It was somewhere around the sixth day of the iconic Tour du Mont Blanc that I made up my mind: The LEKI Black Series FX Carbon trekking poles were the best. Before that day, my wife and I had traded poles between these and another brand daily. And while both were good, the LEKIs rose to the top rather quickly.
Trekking poles are often overlooked, with many shoppers buying whatever happens to be available. But the top-shelf models really do perform better and make a difference over long distances. Here’s why.
In short: The LEKI Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles are some of the best trekking poles you can get, especially for hiking. The cork grips are extremely comfortable, the straps are simple and light, and the carbon fiber poles are durable and easy to adjust. But best of all, the handles provide a solid, comfortable point to press against when braking down steep hills. But they come at a premium price and weigh a little more than ultralight options.
Shopping around? Read our complete buying guide to trekking poles here.
- Measured weight: 1 lb., 0.1 oz. (per pair)
- Packed length: 16"
- Deployed length: 110-130 cm
- Shaft material: Carbon
- Grip: Cork
- Lock style: Lever lock
- Tips and baskets: Carbide Flex Tip and trekking baskets
Pros
- Pretty lightweight at just over 1 pound per pair
- Durable lever locking system
- Ergonomic cork grip with an extension for sidehilling
- Easy-to-adjust length
Cons
- Quite pricey compared to other trekking poles
- Lever on locks is a glass-filled polymer, not metal
LEKI Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles Review
I’ve had the LEKI Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles for about 3 years. They’re one of six pairs of trekking poles in my gear cave that I swap through depending on my outing. They aren’t always my top choice.
For example, I’d much more likely grab the Black Diamond Carbon Z for an ultra run. I also put them in my pack when hunting because they weigh nothing and come in handy when packing out elk quarters.
But when I’m packing for a big hike like Colorado’s Four Pass Loop or Europe’s Tour du Mont Blanc, these will be my go-to pair. That’s because they’re incredibly comfortable in the hand.
I mentioned that these poles are a little heavy. At just over 1 pound per pair, they’re right in the middle of the average weight range for carbon poles. Ultralight poles like the Carbon Distance Z, however, are lighter at around 9-10 ounces per pair. For most hikers, this weight difference is negligible. But for ultra-runners or anyone else counting grams, the difference will add up.
Working from the top down, the grips are the best part of the Black Series FX Carbon trekking poles. The grips don’t stain your skin when they get wet. The cork has a lovely palm swell and, to borrow knife parlance, a choil that keeps your hand from sliding down off the grip.
While many poles do nothing with the top of the pole, LEKI added an ergonomic 3-inch rounded platform to the top of these poles. When hiking down steep hills with a pack, you hold the poles so your palm rests against the top piece and then lift the poles for each step with the platform’s overhang. It’s delightfully forgiving on your palms as you press into them to brake on steep sections.
My wife and I agreed that this feature sets these poles apart from many on the market. If you haven’t used poles like this, try them. They’ll change the way you descend.
The poles have forgettable straps. They’re light and do the job but don’t stand out as good or bad. I don’t use them much.
Lock, Adjustment, Baskets, Tips
The LEKI Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles have a polymer locking lever. While it could be a ding against those compared with metal, I have had no problem with them in years (and hundreds of miles) of strenuous testing. They lock up as well today as they did when new.
To unlock and fold the poles, flip open the locking lever on the side and pull the poles to full extension. This unlocks an internal mechanism and allows the poles to fold up into a three-segment package that remains connected with a plastic-coated cord. To lock them, just pull them straight again and they automatically lock into a single length. From there, they adjust from 110mm to 130mm in length.
The Black Series FX Carbon comes with a trekking basket and carbide tip. Snow baskets and rubber walking tip covers are sold separately. For the price, I do wish they’d come with the poles.
This brings us to the biggest problem with the Black Series FX Carbon poles: price. Retailing for $270, these are some pricey trekking poles. While I would argue that these are the nicest you can buy, they’re a full $100 more than MSR’s excellent DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles and $80 more than Black Diamond’s highly regarded ultralight Carbon Distance Z.
Is that price worth it? You’re largely paying for very nice natural cork grips, good durability, and a competitively weighted carbon shaft. If that’s worth it to you, I would not hesitate.
These are sweet, sweet trekking poles. You’ll pay a little more, and they aren’t the lightest on the market. But if you hike with a midweight to heavy pack and cover big miles in steep terrain, you, like me, will probably find them worth it.
