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Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair

CARBON/BLUE

Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair

$159.95

(9)

Item # 839641

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The amazingly light Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole trekking poles incorporate a simple yet cutting-edge folding design that's ideal for thru-hikers, endurance runners and fast-packers.

Innovative folding Z-Pole system offers simple, compact and reliable support with a concealed inner cord, single push-button release and speed cone deployment
A quick pull on the grip, and the first pole section snaps and locks the 3 pole sections into place; flexible tube ends protect the Kevlar® center cord when folded
Easily replace and solidly secure pole tips with WaveLock™ tip connections
Right- and left-hand-specific straps are light, breathable and moisture-wicking; they feature breathable cutout windows and easy rip-and-stick adjustability
Inspired by snow probes, speed cones at the end of each pole section ensure strength, stability and super-fast deployment; each speed cone guides a pole section into place
Light, non-slip EVA foam grips feature foam extensions that allow poles to be held low during short side hill traverses
100% carbon fiber shafts offer ultralight perfomance
Pole baskets feature shaft catchers to secure pole sections when folded; note: baskets are fixed in place and cannot be switched out for snow or powder baskets
Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole trekking poles come with interchangeable, nonmarking rubber tips, carbide tips and a stow bag

Specification for suggested height range are as follows:

100 cm: Less than 5 ft. 1 in.
110 cm: 5 ft. 1 in. - 5 ft. 7 in.
120 cm: 5 ft. 8 in. - 5 ft. 11 in.
130 cm: 6 ft.+

Please note: Black Diamond products can only be shipped to U.S. addresses.

Imported.

Item 839641

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Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair Customer Reviews

REVIEW SNAPSHOT®

by PowerReviews

Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair

4.3

(based on 9 reviews)

89%

of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Pros

Lightweight (9)
Ergonomic grip (5)
Good stiffness (5)
Durable (4)
Good precision (3)

Cons

Best Uses

Alpine (4)
Cross-country (4)

- Reviewer Profile:
- Advanced (5)
- Was this a gift?:
- No (8)

Reviewed by 9 customers

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Displaying reviews 1-9

Jun

2013

5.0

Worth the price if you're going light.

By Donn the Hiker

from Greenbelt, MD

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Don't Collapse Unexpected
Durable
Ergonomic Grip
Excellent Shock Absorption
Good Precision
Good Stiffness
Lightweight
Quick Deploy
Run Or Hike

Cons

Best Uses

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

I found out that light poles can make a difference when I didn't carry a pair on a hike; high step-ups at the end that I thought would be harder without poles were actually easier - because I hadn't been tiring myself out with poles for the past 11 miles, and had more juice left. (Poles are an upper-body workout.)

That's when I knew I was getting these (the bennies outweigh the above disadvantage). A few ounces mean a lot. These are so light I just tote them in my hands for stretches I'm not using them. They're the only poles I'll use for trail runs, because they're the only ones light enough. If you don't use poles for trail runs, a few strides with these serve as your introuction, and from then on, you're using them, period.

You'll see scratches on the shaft if you hike anywhere with rocks and such. Can't say what that means for long-term durability, but so far it seems not to worry about. The more superficial ones almost seem to self-heal. Take the pole bag with you; it's a handy way to store them should you decide to. The speed cones not only make for quick deployment and breakdown but also for a pole that doesn't unexpectedly collapse on you when you plant it. I thought the choke-up extensions on the handle looked too small to be useful. (I choke up a lot.) No worries; they work fine.

If you are lightening up your hiking kit, don't neglect the poles; these are as light as they get, and so far, exceed the performance of any others I've used. Ounces do count; and cutting them here makes a noticeable difference.

Comment on this review

May

2013

4.0

Stronger than I expected

By Shveddy

from antalya turkey

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Lightweight

Cons

Handle Rubs Off On Hand

Best Uses

Alpine
Cross-Country

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

Even though these things are extremely light, I haven't shied away from putting a lot of weight on them and they have held up very well.

If you have ever seen that old Charleston Heston film "the Ten Commandments" where God turns his walking stick into a snake to show his power and then Charleston grabs the snake by the tail and it immediately snaps back into a walking stick into his hands, the mechanism that snaps these things together feels exactly like that. It's kinda magical and it makes me just a little bit happy every time I do it.

My only complaint is that the foam handles are blackand when you use them and sweat into them, a bunch of black junk rubs off onto your hands. It's kinda annoying, that's all.

