One of the other casualties of my pre-empted backpacking trip last summer was one of my hiking poles. As I planted the right pole after my foot was stuck in the rock, I fell to my right and the pole snapped in half. Now I had used these Black Diamond poles for many years and never had a problem with them. Of course, this was an extraordinary circumstance so the years of service they had given me made a new pair of them worth looking at again.
So now that hiking season is almost here and my ankle is pretty much operating at 100%, I decided to get a new pair of hiking/trekking poles. As I do with any potential gear that I might purchase, I spend a great deal of time researching what would be the best poles to buy. After doing what amounted to several hours of comparing specs, prices, and reviews, my search brought me right back to Black Diamond. Although I have used Leki poles in the past, I now always end up with Black Diamond.
So I ended up buying the Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles. Originally priced at $139.95, I paid $83.97, a nice 40% savings (from Amazon). Here are the specs:
- Imported
- 2″ high
- 3″ wide
- Dual-density grip and 360-degree padded webbing strap
- Non-slip foam grip extension
- Control Shock Technology
- Double Flick Lock Pro
- Interchangeable carbide Tech Tips and low-profile trekking baskets
Although I haven’t been out hiking with these poles yet, I have had a chance to use them.
Trying to get to down the hill to my car on ice-laden snow is no easy task. Using the poles
made it much easier to down the hill and into my car. I can’t wait to get out on to the trail
to really test them out. When I do that I’ll post a more in-depth review.
HAPPY HIKING!!!
The Zen Hiker 