best hiking poles...Leki vs Black Dianmond?

Well...I have an REI gift card...which poles should I buy? I have a significant knee problem. Growing older has it's downsides...but I am determined! I completely have managed to go through a pair of REI poles in just 2 years. Ok...a LOT of hiking...maybe that's to be expected? They DID really keep my knee in check. Any help is appreciated!

If you have to buy poles at REI, I'd recommend the Black Diamond Trails. They don't come unlocked (slip) like my wife's Lekis. The BD flicklock system has been very reliable for me. However, if you can liquidate your REI gift card someplace, I'd go with the Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4's, which also don't slip and weigh over a pound less.

Earlylite
http://sectionhiker.com

Both make great poles. I used Leki's for years, including an AT thruhike and 1000 miles on the PCT. However, a couple years ago I bough Black Diamond poles, and I'll never go back to Leki. They don't slip nearly as easily as the Leki's did, and adjusting the length on them is a lot easier and faster.

So, you won't go wrong with either one, but I would recommend the Black Diamond poles.

I've used both. I like them both. I've had both systems slip a touch, but not to an extent that I'd say they failed to do their job. I'd recommend going with the lightest pair & best grip regardless of the brand name.

BD all the way because of the flick locks.

Black Diamond poles are on sale right now at REI for %54 (instead of $79). FYI

I think it's perilous to ask for a "best" version of any piece of gear without being pretty clear how you prioritize the selection criteria ... price, weight, durability, ease of repair or availability of parts, adaptability (perhaps in this case availability of snow baskets), perhaps features such as shock absorbtion, how noisy or quiet they are, max/min length, fixed length versus adjustable ...

Given that you've "managed to go through a pair" of poles in just two years, I speculate that durability might be your top criteria?? My favorite poles wouldn't be a good choice then; I've got lots of miles on of my carbon fiber poles, but you might choose something beefier, depending on exactly what's causing you to no longer use your previous poles.

Thanks everyone...sounds a bit like BD...and they are on sale right now which means left over money to buy new silk undergarments...nice!

BrianLe: What caused me to go through a pair of poles is that the spring inside broke in one of them and the top part of the pole would come off the bottom part regularly. I still think they were probably my best item for any long trip...and certainly well used...even broken! But 2 years seems a short life-span compared to other things I use both in the back country and in my general life. I am actually pretty light on my things...and tend to keep most of what I own past the lifespan usually given for them. So...this surprised me. But to be fair...I used them a whole lot.

If indeed you're not hard on gear, *and* if weight is a significant factor for you, then of what REI offers (last time I checked ...), I'd consider the REI branded Komperdell carbon fiber poles. (With no springs --- "one more thing to break" is one reason I no longer like shock absorbers on poles).

For some (perhaps many) people, the initial reaction to saving a little weight in trekking poles is "ho hum, who cares about that small a weight saving?". But when I offer to briefly swap poles on the trail, people don't want to give mine back ... it's a little like the old saw about "X pounds on your feet is equivalent to Y pounds on your back" (where, depending on who's telling it, Y is some different multiple of X). You're lifting your arms and moving those poles constantly.

The BD poles might indeed be best for you, again, depending on what you want to optimize. For those that can avoid just pushing (literally pushing) forward when their pole gets stuck (potentially to the point of breakage), I like carbon fiber poles a lot. I've got 3000 or so miles on mine and expect to get a lot more.

Summarising what I have gleaned from various forums :
Leki have a great reputation for good after sale service
Black Diamond don't need after sale service.
Franco