the Lekis. I was hopeful that I could keep the flick lock and have them be able to handle more weight. To my surprise, the Lekis started collapsing immediately and I realized that there are two methods of adjustment. There was a screw that could be twisted to tighten the mechanism. Once that was tightened more, it made it harder to close the flick lock but the lock was so much stronger. In all fairness, I never noticed if there was that ability for adjustment on the black diamonds. It would have been helpful to know that. I will have to take a peek the next time I am in the store.
Shock absorption: There seem to be three different kinds of poles on the market. Those without any shock absorption, those with a "lite" version of absorption, and those with considerable and adjustable levels of shock absorption. For me, I didn't purchase anything with a lot of absorption because the purpose of the poles is not to give you "bounciness" on the trail, it is to support you. I certainly don't want my poles compacting if my feet are going out from under me. Also I read that those types of poles are very noisy if adjusted out to the most "bouncy" level. The Black Diamonds had the "lite" version. If you pressed down on the pole you could see the height of the pole compress. But you will likely feel no difference between a pole with this lite version and no shock absorption at all. It is not noticeable. The only reason to get the lite version is if you believe that it will make a difference for your joints in the long run. It likely won't increase your comfort level on the trail, however. This model of Lekis doesn't have any shock absorption and I haven't noticed a difference.
Now here are some points on trekking poles in general. The reason I purchased these poles is because my knees were killing me going downhill on trails (almost 40 yrs old and way out of shape does not help my situation). I didn't want to have to stop my fun new hiking hobby so I did some internet research and discovered that the one biggest recommendation I could find was to buy some poles. They take pounds of pressure off your knees. And yes, I used to be one of those people who scornfully looked at others with poles and wondered what the point was. Now I am one of those folks who happily uses their poles. It made an amazing difference on my knees. The other surprising benefit of poles is that they give you a full body workout (you'll use 90% of the muscles in your body and burn 40% more calories). Think of a skiier who uses their poles to propel themselves forward. Now think of using your poles aggressively going uphill. You will become like a four legged animal. Taking the weight off your legs will make you want to go uphill faster, and if you are aggressive about using the poles you will feel all of the muscles in your back (I did for an entire month until I realized I could use my upper body as much as I wanted and I eased up on how much I used the poles going uphill). These poles also allow me to hike in more comfortable shoes than hiking boots. You can hike in running shoes or in my case I hike in my keen sandals that have hardly any grip on the bottom. I probably shouldn't do that since my feet have slid a few times, but my poles have kept me upright, and the extra two points on the ground of stability have kept my ankles from twisting. The point is, you will be able to wear a more comfortable shoe if you want and the poles can help compensate for it. (Obviously you should have a decent pair of shoes if you are on a "hard" trail.)
My recommendation is to get these Leki trekking poles. Definitely get a pair with the newer corklite handles if not this particular model.

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DECENT FEATURES of the Leki Corklite Aergon Speed Lock Trekking Poles Positive Angle Aergon Cor-Tec Compact Grip Speed Lock System Carbide Flextip Interchangeable Basket System The SPECS Weight: 16.6 oz Length: 67-135 cm

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Black Diamond Contour Elliptical Trekking Poles (Pair) - Ink Blue Review

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(More customer reviews)Shipped out extremely fast and was exactly what we were looking for! Plus with no shipping fee and no tax it was the cheapest place we found them! Was very happy with this order!

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Equally adept on snow, dirt and rock, the Contour Elliptic is a strong, versatile, high-mileage pole built for comfortable and secure navigation across variable terrain. Thanks to its elliptic shaft, the pole has twice the fore and aft stiffness of round-shafted poles. The pole's dual FlickLock adjustment is efficient and simple to operate even with gloves on...n the dark...in a rainstorm...with 40-mph wind gusts. On the business end, the pole comes outfitted with Long Flex Tips and easy-to-swap-out trekking and powder baskets for year-round hiking versatility.

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Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Pole Review

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(More customer reviews)I got these this spring and and used them several times...once through rough canyons, and another time fording streams dozens of times. They have worked extremely well and I cannot find any fault with them. The flick locks work flawlessly, the handles are comfortable, and they have supported my 6' 3", 220 pound bulk well.

