Black Diamond’s Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles are some of our favorites for hiking on rugged trails where durability matters most. The sturdy aluminum build means these poles will hold up for years of hard use on the trail, so they’re an excellent value. We named the Trail Ergos the most comfortable and durable trekking poles on our Best Trekking Poles list.
Table of contents
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles Review
Published:
March 31, 2022
We independently test everything we recommend.
Buying through links on our site supports our work.
Quick Specs
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
Price: $140
Measured Weight: 1 lb. 2 oz.(Pair)
Collapsed Length: 27 in.
Pros
- Excellent value
- Durable
- Comfortable Handles
- Easy to adjust
Cons
- Heavier than others
- Not as packable as others
Pros
EXCELLENT VALUE
The Trail Ergos are well priced for the quality you get. We’ve put thousands of miles – on some pretty gnarly trails – onto our pair and they’re still going strong. Compared to other trekking poles in the same price range, the Trail Ergos are stronger and more comfortable to hold. As an added bonus, they come with sets of small and large snow/sand baskets that are much more effective than the dinky ones that are often included with other poles.
DURABLE
These things are strong. One big advantage aluminum has over carbon fiber is that it bends when under pressure, whereas carbon fiber is more likely to snap. We still often opt to hike with carbon fiber trekking poles since they’re lighter, but the aluminum Trail Ergos are our top pick for hikers who value durability over saving weight.
COMFORTABLE HANDLES
The cork grips of the Trail Ergos are comfy to hold for long days of hiking, and we prefer this style to foam grips. Cork is porous so it wicks away moisture effectively, which can give your sweaty hiker mitts more grip on the handles and will help prevent blisters. We’ve gotten some pretty unpleasant blisters at the base of our thumbs from long days on the trail gripping foam handles.
EASY TO ADJUST
The flick locks on the Trail Ergos are simple to use, they provide a secure hold, and it’s easy to make simple repairs and adjustments to them using common household tools (or a multitool in the field). They also have one of the widest ranges of usable lengths of any poles (69-140 cm.).
Cons
HEAVIER THAN OTHERS
The aluminum shafts and cork handles of the Trail Ergos make them heavier than many of our other favorite trekking poles – especially those made from carbon fiber. But these materials are also what give the Trail Ergos their best traits – durability and comfort.
NOT AS PACKABLE AS OTHERS
At 27 inches collapsed, the Trail Ergos are some of the least packable poles on the market. That means they’ll be a little trickier to pack along for any trips that require airline travel or for trails where you’ll need to keep your hands free for long stretches. That said, this isn’t likely to be much of an issue if you expect to have your poles out and in use for most of your hikes.
Bottom line
The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles are an awesome value because their durable build will make them last for several years of hard use. The cork grips and easy-to-use flick locks make these poles comfortable to hold and convenient to adjust. The Trail Ergos are our top pick for hikers who don’t mind carrying a bit of extra weight in exchange for added strength.
