Black Diamond Trekking Poles

Black Diamond trekking poles are the most common hiking poles used.

Adjusting the length is easy on these compact trekking poles, and antishock saves your knees from harm.

Learn more about the best Black Diamond walking poles below.

The below Black Diamond trekking pole comparisons take the three best trekking poles by Black Diamond and reviews them side-by-side.

When shopping for a hiking pole, you need to know three things:

  1. Do you want anti-shock?
  2. What grip feels best?
  3. What locking mechanism is best?

Since all Black Diamond hiking poles use a FlipLock locking mechanism (by far the easiest method of adjusting the length on trekking poles), all you need to decide on is if you prefer anti-shock and extra weight, or no anti-shock and lighter weight.

Bottom line is that it's easy to decide on the best Black Diamond trekking pole to meet your hiking needs.

Black Diamond Trekking Pole Comparison

Black Diamond walking pole reviews can be tricky: 3 models exist and each model has sub-categories within the model. For most, there is the basic model, an antishock version, and a collapsible or compact version.

When reading Black Diamond trekking pole comparisons, first decide on an overall model based on your hiking needs and economic restraints. After, determine if you'd like the ultralight/standard version, compact version, or antishock version.

Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

Without question, Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles are the best hiking poles made by Black Diamond. Need to know why?

black diamond trail shock trekking poles
  • Weight - The antishock version weighs the same as non-antishock Black Diamond hiking pole models (the compact is the lightest of all models)

  • Price - Non-antishock Black Diamond Trail is the cheapest of all Black Diamond trekking poles, while the anti-shock version is still cheaper than the Spire and Contour

  • Ease of use - Dualgrip minimizes the amount of times you will adjust the length of these poles

There's not much more to say about the Black Diamond Trail Trekking Pole. If you want quality, reliability, and antishock for a reasonable price, purchase Black Diamond Trail Shock Trekking Poles.

If you don't need antishock and want the best hiking pole for the cheapest price, go for the regular Black Diamond Trail Trekking Pole.

Black Diamond Spire Trekking Pole

If you are young with healthy knees and hips, the Black Diamond Spire hiking pole might be for you--hikers reading walking pole reviews in order to prevent knee damage should skip this section entirely as the Black Diamond Spire Trekking Pole does not have antishock.

These hiking poles are made for ultralight backpackers that want to cover massive distances each day. Since the Black Diamond Spire has two hand grips (standard and one below), you rarely need to adjust the length. Even though the Black Diamond FlipLock locking mechanism makes adjusting the length easy, it can be a hassle depending on the terrain you hike in.

Personally, I believe the Black Diamond Spire Trekking Pole is not worth the cash--it is 30 dollars more than the Trail Shock, weighs the same (1 lb 4 oz), and doesn't have antishock. Why spend all this money on a heavier hiking pole without antishock?

Learn more about the Black Diamond Spire Elliptic Trekking Poles

Black Diamond Contour Hiking Poles

The Black Diamond Contour Trekking Pole is secure, versatile, lightweight, and models can come anti-shock, non-antishock, compact, or regular.

Here are Contour trekking pole comparisons:

black diamond contour elliptical trekking poles
  • Contour Elliptic - Standard model, but I'd avoid purchasing it. It weighs 1lb 4 ounces (same as Trail Shock), but doesn't have antishock and is single grip

  • Contour Elliptic Compact - Collapsible hiking pole version of Contour Elliptic. Again, the disadvantages of this hiking pole are the same as the Contour Elliptic. Don't purchase it.

  • Contour Elliptic Carbon - The most expensive Black Diamond hiking pole. Lightweight (1 lb 3 ounces), single grip, collapsible, with carbon-fiber construction in the upper shaft. Features galore, but is it worth the price tag? No.

  • Contour Elliptic Shock - Dual grip, antishock, expensive



After all these Black Diamond trekking pole comparisons, what is the bottom line?

The Black Diamond Trail model is the best Black Diamond hiking pole. You get dual-grip, equal weight as other models, and antishock all for a lower price tag.

While I personally opted for a Komperdell Hiking Pole, which is even lighter, cheaper, but without anitshock, if you are looking to minimize damage to your knees and hips, purchase the Black Diamond Trail Trekking Pole.

Learn more about the Black Diamond Trail Hiking Poles here.

Additional Hiking Poles Reviews and Comparisons

Hiking Poles - How to choose trekking poles and reviews - Don't destroy your knees - purchase hiking poles. Trekking poles reviews, disadvantages, benefits, and how to choose the best hiking trekking poles

How to Use Hiking Poles - Learning how to use hiking poles is easy, but improper form can make them seem cumbersome and provide you with little benefit

Leki Hiking Poles - Reviews and comparisons of Leki trekking poles

Komperdell Hiking Poles - Learn why Komperdell trekking poles are the best walking poles for hikers that don't need antishock

Hammers Hiking Poles Reviews and comparisons of Hammers trekking poles

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Black Diamond Trekking Poles to Glacier National Park Travel Guide

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