Black Diamond Equip. Ltd Trail Trek Poles Picante

I had originally borrowed a pair of Black Diamond as was doing a lot of hills. Liked them so much that got a pair for myself. Have used for hiking sand dunes with the snow attachment. Also used for hiking in the Smokey's. Easy to get compact plus like the lock that really holds the pole when extended. When compact easily attach to my day pack when I don't need them . Have used mine or the borrowed pair for 5 weeks of almost daily hikes. Latest of 12 miles.

I've used these poles twice now, after trying quite a dated (but tough) pair of MSR poles from a friend. They are nice and light, the flick lock is easy to use and tight, and the tips were solid on ground as well as rock. Telescopic adjustments were perfect for my height (5ft6). I mainly mountain hike at the moment, so great on the way up for balance and force, and a saving grace on the way down over tricky boulder fields, rocky descents and the odd creek. My friend's poles (not Black Diamond) snapped on the way down and mine held out no problem! A trail runner maybe want something even lighter like the distance range or carbon, but I like the feel of some sturdiness to it with the terrain I'm hiking. Also, the extended grip material is so handy for quick changes in incline, a great feature!