Why the Black Diamond Pursuit Poles Are a Strong Choice for Most Hikers
A long-term, in-depth review of our overall favorite trekking poles
September 18th, 2025
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Our verdict
The Black Diamond Pursuit trekking poles are our favorite hiking poles, and the best overall winner in our Best Trekking Poles guide. With their durability, comfortable cork grip with foam extension, reliable locking mechanism, and built-in tool for in-field maintenance, the Pursuit poles are a great choice for a wide variety of hikers, from casual Saturday strolls to backpacking and thru-hiking.
We've used these telescoping poles on hundreds of miles of well-maintained trails as well as rugged off-trail pursuits. We’ve tested the Black Diamond Pursuit poles on multiple thru-hikes, including the Three Sisters Loop, Ouachita Trail, and Pemigewasset (Pemi) Loop. They're tough and dependable, even on uneven terrain, and are ideal for people who like to lean into their poles. Over time, the cork handles mold to your hands, almost like a pair of Birkenstocks mold to your feet, so the grip is comfy and personalized.
Black Diamond has made some great updates to the previous model (called the Trail Ergo Cork), including an easier adjustment feature, a built-in hex tool for convenient trail maintenance, and a smaller fully collapsed height. These adjustments also make these poles easy to use when setting up an ultralight tent that sets up with trekking poles and while fording rivers or crossing snow. Perhaps our only critique of these poles is that they could be even more compact when collapsed.
The Pursuit poles are for the hiker who wants a versatile, long-lasting trekking pole. They're our choice for the best trekking poles because they provide the best balance of comfort, reliability, and features for most users, checking the boxes for our top reasons to use trekking poles.
Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles
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Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles Specifications
Price: $170
Weight per pair: S/M – 464g, M/L – 500g
Usable length: S/M – 100–125cm, M/L – 100–140cm
Collapsed length: S/M – 62cm, M/L – 68cm
Grip: Natural cork with Bloom foam extensions
Adjustability: Soft-touch FlickLock+
Tips: Interchangeable carbide tech tips, 4-season baskets included
Warranty: 2 years
Sustainability: BLOOM foam, recycled wrist straps
Comparison table
| TREKKING POLE | MSRP* | WEIGHT PER PAIR (ounces) | COLLAPSED LENGTH (CM) | MAX LEGNTH (CM) | SHAFT | GRIP | LOCKING MECHANISM | PACKING METHOD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Pursuit | $150 | 16.4 or 17.6 | 58 or 63 | 125 or 140 | Aluminum | Cork with EVA foam extension | FlickLock+ | Telescoping |
| Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork | $210 | 17.1 | 61 | 130 | Carbon Fiber | Cork | Lever Locks | Telescoping |
| Leki Legacy Lite | $100 | 18.0 | 66 | 135 | Aluminum | Cork & rubber | Lever Lock | Telescoping |
| REI Flash Carbon Compact Trekking Poles | $169 | 12.9 | 58 | 120 | Carbon Fiber | Foam | Lever Locks | Telescoping |
| Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock | $65 | 16.0 | 76 | 132 | Carbon Fiber | EVA foam or cork | External quick locks | Telescoping |
Who is it for?
Hikers and backpackers looking for maximum comfort and ergonomic design
Anyone seeking adjustable, sustainable trekking poles
Great for multi-season use with included snow baskets
What we liked
Built-in hex tool
Durability
Cork grip with foam extension
Locking mechanism
What could be better
Collapsed length
Weight
Could be more durable
How we tested
We tested the Black Diamond Pursuit trekking poles on hundreds of miles of trail—from well-maintained to rugged off-trail pursuits. We’ve used them to keep our balance on the 3rd and 4th steepest sections of the Appalachian Trail. We also relied on the Pursuit poles over rocky terrain and intense river fords on the Ouachita Trail, and also to help us up the steep elevation gain and traversing snow on The Three Sisters Loop.
Performance in the field
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One of our long-standing complaints about trekking poles (including the Pursuit’s predecessor, the Black Diamond Trail Ergo) is that they are hard to adjust in the field—especially when you're out in the backcountry for an extended period, such as a thru-hike. With other poles, you often need to adjust them at home with a heavy wrench that you are unlikely to carry into the field.
Black Diamond has solved this with a built-in hex tool. The tool is in the top of the bottom section of one pole. You need to completely pull the pole out of the top section in order to use it. Tightening the locking mechanism is a cinch with the hex tool. This is one highlight that makes the Pursuit poles incredibly easy to use.
