BD Alpine Carbon Cork 2012 vs 2013

I haven't seen the new version, but I know Skurka uses and loves the previous model and they're a bit lighter. That's enough endorsement for me.

The old style locking mechanism is what gave them the solid reputation. In use for quite a few years now. You'll be fine with what you got.

I've the 2013 and think they are fine. I also have the carbon contour 2012 with the older style flip lock. Both work fine and I can't say I'd care which pole I have with me. The weight is also very close, I recall a 49 gram difference with the newer being lighter.

I was in Utah this past week and the lower carbon section got sand in it and really scratched up when I tried to pack them down for the trip home.

Here is a review I found from someone who does *not* like the redesign:

http://www.trailspace.com/gear/black-diamond/alpine-carbon-cork/review/26259/

His main complaint is the flick locks more easily get hooks on branches and get pulled open. I don't do a lot of off-trail walking, but I can see his reasoning… Also, he says he got grit in the bottom section (like you Sean), which he reckons wasn't an issue with his other poles.. Does the new lock maybe open up more when released allowing more grit in?

The flick lock system rocks. I think that they made a huge mistake changing them out for 2013. Why change something that works so well?

My brother tried mine out this spring and ordered what he thought were the 2012's. He got the new model (with the new locks). He hasn't been out with them yet, but we played with them a bit and I can see where they will potentially snag on brush, release, and collapse.

These are my favorite poles… EVER… Strong, comfortable, relatively light weight. Heck they're my tent poles too and not one complaint here. I wouldn't trade them for any other.

Sounds like the change was driven by the fact that the patent lapsed in 2010, which resulted in Leki etc all doing a very similar flick lock… BD felt they had to do something different to stay relevant, and maybe screwed it up by the sounds of things..

I purchased the 2013s a month or so ago so not enough miles on them to do a proper review. I took them bushwacking in the Cascades last weekend for a couple miles and I didn't experience any concerns with the flip locks. They've always had a bomber reputation so I'm sure the 2012s are great as well.

I also experienced no problems over a few days through seriously dense growth perfectly sized to snag the locks, if possible.

To the guys who have and are happy with the 2013s – did you mainly just buy them cos they were there? is there anything you see as clearly superior to the older style?

I'm not familiar enough with the old style to say. All I know is that I really like mine, I've not encountered any design flaws yet, and have no desire to replace them with any other system.

As I mentioned earlier, their bomber reputation was built on the style you have so I'm sure you'll be good either way.

Edit: so yes, I just bought them because they were what was on the shelf at REI when I was ready to buy them.

we have several people now that will be able to get the skinny on them and pass it on. My brother and I are going out for 12 days in the Beartooths this fall. I'll be sure to let everyone know how they perform, as we will be off-trail, more than we will be on it.

I'd appreciate it if you others would also report your experiences. It's quite possible that when I'm ready for another set of poles (hopefully not for a long time), I might have to decide whether or not to buy a set with the new locks. It would be great to know how they perform by that time. Nothing worse than dropping $100 bucks on something and not being sure about what you're buying and nothing better than knowing you'll be happy when you write the check.

I haven't tried any of them yet, but Leki has adjustable carbon and aluminum flick lock poles with the same long handle padding that weigh the same 15-16 oz. The Leki poles also have a wider range with length adjustable to 135 cm instead of only 130 on the BD, which could help with pole-supported tents and mids.

Why would you want a carbon pole more susceptible to breakage from side impact than aluminum when you could have an aluminum pole for the same weight?

That's a good question – I just bought BD because they have a sterling reputation and were available… However, as a cyclist I can speak for the vibration absorbing qualities of carbon vs alloy – I've got an alloy road-bike which is plenty stiff and reasonably comfortably riding, but I wouldn't dream of putting alloy forks on it… I imagine the same holds true for trekking poles.

Edit: double post somehow :s, poor connection

Carbon vs. aluminum. Is carbon the better choice for those who use their poles for tent/tarp supports taking into consideration the possibility of electrical storms?? Has this been discussed elsewhere? Sorry, drifting off the OP's question. Mike

The knock on carbon poles is that they can break with sufficient shock from the side, rendering them useless for their intended purposes. Where aluminum is more likely to bend, allowing you to bend them back and finish your trip. The line is that carbon fiber is stronger along the grain, but brittle from the side.

