Here is how these two trekking poles compare on the numbers. The Pursuit leans on low weight while the DynaLock Explore answers with packability, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Black Diamond Pursuit | MSR DynaLock Explore | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 46✓ | 39 |
| Weight (pair) | 17.3 oz✓ | 19.0 oz |
| Packed length | 63 cm | 62 cm✓ |
| Max length | 140 cm | 140 cm |
| Min length | 100 cm | 100 cm |
| Price | $170 | $120✓ |
| Material | Aluminum | Aluminum |
| Fold style | Telescoping | Telescoping |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Pursuit in blue, DynaLock Explore in amber. A blank spec is never counted as a win. Min length is shown for context and is not scored. GearScore is the overall rating (0 to 100); re-weight it on the full trekking-pole comparison. Prices are current MSRP.
The Black Diamond Pursuit against the MSR DynaLock Explore is a study in priorities. The Pursuit wins on low weight, and the DynaLock Explore pushes back on packability and price.
The Pursuit is 1.7 oz lighter per pair. The DynaLock Explore is a little shorter packed and $50 cheaper. On the default GearScore the Pursuit leads 46 to 39.
Pick the Pursuit if you care most about low weight, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the DynaLock Explore if packability and price matter more to you, or you are focused on saving space in your pack.
The Black Diamond Pursuit. It is 1.7 oz lighter per pair than the DynaLock Explore.
The MSR DynaLock Explore. It is a little shorter packed than the Pursuit.
The Black Diamond Pursuit, 46 to 39 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Pursuit for low weight, or the DynaLock Explore for packability. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.