Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I've been hiking some fairly decent descents and ascents on a daily basis. At between 3 and 7 miles, that takes a toll on knees and hips, and I wanted something flexible and sturdy. We're also planning a trip to the Sierras this summer, and I had some dissatisfaction with my Leki Monopod.
Disclaimer: For a number of reasons, I use only one pole. Though my evaluation of these poles would still be 5 stars if I used both, you should know that I need a free hand for camera work AND my left arm is considerably weaker than my right.
That said, the single pole absorbs much of the shock that my right hip and BOTH knees usually take on a hike. Uphill kills my knees, but this pole makes it easier to "pull" myself upward and onward. Downhills kill my right hip, but the pole absorbs much of the pressure on my right side which I seem to favor.
I have found a very happy medium in the length of the pole, so after a couple of weeks, I rarely adjust the pole. However, if there is an extended up- or downhill, these are literally a snap to adjust. The poles are divided into thirds, and aligning the lower and middle sections to the measurements you want takes less than 5 seconds! If my wife wasn't so enamored with her Leki Wanderfreund which is primarily for walking, she would be using my extra Contour pole and she's 4'11 and I'm 6'2! That should reinforce the idea as to how quickly these can be adjusted. Again, the adjustment is down with two hold-fast clips; the Leki has to be rotated and can often be difficult and blister producing and least on the Wanderfreund.
The grip allows for sweating, and if you adjust for a 45° angle elbow to ground, the grip will be comfortable for any hiking difficulty regardless of size of hand. However, if you want to use a rubber tip and use a single pole as a "cane", then the top saddle-knob is for you. The carbide tip - standard - really grabs on grassy terrain, and the relatively small basket keeps the pole from sinking into mud. The rubber tip (an extra $9 for two, but which Black Diamond gave me because I was ordering direct or have a sparkling personality or can talk a cat off a fish truck) is great for gravel and cement paths.
Last, these poles, singly of together, are great for balance. While crossing a stream, just one pole will give you the stability to get across and help with slippery surfaces. That could probably be said for any poles which is why they've been used for thousands of years (hey, think shepherds), but again, I'm hiking in all manner of terrain, and wouldn't leave home without them (it). And, in case no one thinks about such things, these poles are good for defense. I wouldn't go around poking at rattlesnakes, but it can be used to move one along his way when he's snoozing right in the middle of a path. (So why not go around him? Because the rest of his friends may be resting in the oak grass off to the side.) Not a bad stick for checking for other animals in high grass or under a tree stump. And, for women, a carbide tip and some fencing lessons... well, you get the idea. (What a world!)
Since I'm not known for my 5-star reviews, I'll say right now that I am in no way connected with Black Diamond.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Black Diamond Contour Elliptical Trekking Poles (Pair) - Ink Blue
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