How to Choose Trekking Poles and Hiking Staffs

Made for those who like to travel fast on the trails, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z trekking poles have lightweight carbon construction and a 3-section foldable design for speedy deployment.
Imported.
View the Black Diamond Distance Product LineView all Black Diamond Trekking PolesBest Use | Trail Running Hiking |
---|---|
Shaft Construction | 100% carbon |
Grip Material | Foam |
Adjustable | No |
Ultralight | Yes |
Maximum Length (in.) | 105 CM: 41 inches 110 CM: 43 inches 120 CM: 47 inches 125 CM: 49 inches 130 CM: 51 inches |
Minimum Length (in.) | 105 CM: 41 inches 110 CM: 43 inches 120 CM: 47 inches 125 CM: 49 inches 130 CM: 51 inches |
Collapsed Length (in.) | 105 CM: 13.5 inches 110 CM: 14 inches 120 CM: 16 inches 125 CM: 17 inches 130 CM: 17 inches |
Maximum Length (cm) | 105 CM: 105 centimeters 110 CM: 110 centimeters 120 CM: 120 centimeters 125 CM: 125 centimeters 130 CM: 130 centimeters |
Minimum Length (cm) | 105 CM: 105 centimeters 110 CM: 110 centimeters 120 CM: 120 centimeters 125 CM: 125 centimeters 130 CM: 130 centimeters |
Collapsed Length (cm) | 105 CM: 35 centimeters 110 CM: 37 centimeters 120 CM: 40 centimeters 125 CM: 42 centimeters 130 CM: 44 centimeters |
Basket Type | Trekking |
Weight (Pair) | 105 CM: 9 ounces 110 CM: 9.3 ounces 120 CM: 9.9 ounces 125 CM: 10.2 ounces 130 CM: 10.4 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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I had my first pair of Distance Carbon Z poles for 14 years. I had to get a new pair because I lost one. I love these poles. I'm visually impaired and before I had them I could only walk on easy trails. After I got them I could walk on all trails. I've done 2 Caminos (Spain 500 mi, Portugal 400mi) 3 trails in Japan, one very mountainous with no switchbacks and I use them regularly hiking on home trails. I was the envy of other hikers when they see how light these poles are and how small they fold. When I travel to sightsee new cities and rural areas I use them on uneven walkways, just using one pole. They help me to see what's around me rather than looking down at the uneven surfaces. I think I should get commissions for each pair I've "sold" to others. I've introduced them to other visually impaired people and also to students in my Tai Chi class. It helps keep up good posture, it works the upper body muscles, it prevents falls, and it helps extend hiking miles. I've also gotten them through TSA security at the airports as the carbon fiber poles don't show in the x-ray. But just in case, I've had my doctor write a prescription for the poles as a "mobility device". A visually impaired friend said it made her feel like a sportster instead of disabled. These poles definitely give me freedom to hike everywhere.
I own my second pair of the amazing Distance Carbon Z poles. Unfortunately the release button got stuck on one pole and i could not fully extend it. There was no troubleshooting advice in the owner's manual and my poles were just outside of the 2 year warranty period. I approached BD anyway and a Warranty & Repair staffer graciously offered this BD Reroute link: https://blackdiamondequipment.com/pages/repair-services#diy. Lo and behold, there is a tension adjustment on these poles that fixed the problem effortlessly! I am grateful that BD honors their customers.
I bought the Distance Carbon Z poles a few years ago. I use them for trekking. If they are stored folded when wet, the locking mechanism blocks and/or the top part gets stuck. When walking for several days in the rain and sleeping in a tent it is not possible to dry the poles. After last trip it is impossible to lock the poles (one with stuck locking mechanism,one impossible to extend the top part to activiate the locking mechanism). They are comfortable and lightweight
The best poles! Had some for 15 years Lost in move and so happy to replace them!!!
These carbon Z poles are amazing. Being an ultra marathon trail runner these poles are not only light and easy to use but are strong and functional making races easier to navigate
I had my first pair of Distance Carbon Z poles for 14 years. I had to get a new pair because I lost one. I love these poles. As an adult, I became visually impaired and before I had the poles I could only walk on easy trails. After I got them I could walk on all trails. I've done 2 Caminos (Spain 500 mi, Portugal 400mi) 3 trails in Japan, one very mountainous with no switchbacks and I use them regularly hiking on home trails. I was the envy of other hikers when they see how light these poles are and how small they fold. When I travel to sightsee new cities and rural areas I use them on uneven walkways, just using one pole. They help me to see what's around me rather than looking down at the uneven surfaces. I think I should get commissions for each pair I've "sold" to others. I've introduced them to other visually impaired people and also to students in my Tai Chi class. It helps keep up good posture, it works the upper body muscles, it prevents falls, and it helps extend hiking miles. I've also gotten them through TSA security at the airports as the carbon fiber poles don't show in the x-ray. But just in case, I've had my doctor write a prescription for the poles as a "mobility device". A visually impaired friend said it made her feel like a sportster instead of disabled. These poles definitely give me freedom to hike everywhere.
I like the lightweight functionality of the poles. I dislike that the silver locking mechanism gets stuck behind the metal ring after collapsing the poles for transport. I have been unable to get this to release. I've tried liquid wrench, cold, heat, graphite - nothing works. These are not cheap poles. They should be more durable than a single hiking trip.
The only good thing about these poles is that they’re light and fold down well. The pole sticks and is impossible to lock in extended position. After a couple of months and limited use one of my poles snapped while I was hiking and I was out a pole in the middle of a backpacking trip.
This is my second set of Carbon Z Poles. My first pair lasted 14 years but was showing a little wear between the joints so I decided to replace them. I anticipate these will last just as long and will serve me well on all my backpacking adventures. Very light weight and compact!
More than I expected. Not only are the poles super light and fit in a camelback (small) inside, the straps made them super comfortable to hold and really helped me over some snowfields in the Indian Peaks Wilderness area along with the boggy areas balacing on logs!