Backside Line
The Black Diamond Pursuit trekking poles supply the proper stability of sturdiness, consolation, and flexibility, making them superb for mountain climbing, snowboarding, and different out of doors actions. Examined in a variety of situations, they earned our #1 rating for greatest trekking poles for his or her robust efficiency, dealing with every little thing from mogul runs to off-trail hikes with ease.
Weighing in at simply 16 ounces per pair, they’re each light-weight and sturdy, that includes cork grips that soak up sweat and padded wrist straps for added consolation. The poles function a brief collapsed size for simple packing and include each summer time and winter baskets, making them good for year-round use.
With a mean price ticket for our lineup of favourite trekking poles, their strong construct and multi-sport functionality make them a superb worth.
Fast Specs

Black Diamond Pursuit
Greatest Trekking Poles Total
CleverHiker Ranking:
4.8/5.0
Worth:
$170
Weight (Pair):
1 lb. .4 oz.
Shaft Materials:
Aluminum
Grip Materials:
Cork
Collapsed Size:
24 in.
Execs
- Cork grips wick sweat
- Sturdy
- Light-weight
- Constructed-in adjustment instrument
- Dimension choices
- Small collapsed size
- Comes with two basket sizes
Sturdiness
The Black Diamond Pursuit is our best choice for sturdiness amongst our favourite pairs of poles. These aluminum telescoping poles are sturdy and fairly proof against bending throughout our stress check.
We additionally used these poles for downhill snowboarding and have been impressed with how effectively they dealt with. We skied down some early-season black mogul runs, they usually held up simply in addition to our devoted ski poles—no bending or breaking to be seen.
The Pursuit poles additionally did very effectively cosmetically. After the throw and drop assessments, there have been hardly any scratches on the pole we used for the trial. Nor have been there any scratches from snowboarding or utilizing these poles round city. We love the sturdiness of those poles and would gladly select them for more difficult hikes or winter sports activities.
Weight
We discovered that the Pursuit is surprisingly light-weight with out the usage of carbon fiber. A single small/medium pole weighed in at 8.3 ounces with summer time baskets on our scale. That is 0.3 greater than the load listed, however that’s probably as a result of added weight of the hampers.
This weight is about common in comparison with the opposite poles we examined. Nonetheless, it’s the lightest of the aluminum poles in our lineup. We didn’t discover the load once we used these poles for snowboarding and mountain climbing. They felt sturdy and just like most different well-made poles now we have used.
Consolation
Because of a generously padded wrist strap and an ergonomically designed grip, the Pursuit is essentially the most snug pole we examined.
We assigned factors for numerous elements that influence consolation, resembling padded wrist straps, cork handles, and well-shaped grips. Factors have been additionally deducted for oddly formed lumps on the grips and wrist straps that prompted rubbing. This allowed us to check the number of poles we examined extra objectively.
After tallying the outcomes, the Pursuit emerged because the winner, incomes essentially the most factors. The Pursuit is the one trekking pole mannequin with precise padding within the straps amongst our 12 greatest trekking poles. Among the others have mushy straps that really feel okay, however these wrist straps have true padding, making them way more snug to make use of.
The handles are an attention-grabbing case as, on first inspection, they don’t look totally different than every other trekking pole grip. Nonetheless, the curvature of the grip suits properly into the palm, and the curve beneath the fingers is refined.
In comparison with poles with no curve beneath the fingers or a big bump to separate the fingers, we discovered this to be essentially the most snug design. The truth that they’re cork is an additional plus because it absorbs sweat and shock a lot better than foam.
Ease of Use
The Black Diamond Pursuit options flick locks which might be straightforward to open, poles that slide easily, and exact measurements for a faster setup course of.
To make issues as truthful as potential, we timed how lengthy it took to open up a collapsed pole for mountain climbing. The Pursuit got here in fourth place out of the trekking poles we examined. We like how simply the telescoping poles slide as soon as the flick lock is opened.
The measurements on each telescoping poles additionally velocity issues up as soon as you recognize your superb size. The flick locks have a good bit of pressure, however their giant dimension and sq. form make them simpler to deal with. Likewise, the locks spring open or closed as soon as they go a sure level. These traits make them straightforward to make use of for strolling or as a tent pole.
Packability
Packability is one other robust space for the Pursuit. They’ve the shortest collapsed size of the telescoping poles we examined (24 in.).
One factor we observed about this pole that aids in packability is that the underside part stays firmly nested all the best way contained in the pole when the flick lock is closed. Among the different poles we examined would lengthen barely as a result of a part of the pole is smaller than the locking mechanism.
These poles additionally are available two sizes, which helps hold your entire equipment fitted to your physique.
Options
Options like winter baskets and an prolonged grip make the Black Diamond Pursuit a superb selection for versatility.
These poles include devoted summer time and winter baskets so we will have one pair for all of the actions, resembling mountain climbing, backpacking, downhill, and Nordic snowboarding. What’s additionally good is that the hampers are very easy to change over.
The prolonged grip is superb for climbs with frequent elevation adjustments, so we may simply transfer our fingers moderately than stopping and adjusting the locked size.
We additionally respect that Black Diamond makes changing the carbide suggestions straightforward when worn out.
Ought to You Purchase The Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles?
We love how versatile the Pursuit is. Which means that it’ll go well with many individuals for numerous makes use of. We use these trekking poles for mountain climbing, backpacking, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
As a result of they’re very sturdy, they’re good for holding up a trekking pole tent or to be used on off-trail adventures. They’re reasonably priced, making them nice for individuals simply beginning.
The pursuits may not be price pursuing if somebody desires shorter folding poles or an ultralight pair.
What Different Trekking Poles Ought to You Think about?
The Pursuit is fairly nice, however if you happen to aren’t 100% positive but, we propose testing some alternate options under or our greatest trekking poles gear information for extra choices.
MSR DynaLock Discover Assessment: Just like the Pursuit, the MSR DynaLock is a telescoping, flick-lock trekking pole fabricated from aluminum. We like that these poles are a bit simpler to arrange than the Pursuit. The flick locks have pressure adjusters on the skin, although the telescoping parts stick a bit. Each poles have an analogous variety of options, and the MSR poles are barely longer. With a barely extra inexpensive price ticket, the Discover poles are a very good different to the Pursuit.
Leki Makalu Cork Lite: The Makalu Cork Lite poles are one other easy-to-use aluminum pole. The telescoping design on this pole has flick locks with built-in tensioners, which is an improve from the Pursuit. The draw back is that they’re slightly bit longer, heavier, and fewer sturdy. Nonetheless, we like that that is one other cork-handled choice that performs effectively within the subject.
Black Diamond Path Again Assessment: One other Black Diamond choice, the Path Again is a wonderful pole for rookies, due to its inexpensive price ticket. Just like the Pursuit, it’s extremely sturdy. In our side-by-side assessments, we couldn’t differentiate between the 2; they have been so shut. With the cheaper price comes a slight dip in high quality: the Path Again poles weigh barely extra, are a bit longer, and have foam grips. Total, they’re a superb different for these on a finances.