Black Diamond's FlickLock+ soft-touch locking mechanism is another feature that adds convenience compared to other trekking poles we've tested. With other poles, if the locks are tight, sometimes you have to really press them to get them to lock. Not so with the FlickLock+. It was easy to shorten them when we preferred to carry our poles or for packing up or for setting up an ultralight tent. They also don't collapse when holding up all of your weight.
Another convenient feature for on-the-go adjusting are the foam grip extensions that wrap around from the handle to the shaft of the pole. The foam extensions are useful because you may need to grip lower on the pole in snowy conditions or on tricky or technical terrain.. In most of those situations, you would readjust the length of your pole. But the foam extension lets you do this without stopping to adjust. You can simply grip the foam lower on the pole.
They’re fairly lightweight (not as hefty as our Best Durable pick, the Leki Legacy Lite, but not as light as our Best Lightweight pick, the REI Carbon Fly) and collapse down to a decent packing size. However, they are not our favorite pole for their compact collapsability and can feel awkward when you want to put them away outside your pack (for a smaller, lightweight pole, check out the Black Diamond Distance FLZ).
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In our tests, we found a stand-out feature of the Black Diamond Pursuit are the thoughtful grips. The cork material and slight bottle curve of the grips are comfortable and easy to hold—even when our hands were wet from rain or sweaty from the sun. Over time, the cork molded to our hands, almost like a pair of Birkenstocks mold to your feet, so the grip is comfy and personalized.
The Bloom grip extensions are also comfortable, and provide a nice option when needing to adjust your hands lower on the poles for steep ascents.
The Solution 2.0 wrist straps are noticeably soft, and don’t irritate our skin while sweating or pumping our arms while hiking.
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Another advantage of the Pursuits is the ease of tailoring it to your adventures. They come complete with compatible snow baskets that are easy to take on and off as conditions change on your hike. Snow baskets keep your poles from getting torqued, providing extra support for you in deep snow.
They also come with 4-season, low-profile trekking baskets, which can help reduce noise, improve grip on rock, and reduce the impact on rocks.
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Through our testing, we’ve found the Black Diamond Pursuit poles can handle a lot—from technical river fords to supporting our weight over rocky ascents and descents. The 7000-series aluminum holds our weight when we lean into them and don’t bow out. The FlickLock+ system securely holds the poles, even at their maximum extension, and still feels sturdy when the poles strike the ground.
Some of our testers are admittedly hard on their poles, and these aluminum poles are light but also hold up well despite everything we ask of them. Black Diamond has also gracefully replaced our poles many times when they’ve broken within the 2-year warranty period.
Features
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The Black Diamond Pursuit comes in two size options—Small/Medium and Medium/Large. The S/M size collapse to 22.8 inches and has a maximum length of 125 centimeters and minimum length of 100 centimeters.
The M/L size has a collapsed length of 24.8 inches, with a maximum length of 140 centimeters and minimum length of 125 centimeters.
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The Pursuits have grips made of natural cork which help with sweaty palms. The BLOOM, algae-infused foam is fitted below the main grips for additional support or hand gripping options.
The S/M features a smaller hand grip while the M/L size has a larger one for a more customized experience. The Pursuit poles use an ergonomic grip geometry for more comfort to help reduce hand fatigue.
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The wrist straps are made from post-consumer recycled fibers, and are naturally soft. The straps can be adjusted to your preferred fit.
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Black Diamond’s proprietary FlickLock+ allows for a simple “flick” of the lock to adjust the telescopic poles taller or shorter, instead of straining to open and close the adjustment lock.
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The Pursuits feature 4-season flex tips with trekking baskets, and come with snow baskets for winter conditions. The Pursuits also provide an interchangeable carbide tech tip option, for when you’re hiking over rugged terrain.
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The Pursuits come with a 1.5mm built-in hex tool, located inside the bottom internal end of the left-hand pole. You can use the hex to adjust the FlickLock+ screws as necessary.
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Black Diamond offers a 2-year warranty on all of their trekking poles.
Sustainability
Black Diamond as a company has a commitment to sustainability, and this year created the first certified recycled aluminum poles and carabiners. The Pursuit uses UL validated 30% pre-consumer recycled aluminum, resulting in trekking poles that use 14% recycled content. The Pursuit poles use BLOOM for their foam grips, a foam producer that uses algae for an environmentally friendly material. The wrist straps are made completely of post-consumer recycled fibers.
Black Diamond Pursuit vs. similar trekking poles
The Pursuit trekking poles check most of our boxes across the board—affordable, lightweight, durable, compact, and good warranty—which is why they won our Best Overall Trekking Poles.
