Side by side
01 First pair or winter
Black Diamond Trail Back
Black Diamond Trail Back Trekking Poles
Kit Score 8.6/10
02 Sore hands, long days
LEKI Legacy Lite
LEKI Legacy Lite Trekking Poles
Kit Score 8.5/10
| Black Diamond Trail Back | LEKI Legacy Lite | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Day hikers and backpackers who favor visible lever locks, broad adjustment, and included snow baskets over minimum weight or compact packing. | Day hikers and backpackers who prioritize a cork-rich grip and long-term shaft coverage over compact packing. |
| Weight (pair) | 19.7 oz (560 g) | 17.7 oz (502 g) |
| Shaft material | 7075 aluminum | HTS 6.0 aluminum |
| Lock type | FlickLock lever (2x) | Speed Lock+ lever (external) |
| Length range | 39 – 55 in (100 – 140 cm) | 100 – 135 cm (39 – 53 in) |
| Collapsed length | 24.2 in (61.5 cm) | 26 in (66 cm) |
| Grip | EVA foam with extended upper grip | 80% cork composite (EVOCON Cor-Tec) |
| Strengths |
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| Tradeoffs |
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Black Diamond Trail Back and LEKI Legacy Lite are both three-section aluminum poles with external lever locks. The meaningful differences are grip, range, warranty, current price, and a small weight gap.
The short version
Buy the Black Diamond Trail Back for the lower current price, wider 100–140 cm range, and included snow baskets. Buy the LEKI Legacy Lite for its CorTec grip containing 80% natural cork, slightly lower listed pair weight, and lifetime shaft-breakage warranty. Neither is compact: both collapse to roughly two feet.
Side-by-side specifications
| Decision | Trail Back | Legacy Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Current verified price | About $75 | $109.95 |
| Adjustment | 100–140 cm | 100–135 cm; shorter model available |
| Pair weight | Roughly 534–560 g | 502 g |
| Packed length | 61.5 cm | 66 cm |
| Grip | Extended EVA/TPR | EVOCON CorTec, 80% natural cork |
| Lock | FlickLock | Speed Lock Plus |
| Warranty distinction | Black Diamond two-year product warranty | Lifetime shaft-breakage warranty |
Choose Trail Back for range and price
The Trail Back reaches 5 cm farther at the top of its range and currently costs about $35 less. That makes it the easier recommendation for a first pair, a household with uncertain fit, or winter use where the included snow baskets matter.
Its extended foam grip is also useful on short climbs. Move your hand down the grip instead of stopping to shorten the shafts for every brief rise.
Read the full Trail Back review for the current manufacturer's conflicting weight entries and exact packed-size tradeoff.
Choose Legacy Lite for hands and ownership
LEKI's extra money goes into the contact points and support policy. The CorTec grip feels different from foam, and the anatomically rounded EVOCON shape is the deciding feature for users whose palms become sore during long days.
The lifetime shaft-breakage warranty also gives the Legacy Lite a clearer long-term ownership proposition. It does not cover every worn tip or strap, but it addresses the costly structural part.
See the full Legacy Lite review for both size ranges.
Which fits travel better?
Neither. Trail Back is shorter at 61.5 cm, but that is still 24.2 inches. Legacy Lite is 26 inches. Both typically ride outside a daypack or diagonally in luggage.
If compact storage is non-negotiable, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ folds to 13.4–15.7 inches. You will pay much more and must select a narrower size range.
Frequently asked questions
Is LEKI Legacy Lite worth $35 more than Trail Back?
It is worth the difference if cork grip feel and lifetime shaft-breakage coverage matter to you. It is not worth paying more merely for a small weight reduction; both remain conventional aluminum poles.
Which pole is better for tall hikers?
Trail Back reaches 140 cm, while the standard Legacy Lite reaches 135 cm. Tall users who need more than 135 cm should choose Trail Back or another verified longer range.
Which one is better in winter?
Trail Back includes snow baskets. LEKI supports compatible winter baskets, but confirm what is included with the exact listing. Neither should be treated as an alpine ski pole without the appropriate basket and intended use.
Compare the lower-cost carbon alternative in Cascade vs Trail Back, or see all four use cases in best trekking poles.
