Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Pole Review
Updated:
Jan 20, 2025Most hikers and backpackers are looking for a sturdy, no-nonsense pole to thrive in any conditions and last for the long haul. Enter Black Diamond’s Pursuit ($170). This aluminum telescoping pole falls right in the middle of the pack weight-wise but offers top-notch comfort, durability, and build quality. It lasted our tester the entire length of the Continental Divide Trail—more than 2,000 miles all told—and is still going strong. It even includes snow baskets for getting around in the fluffy stuff. Mountain runners, fast packers, and ounce counters will want to look elsewhere, but for the generalist and all-arounder, the Pursuit offers a whole lot to like.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Weight
1 lb. 1.4 oz.
Type
Telescoping
Shaft Material
Aluminum
Grip Material
Cork
Max/min Length
49.2/39.4 in.
Collapsed Length
24.4 in.
Pros
Cons
Black Diamond Pursuit
For this season's top models, see our guide to the Best Trekking Poles.
Comfort is one area where the Black Diamond Pursuit thrives. The grips on the pole have a subtle ergonomic shape that sits nicely in the palm and keeps your hands in a neutral position. The grips themselves are made of high-quality cork, with foam extensions below and a broad rubber top. I found the cork handles to be comfortable right from the jump and handle sweat beautifully. Over time, they grew to be even more of a joy as the cork softened and molded to my hands; this was an especially pleasant feature as I got deeper and deeper into the Continental Divide Trail. Finally, the Pursuit also features a well-padded wrist strap that’s easy to adjust and plush next to the skin.
However, the Black Diamond Pursuit doesn’t have any kind of shock absorption, and I found the pole to be rather stiff. For me, this is actually a notch in favor of the BD: I prefer a stiff pole for stability, especially when being aggressive in rugged and uneven terrain. And even after myriad 20-plus-mile days on the CDT, the lack of shock absorption was never an issue. In short, the Pursuit is an ideal trekking pole for hikers and backpackers looking to log long days in comfort.
Trekking poles don’t get much more durable than Black Diamond’s Pursuit. These poles endured the entire length of the Continental Divide Trail without suffering so much as a broken tip. They are the first poles I’ve ever owned to survive a trip of this length—over 2,000 miles. On the CDT, I leaned heavily on the poles while navigating technical scrambles and steep downhills, and they always did their job. I even used them to stop a couple of falls, and they never bent or broke. I've had to be gentle with other poles in the past—and even broken a few of them—but the Pursuit's lightweight aluminum never felt fragile. The only build quality issue that I noticed was the painted length markings wearing off pretty quickly—I had to scratch in the measurements I regularly used.
In a discussion on durability, it’s also worth digging into the Black Diamond Pursuit’s lever locks. The poles use Black Diamond’s FlickLock+, a metal lever lock that I hoped would be one lock to rule them all. In practice, I found the FlickLock+ to be above average, but not perfect. In its favor, the lock is large and easy to use. However, it wasn't as reliable as I’d hoped; after a month, all four locks began to slip after long days on the trail (around 2 to 5 in.), despite having been tightened in the morning. However, this is pretty on par with trekking poles from brands like Leki and REI—it’s simply an unavoidable trait of lever locks. Thankfully, Black Diamond incorporated a hex tool inside one of the Pursuit’s segments, making in-the-field adjustments possible without bringing an easily misplaced tool with you. I’ve avoided Black Diamond poles up to this point because their locks required a tiny Allen wrench or a screwdriver to adjust the tension, so this was a welcome feature.
The Black Diamond Pursuit poles are no standout on the weight front, but unless you’re going really light, they’re nothing to complain about, either. Coming in at a respectable 1 pound 0.4 ounces for the size S/M (100 to 125 cm), they fall about in the middle of the pack for trekking poles. For some context, other aluminum offerings with similar intentions check in right around the same mark: REI Co-op’s Traverse comes in a couple of ounces heavier at 1 pound 2.5 ounces for the smallest size, and Leki’s Makalu Cork Lite weighs just a hair lighter than the Traverse—but still a little over an ounce heavier than the Pursuit. On the other hand, a true ultralight offering, like Black Diamond’s Distance Carbon Z, can shave off more than six ounces. As a backpacker who’s always trying to strike a fine balance between weight and durability, the Pursuit was a real sweet spot for me, but if you’re truly counting ounces, you'll want to look elsewhere.
