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The Black Diamond Pursuit is built for hikers who want a dependable, do-it-all pole that excels from casual day hikes to demanding mountain terrain. Black Diamond focused heavily on ergonomics here, outfitting the pole with a sculpted natural cork grip that fits naturally in the hand, paired with an EVA foam under-grip extension for quick choke-ups on steep switchbacks. It provides a solid, confidence-inspiring plant on every strike without transmitting harsh trail vibrations. Underneath the grip, the Pursuit features sturdy aluminum shafts paired with Black Diamond’s redesigned FlickLock+ levers. These levers are low-profile, easy to flip with gloved fingers, and provide plenty of clamping power to prevent slippage under heavy pack loads. A thoughtful addition is the 1.5 mm hex tool integrated directly into the shaft, letting you tighten loose lever-lock hardware or swap baskets without digging through your repair kit. The trade-off comes down to weight and packability. Because Black Diamond opted for thick aluminum and dense cork rather than ultralight carbon fiber, the Pursuit is heavier than minimalist options and retains the longer packed length inherent to three-section telescoping poles. For hikers who value sheer durability, field serviceability, and all-day hand comfort over chasing the lowest base weight, this is our top pick. **Highlights** - Natural cork grip molds comfortably to the palm and manages sweat on hot days - Ergonomic EVA foam grip extension makes quick hand shifts painless on steep climbs - Redesigned FlickLock+ adjustment levers operate smoothly with gloved hands - Integrated shaft tool lets you adjust lock tension and swap baskets in the field - Durable aluminum construction stands up to heavy side-loading and rocky terrain **Watch-outs** - Noticeably heavier in hand than dedicated carbon-fiber options - Telescoping three-section design does not collapse small enough for internal pack storage
Pros
- Dense natural cork grip manages sweat exceptionally well and molds to the hand over time
- Sturdy aluminum construction bends under heavy strain rather than snapping like carbon
- Integrated 1.5mm hex tool allows instantaneous field adjustment of cam-lock tension
- FlickLock+ levers offer smooth, low-profile clamping with zero pole slippage under load
Cons
- Heavier swing weight compared to dedicated ultralight carbon-fiber trekking poles
- Collapsed length of 62 to 66 cm makes internal pack storage impossible on most bags
Best uses
- Rugged wilderness backpacking
- Steep alpine mountain travel
- Four-season mixed terrain trekking
- Off-trail bushwhacking and scrambling
Specifications
- Shaft Material
- 7000-series aluminum
- Grip Material
- Natural cork with EVA foam extension
- Lock System
- FlickLock+ external cam levers
- Adjustment Range
- 100–125 cm (S/M) and 110–140 cm (M/L)
- Collapsed Length
- 62 cm (S/M) / 66 cm (M/L)
- Weight Per Pair
- 500 g (S/M) / 520 g (M/L)
Pricing
We don't publish a price we haven't verified. The retailer links below open the live listing for this exact model.
Full catalog listing & offersBest for
Rugged wilderness backpacking, Steep alpine mountain travel, Four-season mixed terrain trekking, Off-trail bushwhacking and scrambling
Where to buy the Pursuit Trekking Poles
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Trekking poles often get caught between two extremes: brittle ultralight carbon sticks that shatter when wedged between granite boulders, and budget aluminum poles with spongy twist-locks that collapse under load. The Black Diamond Pursuit avoids both pitfalls. Built on heavy-gauge aluminum shafts with sculpted natural cork grips, it balances sheer structural dependability against all-day ergonomic comfort. Black Diamond redesigned their locking mechanism and grip geometry for the Pursuit series, targeting hikers who haul real loads over uneven ground. The natural cork upper sheds hand sweat in summer heat and molds over time to the user's grip, while a long under-grip foam sleeve gives you instant purchase when choking up on steep pitches. It is a workhorse tool meant to survive hundreds of trail miles without fussy maintenance. This pole is not for gram-counters hunting sub-eight-ounce carbon whips. It weighs more than dedicated minimalist options, and its three-section telescoping design will not pack down inside an airplane carry-on. What you get in return is structural security: a pole that can take a violent side-load on a slick river crossing, flex slightly, and keep going without snapping.
Who It Is For
The Pursuit caters to backpackers, day hikers, and off-trail scramblers who prioritize structural peace of mind over shaved ounces. If you frequently step through talus, negotiate river fords with a 40-pound pack, or descend loose scree, you need a shaft that bends under accidental side-loading rather than catastrophically snapping. It suits hikers who want a single set of four-season poles reliable enough for both midsummer high-route trips and shoulder-season snowshoe outings. Minimalists and fastpackers chasing sub-10-pound base weights will find it too hefty in the hand. But for traditional wilderness travelers who put real body weight onto their poles on steep steps, the Pursuit offers the exact blend of hand comfort, security, and blunt-force toughness that makes long days on rough trails significantly easier on the joints.
Materials and Grip Architecture
The foundation of the Pursuit is heat-treated aluminum tubing engineered to handle harsh shear stresses without denting easily. Up top, Black Diamond opted for genuine cork rather than a cheap composite veneer. Cork is naturally moisture-resistant, wicking sweat away from palms on muggy afternoons and preventing the friction blisters common with rubber handles. Below the cork, a dense EVA foam extension wraps the upper shaft. This gives you an immediate lower grab point for short, steep uphill pushes without requiring you to stop and readjust shaft lengths. Black Diamond also reshaped the wrist straps with breathable, moisture-wicking materials and an intuitive top-pull tensioning system that eliminates abrasive plastic buckles rubbing against the back of your hand.
