Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

These are an instant addition to my list of essential gear. I've never used poles before buying these and now I'm fully hooked. Let me talk about these in specific though: the quick lock mechanism is great, set it and forget it, the cork handles I think are the way to go, comfortable and no blisters at all. I just took them up Mt. Diablo for a good 3k ft elevation gain and they performed. Strong, sturdy but light. The lower set of grips are great to quickly accommodate for sudden increases in steepness. The hand straps are great and can be adjusted via a tensioner strap. What else to say? They even come w/ the snow baskets that some poles come as an extra buy.

As for poles period, I'm now totally hooked. I felt like I was breezing up what was called "arguably the most steep trail on Mt Diablo" and I'm not in terribly good shape right now. The feel of using my upper body was great. It helped so much. I went up very quick with these, used them to bat away poison oak and brush, went down very steep sections with more stability (though i still did manage to fall on my butt during a really steep section with tons of loose gravel). I swear, I even got less blistering on my heels due to having the extra push and not having my heel take all the punishment during steep uphill climbs. And hey, if they say to make yourself look really big if you happen to confront a mountain lion, throwing my arms up in the air with these poles would make me look like some kind of freaking monster. Though not ideal, you also get the sense they could make a decent weapon if needed. Hell, could you hunt fish with them, too? ;)
So yeah, needless to say, these are going with me most anywhere from now on. Not sure why they don't have many reviews, I'd say these are the ones to get. They don't have the shock absorber, but I don't think I would want it anyway...probably adds weight, too.

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

I used these to hike the sandstone canyons in southern indiana; it was wet and slippery and these held me up on what would have been several hard falls.

Cork grips feel natural. like wearing merino wool it's largely just a preference. but i never blistered, wrist strap has nice padding.

the poles are insanely strong, holding me up on some really hard falls. also durable, as i stuck them in several crannies and bent the tips only to have them spring right back.

props to the flick locks; they are the single reason why i bought these over Leki, and i am 100% sure i made the right choice.

not at light as some, but i'll take the strength at the cost of ounces.

Service and delivery comments:

REI is the top of their field, friendly, quick, and quality GUARANTEED.

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

Love these poles. I recently replaced my cheap rubbergripped poles for the BD Ergo. My knees are thankful. The poles were comfortable for two multiday hikes with intense climbs. My first trip was to the Eastern Sierras (9600' to 12600'). The flip locks worked like a charm. I tend to over rotate my wrists when I hike leading to most poles collapsing at least once a day. The BD poles held firm. My second trip was to the West Sierras with lots of bushwacking. The poles not only saved my knees, they also served to keep me from falling in rivers, getting caught in brush, and once, even from falling off a mountain (loose scree). The poles even remained comfortable after the cork was removed (thanks to a salt seeking marmot) three days into an eight day trip.

upon finishing my trip I contacted BD and they are working with me to get the handles replaced for a fraction of the cost of replacement. Overall opinion, I love these poles.

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

Bought this for snowshoeing and hiking.
Cork handle is great but beware as there are drawbacks.
Have had it for less than a year when I noticed that my cork handle was starting to pit. Don't know how or when it happened. Kinda of disappointed since these are expensive poles and was looking forward to many years of use.
Too late for me but recommend a cork sealer.

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

So ive only used these poles once, but they worked great.
Took them out on snowshoe's with a 60+ pound pack on a winter skills/avalanche class and was very pleased at how they kept me stable and upright when the trail got steep n sideways. The adjust/lock gave me no problems at all, wich is the main reason i bought them, and as an added bonus the handels with the cork and angeled(ergo) feature really did make a diff in comfort. Also the cork felt great and no chaffing or blisters . (Thanks Ashley, REI Saratoga).
Oh, and they r light, and come with the snow baskets.
The only reason I gave four instead of five stars is that they don't have a shock absorber, I did know that when i bought them so maybe i should have, but for the price it'd be nice.

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

I've been using a walking sticks for years, but decided to switch to trekking poles after reading some articles online and some of the REI reviews. I really like the easy, sure, locking ability of the flicklocks (tons better than the twist locks I tried at first which needed much readjustment and checking).

I also liked the stability of the poles themselves: they are light, nimble, and provide much more sure footing for hiking. During cross country jaunts, they also helped by providing a quick check on the footing, though they would occasionally get caught by low branches, ferns, etc.

The ergo grip with cork is amazingly comfortable both uphill and downhill. I was worried about the angle for going downhill, but up or down, the ergo grips were great.

I got a little bothered at first about the poles vibrating for a fraction of a second when they are first planted, but I got used to it after a short time. The vibration became a feedback signal that let me know the poles were solidly planted. When they weren't solidly planted, they wouldn't vibrate, and I would know right away to replant.

The one problem I have is with the straps. The straps are VERY comfortable. They are easy to put on and tighten. They tighten with a quick pull on the adjustment straps. They open by pulling slightly upward and outward on the "top" wrist strap. Easy on, easy off...but while hiking, I noticed that I would have to slightly readjust the straps every 15-30 minutes (in my estimation...but who looks at their watch that often while hiking?). They seemed to work loose just a little with the upward motion of my arms/hands. Not a biggie. re-tightening them would give me time for a short break and to look around at the beautiful sights in Allegheny National Forest, where I do most of my backpacking.

I want to give them 4.5 stars, because the strap issue is so minor, but they're not "perfect doesn't get any better" according to the REI rating system. Overall though, great trekking poles. They'll be 5-star perfect, if I can find a way to keep the straps to stay tight until I want them to come loose!

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

I've had a couple operations on my knee (one was 20 years ago and the other 15 years ago) and had resigned myself to wearing a knee brace whenever I did any hiking. Yesterday I picked these poles up because I really didn't want to wear my brace and I wanted to see if these would work well enough to not have to wear my brace again ...

These poles worked wonderfully for me!! I did an 8 mile hike with 30 pounds in my pack (with out my knee brace on) and it felt like I had done a 2 - 3 mile hike ... and with out any knee issues that I would normally get. I usually take a 5 minute break on the hour, but I went 90 minutes between breaks and felt like I could have gone further between breaks.

The 15 degree angle that the hand grips have, along with the cork material, make for a very comfortable grip.

These poles are deffinately going on my required list for day and multi-day hikes.

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

These trekking poles made the hike so much easier. I was able to keep myself stable in the snow and the ice trails. I had made the hike without the poles and it was not too bad, but with the poles it was such a more relaxing hike and less exhausting due to not slipping everywhere.

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

These poles are fantastic. The are a wonderful insurance policy especially on loose surfaces. They stick true every time and are stiff enough to take all my weight. The locks are dependable and the grips are world class. Your hands will never slip from the cork due to sweat. Just don't take your hands off the cork for long on cold days because you in for a cold treat when you lock your paws back around the grips. Changed my outlook on backpacking necessities, I'm sold for life and I'm only 27.

Comments about Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles:

Having used traditional twist lock poles for the last 2 years the Fliplock feature of BD poles is just a tremendous feature. The cork is excellent for absorbing sweat and maintaining grip performance. The angle of the grip (slightly forward) is such a basic improvement I am stunned more poles don't do the same. That feature is particularly important as you descend so your wrists can maintain a more natural position. I cut off the wrist straps because straps are an unnecessary feature and because I once saw a man who had them get his pole tips stuck and since he was going downhill he did a face plant on the trail because he couldn't free his hands.