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Super Speedy Review Summary

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z trekking poles are the no brainer best poles on the market for a fastpacker, hiker or trail runner. They weigh almost nothing coming in at about 10oz for the pair. The Z folding means you can stow and deploy them easily without taking your pack off ( I mount them on the bungees on the front water bottles of my Ultimate Direction Packs when not in use). I avoid the telescopic poles that are clumsy and jam when dirty.

The carbon makes them super strong and the carbide tip is grippy in all conditions from ice to desert. I also use them to support a Tarp or Mesh House when camping.

There is no trekking pole quite like them.

Full Review

After 3 years and about 7000 miles my most useful and underappreciated piece of adventure kit finally broke. I’d taken these poles for granted even though it gave me support when I needed it, helped my tired legs on almost all of my 21 Fastest Known Times and even been used many times to make a shelter. In that time I’ve got through 2 running watches, dozens of pairs of shoes, clothing, bags and race vests, and in all that time my Black Diamond Trekking Poles never gave up.

Normally I write a review after testing gear after 50 to 100 miles of testing. This review is more like an obituary to my greatest trail friend the Black Diamond Carbon Distance Z Trekking Pole.

The poles died last week heroically on the Appalachian Trail when I took a tumble in the dark as I used the poles to break my heavy fall on the rocks and avoid injury. In this review I want to explain why after testing loads of gear I will be getting another pair of these because literally no other poles come close for lightness, strength and ease of use.

Carbon Footprint

So why use trekking poles at all? A lot of trail runners in the USA in particular see to feel there is a stigma associated with using ‘cheat sticks’ but I can assure you than in Europe they are used far more by every type of trail runner from ‘back of the pack plodder’ to elite.

Trekking poles give you a number of advantages, used early on in a race or adventure they will decrease the fatigue on your legs from the trail. You can use trekking poles on a long steep ascent to allow your arms to help power you up and hill and on technical descents they provide much needed support and stability and reduce the jarring on your knees. I also use trekking poles as supports for my tarps and mesh houses when I’m setting up camp on multi day adventures or Fastest Known Time trail records.

How Poley Should Your Pole Be ?

Poles tend to come in three sizes. I’m 5ft 7 so find the 110cm is fine . If you are taller you may opt for the 120cm or 130cm versions. There is also a variable adjustable height version for fine tuning called the ‘F’.

Poles That You Can’t Reach Are Useless

If you are looking to buy trekking poles It’s important that the poles are easy to get to and stow away or you simply wont use them as much. I recommend always looking at the 3 part folding Z Pole types of trekking poles for runners as these can be easily folded and stowed with bungees on the side of your front water bottle within reach without taking your bag off.  The telescopic poles are heavier and don’t pack down small enough so you are forced to stow them in the rear of your pack where you cant reach them without taking your pack off. Telescopic poles are also prone to jamming when they get dirty.

Get a Grip

Black Diamond Carbon poles sit perfectly on the bungees of an Ultimate Direction pack for two reasons, the grooves on the handles allow the bungee to ‘lock in’ so they dont slip and the three segments are the same length so no segment can slip out of the bungee easily and make a mess.

Gimme Shelter

As well as providing support for me on trail I also use the poles as supports for my mesh house and tarps when camping. The key to why the Black Diamond Pole works so well comes back to the deep grooves in the grip that you can run the cord through when setting the shelters up.

Other makes of pole have a smooth pole grip that means you can’t secure a cord as easily without it slipping away and off the pole and causing your shelter to collapse.

Cut The Straps Off

The straps round the handle adds weight and clutter and all they will do is increase the chance of you breaking your wrist if you fall over with them round your wrist. I’m not a fan so slice them off. I’ve had various trekking people tell me they prefer to have the wrist straps so they don’t lose the pole if they drop it crossing a stream or on a high ridge, but Id rather buy another pair of poles that are lost or broken than deal with a broken wrist.

Leave a Good Tip

There are two tip options for the poles. A standard hardened plastic rubber tip for grip and a more hardened carbide tip. They are easy enough to replace by hand without tools when they wear out and generally I recommend the carbide tip as I find it has better grip over a wider range of terrain and conditions.

Verdict

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z trekking poles are the no brainer best poles on the market for a fastpacker, hiker or trail runner. They weigh almost nothing coming in at about 10oz for the pair. The Z folding means you can stow and deploy them easily without taking your pack off ( I mount them on the bungees on the front water bottles of my Ultimate Direction Packs when not in use). I avoid the telescopic poles that are clumsy and jam when dirty.

The carbon makes them super strong and the carbide tip is grippy in all conditions from ice to desert. I also use them to support a Tarp or Mesh House when camping.

There are literally no other makes of pole that come close.

Features

• Improved joint support and stiffness
• More durable with added aluminum ring to protect carbon
• Lightweight, EVA foam grip with breathable, moisture-wicking grip
• Non-slip EVA foam mini-grip extension
• Three-section foldable design with speed-cone deployment
• 100% carbon fiber construction
• Interchangeable, non-scarring rubber Tech Tips and carbide Tech Tips
• Stopper basket with shaft catcher to secure folded sections

• More durable with added aluminum ring to protect carbon
• Lightweight, EVA foam grip with breathable, moisture-wicking grip
• Non-slip EVA foam mini-grip extension
• Three-section foldable design with speed-cone deployment
• 100% carbon fiber construction
• Interchangeable, non-scarring rubber Tech Tips and carbide Tech Tips
• Stopper basket with shaft catcher to secure folded sections