Comment on this review

May

2013

3.0

straps too small

By hikingmaniac

from Appleton, WI

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Ergonomic Grip
Good Stiffness
Lightweight

Cons

Uncomfortable

Best Uses

Hiking

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

My husband bought a pair of these poles while we were hiking in Tucson. They worked well and are lightweight. I worry about the instruction that any damage to the pole may weaken the integrity/structure of the pole. Unless you hike in a rockless area it is difficult to avoid some scratches and scrapes with rocks on the sides of the trail. The most negative thing about the poles is that they apparently come with a standard SM/MED strap, which does not allow you to grasp the handle at a lower position or fit with gloves even at the fully expanded velcro position. A larger strap is not available through REI so I was advised to contact Black Diamond. In doing so the BD Customer Service Representative informed me I could buy 2 new straps at $15 each. This added $30 to an already expensive pole. I had to return them to REI because I did not feel they were worth the value.

Comment on this review

Apr

2013

4.0

Need to use them more

By gr8mumma

from Austin, Texas

About Me Intermediate

See all my reviews

Pros

Ergonomic Grip
Folds To Fit Suitcase
Lightweight
Super Light Weight

Cons

Easy To Lose Tips
Handle Loops Too Small
Tips Don't Twist Off Easy

Best Uses

Travel Not Too Steep

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

Wonderfully light weight folding poles. Easy to pack in suitcase or backpack. Only used a few times. Probably not geared to heavy use, or super steep terrain. May be fragile. Interchangeable tips are stored in a little pocket in the carry sleeve. Impossible to twist the tips off with your hands. Need a pliers. Definitely hard to figure out. Need better directions.

Comment on this review

Feb

2013

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Not just light!

By C S Vianna

from Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Good Stiffness
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Alpine
Cross-Country

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

Used them last week to do the "O" circuit at Torres Del Paine, Chile.
As stiff as any standard poles but much, much lighter; you forget you are carrying them.
No doubt, the best trekking poles I ever had!

Comment on this review

Jan

2013

(3 of 3 customers found this review helpful)

5.0

Awesome poles

By Mattt

from Eastern US

About Me Expert

See all my reviews

Pros

Ergonomic Grip
Excellent Shock Absorption
Good Precision
Good Stiffness
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Backpacking

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

Got these to upgrade an old 'BD Trail' pair of poles. These are crazy lightweight which I never complained about with my older poles but instantly noticed how much lighter my hands were on the trail using these. They are stiffer than my heavier poles which I was worried about. I know carbon fiber has excellent strength for its weight but I was very timid at first thinking that these were still just too light to be structurally sound. I still have worries that even though they are sturdy on the trail that they will not last as long as my heavier ones but I will speak to that durability when I have a better idea of it. So far they are just great though.

Comment on this review

Jan

2013

5.0

Fantastic

By Widgtech

from Reno, NV

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Alpine
Cross-Country
Snowshoeing

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

The poles are much stronger then what they feel like they would be for their weight. This is my first set of hiking poles and they make a world of difference.

Comment on this review

Jan

2013

(2 of 2 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Excellent, with one problem

By Grizvet

from Bellingham, WA

About Me Advanced

See all my reviews

Pros

Durable
Ergonomic Grip
Good Precision
Good Stiffness
Lightweight

Cons

Best Uses

Alpine
Cross-Country

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

I bought these about 6 months ago and have used them 2-4 times a week. They are excellent poles with one problem: The rip-and-stick adjustment does not allow me to make them as long as they should be for the lower grip when I'm wearing heavy gloves, and I can't use heavy mitts (necessary on bitter cold mornings) with them at all.

Comment on this review

Nov

2012

(1 of 1 customers found this review helpful)

4.0

Light and useful

By Cutbackcoach

from Denver CO

See all my reviews

Pros

Compact
Easy to use
Lightweight

Cons

Flimsy Strap Connection

Best Uses

Comments about Black Diamond Ultra Distance Z-Pole Trekking Poles - Pair:

My wife and I used these poles for several easy 14er routes and miscellaneous hikes in the Colorado Rockies this year. Very easy to assemble, super light, yet strong enough to provide meaningful third balance point. They collapse down to a short package easy to strap packside when not being used. Only ding is that the tiny string connecting the adjustable wrist strap to the pole head broke after about 12 miles use. Replace it with a short loop of small diameter accessory cord. I'd use burlier poles, a few ounces heavier, like MSRs, for snowshoeing.

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Displaying reviews 1-9