• The new Enduro CF has double FlickLocks and a carbon fiber lower shaft, offering easy cold-weather function with gloves and year-round performance. The Enduro CF Compact is our lightest pole in the trekking line. Features:
  • Two FlickLock adjustments
  • Soft foam grip with foam extension
  • Carbon fiber lower shaft
  • Wide padded straps
  • Long Flex Tips.

Arrival [return to top] The poles arrived on April 24, 2006, in standard (I think) retail packaging. The poles were clipped together with a black plastic storage clip and hooked inside a cardboard sleeve printed with product information in English, French and German. Inside the sleeve with the poles was glued a folded letter-size sheet with Black Diamond Trekking Pole instructions and warranty information, printed in English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Japanese. The whole assembly was heat-sealed in clear plastic.

Description [return to top] The Mountain Series Enduro Poles are the latest member of the FlickLock family from Black Diamond (BD). They are a 3-section trekking pole, with aluminum upper and middle sections and a carbon fiber lower section with replaceable tip and small removable baskets.

The FlickLock name comes from BD’s adjustment/locking mechanism, which is a lever actuated, adjustable-tension system that does not require twisting of the pole sections to achieve a proper fit. The lever is flicked open, the pole is adjusted to the desired length, and the lever is flicked closed. No muss, no fuss. If there is any slippage, or if the lever is too hard to move, the tension may be adjusted by turning a small screw. I found the lock to be reassuringly firm to use.

The poles I received were listed as COMPACT. Collapsed, they measure 23¾ in (60 cm). Usable length range is marked 85-125 cm (33½-49 in), in 5 cm increments, and the poles actually measure the same when adjusted according to the marks. Adjusting the poles to a particular length requires setting both locks at the same mark – i.e. for 125 cm both sections need to be set to the 125 mark. According to the web site, the poles are usable all the way down to their fully compressed length.

The dense grey foam grips have index-finger grooves on the front side. The top cap is a hard black plastic with a rounded top to fit the user’s palm on descents. Extending down the pole from the bottom of the main grip is a cylindrical section of the same grey foam, offering an alternate gripping location/position. With the overall length of these poles, I will only have use for these extensions on steep uphills.

The straps are made of 1 in (2.5 cm) neoprene-lined webbing wherever they would come in contact with the user’s hands, narrowing to ½ in (1.5 cm) at the attachments, with a 1 in (2.5 cm) section near the loose end to aid in adjustments. The straps lock at the desired length through the use of a toothed piece at one end of the strap, which jams into the slot in the pole head when put under tension. When I took the poles out of the package the straps had been inserted with a half-twist in each upper strap, just the way I would have attached them myself. On further examination, however, I noticed that both straps were twisted in the same direction. There is nothing other than this twist to designate left pole from right pole, and they could be reversed if desired, so I did. It was not as easy as I had hoped, since both ends of the straps need to feed through the head of the pole. I did manage to get it done in about 10 minutes, and – fortunately – I don’t expect to be doing it again any time soon.

The baskets installed on the poles are a made of a rubbery black plastic. They measure about 1½ in (3 cm) at the outer diameter, with downward facing teeth.

First Impressions [return to top] The poles are exactly what I expected based on the web site. They appear well made and are attractively finished. If I look closely, the carbon fiber sections have a 2-tone black “weave” pattern with a glossy finish that causes much less reflection than silver poles, which is something I like. The FlickLocks are relatively easy to adjust and easy to use – at least when new – but I have strong hands. They fit my hands nicely, especially when tilted slightly forward of vertical.

Field Information [return to top] Our Boy Scout troop camps monthly, generally in the wooded areas of southeastern Pennsylvania and the Pocono Mountains. Almost all of these outings include a minimum of 2 nights of camping, with temperatures expected to be from lows around 32 ºF (0 ºC) to highs around 95 ºF (35 ºC) during the 4-month test period. Elevations will range from sea level to approximately 1,500’ (457 m). Our new Scoutmaster has added monthly hikes to our schedule as well. My wife and I, who between us have 3 First Class boy scouts (ages 14, 15 and 16), are also looking into additional camping without the scouts, and there are possibilities of some AT section hikes (two down – many to go!) in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with my son as he works towards the Hiking Merit Badge. My son has begun working on the Hiking Merit Badge, which requires the completion of five 10-mile (16 km) hikes and one 20-mile (32 km) hike, and needs a buddy to accompany him on these hikes (i.e. me). These hikes, only two of which have been done so far, will likely be done at relatively low elevations in southeastern Pennsylvania, with a possibility of doing a short section of the Appalachian Trail (in Pennsylvania) for the 20-miler.

Things I am/will be looking for: Adjustability. How easily can I adjust them, and how quickly? Do they stay where they are set? If not, can I adjust that easily? Does the FlickLock mechanism make it easier to adjust the height when using the poles to pitch a tarp? Do they fit in my luggage/on my pack when not in use? Comfort. Does the construction effectively dampen vibration (and hopefully sound)? Grips. Do they fit my hands comfortably? Is sweating an issue? Does the foam abrade readily? Straps. Are they readily adjustable? Comfortable? Are there any edges or buckles that cause pressure points? Durability. Do they wear well? Do they bend when used appropriately (I’m not a small guy, and I USE my poles)? Multi-use. Are they long enough to pitch a tarp for shelter?

My findings so far: Adjustability. They stay where they are set. The FlickLock mechanism makes it easier to adjust the height when using the poles to pitch a tarp, or the Lunar Solo tent. Grips. Just plain nice. No abnormal sweating of my hands. Straps. Also very nice. Adjustable and comfortable. Multi-use. See note above about the Lunar Solo.

Things I like [return to top] Light. Compact. Attractive, in my opinion. Things I don't like [return to top] Reversing the straps is a bit difficult.

Additional Resources [return to top] I started using a single wooden hiking stave in 2002 on a Boy Scout day hike. I switched to two adjustable trekking poles (from the camping aisle at a department store) the following summer prior to my trip to Philmont Scout Ranch, where I put 15-20 miles (24-32 km) on them throughout the week plus a 15-mile (24 km) round-trip half way up Pikes Peak (left photo) and back that weekend, then added another 50-75 miles (80-120 km) at summer camp the following week and again each year since. I noticed a significant improvement in my ability to climb a very steep trail at summer camp as compared to the first year, something I attribute mostly to the use of the poles. When a planned 10-mile (16 km) hike on the Appalachian Trail (right photo) in November of 2005 turned into a 15-mile (24 km) one-day trek, I never could have finished without my poles.

When I first started looking into using two poles, I found Pete’s Pole Pages (try Googling it). These pages, along with pole tests already posted to BGT, gave me information on pole use that I found invaluable when starting to use poles for the first time.

Thank you for your time. Chuck Kime a.k.a. Fuzzy

Reviews > Trekking Poles > Poles > Black Diamond Enduro CF Trekking Poles > Chuck Kime > Initial Report