Super Annoyed @ Black Diamond

so buy replacement straps for your son's poles ;)

This it? http://www.columbussupply.com/products/?productid=9815

You can download a 2014 parts catalog– search on " black diamond 2014 parts catalog ". They show several trekking pole straps and a few ski pole straps a couple pages further. The stinker is getting accurate pictures. Frustasting– good luck!

I would just cut them off and be a true ultralighter……

;)

Joshua Abel – BD won't sell me the replacement for his pole! So annoying!

Dale, Thank you but strap listed there is the one I do not like but I did find the spare parts catalog and armed with that I just called BD Customer Service again and spoke with the same representative. We went through the part numbers one by one and found one that she had not seen before but thinks it might be correct. She is sending out a pair today (for free!). My fingers are crossed that it might be the correct one (or at least one I like).

@ Dave – Nope! I like straps on my poles. If I was a "true" ultra-lighter I would probably hike with fixed length poles and a shortened toothbrush. I ain't that guy. :)

If you were "true" ultra-lighter, you would not use trekking poles : )

Why stop there, Jerry? Hike naked.

I know this is not exactly what you wanted to do, but if possible, I'd return the alpine carbon corks and get the "Trail" model (just the basic one, not the trail pro or ergo). They have the simpler straps, are actually 1g lighter than the alpine carbon cork according to BD, and extend out 10cm more. Also, they are $60 cheaper. The grip is not as cushy as the cork ones, but if you are using the straps for support its not a big deal at all.

..and carry a big knife. Baseweight under a pound. BOOM!

Let me know how it turns out. I have the same poles and have never liked the straps. Your swap sounds like a big improvement.

BD Trail = insanely flexy
BD Alpine = stiff and robust

I'd pay more for the poles that aren't total noodles if you really use your poles for support/propulsion off trail. If you just use them to tap out a rhythm on mellow trails, disregard.

The flex has never been a problem for me, and I use my poles heavily for propulsion and supporting my weight on steep hill and and snow slopes. certainly not just for tapping out a rhythm. But, I also weigh about 145 pounds, so I could see it being a problem for a bigger person.

I have a couple pair of the BD Carbon Corks. I like the poles but am fairly meh about the grips and straps. I removed the straps from one pair which was fairly easy to do by removing the pin. It looked like putting them back on would be a pain so good luck with that part.

wow. if you think that, you should totally avoid leki, komperdell, Fizan etc.

I've been using BD trails for 2+ years after years of lekis and others.
I think they are relatively stiff.

I too have the base model Trail poles. Using them since '08 (!) and they've proved pretty bomber. Less flex, IMO, than Lekis (I haven't used many other poles extensively enough to comment). But I'm a small person, so flex is not that big an issue. I think they're great poles at a good price point.

I agree but it's not just the straps, the top of the grip is way overbuilt too. Not to mention the insane amount of decals they cover the pole in. But with that said, they are pretty nice poles. I'm still annoyed I left one of mine at a trail head.

Don't leave cork-handled poles outside your tent, or use one for the low-pitch end of a pole-supported shelter. Lost a perfectly good pair when an enterprising marmot in the Cascades entirely ate the cork off overnight, going after the salt content from sweat, I guess. The grips on the BD Ultra Distance I replaced them with aren't half as nice in the hand, but apparently less delicious.

Yeah, flex is relative. My BD Eliptical Ergo Contour (or something) trekking poles are insanely stiff. The Alpine Corks are sorta close. It goes down fast from there with the flexiest I have being the BD Distance poles. I have not used Lekis in years and never owned Komperdells. I torque on poles and so am more sensitive than most to pole flex. I owned the BD Trail poles for a while and could not stand how noodle-y they were for the weight. Why not just use the Distance series which is a lot lighter and no less stiff, I figured….

Yep, I like the stiffness of the carbon version and the feel of a cork grip. I'm aware of the critter problem and use the poles grip up with my tent.

I just got shipping notification on the replacement straps. I'll report back once I receive the new straps.

I ditched the overbuilt straps on our leki's and went with MYOG web straps, maybe 3/8 saving weight. They work fine. I tried to go lighter with gossgrain ribbon first but they were a little to unruly trying to slip on and off especially over mitts and gloves.

jimmyb

Ilan (and anyone else that cares),

BD shipped me a pair of BD011202 (Men's Trekking Pole Straps S14) for free. These are the simpler red ones that come with the Ergo trekking poles that I wanted.

Yay!