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from Upstate, NY on 1/17/2008
Plain and simple, the poles are worth it. They have an attractive look to them. They are readily adjustable to almost any size. The tips bight into hard pack and ice easily. Stiff enough to support just about anyone but still absorb alot of impact. Baskets cover a good amount of area to keep pole from going to deep.
from Goffstown, NH on 11/7/2007
I strongly recommend BD poles with the flicklock mechanism. The poles are secure and no fumbling with screw type adjustments. The two section traverse poles do not colaspe as short as the three section poles but are stronger and have one less thing to go wrong. I recommend you have a screw driver on hand just in case.
from Tahoe City, CA on 3/26/2007
don't fall on them or they WILL bend and you won't be able to adjust until you unbend them
from Mass on 3/14/2007
I've had a pair for 12 years, some of those ski patrolling (hard use), and they're still straight and true. Old set appear identical except they have smaller grips and full baskets plus different graphics. Old ones were also made in Italy by Gipron. New ones in China. Took my new ones out for a BC tour and bent a lower shaft the first day. I had them fully extended for climbing/traversing and I inadvertently side-loaded one when slipping on ice. I straightened it sufficiently to use it the rest of the tour. Since bought a replacement lower shaft [...]. Hard to fault the pole; full extension is tough and they were servicable for the duration of the tour which is what really counts!I'd prefer 3-section so I could pack a spare INSIDE my pack.
They're good poles. The flicklock mechanism works flawlessly even at 0 degrees.
Black Diamond definitely sacrifices a little strength to make them lighter, though. I had mine planted and my ski hit it--there was contact, but it really wasn't all that hard--and it snapped in half. In my opinion, a regular pole would have withstood the impact. They had about 3 months of use on them, 20-25 days total.
Overall: Good for going uphill and fine on the downhill...just remember they're light!
i'm 250+ lbs, and used these poles to hike the entire long trail without incident...and as any of my friends will tell you, i am hard on gear....buy these
from Copper Mtn., CO on 1/17/2007
A great pole for touring or in-bound riding. Light in weight its nice balance allows for a quick, consistant downhill action. Ride on.
from NH on 1/8/2007
broke - had to return