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Whether you're slogging up to some alpine granite walls or backpacking along the Sierra crest, the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Pole gives you added support with a comfortable, natural cork grip. The grip's ergonomic angle enhances natural motion on both the ups and downs, and the two FlickLock clasps give you three-section adjustability.Product Features
Shaft Material: Aluminum
Grip Material: Cork
Tip Material: Carbide
Extendable Range: [Collapsed] 73.5cm; [Usable] 74-140cm
Locking Mechanism: FlickLock
Shock Absorber: No
Replaceable Baskets: Yes
Baskets: Trekking, powder
Replaceable Tips:
Protective Rubber Tips: No
Weight: 1lb 2oz (516g) per pair
Recommended Use: Hiking, backpacking, climbing approach
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 Year

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Leki Thermolite Aergon XL Anti-shock Trekking Pole Review

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(More customer reviews)LEKI Devine Aergon XL Antishock Trekking Poles 61-125cm. (49 inches)
LEKI Thermolite Aergon XL Anti-shock Trekking Poles 65-135cm (53inches).
LEKI Peak Aergon XL Antishock Trekking Poles 68-145cm (57 inches)
I see an online review site that says Thermolite is for 5 foot 1 inch to five feet 5 inces.
I guess Peak is for 5 foot 6 inches to maybe 6 feet high.
I guess Devine is for under 5 feet one inch.
Thermolite has thinner grips than the Peak.
Thermolite: For small-to medium hands.
Peak: For medium to large hands.
I'm not sure about the Devine grips, but the Devine is a woman's pole, so probably thinner grips.
Some other brands of poles have even thicker grips than any of these.> Some LEKI XL poles are not Anti-Shock and cost less.
> There are carbon versions too.
> Late 2010 models of NON Anti-Shock Thermolite,Peak,Devine XL will have a new one hand Speed-Lock but none of the antishock versions will have Speed-Locks.
> At least one site gave all of these poles the highest recommendation.


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A good trekking pole can make a grueling hike seem like a stroll in the park. Enter the Leki Thermolite Aergon XL anti-shock trekking pole, which combines all of Leki's latest innovations with a lightweight design that's ideal for long, challenging trails. The Thermolite Aergon XL is made of high-grade aluminum, with small-diameter, thin-wall tubing that's treated with a proprietary heat tempering process. The result is a pole with unsurpassed strength and resiliency on the mountain. The pole is also remarkably versatile, with a height range (26.7 to 57 inches) that accommodates almost any user. And thanks to the award-winning Super Lock System, you can easily adjust the pole length without sacrificing the "hold" of the pole when locked in place.
As with all Leki trekking poles, the Thermolite Aergon XL also offers replaceable carbide flextips that work on almost any terrain and surface, along with automatic comfort straps that adjust without the use of a buckle for convenience and comfort. And hikers will love Leki's new grip shape and design, which incorporates a 15-degree positive angle directly into the grip for ergonomic hiking comfort. Other details include a Soft Antishock System Lite (SAS-L) internal suspension system that cushions the impact of each pole plant, and a foam grip extension on the upper shaft that helps you handle switchbacks and abrupt changes in terrain. Each Thermolite Aergon XL pole weighs only 17 ounces and includes a lifetime warranty on the shaft.
About LEKILEKI, the world’s leading manufacturer of ski, hiking and trekking poles, had its start in Kircheim, Germany as a hobby of its founder, Karl Lenhart, an airframe mechanic and avid skier. Lenhart believed aluminum would make a superior ski pole compared to the heavy steel models available in the late 1940’s. After successfully creating lightweight poles for his friends, in 1954, the hobby became a full time business. LEKI originated the use of nylon webbing for straps and created plastic molded grips and baskets in place of metal and leather. Additionally, Lenhart developed an aluminum tempering process that produces pole shaft with incomparable strength, durability, and reliability.
In 1984, Klaus Lenhart, Karl’s son, assumed leadership and shortly there after developed the first dual-component grip. He is also responsible for improving adjustable pole-locking technology and grip innovations such as the Trigger Click-In system and COR-TEC, a material made of real cork and latex. As the ski market continued to flourish, LEKI began manufacturing hiking poles primarily for European mountain guides. The concept of using two poles as means of relieving stress on knee joints and the lower back appealed to climbers who also saw benefits in performance and safety. LEKI poles eventually caught on with the general hiking and trekking population that recognized and appreciated the preventive health benefits as well as the climbing support and stabilizing effects. In 1990, LEKI USA was incorporated. The North American market has embraced the company’s line of alpine, Nordic, back country, mountaineering, Nordic walking, and trekking poles. Like their European counterparts who have been loyal to LEKI for nearly five decades, North American outdoor enthusiasts know and appreciate LEKI quality and value.

