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Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Review

This pole features durable construction, a comfortable cork grip, and plenty of length adjustability
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Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Review
Credit: Black Diamond
Price:  $200 List
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Manufacturer:   Black Diamond
By Jeff Dobronyi ⋅ Review Editor  ⋅  Jul 9, 2024
71
OVERALL
SCORE


RANKED
#6 of 17
  • Comfort - 20% 9.0
  • Weight - 20% 6.5
  • Versatility - 20% 6.0
  • Locking and Adjustability - 15% 8.0
  • Packed Size - 15% 5.0
  • Construction Quality - 10% 8.0

Our Verdict

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork is a comfortable, durable, and versatile trekking pole. Other options may be better suited for specialized uses, but the Alpine Carbon Cork is a good all-around pole for most activities. Even though these poles are made with thicker carbon than average, they are still lighter than most aluminum poles, without compromising durability. One of our testers used this set of poles for over seven years, and they held up well. These aren't the lightest or most packable poles we tested, so they aren't good options for mountain running or peakbagging. But for the average hiking or backpacking trip, they are perfect.
REASONS TO BUY
Tough
Comfortable
Great locking mechanism
Compatible with different tips and baskets
REASONS TO AVOID
Not as light or packable as other poles
Pricey
Editor's Note: We updated this review on July 9, 2024, after re-testing it and comparing it to the current competition.

Compare to Similar Products

 
Awards  Editors' Choice Award
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Overall Score Sort Icon
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Star Rating
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Bottom Line This is a comfortable pole with excellent durability and adjustabilityThis versatile trekking pole is the best option for most usersExpertly designed folding poles that are versatile, packable, and highly comfortableThis is the best value in a lightweight pole, though it lacks the ability to adjust its lengthThese affordable and fully-featured trekking poles are a great value
Rating Categories Black Diamond Alpin... MSR DynaLock Ascent... Leki Cressida FX Ca... Black Diamond Dista... Trekology Trek-Z 2.0
Comfort (20%)
9.0
10.0
10.0
6.0
7.0
Weight (20%)
6.5
6.5
6.5
9.0
2.0
Versatility (20%)
6.0
9.0
9.0
6.0
6.0
Locking and Adjustability (15%)
8.0
9.0
9.0
3.0
7.0
Packed Size (15%)
5.0
9.0
7.0
10.0
8.0
Construction Quality (10%)
8.0
7.0
7.0
8.0
9.0
Specs Black Diamond Alpin... MSR DynaLock Ascent... Leki Cressida FX Ca... Black Diamond Dista... Trekology Trek-Z 2.0
Measured Weight Per Pair (Size Tested) 17.0 oz 17.0 oz (size: 100-120 cm) 17.0 oz 12.5 oz (size: 110 cm) 26.0 oz (size: 100-120 cm)
Measured Collapsed Length (Tested Size) 24.0 in 14.3 in (size: 100-120 cm) 16.0 in 14.0 in (size: 110 cm) 15.0 in (size: 100-120 cm)
Measured Max Length (Tested Size) 51.0 in 47.0 in (size: 100-120 cm) 47.0 in 43.3 in (size: 110 cm) 47.0 in (size: 100-120 cm)
Shaft Material Carbon Carbon fiber Carbon Aluminum Aluminum
Pole Design Collapsible Collapsible Foldable Foldable Foldable
Grip Material Cork Rubber, plastic, foam Cork EVA foam Foam
Locking Mechanism Metal lever locks Metal lever lock Snap button extension, plastic lever lock Snap button extension Snap button extension and metal lever lock
Included Baskets and/or Tip Attachments Trail baskets, interchangeable carbide tips (included) and rubber tips (sold separately), snow baskets (sold separately) Trail baskets, snow baskets, carbide tip, rubber tips (sold separately) Trail basket, universal carbide flex tip Trail baskets, interchangeable carbide and rubber tips, snow baskets (sold separately) Trail baskets, snow baskets, carbide tip, rubber feet, rubber tips
Sizes Available (Size Tested) One size 2 Sizes: 100-120 (tested), 120-140 cm One size 4 Sizes: 100, 110 (tested), 120, 130 cm 2 Sizes: 115-135 cm, 100-120 cm (tested)
Advertised Weight Per Pair By Size (Per Manufacturer) 17.0 oz 16 / 17.0 oz 17.2 oz 11.2 / 11.6 / 12.1 / 12.6 oz 19.0 oz / 22.0 oz
Advertised Collapsed Length (Per Available Size) 24 in 14.3 in / 17.5 in 16 in 13 / 14.6 / 15.7 / 17.3 in 15.0 / 15.0 in
Advertisd Max Length (Per Available Size) 51 in 47.0 in / 55.0 in 47.0 in 39.4 /43.3 / 47.2 / 51.2 in 47.2 / 53.1 in

Our Analysis and Test Results

These poles perform well across the board, only coming up short for their packed size and weight. In the era of Z-style, collapsable, thin carbon poles, these stand out for their strength and durability.