Real-World Field Performance
On trail, the Pursuit exhibits virtually zero lateral wobble or joint buzz. Lesser telescoping poles often suffer from loose tolerances inside the shaft sleeves, creating an annoying rattle and flex with every plant. Here, each strike against bedrock feels deadened and predictable. The redesigned FlickLock+ clamps close flush against the shaft, minimizing snag hazards when bushwhacking through dense alder or willow thickets. The lever action requires little finger effort to seat firmly, yet the clamping pressure holds fast under full body weight. Black Diamond includes both low-profile trekking baskets and broader powder baskets, alongside standard carbide tips that bite aggressively into hardpack dirt, ice, and wet timber. Transitioning between varying terrain types feels fluid and secure.
Durability and Field Tuning
Hardware reliability in the backcountry often comes down to serviceability. Lever-cam locks naturally loosen over hundreds of thousands of strike cycles, which on ordinary poles leaves you hunting for a coin or miniature screwdriver. Black Diamond solved this by embedding a small 1.5-millimeter hex tool directly inside the lower shaft. If a cam lever begins to lose clamp tension after miles of rocky descent, you pull the tool out, snug the bolt half a turn, and keep walking. The aluminum sections resist corrosion and handle grit inside the joints far better than carbon, which can suffer scratching and micro-fractures from trapped sand. When maintained with an occasional freshwater rinse, the Pursuit can easily outlast five to ten seasons of heavy use.
The Competitive Field
At this price tier, the Pursuit competes directly with the Leki Makalu Lite and Black Diamond's own Trail Pro. Compared to the Makalu, which utilizes Leki's rounded Aergon Air grip, the Pursuit features a more aggressively sculpted cork handle that locks the hand into place with less gripping effort on steep declines. The Trail Pro uses Black Diamond's older FlickLock Pro metal levers and SmashLock quick-deploy system, but the Pursuit's softer-touch FlickLock+ levers are easier on cold fingers and less prone to pinching. While budget aluminum options from brands like Cascade Mountain Tech cost a third of the price and work fine for casual day hikes, they lack the Pursuit's refined cork molding, smooth joint tolerances, and robust lock durability under heavy loads.
Trade-Offs and Honest Shortcomings
The Pursuit makes deliberate design choices that will frustrate certain hikers. First is swing weight. At roughly 18 ounces per pair, the poles carry noticeable rotational inertia; over a twenty-mile day, that extra mass can fatigue the forearms faster than a feathery 10-ounce carbon setup. Second is packability. Because this is a standard three-section telescoping pole rather than a folding Z-pole, it collapses down to just under 25 inches. That is too long to fit internally inside most modern weekend packs, forcing you to strap them to the exterior where they catch on overhanging brush. Finally, the cork grip requires an initial break-in period before it fully conforms to your palm, feeling slightly stiff on day one.
How we picked
We started with a long list of trekking poles that people actually buy, cut anything that could not clear our baseline for durability and field performance, then ranked the 10 that were left against the same criteria. Rankings are editorial. No brand pays for placement, and affiliate links never move a pick up or down.
- Real-world durability
- How the material, stitching, or steel holds up after a season of hard use — not how it looks new.
- Performance in bad conditions
- Wind, rain, cold, and grit are the test. Anything that only works on a nice day gets marked down.
- Weight and packability
- Every ounce has to earn its place in the pack, but not at the cost of something that fails in the field.
- Ease of use
- Setup, adjustment, and maintenance with cold hands, in the dark, without the manual.
- Value at its price point
- Compared against the closest competitors in the same tier, not against cheaper gear in a different class.
- Repairability and support
- Field-fixable design, available parts, and a warranty the maker actually honors.
Pursuit Trekking Poles — frequently asked questions
- Is the Pursuit Trekking Poles worth it?
- We rank it #1 in Trekking Poles. The Black Diamond Pursuit is built for hikers who want a dependable, do-it-all pole that excels from casual day hikes to demanding mountain terrain. Black Diamond focused heavily on ergonomics here, outfitting the pole with a sculpted natural cork grip that fits naturally in the hand, paired with an EVA foam…
- What is the Pursuit Trekking Poles best for?
- Best for rugged wilderness backpacking, steep alpine mountain travel, four-season mixed terrain trekking and off-trail bushwhacking and scrambling. Standouts: dense natural cork grip manages sweat exceptionally well and molds to the hand over time and sturdy aluminum construction bends under heavy strain rather than snapping like carbon.
- What are the downsides of the Pursuit Trekking Poles?
- Heavier swing weight compared to dedicated ultralight carbon-fiber trekking poles and Collapsed length of 62 to 66 cm makes internal pack storage impossible on most bags.
- What are the key specs of the Pursuit Trekking Poles?
- Shaft Material: 7000-series aluminum · Grip Material: Natural cork with EVA foam extension · Lock System: FlickLock+ external cam levers · Adjustment Range: 100–125 cm (S/M) and 110–140 cm (M/L) · Collapsed Length: 62 cm (S/M) / 66 cm (M/L)
- Who It Is For?
- The Pursuit caters to backpackers, day hikers, and off-trail scramblers who prioritize structural peace of mind over shaved ounces. If you frequently step through talus, negotiate river fords with a 40-pound pack, or descend loose scree, you need a shaft that bends under accidental side-loading rather than…
- Materials and Grip Architecture — what should I know about the Pursuit Trekking Poles?
- The foundation of the Pursuit is heat-treated aluminum tubing engineered to handle harsh shear stresses without denting easily. Up top, Black Diamond opted for genuine cork rather than a cheap composite veneer.
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