So I found a fair deal on a new pair of black diamond alpine carbon cork poles and I bought them. Received them today. My first impression is a positive one. I really like the flick lock system on my older Black diamond poles, the newer flick lock system on these poles seems to work just as well, if not better. Time and trail miles will tell. The cork handles fit my hand well and like how they have the grips a little below the handle so if needed you can move your hand down and hold the poles from there instead of having to readjust the lengths. The straps are big (thick), but I think they are ok. I wish instead of big straps they would just use something like a paracord..it would save some weight and I think it would work just fine. Speaking of weight..I don't think they are heavy. Some reviews I read people say they are a bit heavy. Well they are lighter then my other poles, so I will not complain about them feeling heavy. I didn't weigh them yet so I can't give any numbers but I will say that they hold well in my hands and I believe I am gonna love these poles. I will use them with my bivy and also to pitch my patrol shelter. They will see their first trail miles next week when I hit up the West Rim trail in PA.