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Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Pole Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This review will be a comparison between the two hiking poles I have owned, the Leki Corklite Aergon Speed Lock and the Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Poles.
I did some research before I purchased my original pair of poles (the Black Diamond) and was confused by what features would be most important to me. There were different types of handles, some had differing degrees of shock absorption, and then of course there are the flick locks compared to the twist lock. I went to my local outdoor store (REI) to check out the different poles and immediately fell in love with the new corklite handles on the Lekis. I almost bought those until a sales person convinced me to get the Black Diamonds. I eventually traded them back for the Lekis since they have a good return policy and I am quite satisfied now.
Here are my thoughts on the different parts of the trekking pole.
Handles: I wasn't sure what feature would be most important and thought it would likely be the flick locks or the shock system. Part of the reason I decided on getting the Black Diamonds was because it had a shock system that went along with the flick locks (Leki does not currently make such a pole as they apparently haven't come up with a design that satisfies them that incorporates both those features on a pole). I thought these features would override the importance of how the handles feel, but for me that was not to be the case. That isn't to say that the Black Diamond handles are terrible. It is a decent quality pole. But they are soft and easily get warm and after about two hours of gripping warm handles in 90 degree weather it gets to where you want cooler handles. Also, the new Leki corklite handles aren't made completely of cork. It appears to be made of some sort of mix of rubber/plastic/with bits of cork mixed in that makes the handle stay cool but with enough texture to give good grip. The black that runs up through the handle is actually plastic and the very top of the handle is rubber so that if you grip it from the very top your hands won't slip off. When I first gripped this newer corklite handle in the store I immediately fell in love with the feel of this grip and it almost made me buy those poles right then. I should have. In addition, these poles feel like they have the perfect thickness for my hands (medium sized woman's hands) and would also probably work well if I ever needed to use gloves because colder weather since they have a narrower grip. There also seems to be a bit more tilt to the handle which might not seem like a big deal, but it definitely increases comfort on the trail. I actually wouldn't have minded more of a tilt, and some poles out there do have that feature. As you are going downhill, you flick your wrists up to cause the pole to go forward. Then you are pressing into the ground with your wrist locked at an awkward, vulnerable angle which doesn't feel comfortable. The more tilt the handle has, the more ergonomically useful the handle is. This is why I actually prefer to grip the poles from the top when I descend. I place my palms at the very top part of the handle and allow my fingers to wrap around the knobby part. This allows my wrists to stay at a more natural straight position. It also means I don't have to constantly be changing the height of my poles as I go up and down the trail. I keep them at the perfect height for both ascending a hill and walking level, and then when I go downhill I grab the top part of the pole and it works out perfectly for me. The Black Diamond has an extended handle so that you can slide your hands down for ascents and have your hands on the regular part of the handle for everything else, but I found that I didn't like having all that extra pole above my hands. It also has a much shorter knob at the top which makes it less comfortable grip if you prefer to grab the handles from the top.
To sum up, the handles are most important because they are what you will be holding for the entire hike and the comfort of the grip will make a difference. The ergonomic nature of the handles will also make a big difference in your comfort level.
Flick Locks: Both of these poles have flick locks and that was important to me because of ease of use. According to the information I read on the web, the twist locks can handle considerably more weight, so if you are hiking with a massive pack on your back, you will likely want to purchase a twist lock pole. I read many reviews where the person thought they had twisted their poles enough, but it wasn't and it collapsed on them during their hike. In order to avoid this, I made it a priority to get a flick lock pole since it is very easy to visually see if they are locked completely or not. I read online that the Lekis can handle 10x more weight with their flick locks compared to any other flick lock poles on the market. Part of my issue with the black diamonds was they collapsed on me several times during my hikes. One time my foot hit a soft spot on the edge of a trail. I went sliding down 5 or 6 feet. When I finally got back up I noticed both of my poles had collapsed about 5 or 6 inches and I had to readjust them. This is part of the reason that I went to the Lekis. I was hopeful that I could keep the flick lock and have them be able to handle more weight. To my surprise, the Lekis started collapsing immediately and I realized that there are two methods of adjustment. There was a screw that could be twisted to tighten the mechanism. Once that was tightened more, it made it harder to close the flick lock but the lock was so much stronger. In all fairness, I never noticed if there was that ability for adjustment on the black diamonds. It would have been helpful to know that. I will have to take a peek the next time I am in the store.
Shock absorption: There seem to be three different kinds of poles on the market. Those without any shock absorption, those with a "lite" version of absorption, and those with considerable and adjustable levels of shock absorption. For me, I didn't purchase anything with a lot of absorption because the purpose of the poles is not to give you "bounciness" on the trail, it is to support you. I certainly don't want my poles compacting if my feet are going out from under me. Also I read that those types of poles are very noisy if adjusted out to the most "bouncy" level. The Black Diamonds had the "lite" version. If you pressed down on the pole you could see the height of the pole compress. But you will likely feel no difference between a pole with this lite version and no shock absorption at all. It is not noticeable. The only reason to get the lite version is if you believe that it will make a difference for your joints in the long run. It likely won't increase your comfort level on the trail, however. The Lekis I bought doesn't have any shock absorption and I haven't noticed a difference.
Now here are some points on trekking poles in general. The reason I purchased these poles is because my knees were killing me going downhill on trails (almost 40 yrs old and way out of shape does not help my situation). I didn't want to have to stop my fun new hiking hobby so I did some internet research and discovered that the one biggest recommendation I could find was to buy some poles. They take pounds of pressure off your knees. And yes, I used to be one of those people who scornfully looked at others with poles and wondered what the point was. Now I am one of those folks who happily uses their poles. It made an amazing difference on my knees. The other surprising benefit of poles is that they give you a full body workout (you'll use 90% of the muscles in your body and burn 40% more calories). Think of a skier who uses their poles to propel themselves forward. Now think of using your poles aggressively going uphill. You will become like a four legged animal. Taking the weight off your legs will make you want to go uphill faster, and if you are aggressive about using the poles you will feel all of the muscles in your back (I did for an entire month until I realized I could use my upper body as much as I wanted and I eased up on how much I used the poles going uphill). These poles also allow me to hike in more comfortable shoes than hiking boots. You can hike in running shoes or in my case I hike in my keen sandals that have hardly any grip on the bottom. I probably shouldn't do that since my feet have slid a few times, but my poles have kept me upright, and the extra two points on the ground of stability have kept my ankles from twisting. The point is, you will be able to wear a more comfortable shoe if you want and the poles can compensate for it. (Obviously you should have a decent pair of shoes if you are on a "hard" trail.) My recommendation is to get the Leki trekking poles. Definitely get a pair with the newer corklite handles. The Black Diamonds aren't a bad pair of poles. But the handles make a difference, and the advertisement that the Lekis can handle 10x more weight does too. The extra shock lite system on these Black Diamonds would not make me want this brand more.

