Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork trekking poles | 600 mile review

These are some seriously good trekking poles! I've used the Black Diamond Apline Carbon Cork trekking poles on the Rota Vicentina, the Pacific Crest Trail, the Skye Trail, and countless other hikes here in the UK and they've never failed over 600 miles of hiking. They're light, strong, and pack down small and are also very comfortable to use.

In this review, I'll go over all the specs, features plus some top trekking pole tips and tricks as well as my pet peeves and favourite bits about them. These are the best trekking poles I've ever used.

BTW, I MADE THIS INCREDIBLE BIT OF GEAR

Kit list as of June 2020:

Backpacks

SHELTERS

SLEEP SYSTEMS

FOOTWEAR

CLOTHING

Waterproof shells

Insulated jackets

Base layers

Shirts

Shorts

Hats

Sunglasses

Gloves

Socks

Mosquito net

Buff

FILM AND SOUND

Phone

Drones

Cameras

Mics

Tripods

NAVIGATION

GPS units

Compass

WATER TREATMENT

Filter

Purifying drops

Water storage

ELECTRONICS

Power banks

GPS tracking watch

Wall chargers

Data

EQUIPMENT

Lights

Ice axe

Trekking poles

Traction

Stove

Spoons and knives

Poop trowel

Sit pad

Tent stakes

Tent poles

Ground sheet

STORAGE

Pack liners and pods

Dry bags and stuff sacks

Pouches and wallets

Food storage

MISC ITEMS

[outdoorting]

That's a big "about a foot" 😂 nice review mate I've been looking at getting some of these

[Maineuser]

Hi!

It’s been several years, so, you may have already learned. I’m just starting out learning, and appreciated your enthusiastic video. Wanted to share two findings…

1. CLEAN cork handles with a wet magic eraser! There’s a number of videos demonstrating this using fishing poles. Don’t be rough. Don’t touch the metal. Comes out like new! Wouldn’t use the recommended sealer, though, as we want them to absorb sweat…

2. ADJUSR those R/L wrist slings! Pull on the shorter cord or on a long length, nearer the base. They’re all made to adjust. The idea is the sling is to take your weight, vs. your wrist or your hand.

Hope this might help!

Thanks, again,
Linda

[rotaaable]

I might solve your problem shown at 6:45 if that is the way you put them on and hold them. I use a different grip and I've always thought it's the proper way to do that. It just makes sense. It will be much easier if you just check it online

[solitone]

I can’t decide between these and Leki’s Micro Vario Carbon. The latter are Z foldable hence pack smaller, but perhaps telescoping construction in Black Diamond’s has the advantage of less vibration?

[brucemarshall]

I’ve been using aluminum Black Diamond Trekking Poles for years (including Kilimanjaro) and they have been awesome. One low probability but potentially disastrous problem with the Carbon Fiber poles (as related to me years ago by a highly experienced REI sales consultant) is the following: in cold weather, if a pole gets caught between a couple rocks, it can snap & you can impale yourself on the resulting “dagger-like” shard. An aluminum pole will bend and there’s a chance it can be straightened. (By-the-way, that has happened to me and I was able to straighten the pole)

[alantheloneranger]

Good channel, but have you taken your video down on how to use trekking poles because you didn't show the best/correct way to use the straps. That will explain why you think the straps won't adjust small enough. Used correctly, you will find out the straps are actually tight enough, in fact you may have to lengthen them 👍

[AlexHeinzmann]

Still on my original Leki makalu poles. They are bomb proof, even putting full weight on metre high down hill drops.

Great for wading rivers, too.

I would like lighter poles but these have adjustable shock absorbing springs, which really protect my old elbow and wrist joints from jarring on hard ground.
Any suggestions?

[rsb]

The straps are fine, you need to drop your hand through so the strap supports the bottom of your wrist

[farid]

Hi Russ
Definitely on my wish list those one's as i am thinking of getting a zpacks duplex for myself and Jamie, they will come handy 😀👍

[ChimeraX]

Great review! I love my Black Diamond poles. But please correct me if im wrong, as i'm unsure if there's multiple right or wrong ways to grip these, but it seems your wrist strap technique needs adjusting, changing it may solve your strap issue. If you were to drop your poles the strap are meant to be around your wrist so they will not fall, seems to me you had them round your hands?

[firsh]

How dirty would the cork get if I use an unusual amount of sunscreen?

[Tids_]

Sweet review mate, thanks. Everything I needed to know before buying them. Cool looking channel so a new sub from me. Cheers

[marklipton]

Nice pieces of kit - Where’s the use the poles like a pro video?

[savethebees]

What is better than an honest YT user review?

Yes, you got it....
A handsome looking honest YT user review. 😁🤭

[johnfrancis]

Hey mate great video, encourage me to buy some! Just one problem I've had, when taking the poles apart, the paint seems to have scratched a lot after one use (where the height markers are). just wondering if this has happened with yours and whether it's a problem?

[farside]

You could put some of that gorilla tape under the snow tip so it can’t unscrew off.🤔

[jap]

FYI. The straps won’t close small enough because you’re holding the poles wrong. I would try to explain but there are ample videos on how to use the straps correctly. Happy trails

[thehikingcucumber]

I have these poles and love them, but do you know If can get the black plastic on the locks replaced? mine broke off

[jasonphillips]

Looking for new ones quite fancy cork handles, flick locks, and carbon. You’ve ticked all the boxes

[JonathanDowe]

Nice video, your using trekking pole one is coming up as private.