Black Diamond Traverse 3 Ski Poles 26/27

The Traverse 3 is Black Diamond's three-section FlickLock touring pole. Buckle-less wrist straps and sticky rubber grips adjust easily on the move, and the ergonomic grip has a flat edge for scraping heavy snow off your skis plus a soft-touch utility hook for flipping heel risers on the skin track.

Three sections pack down smaller than a two-piece pole and add one more joint to keep clean. For touring and travel that is a good deal, and FlickLock means you can re-set length with gloves on.

It is for backcountry skiers who want one pole for the skin track and the descent, and who value packability. If you never need a pole to collapse, a two-piece is simpler.

Depth markings at 10, 20 and 30cm from the grip top let you probe snow depth without a tape, and the shaft houses a PH3 screwdriver for binding fixes in the field.

A pole that quietly solves half a dozen small problems on every tour. Covered by Black Diamond's two-year warranty.