The Vapor Carbon 1 is a simple, strong pole that has an extended grip for choking up on skin tracks. Made with carbon and glass fibers, the pole is ultralight and stiff which makes it great for racing and efficient touring. The poles have adjustable hand straps and sharp, hardened tips for breaking through crust. The handles have a lip that is handy for manipulating binding risers and levers. Black Diamond includes a set of freeride baskets with the poles, which are sold in pairs.

• 15.4mm (0.6”) one-piece shafts are made with mostly carbon fiber.
• Ultralight foam grips extend down the shaft which is great for side-hilling.
• Includes 75mm Freeride baskets.

Update 2019/20: BD added glass fibers to the shaft to increase durability and some stickier rubber on the handle top to make heel flaps easier to flip. They also added support for indexed baskets, meaning you can get a 3/4 basket with a tab that fits into a groove on the base of the Vapor poles, preventing the basket from spinning. The poles no longer ship with additional 40mm ice baskets.

Update 2021/22: This years pole sports a pop of new, green color, reinforced glass fiber along the shaft, and an extended grip to better handle slope variability.