Meet the reviewer
Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles: first impressions
For all year-round seasonality, the Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles have robust, four-season flex tips that mean they can be used in a touring setup, with trekking baskets swapped out for snow baskets when walking in snow and icy conditions. They also pack a punch sustainability-wise, with the grip extensions made using Black Diamond’s Bloom, an innovative by-product usually found in water. Bloom is a newly developed technology that turns algae into a renewable material, replacing fossil fuel-based ingredients. Part of an overhaul of the overall manufacturing process, using Bloom is said to help clean and re-oxygenate water systems while also reducing the carbon emissions associated with decomposition.
Cork is also a natural and sustainable material that is regularly available and abundant and doesn’t use material from ancient woodland, while the wrist straps – known as the ‘Solution 2.0’ – use recycled materials. It’s brilliant to see Black Diamond incorporate sustainability across the design in a way that also appeals visually and benefits the product’s overall performance.
• List price: $149.95 (US) / £150 (UK)
• Weight: 464g / 16.4oz (S/M); 500g / 17.6oz (M/L), per pair
• Size: S/M (usable length 100-125cm / 39.4-49.2in; collapsed length 62cm / 25in); M/L (usable length 100-140cm / 39.4-55.1in; collapsed length 68cm / 27in)
• Colors: Charcoal-Foam Green / Charcoal-Octane
• Compatibility: Trekking, ski touring, walking
Available in both bloom green (a kind of trendy mint green with charcoal on the main shaft) or a charcoal/octane orange version, they’re clearly designed with both the design- and eco-conscious consumer in mind. I also appreciated that Black Diamond has chosen to market the poles as unisex, with a S/M sizing of 100-125cm / 39.4-49.2in and a M/L sizing of 100-140cm / 39.4-55.1in for those who want a longer pole. And, priced at $149.95 / £150 for a pair of fairly high-spec walking poles, they should appeal to a user who would want them for year-round performance.
Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles: on the trails
The Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles were put to their first use on a mix of gravelly trails stretching across the Cumbrian mountains in the Lake District. On a dry, high-pressure sweaty hiking day, the poles were comfortable to hold onto thanks to the natural material and use of cork in the hand grips, which are also sized bigger if you have the M/L version. They provided ample support and confidence on rocky, uneven surfaces.
Comfort wise, I think Black Diamond’s walking poles are brilliant, thanks to those ergonomic cork hand grips – even if you tend to suffer from hot sweaty palms, the walking poles don’t rub or cause pain from over-gripping. I also liked the use of a non-black material, as this often is exposed to the sun and can get hot when hiking in high temperatures.
The walking poles are pretty light without sacrificing performance, using FlickLock+ for easy adjustments. At under 500g / 17.6oz for the pair, they weigh less than a water bottle yet provide a crucial piece of kit while out hiking. Runners and those on the go might also be tempted by the Black Diamond FLZ Folding Pole version.
When I first tested the Pursuit Trekking Poles, I noticed one of the sections was looser than the others and had ‘collapsed’ down. After a quick search, it revealed that there was a hidden hex key in one of the quick-release sections, mounted on one section of the walking pole to use as a giant tool on the go. It’s a clever way of stowing a quick fix, yet arguably not the most obvious place to locate it on your first try!
Finally, as well as being great for use in summer conditions, the poles can also be used in snow, thanks to the addition of accent-color snow baskets that complement the wrist straps and the four-season flex tips.
