Reviews > Trekking Poles > Poles > Black Diamond Enduro CF Trekking Poles > Ben Neilson > Initial Report

Reviewer Information:

Name: Ben Neilson      

Age: 30

Gender: Male

Height: 6’ 1” (185 cm)

Weight: 170 pounds (77 kg)

Email address: djbenno (at) hotmail (dot) com

City, State, Country: Seattle, Washington State, USA

Date: March 25, 2006

Reviewers Background:

I have been backpacking since a young boy with my family, and as I grew up, I learnt with the Boy Scouts how to pack a 50-pound (23 kg) load for an overnight trip.  Now, many years later I have made the jump to lightweight backpacking with my current weekend (3-day) load averaging 15 pounds (6.8 kg).   Most backpacking trips are solo high-mileage trips (with 20-30 miles [30-50 km] per day common) with high-elevation gains. Trips cover elevations from sea level to 14,000+ ft (0-4400 m) all seasons and variable weather conditions.  I am also an active climber, snowboarder, backcountry and alpine skier, and snowshoer, with preferences toward off-trail route finding and scrambling/peak bagging.

Backpacking information specifically related to this test:

I have used trekking poles whilst hiking for the nearly 10 years and have owned both aluminum and carbon fiber trekking poles from Life-Link, Komperdell, Leki, Black Diamond, and others.  I use trekking poles hard.  I do not abuse my poles, but I’ve broken many pole sections, tips, baskets, and handles.

Product Information:

Manufacturer:  Black Diamond

Year of Manufacture: Not Specified

URL:  http://www.bdel.com

Listed Weight: 18 oz/pair (510 g)

Weight as Delivered: 17.90 oz (507 g) with small trekking baskets, 17.60 oz (499 g) without baskets

Stowed Length: 24.8 inches (63 cm)

Extended Length: 55 inches (140 cm)

Color:  Orange Rust

MSRP: $110.00 US Dollars

Warranty:  1 Year

Impressions:

This afternoon the UPS man surprised me by delivering a package from Black Diamond.  Inside, was a pair of their new Enduro CF Trekking Poles.  These poles consist of 3-sections each, the top two being aluminum, and the lower made from composite carbon fiber material.  Originally anticipating a Binary Adjuster on the lower, and flick lock on the upper, I instead found two flick locks on each pole.  These seem to offer unlimited adjustment of pole length.  I immediately noticed the flick lock mechanisms on both poles were in the open position, and later, within the instruction brochure, discovered why.  Black Diamond recommends the poles be stored with the locking mechanisms in the open position to relieve any tension.  The poles have a small-diameter trekking basket that I will likely change for my intended uses (at least until the remaining snow pack melts a bit more).  The poles come with stickers noting the country of manufacture to be Taiwan, Republic of China.  Additionally, a bold sticker states “Important Instructions Attached” in English, French and German, but ironically, not in Chinese, despite being manufactured in Taiwan.  With a bit of finesse, these stickers came off without leaving behind any tacky residue, so right from the start, the poles score big points in my book.  Besides English, French and German, the included instructional brochure is printed in Italian, Spanish, and Japanese.  Molded soft foam grips extend 15 cm (5.875 inches) down the shaft for more grip options when climbing.  Attached to the top portion of the grip is a padded wrist strap that appears easy to manipulate.  Pole extension seems to be smooth and unencumbered.  Fully extended, the poles measure 55 inches (140 cm), and fully collapsed measure 24.8 inches (63 cm).  Weight on a local USPS postal scale is 17.90 oz (507 g) for the pair, as delivered.

Field Information:

I plan to test these poles two to three times a week on hikes in the Stevens and Snoqualmie Pass area of the Cascade mountain range.  In addition to these day climbs, I plan to test the Enduro CF poles in real world conditions, from sea level to 14,400 ft (4100 m) during another ascent of Rainier, Glacier Peak and several other significant mountains.  The first trip with the new Enduro CF’s will be a simple daytrip (winter climb/ski descent) of Mt. St. Helens 2549 m (8364 ft) this week.  This trip will be entirely on skis, so the poles should get a good work out, both skinning up, and skiing down.  I also plan to use these poles on a number of other ski mountaineering trips throughout the Spring, and on into the Summer months when I tackle more peaks on Washington State’s “100 Highest” list.  Temperatures should range from well below freezing, to 100 degrees F (38 degrees C) with specific attention focused on the following:

*First, and most importantly, are the Enduro CF’s sexy?

*Tip design, and how much it flexes before reaching it’s intended breaking point.  This can translate to a serious personal injury if not properly designed.  I’ve broken several tips on rough terrain and the break away design has saved my bacon.

*Balance/Swing Weight of the pole.  Does the design and weight distribution lend itself to efficient strides and accurate pole placement?  This is a crucial element for long distance use.

* Confirming the traditional ease of use associated with Black Diamond’s proprietary Flick-Lock mechanism, with and without gloved hands, and it’s ability to securely hold the adjustable pole section with minimal pole slip.

*Durability of carbon fiber sections, specifically in rocky terrain such as approach trails to Cascade volcanoes.  This situation has proved particularly challenging to previous carbon fiber  trekking poles.

*Vibration damping of the Enduro CF’s carbon fiber material on rough and rocky terrain.  This has been an issue for other manufacturers in the past.

*Ability to change baskets for multi-season use (larger baskets for winter use, and smaller baskets in non-snow conditions).

*Whether the Enduro CF extends long enough to be useful as a backcountry ski pole, (and a snowshoe pole) and durability questions specifically related to use with downhill snow skis, as well as the ability to use the pole as a makeshift avalanche probe in emergency situations.

*Handgrip size and comfort during steep, high-energy uphill pursuits (a situation when the maximum amount of force is applied to the handle/grip). 

*Grip factor when hands are sweaty, or gloved.

*Effectiveness and comfort of the Enduro CF’s wrist strap design whilst descending steep terrain (and exerting maximum downward force on the wrist straps).  Do they slip, bind, hurt, etc.

*Usefulness as a substitute for tent pole in a camping setting with a tarp, as well as using as a ridgepole for a traditional tent.

*Bulkiness (or lack thereof) when in a stowed form factor and lashed to the exterior of a backpack or inside a travel duffel.

*Availability of replacement parts, and Black Diamond’s product support.

Reviews > Trekking Poles > Poles > Black Diamond Enduro CF Trekking Poles > Ben Neilson > Initial Report