Alex Rienzie Testing the Black Crows Trios Freebird Poles | Photo Connor Burkesmith Mountain Weekly News
Black Crows Trios Freebird Poles Review
The Black Crows Trios Freebird have quickly become my favorite poles. These poles are a fantastic choice for backcountry skiers looking for a lightweight, collapsible, and durable set of poles. Before you know it, you’ll be using these poles in bounds, out of bounds and all over. We tested these on the wind-swept ridges of the Tetons; check out where they landed in our [latest best splitboard / ski touring poles list].
Build Quality
I’ve found that the Black Crows Trios Freebirds Poles are incredibly well built to be both light and durable. The top two sections are built from carbon rather than aluminum which saves the poles from becoming bent and unusable – a sad reality for many of my former poles. These are the first carbon touring poles I’ve seen and they’re a game changer.
The two Power Locks on each of the poles are also durable and easy to use. I recommend lightly tightening the Power Locks before your first use. After the initial tightening I’ve had no issues with reliability or slippage.
Hand Strap
Black Crows took the time to give a design a wonderful pole top to bottom. The ergonomic hand strap really stuck out for me. During long tours without gloves I would often get a small rash on each of my hands. It was a minor annoyance but one that I doubted I could fix. The Trios Freebird staps however feel like silk on your hands… not overlapping fabric, just one smooth strap.
Size and Grip
The three-section design works great for more technical days when you have to strap your poles to your bag. These poles collapse down to 68cm which is shorter than the length of my bag. The foam grips are 28cm long which is a must have for side hilling and touring in variable terrain. I wouldn’t mind if they made the grip even longer.
Weight and Durability
Weighing in at 260g per pole these are the lightest poles I’ve owned. Even at this weight they feel far from flimsy. I’ve taken these Black Crows Ski Poles through their paces in the backcountry and the resort and the Trios Freebirds still look brand new.
Baskets
I like the basket design and find it does well in powder. The straight edges also made adjusting my heal risers easier than the average pole.
Black Crows Trios Freebird Poles Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Ultra-lightweight and durable carbon construction
- Ergonomic hand strap for comfortable use
- Compact size for easy transport and foam grips
Cons:
- Not the longest grip for every user
- May be on the more expensive side
Overall Impression
Overall, the Black Crows Trios Freebird Poles ($189.95) are an excellent choice for backcountry skiers looking for a high-quality, versatile pole. With their durable construction, comfortable grips, and lightweight design, these poles are sure to enhance your backcountry skiing experience.
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