Black Diamond Contour Elliptical Trekking Poles (Pair) - Ink Blue Review

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.


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Garmin FR60 Women's Black Fitness Watch Bundle (Includes Foot Pod, Heart Rate Monitor, and USB ANT Stick) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I Purchased the Garmin FR60 Bundle W/ Foot pod to Help me learn run pacing and for Triathlon Training. My old HRM just gave up but the chest strap works still works with most of the equipment at the gym without the watch. But there is no need since I have the FR60 but there are some "Issues" to deal with first. The Look and function is very good. However since I'm new to Garmin the menu's took a little getting used to and programing was a little bit difficult, but from what I've heard this is typical. Once you do get the menus down it's very intuitive and similar to other models they offer. The other reason I picked the Garmin unit is the Manufactures of other HRM's in this price range had non replaceable batteries. IE you had to send them back to the factory to be replaced. This is something I really wasn't fond of since I use mine daily. This unit fits nicely on the wrist and can be used as a "Sport Watch" and no-one would know you a Workoutaholic if they didn't know you.
Packaged in the box were the Owners manual and Watch, Foot-pod, HRM-Strap, USB Ant+ stick. There is no software to speak of since it's self loading on the Ant+ Stick. You also need to set up an account with Garmin to download your data and analyze it. BEWARE: Firmware Updates will erase your data and settings on the watch and they need to be set back up!!! There is no Off-line option to review your data :-(. This means you upload your data to Garmin then re-download it in Excel or TCX format then upload it into a training website like Training Peaks(Online) or Sport Tracs(Stand Alone Runs Offline). Granted it takes only a few minutes to do but is a little bit of a pain. Also when uploading you have the option to leave the data on your watch for you to review or when the download is completed the workout date is erased. It takes a little bit of faith to let your data go. When setting up your account you can set up your Heart Rate zones based on age and resting Heart Rate. You can add as many zones as you see fit. For Simplicity I just use 5, now when you look at your data though the amount of time in each zone is not displayed on the website on your HR Graph. The graph look really good but the only data given is Avg HR, Max HR. It would be nice if the time in each Zone was given as well. My old HRM(Which was $40) displayed these with times and % in zones on the watch and didn't need to upload the data. Other data that is Give is Workout Time, Avg Speed/Pace, Max Speed/Pace, Avg Cadence, Max Cadence. All good Data that is essential for training/racing purposes.
For Running the Foot Pod Sensor tracks steps, pacing and speed very accurately out of the box. Pick a spot on your shoes to mount the sensor and pair the device with your FR60, I did a test run at the track and it was spot on after a 1 mile test run. You can either adjust the stride length automatically or manual adjust. There are supposed to be shoe on the market that the Foot-pod will mound directly into the sole under the shoe insert. I believe Nike makes one. Mounting in the laces are just fine for me. The advantage the FR60 has is It can be used indoors without a GPS signal. The combination of the Foot-Pod and HRM gives you very accurate Calorie data when running of a treadmill. I have found that most treadmills are off speed wise to the FR60, for example I warm-up at 10:00 indicated pace on the treadmill and my FR60 shows anywhere from a 9:20-9:35. No a big deal since I'm logging the information for later retrieval.
Since I Cycle I use the GSC-10 Speed and Cadence Sensor for my Bicycle. Same setup as the Foot-Pod with regard to pairing. This can be used indoors as well during winter months on Stationary Fluid Trainer or Rollers to track speed and distance. The downside is NO FREAKING Odometer!!!!!!! what was Garmin Thinking. You get everything else, Distance, Current Speed, Calories, Avg/Max Speed, Avg/Max Cadence, Time, Lap/Distance/Time/AvgSpeed/MaxSpeed/LapCalories, blah blah blah... I had to add my old Speed sensor back to the front wheel to capture Overall ODO distance.
Functionality: The FR60 is pretty easy to set up once you figure out the page layout and logic. You get your data input(AGE, HEIGHT, WEIGHT, ACTIVITY Class(read the manual for this one) into the devise under SETTINGS/USER. After pairing your footpod and Speed/Cadence sensor, You can then set up your "TRAINING PAGES" This is where the FR60 really shines. You can take all the data collected from either your Run/Bike/Other and display up to 3 pieces of data on the screen and have 5 pages to display the data. You can have one screen for Time only and another for Distance and Pace then another for Heart Rate, HR Zone, Calories and so one. If only One line of info is displayed it fits almost the entire screen and gets smaller from there. the Dot Matrix LCD Screen is fairly easy to read at a glace either running or biking.
The FR60, HR Chest Sensor, Foot-pod are all waterproof to 3 Meters so they can be worn during the swim portion of Triathlons or during off road runs that cross creeks or during Steeplechase events. I've worn mine during the swim of a sprint Triathlon. For Triathlon the F60 is not Tri Friendly meaning you cannot change sports easy. I just set it up in Other and Just Press Lap during transitions in and out. Since I'm only concerned with overall time and HR. The FR60 can be set up to scan for Pods so it will pick up either sensor when you press the lap button during T1 or T2. If your set on sport specific Timing press and hold the MODE button and you can then change sports.


