Leki Black Series FX Carbon

Extremely comfortable poles that are comfortable, well built, and rugged. But expensive and heavy.

I've used many poles in my time and Leki has some of the most comfortable grips I have used. I've used the Leki FX poles on the Uintah Highline Trail in snow and shale, the Sawtooths in snow and rocky terrain, and the Teton Crest Trail in the past few months, and I have never felt them to be tiring or uncomfortable.

The grips are smooth and shock absorbent with cork up high for quick flats/descents and foam lower for ascending. I find the knobs on the top of the grip are bigger than needed, but also provide great leverage for forward swings. On descents I find myself using that upper knob in my hand as yet another way to grip. But, if I was Leki, I'd trim that for some weight savings. The cork has taken some abuse, yet looks new. My Cascade Designs handles are much thinner and cheaper and show numerous nicks and far more wear.

Atop the handle is the easiest adjuster for the straps I have ever used. Simply pull the strap up to release the clamp, adjust and clamp back down. Other poles are much harder to adjust. This is handy when you change from alpine to warmer climates and need to swap gloves.

The poles have a very different locking mechanism that took a moment to understand. You undo the lock, pull completely till it clicks and is then locked. The height can then be adjusted as needed. To fold, unlock, pull past the clicks press back down and fold. There is no awkward button to press down and once I figured it out, it hasn't failed. The flick lock is tight and easily adjusted with the nut. The nut is affixed to the bolt and cannot easily be removed. This will make that nut hard to lose, but may be hard to fix if ever broken.

The lock has not slipped on me—ever. I rate the lock in the best I've ever used category. 

The pole has length markings from 108 - 130. They are easy to read and I haven't managed to scratch them off as I have others.

The included snow baskets are small and not great for very powdery snow. But great for more packed snow. They are screw-on style, so if lost or if bigger baskets are desired, they are easily replaced. 

The two big cons of these poles are the weight and the cost. There are definitely lighter and cheaper carbon poles out there! 

But, Leki's warranty is top notch. I have another set of Lekis and the locking clip broke. I emailed Leki with a pic and had a new lock/bolt in just a few days. 

And the handle comfort is amazing. My Cascade Design handles become uncomfortable around mile 10, with the Lekis,  I had no hand discomfort. 

Background

I own numerous trekking poles and switched to almost full-time trekking pole use after 2007, when I sprained my ankle in the North Cascades.