Black Diamond Pursuit Shock Review

Overview

The Pursuit Shock is Black Diamond’s comfort-first trekking pole: a three-section aluminum shaft, a cork grip with foam extensions, and a damping mechanism built into the handle to take the edge off every plant. It is the same pole as the standard Pursuit with a shock system added, and the price of that addition is weight and a bulkier collapsed length. For hikers whose knees complain on the way down, it is a reasonable bargain. For anyone counting grams, it is not.

Key Specs

Spec	Detail
Weight (pair)	496–520 g depending on size
Usable length	100–125 cm (S/M); 100–140 cm (M/L)
Collapsed length	62 cm (S/M); 68 cm (M/L)
Shaft	7075 aluminum, 30% pre-consumer recycled, three sections
Grip	Natural cork with Bloom foam extensions
Lock	Soft-touch FlickLock+
Shock absorption	Integrated in the handle
Tips and baskets	4-Season flex tips, trekking baskets; snow baskets included

Performance

Grip comfort. The cork-and-foam handle is the pole’s best argument. Testers of the standard Pursuit, which shares the grip, describe a subtle ergonomic shape that keeps the hand neutral, cork that handles sweat well, and a surface that softens and molds to the palm over time. A REI reviewer who tried the Shock version for the first time noted that hands stayed cooler than on synthetic grips, which matters on a humid August climb. The foam extensions below the main grip give a place to choke up on sidehills without gripping the shaft itself.

The shock system. Reaction to the damping is mostly positive and a little divided on firmness. Owners describe less joint fatigue on long descents. One buyer who hikes with a heavy pack to the crag says the poles let them lean on them downhill with more confidence. Another notes the effect is subtle enough that someone coming from rigid poles may not register it until they switch back. At least one 150-pound owner found the damping a bit stiff at first and guessed it might loosen with use. The pattern is that lighter hikers should expect a firmer feel, and heavier hikers with loaded packs will get more out of the spring.

There is a counterargument worth weighing. A Continental Divide Trail tester who used the non-shock Pursuit for the full 2,000-plus miles prefers a stiff pole for stability in rugged terrain and never missed the damping over 20-mile days. Hikers who plant aggressively and value a rigid, predictable pole may feel the same about the Shock.

Locks and adjustability. FlickLock+ gets consistent praise. Gear reviewer Jim Brisbine calls it compact, easy to use and very secure, and notes that the middle and lower shaft sections can be set independently. A hex wrench for tension adjustments is stored in the pole. Early owners in the hunting and hiking communities say the locks cinch tight and stay that way. The reported downsides are small ones: levers can snag on branches or clothing and pop open in brush, and printed length markings wear off with use.

Durability. The 7075 aluminum shaft is the sturdy choice here. Aluminum is less likely than carbon to snap and, in Brisbine’s words, can be field-straightened if bent slightly. For a thru-hiker bashing poles into talus, that is a real feature. The tradeoff is weight.

Weight and packability. At 496 to 520 g a pair, these are not ultralight. Brisbine notes the Shock is slightly heavier than the plain Pursuit, and the three-section design is slightly heavier than some other three-section poles. Outdoor Gear Lab’s testers found the Pursuit family does not pack down as small as most competitors, which limits its appeal for scrambling routes where poles have to ride inside a pack. Collapsed lengths of 62 and 68 cm put them in the lashed-to-the-side category rather than the stuffed-in-the-lid one.

Snow. Wide baskets for snow come in the box, which makes these a credible shoulder-season and snowshoeing pole without further purchases.

Choosing a Version

The two sizes differ in range, not in character.

• S/M (496 g, 100–125 cm, 62 cm collapsed): For shorter hikers, generally those who need a pole length of 125 cm or less. It is the lighter and more compact of the pair.
• M/L (520 g, 100–140 cm, 68 cm collapsed): For taller hikers who need more than 125 cm, and for anyone who wants extra length for steep downhill or for planting uphill of a trekking-pole shelter. The 24 g penalty and 6 cm of extra collapsed length are the price.

A hiker who fits within the S/M range should take it. The shorter pole saves weight and packs smaller.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Cork grip with foam extensions is comfortable, sweat-tolerant and molds over time
• Integrated shock reduces impact on knees during long descents
• FlickLock+ is secure and has an onboard hex tool for adjustment
• Aluminum shaft is durable and field-repairable
• Snow baskets included; usable in winter conditions
• Recycled aluminum content and replaceable parts

Cons

• At 496–520 g a pair, it is heavier than carbon or non-shock poles
• Collapsed length of 62–68 cm is long for a three-section pole
• Damping may feel stiff to lighter hikers
• Locks can catch on brush; length markings reportedly wear off

Who Should Buy This

The Pursuit Shock suits day hikers, section hikers and backpackers carrying moderate to heavy loads who deal with knee or joint discomfort on descents, and anyone who also wants a pole for snowshoeing. It is also a good first pair for people new to poles. Gram-counting thru-hikers, scramblers who need poles to disappear into a pack, and hikers who prefer a rigid, unyielding plant should look at the standard Pursuit or a carbon folding pole instead.

Verdict

The Pursuit Shock is a durable, comfortable pole that does what its name says, and it does it with one of the best grips and lock systems in its class. It is the right pick for hikers who value joint relief over weight savings. Ultralight purists will find the same money buys a lighter, smaller-packing pole elsewhere.