has anyone compared these to those with anti shock hiking poles? Plus how common is lock not sticking closed. That could cause injury on the trail.
990165
I had anti shock poles before. They were very noisy and eventually started to lose the locking ability. I have never had my lock open up on my present poles. I have used them for over 2 years now, up and down trails and over water.
990166
I have had your question sent to me as I assume you are enquiring after black diamond poles. I use these poles for hiking long distance, last long hike 820 kms over 31 days. In my opinion these poles worked very well. Depending on ascent or descent, the adjustment to extend or shorten the poles was firm; on no occasion did the locking mechanism fail. These sticks are not sprung but I felt no need for that as the terrain was 'transmitted' through the poles to my hands so I had good sense of the poles gripping to the surface. The poles reduced effort as I carried a 10 kg pack and walked an average 25 kms per day through rain, hail, snow sunshine, heat. I think they are a good choice. Some people use poles that have an angled grip handle, I swapped for a short time but not to my liking. These poles are light and pack away easily when shortened.
1154590
I'm not sure what year model they are. We did purchase them this year and we got the quick lock type. I prefer the quick lock over the twist lock. We hiked the LeConte in April and I did 12 miles on the Benton MacKaye two weeks ago. I'm not a fan of using one trekking pole but I've become a huge fan of using two. And, especially for the cost, I've been very happy with the Cascade Mountain Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles.
402878
No. My tips wore a hole through this within one week. These were a total waste of funds for me. I bought the rubber tips for the carbide tip diamond brand poles which have a reinforced bracket to receive the tips. My rubber tips have lasted now for about 9 months of hiking 2 miles everyday. The reinforced sleeve inside the rubber tips also lock the tip into the diamond brand poles, which makes them a little more secure, eliminating loss from mud. They will still pop off but the fit is snug enough to help tremendously.
1941749
They might not hold them tightly enough and may fall off and annoy you. For that, I might recommend a larger climbing carabiner. Hope this helps.
49154
Hello, and happy walking! These poles both broke after 3 months and I have since replaced them with a much better set of poles, made by Black Diamond. Reki also makes excellent poles. The Cascade poles collapsed while hiking, and the tips fell off. Awful. The Black Diamonds do require hand strength to lengthen and shorten. I have thumb arthritis, and sometimes have to ask a fellow hiker to assist. If you plan on keeping them at the sme length at all times, then it's less of a problem.
148368
Hi~ Speaking as a person who has not had ONE snowflake this entire season -& should have 5' in my yard now, I can give you last years' experience. You say 'STEEP BLACKTOP'. I can't endorse these or any other alleged gripping system because STEEP ICY BLACKTOP is so dangerous. It depends on you, your balancing style, how you move under that shovel and how you transfer your weight. Last year was ice-o-rama for two months. We all living on a slope. The people who wore stabilicers stayed upright. The one day that I did NOT wear mine, I took a bad fall. I leave for Maine in 2 weeks. My stabilicers are already packed. Just the words: steep blacktop,ice & shoveling' make me cringe! Good luck!
613045
I use a rock lying around because I take them backpacking and won't carry any extra weight like a hammer or mallet. These replace the simple bent aluminum ones they ship with the tent. Those I throw away because they bend easily. I whack MSR stakes with a rock and they don't bend. No problems yet. As Catfinger said I'm sure you can bend them, but rock hammering them into hard Sierra ground littered with granite hasn't bent any.
2003730
Yes we had one trail where the mud was like glue and I never lost a tip but found three extras from others who lost theirs in the trails. I highly recommend these trekking poles!
1462174
They are sturdy and light... But lately I've been using the heavier REI 7075-T6 aluminum alloy Traverse PowerLock Cork Trekking Poles. They seem to be stronger and since I do a lot of off-trail hiking I feel more secure with these. My website is ArizonaTrekking.com
957304
Sorry...I am not an ice fisher. In fact, I am a 76 yr old woman who has had both hips replaced. Fell four years ago on black ice while walking my dog & broke my wrist. Thus, my fear of falling. Not fearful any longer a long as I'm wearing these trekkers. Still have a dog ( my third retired racing greyhound) that I walk 4-5 times each day. I live in a Chicago suburb & we've had a "powerful" winter...still, no problems.
1355891
I would email Black Diamond. They are very good at getting back to you. Note that Leki's tip protectors are about $10/pair more, but Leki does say that their tips "... are designed to fit over the ends of LEKI trekking poles and other comparable manufacturer's poles..." It will depend on your style pole. And I always use alcohol to put them out by wetting the inside because they are a quite tight fit.
1447187
Yes, to both question. 2 sets of flip-locks which hold surprisingly well. The poles rotate to lock out the shock absorber.
267651
No anti-shock feature, but I didn't want one. These poles have same overall weight as a set that costs $189. The $39 set has quick lock system that I prefer instead of the twist lock system on $29.99 set. These are cheap enough that I don't worry about babying or breaking them.
2024388
The instruction sheet received with the BAFX 2 Pack - Anti-Shock Hiking Poles gives a "how-to" to the question asked regarding reattaching the adjustable pole sections. "Problem: I accidently pulled the sections apart and now I can't fit them back together.........The white plastic piece on the top of the bottom section is the locking mechanism. Ensure the small black rubber band is still sitting properly in the middle of the locking mechanism. Then turn the entire plastic locking mechanism counter-clockwise until it spins freely, this puts it in the un-expanded position which will allow you to slide the lower section back into the upper section of the pole. Once you have the two sections together, rotate the lower section to the right to lock them back in place...."
1492429
I've ridden with the bag for 3300K mounted on a Trek EX8 full suspension and have had no problems though I've only taken it off road on slightly hilly nature park trails. Lots of roots to bounce over and the unit has never come loose. The rack is substantial and the locking mechanism has worked very well so far. I have their handlebar bag, too, and have no complaints regarding it either. The locking mechanisms are secure and easy to release. Torque the rack to the post to 6 Newtons, and you'll have no worries. I've had several different rack over the years, and this is the best particularly for a full suspension bike. Hope this helps. I've ridden with the bag for 3300K mounted on a Trek EX8 full suspension and have had no problems though I've only taken it off road on slightly hilly nature park trails. Lots of roots to bounce over and the unit has never come loose. The rack is substantial and the locking mechanism has worked very well so far. I have their handlebar bag, too, and have no complaints regarding it either. The locking mechanisms are secure and easy to release. Torque the rack to the post to 6 Newtons, and you'll have no worries. I've had several different rack over the years, and this is the best particularly... » Read More I've ridden with the bag for 3300K mounted on a Trek EX8 full suspension and have had no problems though I've only taken it off road on slightly hilly nature park trails. Lots of roots to bounce over and the unit has never come loose. The rack is substantial and the locking mechanism has worked very well so far. I have their handlebar bag, too, and have no complaints regarding it either. The locking mechanisms are secure and easy to release. Torque the rack to the post to 6 Newtons, and you'll have no worries. I've had several different rack over the years, and this is the best particularly for a full suspension bike. Hope this helps. « Show Less
1004555
I am not an expert on the Leki rubber tips, except to say that the poles work very well. Also a friend of mine have them too and find them very sturdy and useful. Both of us conclude that they help stand up straighter. Wishing everyone success walking with the Leki poles.
267653
No antishock, carbon fiber doesn't need it. Has the much better external flip locks that don't jam and are adjustable, rather than internal twist locks that often jam or slip. Grips extend down the pole for instant height adjusting for hills.