Head-to-head · Best Trekking Poles

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles vs Black Diamond Trail Back

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles comes out ahead by a narrow margin (4.1 vs 4.0). Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles is best for: rugged trail users. Read the strengths below before deciding.

Higher ratedRanked #3 in Best Trekking Poles

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

4.1

3 sources$229.95as of Oct 11

Reviewers rate the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork poles for durable construction, comfortable cork grips, and a FlickLock Pro mechanism that holds. They handle a wide range of hiking conditions and stand up to extended backpacking, but they're heavy and they're expensive. Serious hikers who log enough rugged miles to justify the price are the target; anyone after light weight or a compact pack size is not. One reviewer called them ideal for 'heavy packs and rough conditions' and reported years of use without failure.

Strengths

— Comfortable cork grips that mold to the user's hands over time
— Durable construction with thick carbon fiber shafts that absorb impacts well
— Robust FlickLock Pro mechanism that is secure and reliable

Watch-outs

— Expensive at $229.95 MSRP with no frequent discounts
— Not as lightweight or packable as other trekking poles

$229.95 · Check Price on Amazon Full review →

Ranked #4 in Best Trekking Poles

Black Diamond Trail Back

4.0

3 sources

Black Diamond's Trail Back poles do the job without costing much. Reviewers called them a budget-friendly workhorse, pointing to solid build quality and FlickLock adjustments that are easy to work. The trade-off shows in the grips: rough foam that lacks the hand-feel of higher-end cork and doesn't wick moisture. Durability is still good for the money, and both trekking and snow baskets come in the box for varied terrain. Casual hikers and weekend backpackers who care more about function than premium features are the audience.

Strengths

— Affordable and practical build
— More durable than lighter carbon offerings
— BD's Flicklocks make adjusting length a breeze

Watch-outs

— Rough grips that don’t wick moisture very well
— Relatively heavy at 1 lb. 2.8 oz. per pair

Buy at rei.com Full review →

How they stack up

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles combine carbon fiber shafts with cork grips, while the Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles use aluminum shafts with cork grips and cost much less. At 17.1 oz they are within half an ounce of the Pursuit's 1 lb 1.4 oz. They collapse to 24 inches, far longer than the 14.2-inch packed length of the MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles.

Black Diamond Trail Back

The Black Diamond Trail Back is an aluminum pole with EVA foam grips, where the Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles and Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles both have cork grips. At 1 lb 2.8 oz per pair it weighs 1.4 oz more than the Pursuit. It collapses to 24.2 inches, against 14.2 inches for the folding MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles, and includes both trekking and snow baskets.

Specs side-by-side

Spec	Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles	Black Diamond Trail Back
Shaft Material	Carbon fiber	Aluminum
Grip Material	Cork with foam extension	EVA foam
Locking Mechanism	FlickLock Pro	FlickLock
Weight	17.1 oz (486 g)	1 lb. 2.8 oz.
Pole Length	39.4-51.1 in.	55.1 in.
Collapsed Length	24 in	24.2 in
Type	Three-section telescoping	Telescoping Shaft
Dimensions	61-130cm	16 x 13 x 2 inches

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