Collapsable Pole Recommendations?

[jon]

Looking at getting some new poles, anybody out there have some favorites?

[Hugh Conway]

the flicklock mechanism is the best

[Couloir]

I concur with Hugh. The twist mechanism has always been problematic for me. I know some people like them, but the BD Flicklock is the way to go.

[ericb]

I love the flicklock mechanism as well, and have BD B/C Poles. When shopping for new summer poles this year though, from a pure weight standpoint, I ended up going with the REI carbon fiber vs. the BD carbon fiber because they were lighter. The key advantages of the flikloc is the ability to adjust with gloves (not as much of a factor in summer), and the one of the key problems with the twist-locking is they get fouled by aluminum oxidation, among other things if you don't keep them clean....again, less of an issue with carbon fiber.

[plexus]

Flintlock hands down. I got rid of my REI poles because the twist locking gets effed up way too easy. Happened to my last pair after 12 times using it.

[Noodle]

A friend of mine and I have the Black Diamond Trail Compact poles and really like them. They have the longer grip so you can hold them lower on the uphill side without having to adjust the length. They're light, and are nice and short when telescoped down.

 

http://www.bdel.com/gear/trail.php

 

[mattp]

I've used both flicklock and twist mechanisms quite extensively and I think the twisties are a little easier to deal with as long as you tune them up once a season or so. Take them apart, clean the inside of the barrel and the screw threads with steel wool, lube the threads, and rough up the gripper with 60 grit sandpaper. Athletic tape on the pole sleeves above the twist lock and down near the bail really helps provide "traction" for untwisting them, too. The flick locks, if tight enough to avoid slipping, can be difficult to unlock.

 

With either type, don't take them to the ski resort where you are going to pound on them. Since you won't be skinning uphill, there is really little need for adjustable poles at the resort and you're better off using cheapo's from Salvation Army.

[spotly]

Flicklock! Stay away from the little button lock thingies. I have a pair with those and in the winter, it can get nearly impossible to sollapse the bottom section.

[NuClimber07]

My flicklock has failed but I have to say it isn't any worse than any of the other locking mechanisms I've tried

[Figger_Eight]

BD Carbon Fiber Flicklock FTW!

[OlympicMtnBoy]

Does BD still have that "binary" system on some of their poles. Mine have the flicklock on the top section, and this wierd covered button thing on the bottom section. It sucks. It's never broken, but it is ALWAYS a pain to collapse with gloves on (sometimes even without). It's a dumb idea and not a new feature (I got mine on a warranty exchange for some other poles), two flicklock mechanisms are better.

[lizard_brain]

Flicklock. Also, if you get three-section poles instead of two, they collapse smaller and don't hang up on things as much when you wear them on your pack and are bush-whacking and such.

 

Powder baskets are optional for about $5.

[ericb]

 

the new BD have flicklok at all levels.

between this and REI CF, the REI CF is 4.5 oz lighter, but the BD collapses down further, an issue if you are climbing with them on your pack.

 

As always, pros and cons

[plexus]

So of course singing its praises, I broke the strap on one of my BD flintlock poles today. Are those tabs easy to get a hold of? Anybody know?

 

BTW, the powder was incredible at Loveland today. A balmy 8 degrees with winds from 40 mph headwind on Chair 4 to non-existent in the trees.

[blurpy]

I have BD flicklock, with the the little button jobby, and they work well, though I agree that the bottom can be hard to collapse if they are iced up and you happen to be wearing mitts over gloves.

 

also, the more oval shape is much easier to manipulate than circular poles -- easier to grip when locking, unlocking. I got my wife some BD flicklock that are circular (replaced twisty REI brand, which were horrible) and they are a little harder to work with in the cold, though they do have locks in both sections.

 

the flicklocks stay extended better than the twistys, but a hard fall or near fall and they'll compress on you.

[RogerJ]

I have DB Carbon poles and really like them. I had a really bad experience with the little button thingy on some older BD poles. I'll never buy poles with a button release again. The twist lock is OK, but the flicklock is easier to use in cold temps.

 

I see Dyanfit has some light carbon poles out. Anyone have some experience with them?

 

-r

[lizard_brain]

Another note - this may be a no-brainer, but always pull your poles apart into individual pieces when you get back from a trip to let them dry. If you leave them collapsed or even just put toghether all the time, especially wet, they tend to corrode over time, and even a little corrosion on them makes them tend to stick more when you try to get them apart or adjust them.

[Hugh Conway]

the flicklocks stay extended better than the twistys, but a hard fall or near fall and they'll compress on you.

 

tighten the mechanism with a screwdriver and they'll never collapse

[spicoli11]

I've had problems with some 3 section poles not collapsing in winter...but I have an old pair old life links that work well. I also have the BD flicklock but don't really like the height and size of them when they are compressed.

[NuClimber07]

Just an update - my flicklock did NOT fail, it was user error.

 

It got loose and when I tightened it, I neglected to align it correct with the little gap machined in the pole, so it wasn't gripping well. Thanks to Issq REI for pointing this out.