Funny thing is though… I don't hear/read many comments about this actually happening and it doesn't seem to be curtailing the use of carbon fiber tent poles. My poles got wedged between rocks several times this spring while I was on the Ozark Trail and barely a scratch, let alone breakage. This was with my full weight on them down-hilling, with a 40 lb. pack. Much heavier than I normally hike with.

I can't speak as the "expert", as these are my first set of carbon fiber trekking poles. However, I'm thrilled so far. I've bent aluminum poles with less pressure/weight many times in the past. So long as I can get these in the $100 range, instead of full price, I think they are a no-brainer. My only worry is that I might eventually have to face a windy night with a duct tape splinted pole steadying my tent. Worst case scenario… there are usually some tree branches available to me, if needed.

Coming from a cycling/racing background and visiting factories in Asia and seeing the evolution of aluminum and carbon, I think carbon fiber is poorly understood and that includes even what it is and how it's produced to make these fine products we lust over.

It is so much stronger than the same weight aluminum, it's really not even comparable. I've ridden on cracked carbon fiber seatposts and frames for hundreds of miles with no issue. I would never ride an AL frame that had the same.

Once AL is bent or dented too much it's far more likely to catastrophically fail.

The poles that break are the SUL carbon poles.

The BD poles are stronger than AL.

Bad golfers slam clubs into the ground and the shafts don't shatter. Same thing with quality trekking poles.

–G.B.–

I've heard quite a few reports of SUL carbon poles breaking. Perhaps the BD and Leki carbon poles are much stronger given their thickness and weight. Note that carbon tent poles are under much less repetitive stress than trekking poles which you're repeatedly planting your weight on and hitting the ground with.

I've never thought about the lightning issue when using AL poles to support your shelter. Valid concern?

The first two Leki models below have a long wrap section extending down from the handle like the BD Alpine Carbon Cork. Anyone try the Leki flick locks? Main advantage seems to be greater length to 135cm instead of the BD's 130cm.

Carbon Ti

AERGON Thermo Grip
SpeedLock
Performance Basket
Carbide Tip
Matte Varnish Finish
Weight: 15.4 oz
Length: 62-135 cm

Thermolite XL

AERGON Thermo XL Grip
SpeedLock
Performance Basket
Carbide Tip
Ultra Sonic Finish
Weight: 16.4 oz
Length: 62-135 cm

Corklite

AERGON Cor-Tec Grip
SpeedLock
Performance Basket
Carbide Tip
Ultra Sonic Finish
Weight: 16.8 oz
Length: 62-135 cm

BD Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Pole – 2012

Weight Per Pair :
492 g, 1 lb
Usable Length :
62.5-130cm, 25-51 in
Collapsed Length :
62.5 cm, 25 in

If you extend the BD poles until you have the word stop just exposed you have a usable length of 53 inches. There is still a good amount of pole still inside the next section. I would not hesitate to use them extended this far, or slightly longer even, for pitching a shelter.

When extended fully to the stop line, is there enough length of the fully extended pole within the next pole to keep the pole rock steady (not wobbly at all) when walking with it as well as when using to support a shelter?

There is only about 2 inches left in the shaft when stop is exposed. Plus the plastic slider/guide thing at the end of the section.

I would not.

The Leki's may have the advantage in length (my AL Leki twist lock poles are totally solid at 135cm).

Wish there was some feedback on their new flick lock models.

The Leki Speedlocks weigh about twice what the BD Flicklocks do (the 2012 versions at least). The Leki locks come in at about an ounce per lock, where as the BD locks are more like half an ounce (15-16 grams on my scale).

I haven't pulled off the new BD Flicklock design to weigh it, but I'll assume that it's marginally lighter. Regardless, I find that it holds very, very well, even when bushwhacking.

I do like my Leki Aergon poles, but they aren't as stiff as the BD poles. To keep the same or similar weight, it comes out of the aluminum section because of how heavy the locks themselves are.

FWIW, I just bought a pair of BD Traverse ski poles, removed everything but the aluminum sections with attached flicklocks, put on Leki baskets and Gossamer Gear grips, and the weight came out very reasonable. 8 oz per pole, and they extend up to 60" for pitching the Duomid under a variety of conditions. Not bad for something that weighs less than the BD Carbon Cork and has a much longer usable length.