Black Diamond Equipment Expedition FlickLock Ski Poles - Aluminum

The trekking basket is really nice for steep skins, I don't think that comes on the newer models. The flick locks are tight, but that makes them reliable. It compacts really well.

User friendly and durable. I would buy another pair but these will probably last a long time!

I had borrowed my friend's pair several times and finally picked up a pair of my own. They are great for snowshoeing into the backcountry and are easy to collapse. I'm always looking for a way to save on weight and bulk and these poles were an excellent way to do both.

Good poles. Obviously heavier than carbon poles but much more durable. The latching mechanism doesn't slip. Other than making them a bit lighter the only thing I would change is having a bit larger basket. On the topic of the basket, it's not a super rigid brittle plastic, it's much more flexible and should be really durable. These poles will last for YEARS.

This is my second pair of Black Diamond flick lock poles. The first pair served me well for almost twenty years of skiing and hiking year round, and although they are still functional they deserve replacement. This new version seems to maintain all of the integrity and functionality of the originals, while incorporating some well thought out improvements. These include a more comfortable strap and improved basket design. They performed flawlessly on my first day of back country skiing here in the northeast and I am confident that I have another winner. I'll let you know for sure in another twenty years or so.