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Head-to-head · Best Trekking Poles

Black Diamond Trail Back vs MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles

Which is the better buy? Side-by-side on rating, price, strengths, and watch-outs — with the published ratings we averaged to get there.

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The short answer

MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles comes out ahead by a clear margin (4.3 vs 4.7). The gap is mostly about serious backcountry explorers — read the strengths below before deciding.

Black Diamond Trail Back
Ranked #4 in Best Trekking Poles
Black Diamond Trail Back
3 sources

Black Diamond's Trail Back poles do the job without costing much. Reviewers called them a budget-friendly workhorse, pointing to solid build quality and FlickLock adjustments that are easy to work. The trade-off shows in the grips: rough foam that lacks the hand-feel of higher-end cork and doesn't wick moisture. Durability is still good for the money, and both trekking and snow baskets come in the box for varied terrain. Casual hikers and weekend backpackers who care more about function than premium features are the audience.

Strengths
  • — Affordable and practical build
  • — More durable than lighter carbon offerings
  • — BD's Flicklocks make adjusting length a breeze
Watch-outs
  • — Rough grips that don’t wick moisture very well
  • — Relatively heavy at 1 lb. 2.8 oz. per pair
Buy at rei.comFull review →
MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles
Higher ratedRanked #2 in Best Trekking Poles
MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles
4 sources1 derived$189.95as of Aug 1

The MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles come close to the right balance of toughness, comfort, and packability, and they work across four seasons and a range of activities. Reviewers credited the Kevlar-reinforced carbon shafts for surviving heavy use with no breaks or cracks. A button-controlled folding mechanism gets them down to a compact packed size, and the EVA foam grips are comfortable. Testers did note they weigh more than most folding poles and pick up scratches quickly. Serious backcountry users who rank durability above ultralight weight will be happy.

Strengths
  • — Kevlar-reinforced carbon build makes it one of the most durable carbon poles on the market
  • — Adjustable length and grip extensions work well for steep terrain
  • — Folding design with button-controlled deployment offers small packed size (14.2 in collapsed)
Watch-outs
  • — Heavier than most folding designs (1 lb for small size)
  • — Scratches and scuffs accumulate quickly on the lower portion of the shaft
$189.95 · Check Price on AmazonFull review →

Derived means the reviewer published no score, so one was inferred from their written verdict. Everything else is a number the publisher printed. How we rank.

How they stack up

Black Diamond Trail Back

The Black Diamond Trail Back offers a more affordable alternative to the Leki Black Series and Black Diamond Alpine Carbon poles, but lacks the comfort and ergonomic design of the Pursuit and Alpine models. While it's more durable than the Cascade Mountain Tech, it's heavier and has rougher grips compared to the Black Diamond Pursuit and Leki Black Series. The MSR DynaLock Ascent offers better packability, but the Trail Back provides a solid budget-friendly option for casual hikers who don't need premium features.

MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles

The MSR DynaLock Ascent stands out from the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon poles for its superior Kevlar-reinforced carbon construction, offering better durability than the more expensive carbon alternatives. While the Black Diamond Pursuit and Trail Back models offer more affordable options, the MSR poles excel in packability and toughness, making them ideal for backcountry use where reliability matters more than weight. Compared to the Leki Black Series, the MSR poles are heavier but offer more robust performance in demanding conditions.

Specs side-by-side

SpecBlack Diamond Trail BackMSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles
Shaft MaterialAluminumCarbon
Grip MaterialEVA foamFoam
Locking MechanismFlickLockDynaLock
Weight1 lb. 2.8 oz.1 lb
Pole Length55.1 in.47 in
Collapsed Length24.2 in14.2 in
TypeTelescoping ShaftFolding/telescoping
Dimensions16 x 13 x 2 inches—
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