Click Here to see more reviews about: Garmin FR60 Women's Black Fitness Watch Bundle (Includes Foot Pod, Heart Rate Monitor, and USB ANT Stick)

This FR60 bundle (in women's black) includes a foot pod, a USB ANT stick, and a heart rate monitor.Log every mile and every minute with FR60, a sleek fitness watch plus workout tool that tracks your time, heart rate and calories burned. When bundled with the wireless foot pod (included), FR60 also tracks speed and distance, indoors or out. Use FR60's training tools to get the most out of your workout. Then, FR60 wirelessly sends your workout data to your computer for later analysis.


Train Indoors or Out In the gym or on the road, FR60 tracks all your workout data, including time, heart rate, calories burned, lap times and averages, and more. FR60 boasts advanced training tools, such as training alarms and Virtual Partner, which lets you race against a virtual training partner to improve your performance.

At the heart of its success is FR60's wireless ANT+ technology, which allows it to connect to other ANT+ compatible devices, like the included heart rate monitor and foot pod, or even ANT+ compatible fitness equipment.

Go for Distance With the ANT+ seamless wireless link, FR60 connects to the optional wireless foot pod, which tracks your distance and speed effortlessly, both indoors and out. Using advanced accelerometer technology, the foot pod collects and sends precise data about your movements, gathering distance and speed data that is 98 percent accurate, right out of the box.

Listen to Your Heart FR60 also connects wirelessly to a lightweight, flexible digital heart rate monitor, providing instant feedback about how hard you're working. FR60 continuously tracks heart beats per minute and displays your heart rate zone, so you can monitor and improve your fitness level.

Cross-Train When paired with an optional speed/cadence sensor, FR60 tracks the speed and distance of your cycling workouts. The wireless speed/cadence sensor attaches securely to your bike and measures your pedaling cadence and wheel speed as you ride. You can even use it to train indoors because the sensor attaches to your rear wheel.
Also available in Women's Lilac

Get 25% OFF

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Black Diamond Contour Elliptic Carbon Trekking Poles Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have MS, so balance is always an issue. After a hike without poles and a bad fall, I decided to invest in these to help steady me on steep downgrades. Used properly, they definitely work!

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Black Diamond Contour Elliptic Shock Trekking Pole Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)On Amazon, you'll see this single pole for $135 (give or take), and the Black Diamond Contour Elliptical Trekking Poles (Pair) for $119 (usually less). The difference is that this single pole is listed as anti-shock and the pair isn't. But I can assure you that the pair are anti shock, and the primary difference is that the single pole's group is not angled. I find that the angle on the pair are quite comfortable and, if extended in length, you can use them without the angle. In other words, these are darn near the same pole, and I now have both, but the review is ostensibly the same.
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.
For a number of reasons, I use only one pole which is why I added this third pole to my "collection." I need a free hand for camera work AND my left arm is considerably weaker than my right, and that MIGHT play a part in your choice.
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 BD pole seems to have a little more "play", i.e., is not as stiff, as the Leki, and I prefer that for the types of hiking that I'm doing.
With or without the angle difference between the pair and the single pole, 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, this pole is 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. I must say that their customer service has been extremely helpful, and spent considerable time when I was just trying to decide what to get to replace my Leki Monopod (and when I found out that the Lekis I was looking at would not be available until August).

Click Here to see more reviews about: Black Diamond Contour Elliptic Shock Trekking Pole

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