Performance Comparison


black diamond alpine carbon cork - the alpine carbon make a great companion for longer hikes and...
The Alpine Carbon make a great companion for longer hikes and backpacking trips.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Comfort


The Alpine Carbon Cork uses a cork handle that molds to the user's hands over time. It is minimally contoured out of the box, but still provides immediate comfort that only improves with use. Cork is our favorite grip material for trekking poles for just these reasons. In addition, the thick carbon fiber shafts absorb impacts with solid rock, and there is a foam grip extension below the main grip that is useful for climbing steep hills or for crossing unstable slopes. The wrist straps are wide and comfortable and are even labeled with right and left hand-specific lettering for better wrist comfort.

black diamond alpine carbon cork - the alpine carbon has comfortable cork handles and padded straps.
The Alpine Carbon has comfortable cork handles and padded straps.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Weight


At 17.0 ounces per pair, the Carbon Cork weighs in around the middle of the pack. Carbon shaft sections help save weight compared to aluminum construction, but the metal level locks and a cork grip add weight. Over the course of our testing period, we appreciated these touches. As a result, these poles scored higher than many lighter poles in comfort and durability. In the trekking pole field, durability and comfort are generally increased by adding weight. These poles won't weigh you down, but they aren't the lightest option out there.

black diamond alpine carbon cork - metal lever locks and a thick shaft diameter offset the weight...
Metal lever locks and a thick shaft diameter offset the weight savings from carbon construction.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Versatility


The Alpine Carbon Cork is a relatively versatile pole. We have used it for day hikes, 100-mile treks, rocky alpine approaches, and pitching our tarp tent in the evening. It can also be used for backcountry skiing or splitboarding in a pinch. For climbers and technical scramblers, we recommend foldable poles that are lighter and that collapse smaller. These poles are compatible with rubber tips for better traction and to leave no trace on desert sandstone. They are also compatible with BD's trekking pole snow baskets. Both the rubber tips and snow baskets are sold separately.

black diamond alpine carbon cork - though not included, these poles are compatible with black diamonds...
Though not included, these poles are compatible with Black Diamonds rubber tips and snow baskets.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Locking and Adjustability


The Alpine Carbon Cork uses Black Diamond's excellent FlickLock Pro mechanism, which is entirely metal. In our experience, this mechanism is one of the most robust and secure on the market. It closes with a satisfying snap and holds the pole sections in place without fail. The only downside is that the tightness of the lever locks can only be adjusted with a very small Allen key. This makes on-trail adjustments impossible unless you have the tool, which BD includes with purchase. The tool is small and unnoticeable, which keeps it lightweight, but also makes it easy to lose.

The locking mechanism on the BD Apline Carbon Cork is one of the...
The locking mechanism on the BD Apline Carbon Cork is one of the best we have seen.
The lever must be adjusted by a small Allen wrench, which isn't...
The lever must be adjusted by a small Allen wrench, which isn't ideal for on-trail use.
While the locks on these trekking poles are some of the best, a small Allen key is required to tighten the lever locks.

Packed Size


The Alpine Carbon Cork packs down to 24 inches, which is about average in our test, and slightly better than average compared to other three-section telescoping poles. The smallest packing poles in our review feature a Z-design that packs down to around 15 inches long. The packed size of the Carbon Cork isn't a problem for most hikers and backpackers, but if you plan on stowing the poles in a backpack for a technical climb, another choice might be better suited to the task.

black diamond alpine carbon cork - the telescoping design of the alpine carbon doesn't pack down as...
The telescoping design of the Alpine Carbon doesn't pack down as small as folding Z-styles, but it remains on the average side for length.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Construction Quality


These poles are some of the strongest in our review, despite their carbon construction. Thick shafts and metal lever locks, along with a sturdy grip design, make for impressive durability. Over the course of our heavy-duty testing, we weren't able to break or tweak these poles in the slightest. Of course, carbon chips easier than aluminum, so if you deliberately smack them against rocks, they'll wear out quickly. That said, we stuck them in between talus boulders and pulled back and forth, and couldn't get these poles to fail. They are even durable enough to be used for long-duration, heavy-duty trekking to remote regions of the earth. We believe in them that much.

black diamond alpine carbon cork - the carbon shafts scratch easily, but that's the only durability...
The carbon shafts scratch easily, but that's the only durability complaint we have with these poles.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Should You Buy the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork?


These poles are pricey compared to most options, but they also perform well in all of our performance metrics. We love them, and if you hike every week, we think they are worth the price. However, if you only use trekking poles a couple days a year, you can get away with a much less expensive alternative.

What Other Trekking Poles Should You Condsider?


The MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon is our all-around favorite trekking pole, providing slightly less durability, but more packability. If you want to save some money, the Black Diamond Pursuit performs well across the board, and is a lot more affordable. If you don't care about all the bells and whistles, and want the lightest trekking pole on the market, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z is for you. And if you only use trekking poles a few times per year, the Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 is the best value out there.

black diamond alpine carbon cork - the black diamond alpine carbon cork is durable and comfortable...
The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork is durable and comfortable, perfect for backpacking trips.
Credit: Jeff Dobronyi

Jeff Dobronyi