Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles - Pair
This product is not available. Good news: we have a newer version.
Engineered for those who travel fast, the Distance Carbon Z poles are the lightest Z poles that Black Diamond makes. Their 3-section foldable design allows for fast-response deployment.
Shop newer version- Compared to their predecessors, these poles feature a slimmed down diameter, which shaves weight and bulk without sacrificing durability
- 100% carbon fiber shafts keeps these incredibly lightweight at just 140 g per pole (based on 120 cm length)
- Z-pole fixed-length construction with speed-cone deployment
- Lightweight, comfortable EVA foam grips and grip extensions feature breathable, moisture-wicking straps made from recycled materials
- Optimized joint support and stiffness increase durability
- Interchangeable tech tip compatible; both carbide and non-scarring rubber tech tips are included
- Removable, low-profile baskets for versatility (also compatible with Z-Pole Snow Baskets, not included)
Imported.
View the Black Diamond Distance Product LineView all Black Diamond Trekking Poles| Best Use | Hiking Trail Running |
|---|---|
| Shaft Construction | Carbon fiber |
| Grip Material | Foam |
| Adjustable | No |
| Ultralight | Yes |
| Basket Type | Trekking |
| Weight (Pair) | 9.8 ounces |
| Gender | Unisex |
| Sustainability | Contains recycled materials |
| 100 CM | 110 CM | 120 CM | 130 CM | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height Range | < 5 ft. 1 in. | 5 ft. 1 in. - 5 ft. 7 in. | 5 ft. 8 in. - 5 ft. 11 in. | 6 ft. + |
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Locking pin keeps getting stuck. 3 pairs in < 1yr
I'm on my 3rd pair of Black Diamond poles in less than a year, after exchanging my previous 2 pairs for the same reason. I started with the Distance Z and when those failed, I exchanged for the Carbon Z. The locking pin keeps getting stuck and requires a lot of fussing with to get it to pop back out. None of the poles were abused, and each pair had only been used a handful of times before getting jammed. While trying to find a solution online, I found that this has been an ongoing complaint since at least 2019. I contacted BD to ask about the issue, but BD does not seem to think this is a big enough problem after 5 years. I'm ready to move on.
Great lightweight poles
These were on sale for the same price as the aluminum ones. I was a bit worried about durability and have only used them on 3 runs so far but they have held up well! I don't ever feel tentative using them and they are a huge boost to uphill movement. They collapse easily and restore quickly. I typically run on very rocky terrain and swapped out the carbide tips for rubber. That process required a few YouTube videos and some pliers but mostly because I didn't want to break anything. Overall I'm very pleased with them and look forward to the uphills now :)
Excellent until ..........
Let me say that I believe BlackDiamond's poles are excellent, and this version of pole was great for it's like weight for a year .... until both poles broke near the handle connection in the same day. This location is where the metal adjustment button goes through a drilled hole in the tubing. this is the Achilles heel of the poles. I really appreciated the poles up til that day. I also have a set of Black Diamond's called the Alpine Carbon Cork. These are excellent, and much stronger design wise due to the exclusive use of Flick-locks for all adjustments. If the hikes or backpacking you do requires functioning poles, I'd recommend the Alpine Carbon Cork.
New Model Has Snow Basket Option But Has A Flaw
I like this new pole design because it has a snow basket. After one use I discovered it has one major flaw. I have owned four (4) sets of the old model/design and have racked up probably over 4,000 miles with them over the years. One or both poles of the old model will break on me after 1,000+ miles of use. To me that is quite durable for the weight and I would buy a new pair to replace them. My wife has a set of the old design as well and she loves them. So that's my background with the BD Carbon Z poles. I was very excited to buy and use these new design because they came with snow baskets option the old style didn't have. On my first use of the poles with snow baskets at Mt Adams in WA State I had to deal with the poles constantly collapsing where the metal push button is located. The poles top grip would force itself causing the collapse at the top after every 5-10 minutes of use. At first I thought it was just one pole doing it but then eventually the other pole would collapse as well. I would stop and spend some time to turn the tension adjustment to make the tension tighter or looser to see if making the poles tighter or loser would affect the collapse. To my surprise it did not matter if the poles were super tight or slightly loose or anywhere in between the would eventually collapse. It was super frustrating! I thought maybe the force into the snow was too much for the poles at certain angle and the flexing was causing the collapse so I rotated the metal piece to the front and it would still collapse on me. I would move the metal facing rearward and it also would eventual collapse as well. Did I say it was super frustrating yet? After Mt Adams I went to run Dog Mt without the poles and saw a runner with a similar style poles but his was not carbon model. We had a long conversation about my issues and I asked him if he had the same issue. He said he had zero issue with his but one of his running friends had the exact same issue as I did on his pair. He did not recall if his friend had the carbon model or a different model. His friend replaced his with another pair from REI and had not heard any issues with his second pair. If BD is reading this, BD should add a notch to the metal piece to help prevent the pole from inadvertently collapsing. I really like these poles and want them to work out as I would like to use them in the snow from time to time. As of right now I cannot recommend taking the chance on these poles in the snow. It can be a safety hazard. Imagine you on a ridge and applying some force on the poles then it collapses and causes you to lose your balance. That is a no for me. I like the new collapse button as it has more surface area to push to collapse. On the old style I sometime had to use something else other than my finger to push them in or pull on the handle outward while pushing to get the pole to collapse. Anyways… I hope this is helpful for potential buyers and also to BD.
