5 Black Diamond Expedition Poles- perfect for skiing the backcountry

Reviewer: James Leavesley, Birmingham   (10-3-2012)

I had always looked with envy at my mates that had the adjustable poles, but as I had a habit of breaking poles I needed something that was really robust and I just couldn't find a pair that would last so I had to make do with standard poles. This was becoming a massive headache so I ventured online again to check out the reviews when I came across these. They are great collapsible backcountry ski poles, which are bombproof. They have taken a hammering in all sorts of conditions and have stood the test of time. I then bought a second pair to make sure that I could ski the next 10 years with awesome poles. They are really easy to operate with big gloves in cold conditions. I would give these 10/10.

5 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: Sari Lahtinen, Vantaa   (19-11-2011)

I took these poles with me when I went to Himalayas, doing Everest Base Camp trek. Poles were so easy and quick to adjust to my size and pile up when going inside tea-house. Dual Flick-lock really works time after time. Poles are also light enough to carry in day-pack, when not needed. I will absolutely take these poles with me, equipped with powder baskets, when I go to skiing next winter. Great value for money and I will recommend these to my friend also.

5 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: Adam B, London via Verbier   (7-7-2011)

Having struggled with poor quality 'twist and lock' ski poles that would collapse when pushed too hard, I decided to pay for quality and got the BD poles.

The lock mechanism seems really strong plus seems a lot easier to do with gloves on. Nice size powder baskets and a small size when collapsed are also appreciated.

5 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: Chrysanthos Tymvios, Strovolos, Nicosia   (16-3-2011)

I used them this winter on a mountaineering course and the this pair is perfect! The lock mechanism is great and easy to use with thick gloves. I plan on using them as well for my off-piste snowboarding.

5 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: James Smith, Loughborough   (14-2-2011)

Great poles, flick-lock mechanism is really easy to use, nice and light, and they seem as stiff as a normal pole, you don't know your using telescopics

5 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: Nicholas Cutter, Petworth   (13-1-2011)

These Poles are super strong. I bent one beyond repair last season after a few seasons use but there was no hesitation to replace them with the same.

The lock system is remarkably strong and with some practice is doable with gloves on, it can help to have strong thumbs though. I know some girls who have found it a bit tricky to collapse them down again.

I have never used other poles so can not compare against others, but these work!

5 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: PANAGIOTIS KARAHRISTOS, RAFINA   (28-10-2010)

I used these poles for a two week backountry snowboarding trip and they worked great. They pack down small enough to easily attach to the ice axe mounts on your back pack, they extend long enough for backcountry travel and adjust nicely anywhere in between.

An unexpected use of having 3 sections per pole was in constructing a snow shelter where disassembled they provided 6 pole sections to help judge wall thickness - very handy. I have never had a flicklock slip even when leaning heavily on the pole and the flicklocks adjust easily even with gloves on. Great pole, a bit heavy but strong.

5 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: Nick Smith, UKClimbing.com   (8-10-2010)

After despairing at useless 'twist-lock' poles from other manufacturers that would fail at the first sign of moisture or ice, a mountaineering instructor recommended the BD Expedition poles.

What a revelation! The flick-lock system is totally reliable, and I've had great use out of the poles for yomping into Scottish mountains, carrying a heavy Winter climbing pack.

Nick Smith, UKClimbing.com

4 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: Steven McDonald, Sainte Foy Tarentaise   (28-8-2010)

Used these all winter for snowshoeing and backcountry snowboarding and for walking in the spring. Very reliable so far and have never collapsed in use (unlike previous twist-lock poles). The locking mechanism tension can be adjusted, so it should never get too loose (mine was too tight as supplied, but loosening it off a bit was very easy).

The pack down small enough to fit on a mid-size snowboarding pack unobtrusively. Grips are good, and the straps are excellent - shaped to fit best when used "properly" (hand up through the loop, then down onto the grip) instead of just a dangling loop so very comfortable and take the load off your hands well. Weight is reasonable but obviously there are lighter poles out there.

4 Black Diamond Expedition Poles 62 - 140cm Review

Reviewer: Alan MacQuarrie, Glasgow   (31-3-2010)

The BD locking system bomb-proof and much better than some of the 'twist' systems that can come undone when you least expect it and if you're a walker who wants a collapsible pole which will fit in their pack and be taken out when needed the these are hard to fault. However if you're ski touring (as opposed to ski-mountaineering where you might need to put the poles away to use both hands)you're as well using normal alpine poles with tape for lower grips as the poles will almost never be in your pack and collapsible poles are always inherently weaker, more expensive and will weigh more.