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Black Diamond designed the Trail Shock Trekking Pole to help you crank out big miles on a hike without the fatigue associated with long hikes. Trekking poles give you four-wheel-drive, and like any drive system, you need suspension. The Trail Shock has four-stage suspension built-in so you can go farther, faster, and more comfortably.Product Features
Usable Range: 68 - 140 cm
Collapsed Length: 66.5 cm
Shaft: aluminum
Grip: dual-density foam
Tip: carbide
Integrated Probe:
Probe Length:
Locking Mechanism: FlickLock
Included Baskets: 1 pair
Weight: (pair) 1 lb 4 oz
Recommended Use: hiking
Manufacturer Warranty: 1 year

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Trail Compact Trekking Pole - Pair by Black Diamond Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Not only are these sized right for smaller adults, but they are also easy to adjust because of the flip-lock. Regarding size: why should a smaller person haul around excess bulk and weight that they will never need? These poles are lighter because they are sized for us smaller folk. Regarding the flip-lock: it is simple and can be adjusted to your own strength and/or ability with the simple twist of a screwdriver. This is a great feature for anyone with a little arthritis in their hands. This system can be adjusted with mittened or cold hands much easier than poles requiring grip and twist. I got these for my mother, who at the age of 89 still takes walks by herself. With her cane she was hunched over and lopsided and moved along rather slowly, with these poles (I added some Leiki rubber "fitness tips" for traction on the sidewalk - they are awesome!) she stands upright, walks faster, gets some upper-body exercise, and even gets to work on her coordination. In addition, she no longer experiences the knee pain that had plagued her on walks in recent times. With all these improvements she now takes walks more frequently than before she got her poles. I don't know why we don't see more cane-users moving to this kind of solution, it has improved the value and safety of my mother's walks many times over.

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214845 Features: Never end up with a hand cramp when you grasp the comfortable, dual-density grip top with a 360-degree padded webbing strap that doesn't cut into your skin Make handling your poles even easier with the non-slip foam upper shaft Adjust your pole height precisely, three separate sections lock into place with the FlickLocks Whether you're on the trail in winter snow or summer dust, you're set with long Flex Tips, low-profile trekking baskets, and powder baskets Saves you weight and space with a shorter pole and reduced grip size Specifications: Weight: 1 lb 1 oz Material: aluminum Collapsed to extended length: 24 inches to 25-49 inches Sections: 3

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Trail Trekking Pole - Pair by Black Diamond Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Love the fact that these are lightweight and collapsable to a very small size, making them easy to carry when not in use. Fantastic poles for the price!

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214844 Features: Never end up with a hand cramp when you grasp the comfortable, dual-density grip tops with a 360-degree padded webbing straps that don't cut into your skin Make handling your poles even easier with the non-slip foam upper shafts Adjust your pole height precisely, 3 separate sections lock into place with the FlickLocks Whether you're on the trail in winter snow or summer dust, you're set with long Flex Tips, low-profile trekking baskets, and powder baskets Specifications: Weight: 1 lb 2 oz Material: aluminum Collapsed to extended length: 25 inches to 25-55 inches Sections: 3 Sold as: pair

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