The Black Diamond Pursuit packs down to just over two feet long for the S/M offering, which is about par for the course for a three-piece telescoping pole. However, taking the whole trekking pole market into consideration, it’s certainly on the bulky side, especially when compared to folding models like the Black Diamond Distance FLZ or the Pursuit’s sister pole, the Pursuit FLZ. The Pursuit’s packed size won’t be an issue for most backpackers, especially given that most backpacking backpacks have pole attachments (and the need to store your poles is rare). However, trail runners, climbers, and other fast-moving hikers who frequently stow their poles inside a smaller pack will find the packed size of the Pursuit to be cumbersome.
The Pursuit is loaded with features, including Black Diamond’s durable FlickLock+ levers, snow baskets, cork grips, and foam grip extensions made with an eco-friendly foam dubbed “Bloom.” These highlights are fairly standard in high-end, all-rounder trekking poles, but Black Diamond tacks on two more details worth mentioning. First, the pole features a built-in hex tool in the shaft of its lowest segment; this fun design makes it a breeze to tighten the lever locks in the field. Previous-gen trekking poles from BD came with a small Allen wrench or screwdriver that was all too easy to misplace; I very much appreciated not having to think about the Pursuit’s tool and having it readily available when I needed it.
Second, the Pursuit features a screw-in “tech tip” system, making it easy to swap out tips. This might be the case if you’re switching between rubber and carbide or swapping in a new carbide tip when your old one wears down. Tips can be all too difficult to remove from most poles, so the Pursuit's system is a highlight for those who want to get the most out of their gear. It’s also ideal for hikers who prefer rubber grips; the screw-in design allows for a much more reliable connection. Slide-on rubber tips (ubiquitous on most poles) are notorious for popping off on the trail.
Taken together, the Pursuit's features set make it fun to use and a great option for hikers in search of a versatile, reliable pole that will last for the long haul. With bomber sturdiness and ample adjustability (9.8 inches in the S/M and 15.7 inches in the M/L), it's a great choice to support a trekking pole shelter, too.
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Longevity
Choosing durable outdoor gear and keeping it in use for longer is one of the best ways to reduce environmental impact. Our proprietary longevity rating assesses factors like overall build quality, materials, fabric denier, component durability, and real-world performance. A green check indicates that we expect the product to be long-lasting relative to its peers, a yellow check mark indicates average longevity, and a red X indicates a product that may have a limited lifespan.
Recycled Materials
Recycled materials are prevalent in outdoor gear, with nylon, polyester, wool, and down among the most common, but the composition varies widely. A green check mark indicates the product is made with a substantial amount of recycled materials (100% recycled or the core fabric that makes up most of the product is recycled), a yellow check means it contains a moderate to small amount of recycled materials, while a red X means there are no recycled materials in the product.
Replacement Parts
Replacement parts help extend a product’s lifespan by allowing consumers to repair damaged components—like ski goggle lenses or trekking pole clips—rather than purchasing a new one. A green check indicates a brand offers a robust selection of replacement parts, a yellow check indicates a more limited offering, and a red X indicates no replacement parts are available for this product.
Responsible Manufacturing
This criterion evaluates a brand’s commitment to fair wages, safe working conditions, and reducing environmental impact through certifications and programs like Fair Trade Certified, Fair Wear Foundation, Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production (WRAP), and the Fair Labor Association, while also recognizing brands that manufacture primarily in the U.S. or Europe under strict labor and environmental regulations. A green check mark indicates a brand meets our responsible manufacturing criteria, while a red X means it does not.
Recycled and/or Reduced Packaging
Packaging can add significant waste to outdoor gear purchases, so many brands work to reduce its impact by using recycled materials, incorporating Forest Stewardship Council-certified paper products, and minimizing plastic and paper use. A green check mark indicates a brand uses recycled or reduced materials across all of its packaging, a yellow check indicates moderate or limited use of recycled or reduced packaging, and a red X indicates the brand does not make either of these efforts.
Carbon Footprint Tracking
This criterion evaluates whether a brand measures, reports, and works to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions using established frameworks such as the Higg Index, Greenhouse Gas Protocol, or The Change Climate Project. A green check mark indicates a brand publicly reports greenhouse gas emissions data, sets clearly defined reduction targets, and uses established tracking frameworks such as Higg or The Change Climate Project. A yellow check mark indicates the brand tracks emissions and outlines reduction goals but provides limited data, lacks science-based verification, or does not clearly report progress. A red X indicates the brand does not appear to track greenhouse gas emissions or provides so little information that its efforts cannot be verified.