Not an option if you sweat apparently?
Seems like sweating a lot will cause these poles to seize up. I've gone through two pairs of these poles. The first pair seized up after about 3mo. The second pair seized up after about 3 weeks. It's hot and humid, and I'm grinding up some steep hills. Sweat is going to happen. I even made sure to rinse my second pair after each use. I tried heat/cold to loosen them up. I tried soapy water. I tried WD40. Nothing. These suckers are locked up tight. Expected better design for $190 poles. It's too bad because I absolutely loved them while they worked. Unfortunately, I rely on my poles and I can't afford for them to fail on me at an inopportune time. Will be looking for a better option.
The poles that saved the day
Bought these particular trekking poles because they packed small and are extremely light weight. I’ve carried trekking poles in the past on numerous hikes and multi day backpacking trips but never used them. On this trip (Milford Track in New Zealand) poles were a game changer. Hiked 12 hours in torrential rains and powerful winds- a day made not only doable, but safer and easier with these poles. Luckily I had them with me.
Toy not a Tool
I write this review with regret. I’ve bought these poles twice and hiked hundreds of miles with them first on the south half of the Appalachian Trail and then Tour du Mont Blanc and have loved they way they feel in my hands and hands on the trail. Then I brought them to Katahdin in Maine as I began the northern half of the AT on Katahdin. On my way down the Abol trail a entire basket came off at some unknown point leaving me with a vulnerable naked pole. I looked getting new poles shipped to me on the trail and due to logistics they couldn’t catch up with me till mile 247. So off I went into the hundred mile wilderness with a wonky pole that sometimes jabbed deep into soft mud or marsh and didn’t fit properly as a tent pole. But at least I had one good one! Soon the entire pole disassembled as the pole wore down and the internal tension line came unattached so out came the gorilla super glue to make a one piece pole. At mile 198 my second pole disassembled. Now Maine is a TOUGH part of the AT with rocks roots water mud rocks roots water mud and hard on gear. And I USE my poles constantly and stab the earth with disregard for their tender feelings. But at 180$ plus tax one might hope you paid for a bit of kit that could keep up. When one broke I thought manufacturing defect. When the second failed the truth was clear: POOR DESIGN! I compared to another hikers Didtance Z poles and yes the flange on the basket is half as long meaning the glued surface is less. As I head into New Hampshire with my new pair (I will NEVER buy another) I’m wondering how many miles before these sad poles disappoint me yet again!
Great poles!
Excellent trekking poles! They provided great stability and support on my last 100 mile ultra in some very muddy and unstable conditions. Loved how light and packable they are for when not in use.
Can permanently lock up
Mine were used on several multi day hiking trips with no problems. I put them away folded up for several months then went on another hiking trip. They were locked up, in the handle portion that allows them to extend, permanently. Alu inside corroded and merged into the carbon. Took a month for BD to replace them.
Very light but too delicate
Very light. Very convenient but not durable. If you are heavy or trek over anything uneven like in northern New England these are just too fragile. 2 hours into my first hike a pole got caught in a boulder crevice and cracked with what seemed like very little force. By contrast for 15 years I have used Black Diamond aluminum poles that have been caught between many boulders are slightly warped but never failed. Carbon fiber by its nature will stay true and not warp but will dramatically fail if over stressed. To REI's credit I returned them and they happily refunded my purchase.