However, being a jack of all trades can mean you’re a master of none. For instance, Gossamer Gear’s LT5 poles are a mere 9.8 ounces for the whole pair, and collapse down to 60 centimeters, and were our winner for Best Ultralight Trekking Poles. But because the LT5’s are so light, we only recommend them for folks who mostly use poles on downhill and river crossings, and not putting hefty weight on them for steep uphill climbs.
Some folks might want a more compact pole, like our winner for Best Travel Poles, Leki Cressida FX Carbon, which fold to only 40 centimeters, ideal for trips where you anticipate packing up your poles often for other activities and/or needing space for other essential gear items (e.g., ice axe or umbrella).
But both the Cressida and LT5’s are much more expensive than the Pursuit, and we found that for their price, the Pursuit poles are the most durable and quality for what you pay.
Should I buy the Black Diamond Pursuit Poles?
Buy if you prioritize ergonomic comfort, sustainability, and durability at a reasonable price.
Skip if you want the lightest or most compact trekking poles available, or are on a tight budget.
For more tips and guidance, check out our How to Choose Trekking Poles guide.
Where to buy the Black Diamond Pursuit Poles?
The Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles are a popular gear item, so you have options when it comes to retailers. Here are some of the pros of the retailers.
REI
Pros: 100% satisfaction policy for 1 year; 10% dividend for members.
Backcountry
Pros: Frequent sales for Expedition Perks members (free to join), fast shipping, Gearhead chat customer service is excellent
Similar products
Leki Legacy Lite
Grip material: Cork and rubber
Weight: 18.2 oz (pair)
Maximum length: 135 cm
Shaft construction: Carbon fiber and aluminum
Locking mechanism: External lever lock
Adjustable wrist straps included: Yes
Packing method: Telescoping collapsible shafts
What we liked: Durability, price, warranty, quality flick locks
What we didn't like: Weight
The Leki Legacy Lite are the poles we recommend for someone who always breaks their gear, which is why they’re our winner for Most Durable Trekking Poles. They are the updated version of our favorite aluminum trekking poles, the Leki Legacy, which was a gold standard for many years. These poles are affordable, durable, and come with a lifetime warranty with time-tested proof they can withstand years and thousands of miles of heavy use.
Leki Legacy Lite
Weight: 12.9 oz
Maximum length: 120 cm, folding poles also available
Shaft construction: Carbon and aluminum
Grip material: EVA foam
Locking mechanism: External lever lock
Adjustable wrist strap included: Yes
Packing method: Telescoping collapsible shafts
What we liked: Value for the price, weight, warranty, easy for travel
What we didn't like: Grips, not great for cold temperatures
The REI Flash Carbon Trekking Poles are among the most highly rated hybrid carbon-aluminum poles available. These poles balance weight, price, durability, and ease of use, which is why they’re our winners for Best Lightweight Trekking Poles. The newest version reduced the weight of a pair of poles down to 12.9 oz–among the lightest poles we’ve tested. Paired with REI’s warranty and ease of returns, these are a great lightweight pole considered to be a solid pick among outdoors people.
REI Flash Carbon Compact Trekking Poles
Shaft construction: Carbon fiber
Locking mechanism: External quick lock
Grip material: EVA foam or cork
Weight per pair: 15.6 oz
Maximum length: 137 cm
Adjustable wrist strap: Yes
Packing method: Telescoping collapsible shaft
What we liked: Price, durability
What we didn’t like: Weight, locking mechanism
If you’re not sure if trekking poles are for you, theCascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock is a relatively inexpensive way to find out. For a mere $65, The Cascade Mountain Tech is among the top five best-selling trekking poles on Amazon and winner of our Best Affordable Trekking Poles. We tested these trekking poles for 500 miles on the PCT and have continued to use them for a variety of hiking adventures. We've found the Cascade Tech poles to be intuitive to adjust and incredibly sturdy. Multiple Treeline testers have found that their locking system isn't as secure as other poles like the Black Diamond Pursuit, but they're still workable, especially for the price.
Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock
Why you should trust us / About the author
Amanda Jameson has hiked over 3500 miles, including thru-hikes of the Pacific Crest Trail and Colorado Trail and a LASH (long-*ahem* section hike) of the Grand Enchantment Trail. Between those hikes and a stint as a Traveling Trainer for the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics, she has slept outside for nearly a year of my life.
Amanda is also an American Hiking Society Next Generation Trail Leader and a Vice-President of the board at the American Long Distance Hiking Association-West, which awards the Triple Crown of Hiking. Her popular blog, Brown Girl on the National Scenic Trail, is a space for intersectional writing to encourage folks of all colors and all walks of life to experience our wild spaces and preserve them for the future. You can see all her Treeline Review articles on her author page.