Annual Impact Report
Annual impact reports provide transparency and accountability by outlining a brand’s sustainability efforts across areas such as material sourcing, greenhouse gas emissions, waste, water use, supply chains, and packaging. A green check mark indicates a brand publishes a detailed, brand-specific impact report that closely aligns with our sustainability criteria and leaves little room for ambiguity. A yellow check indicates a brand provides some relevant sustainability reporting but lacks detail in key areas or is covered only briefly within a parent company report. A red X indicates a brand does not regularly publish an impact report.
For my trek along the Continental Divide Trail, I used the size M/L Black Diamond Pursuit, which extends from 100 to 140 centimeters (39.4 to 55.1 in.) and features bigger hand grips than the smaller pole. This was ample range for all my needs, including setting up a trekking pole shelter. For those smaller in stature, the S/M option also features a healthy range of adjustability—100 to 125 centimeters (39.4 to 49.2 in.)—and a smaller grip size.
Leki Makalu Cork Lite ($160): Leki's Comprable Offering
Like the Pursuit, Leki's Makalu Cork Lite (women's Cressida Cork Lite) is a great all-around pole that can handle heavy use while remaining comfortable and plush. The Makalu similarly features a telescoping aluminum build and cork handles, and checks in at the same price point; on the other hand, it’s 1.5 ounces heavier and has a 2-inch longer packed size. The key differentiator for us is that the Makalu's tips are much harder to replace, and if you want a rubber tip, you'll have to settle for a slip-on cover that's prone to falling off on the trail. Plus, the BD comes with snow baskets, too. Taken together, this makes the Pursuit the slightly more compelling offering for a lower price. For more, read our review of the Leki Cressida Cork Lite.
REI Co-op Traverse ($119): A Comparable Pole for Less
At a quick glance, REI’s Traverse is a nearly identical trekking pole to the BD, minus the savings. Both feature a three-piece, aluminum, telescoping design along with premium cork grips, foam grip extensions, solid lever locks, and snow baskets. We actually prefer the Traverse’s lever-lock tightening, which involves twisting the lock rather than deconstructing the pole to access the hex tool (as in the case of the Pursuit). Why spend up for the Pursuit, then? In short, just about every aspect of the Pursuit feels more premium out on the trail—an impression hard to derive from the specs. We also prefer the ease of changing out the Black Diamond’s tips after the carbide wears down; if you’re a routine trekking pole user, this could be well worth the extra investment. For a deeper dive, see our REI Co-op Traverse review.
Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ ($220): Smaller Packed Size
If you value packability and a low weight, the Pursuit also comes in a folding model called Pursuit Carbon FLZ. For an extra $50, this version collapses to 14.6 inches (less than two-thirds the size of the Pursuit) while still allowing almost 6 inches of adjustability (the standard Pursuit has about 10 to 15 in. of adjustment depending on the size). It's also significantly lighter at 8.9 ounces for the pair. Like the standard Pursuit, the Pursuit Carbon FLZ comes with powder baskets. If you don't mind the price concession and can put up with the more limited adjustability, the Carbon Pursuit FLZ is a very compelling option.
A standout all-rounder, the durable and comfortable Pursuit is ideal for hikers and backpackers who aren’t counting every ounce. The feature set is innovative and thoughtful, too, including an integrated lever-tightening tool and replaceable tips.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
With a build that’ll last you years (or a lifetime), the Makalu (women's Cressida) is a great all-around trekking pole that will meet the needs of most backpackers and hikers. However, its features lack a premium finish, and the uber-long packed size puts it out of contention for day hikers or runners who routinely store their poles on their pack.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
A durable, do-all option that won’t break the bank, REI Co-op’s aluminum Traverse is suitable for everything from casual day hiking to lengthy backpacks. Tool-free adjustments and included rubber tips are two main highlights. However, the relatively heavy construction will take it off the list for ounce-counters.
Comfort
Durability
Weight
Packed Size
Features
Sustainability
Is the Pursuit for You?
The Black Diamond Pursuit is a stellar trekking pole for generalists: It's relatively lightweight (though far from the lightest on the market), extremely sturdy and durable, offers hard-to-beat grip comfort, includes snow baskets for winter travel, and features a large range of adjustability. Whether you’re a casual day hiker or a Triple Crowner (like our tester, Alex), it's a premium option for trail use that puts it all together better than most. However, trail runners and ounce counters will find the Pursuit to be too much pole (both in terms of weight and bulk), and should instead opt for a lighter, folding, carbon pole that more easily stows away into a daypack or running vest.
the backcountry awaits
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