Here is how these two trekking poles compare on the numbers. The Carbon Fiber Quick Lock leans on low weight while the Trail Ergo Cork answers with packability, so the pick comes down to which you value.
| Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock | Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork | |
|---|---|---|
| GearScore | 47✓ | 40 |
| Weight (pair) | 16.0 oz✓ | 18.0 oz |
| Packed length | 76 cm | 74 cm✓ |
| Max length | 132 cm | 140 cm✓ |
| Min length | 66 cm | 100 cm |
| Price | $65✓ | $120 |
| Material | Carbon | Aluminum |
| Fold style | Telescoping | Telescoping |
Highlighted cells mark the better spec: Carbon Fiber Quick Lock in blue, Trail Ergo Cork 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 Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock against the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork is a study in priorities. The Carbon Fiber Quick Lock wins on low weight and price, and the Trail Ergo Cork pushes back on packability and reach.
The Carbon Fiber Quick Lock is 2 oz lighter per pair and $55 cheaper. The Trail Ergo Cork is a little shorter packed and a longer reach (140 vs 132 cm). On the default GearScore the Carbon Fiber Quick Lock leads 47 to 40.
Pick the Carbon Fiber Quick Lock if you care most about low weight and price, which makes it the better call for counting grams on long miles. Pick the Trail Ergo Cork if packability and reach matter more to you, or you are focused on saving space in your pack.
The Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock. It is 2 oz lighter per pair than the Trail Ergo Cork.
The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork. It is a little shorter packed than the Carbon Fiber Quick Lock.
The Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock, 47 to 40 on the default algorithm. You can re-weight the factors to match your trip.
It depends on your priorities. Go with the Carbon Fiber Quick Lock for low weight, or the Trail Ergo Cork for packability. The spec table above shows exactly where each wins.