Trekking Poles Review: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork, Alpine Cork Ergo, Montem Ultra Strong

I never would have guessed that a trekking pole thread would be on here until it popped up today in the new post list. I will second @purr1n in this BD TrailErgo Cork as great starter poles. I passed mine down to my son a few years ago when we both went to NM (Philmont - 12 days, way too many miles, way too many feet of elevation change, way too many rocky trails, way too heavy packs).

His poles (exact same red ones) held up well - no damage at all. I had upgraded to the BD Alpine Carbon Cork and was extremely happy with the improved locks and the lighter weight... but I don't think they are worth the premium unless you have some serious backpacking in front of you.

 

I've used the higher end model of your Alpine poles in the past (Alpine Carbon Cork) on some really heinous off-trail terrain - they gave me no reason to doubt them. I wonder if they are particularly sturdier than the Ergo model.

As far as Distance models, I mostly use the Distance Carbon Z which I think is the lightest model they make (11.1 oz for 130 cm model vs 13.6 oz for the longest Distance Carbon FLZ). That 2.5 oz weight reduction is entirely from lack of adjustment. The Distance Carbon Z model is light and compact, which is pleasant, but due to sheer thinness it starts to pick up vibrations again. They are different from the aluminum models in a sense that they dissipate much faster, but they can get annoying on a lengthy talus field.

As far as tops of the poles, Leki is definitely much better. The top end carbon Leki pole has similar specs to the BD Alpine Carbon Cork, so it might be comparable in performance.

 

So I foolishly/impulsively bought some trekking poles today. I wasn't even really looking, but this was one of my backburner things that I've thought about but never researched, then stumbled upon a sale that seemed too good to pass up and grabbed the last one on the shelf before the other guy who was also eyeing it. I relied on the salesguy's advice who said to size it to your armpit which in that moment looked like it was the right size for me. Obviously, that was wrong.

I have a Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z at 130cm. Any chance anyone here might be interested? or on the off chance that you accidentally got one too short, maybe we can work out a trade. I think I'm looking for a 110cm now.

 

Not even sure I can return this because it was on clearance.

 

You might be able to push them on it because sales guy’s advice on sizing is wrong, so they misled you.