Leki Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles Review

Bottom Line

The Leki Black Series FX Carbon trekking poles are a well-rounded option that performs well in every metric we tested (durability, weight, comfort, ease of use, packability, and features). 

One area where these poles shine is durability. They outperformed all the other folding poles we tested, even though they are made of carbon fiber. This helps ease the pain of the price point.

We also appreciate that they pack down small, though most other folding poles were smaller. At one pound for the pair, they are relatively heavy for a carbon pole. Then again, features such as a long grip extension and a folding design, which allows for a 16-inch collapsed length, justify the weight.

We used these poles on day hikes around the Durango, Colorado area and found that they are solid carbon and cork folding poles, but nothing stood out to us as five-star worthy. The only thing that shocked us was their hefty price tag, so we suggest dropping in only if you’ll get lots of use out of them. Otherwise, check out our other top recommendations in our guide to the best trekking poles.

Durability

The Leki Black Series trekking poles perform well under stress and are the top-performing folding model for durability. We tested these poles by throwing and dropping them on boulders. The Black Series poles had some cosmetic damage from the tests, but that’s par for the course for the life of a trekking pole.

We also performed a bend test, where we planted the pole in the ground and then leaned on it to see how easily it would bend vs. break. This particular pole had some curvature, but it did not feel like it would be easy to snap. 

On our local hikes around Durango, these poles held up well to everyday use for day hiking. Overall, these poles are an excellent choice for those who want a folding design with good durability.

Weight

The Black Series trekking poles are average in terms of weight.

 The Black Series came in at an even eight ounces for one pole – right in the middle of the pack. While the poles are made of carbon fiber, a lighter material, the handles are cork. Cork tends to be heavier than using foam. They also feature an extended grip that adds to the overall weight. We think these features are worth the uptick in weight.

On the trail, these poles are easy to use. While walking with them around Durango, Colorado, they didn’t have the effortless feel of the ultralight weight poles, but were light enough that we never gave them much thought while walking.

Comfort

The cork handles of the Leki Black Series give them a significant advantage in comfort. 

Characteristics like cork handles, padded wrist straps, and ergonomically designed handle grips increased a model’s comfort points. We also deducted points for uncomfortable grips or irritating wrist straps. In the case of the Black Series, the wrist straps are basic with no padding, but at least they do not rub when worn. 

The cork handles are one of the most significant advantages of these poles. They are the only folding poles we tested with cork grips. The cork grips are an advantage for comfort as the cork absorbs moisture to help prevent the hand from becoming sweaty and dirty. 

In the end, these are the white rice of trekking poles. They get the job done, but there’s nothing markedly outstanding about them, either.

Ease of Use

The Black Series poles require some practice but are reasonably easy to use once you get the system down. 

Because these are z-folding poles, a cord runs through the middle of the shaft and connects the three pieces. The cord makes them easier to put together. After clicking the shafts in place, the flick lock must be released, and that shaft section must be pulled upwards. This locks each piece together. The telescoping portion can then be adjusted to the desired length. 

These steps are more complex than other flick-lock or telescoping poles. However, there are also fewer adjustment points as the shafts snap together. When we timed how long it took us to set up these poles, they ranked just above the middle of the pack. 

When using these poles on hikes around Durango, Colorado, our experience was that practice made them faster to set up. Overall, these are about average for ease of use.

Packability

Packability is a strength of the Black Series since they have a folding design. However, they are longer than the other foldable poles in our lineup. 

The Black Series ranks third overall; they are much more compact than most other trekking poles on our list. But compared to the other z-fold models, they ranked at the bottom. The reason for this is that the pole segments are longer on this pole than on others. 

 The key to storing folding poles is that when they are collapsed, they must fit with the strapping system of your pack; otherwise, they can flop out and potentially slip out of your straps. They come with a storage bag, but who uses those on the trail?

Features

Features are an area where the Leki Black Series trekking poles perform well thanks to attributes like the grip extension and included storage bag. Similar to the comfort test, we gave each pole points for including standard or helpful features. Then, we used the points to compare the poles and rank them. 

In the case of the Black Series poles, they included various features such as baskets, wrist straps, replaceable carbide tips, and storage bags. We particularly like the grip extension as it has a pattern that makes it easier to hold and extends well down the pole shaft. The bag is also helpful, as it prevents the poles from getting tangled when stowed away. 

One thing we would like to see included is larger baskets for snow. Other than that, these poles have a lot of great features for a reasonable weight penalty.

Should You Buy The LEKI Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles?

We like the Leki Black Series FX Carbon trekking poles because they have reliable performance in every category we tested. They have above-average durability for both carbon fiber and folding trekking poles. They have a modest weight, slightly heavier than their competitors, due to the extra features. 

The Black Series is relatively packable and comfortable. Their good all-around performance means these poles are an excellent choice for those who like folding-style poles, want cork handles,  and are ready to invest in a long-term pair. 

Due to the price, we would not recommend these poles for beginners or those who have not narrowed down what they like in a trekking pole.

What Other Trekking Poles Should You Consider?

We tested a slew of trekking poles. Below are a few that are similar to the Leki Black Series FX Carbon:

Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Review: Another z-folding option, the Distance Carbon poles share many similarities with the Black Series and some differences. These poles are very lightweight and fold down to a tiny size. They are not as durable or feature-packed as the Black Series, but they are great for trail runs and faster hikes. 

Black Diamond Alpine Cork Review: Like the Black Series, the Alpine Cork poles are made of carbon fiber with cork grips. They are also very durable. Unlike the Black Series, the Alpine Cork poles have a telescoping design with flick locks. 

Leki Makalu Cork Lite Review: The Makalu poles are similar to the Black Series, mainly because they are the same brand. Although their weight and packability are not as good as those of the Black Series, they are easier to use. Part of this is due to the telescoping design, which makes set-up a bit faster. These poles also have cork handles but aluminum shafts instead of carbon fiber.