Looking for the best trekking pole for your adventures? In this video, I compare the Gossamer Gear ultralight trekking pole against the Black Diamond trekking pole. The GG pole shines with its featherweight design, perfect for thru-hikers and ultralight backpackers. Meanwhile, the BD pole is built tough, offering more durability and stability even if it comes with extra weight.
Whether you want to save ounces on a long trail or need reliable strength for rugged terrain, this breakdown will help you decide which pole is right for you.
Topics Covered:
• Weight and comfort differences
• Durability and reliability
• Best use cases for ultralight vs heavy-duty poles
• Which one is better for thru-hiking vs weekend trips
If you’re planning the PCT, CDT, AT, or any long trail, this review will give you a clear look at what matters most: comfort while walking vs comfort at camp.
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I’m really not a fan of the screw locks. Maybe the ones in the Gossamer Gear poles are better but after a few weeks using the Fizan ones the rubber twist locks wore out and lost their grip so they would slip if I put any weight on them. They were toast after just about 250 miles on the Colorado trail. After that I just said screw the weight and went with the black diamond pursuit poles, I just call them worn weight lol. Those poles lasted the entire PCT and still have plenty of life left in them.
A cheap alternative to the LT5s is the cascade mountain tech 2 piece carbon poles, they come in at about 5.6 oz each for $100.
When I was Extra’s age, I laughed at trekking poles. An “extra” 25 years, knee injuries, etc. and the poles are a near necessity, not a luxury, especially on descents. Add in some carpal tunnel, and you need the straps, because gripping for long periods of time just isn’t working for you any more. But there are other channels out there for us older hikers. Extra gives some good advice on the ultralight mind set. Maybe I don’t need those “extra” two inches on my tooth brush handle. 🙂
Cutting off the straps is like cutting off the handle of a team toothbrush… The purpose is lost just to save 3g…
Without straps, your hands cramp; with straps, your wrists are supported, and your fingers can grip the poles loosely and naturally. Furthermore, the trekking poles never fall to the ground and can’t be ripped out of your hands when crossing water.
Extreme ultralight isn’t always ultrasmart…
Have the old two-piece LT-4’s for 7yrs. Pretty hard on poles; author’s not a lightweight and not short, so they get used hard, especially in the first few months of hiking season. Besides being great poles, another reason they last is due to strap removal. Don’t care how chic, smart or fast one thinks they are, it is simply a recipe for a broken pole to wear a wrist-strap. When pole sinks into an unexpected crevice, only reflex saves the pole. Those extra few milliseconds will cost you your $100 pole. Don’t bother lecturing about proper strap usage, there’s still a ‘strap’ delay releasing the pole. (more…)
Wish GG still sold grips.
Of all the tips, liking GG’s the best (looking at you, Mr Durston). Tips stay sharp a reasonable length of time and are easily replaceable when their time has past.
Love, love, love GG’s screw mechanism; it never gets stuck and never catches on things (e.g. backpack storage). Also never had them slip (and this author is almost surely heavier than the reader).
Admittedly, the need for poles at all wanes as the season progresses. Can always send them home if that’s the case (never have though).