Black Diamond  Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles - Pair

If you're familiar with the prior Distance Carbon FLZ series then here are the improvements to this 2022 version. The wrist straps now run into the handle so they now work the same as most poles on the market. Previously they were just hung off a ring through the handle which came across as an afterthought. Next the tips are now threaded so they can accept threaded baskets as opposed to clipped baskets. The poles include both baskets currently available for the Distance series which are the tiny trail running baskets depicted in the photos and a more standard sized trekking basket. Note that these threads and baskets are sized specific to the Distance poles. The two final changes are to the locking mechanisms. This 2022 Carbon version is now using Black Diamonds FlickLock Pro clamp for the height adjustment so its the same as what is used on their higher end trekking poles like the Alpine Carbon Cork. I find this holds a little more securely than the standard FlickLock (plastic lever) version but ultimately this is more of a cosmetic change to make the poles look and feel higher end. The better change, however, is the button lock for the 3 section deployment has been improved. No longer does the locking button nest directly in the carbon fiber shaft. This was a failure point on the old version since carbon fiber does not deal with concentrated stress pressure well. Often the carbon fiber area supporting the button would develop fractures and crack leading to failure. This small section around the locking button is now reinforced with a plastic sleeve segment and locks against an aluminum support ring. Time will tell if this has any issues but I cannot see how it couldnt be far improved to the prior design. Like the prior version I would recommend these to people where weight is of high priority. These poles are incredibly light with my 125cm version weighing 169g (just under 6oz) per pole (+7g if changed to the trekking pole basket). This weight is achieved in no small part thanks to the very thin carbon fiber shafts used so just keep that in mind that the weight comes with some durability concerns particularly over time. BD also offers an aluminum version that is roughly 45g heavier per pole but will assuredly take more abuse. Essentially these poles are marketed specifically to people who want the lightest most compact pole available with the trade-off of some durability/useful life of the product compared to something more robust and/or aluminum. I will note that these use the same threaded cabling adjustment as all BD Z poles so the lowest section is actually replaceable and I'm sure BD will soon add it to their parts section. Included in the purchase are two types of baskets, minimalist trail running and standard sized trekking baskets. Also included are two types of tips, tungsten and rubber. The only real con is that I think the grips are a little on the small side but otherwise I cant find much to complain about. For me this is a great option to just throw in the pack and not really have to think about it. If I need them they're there and if they end up just riding in the pack then its a mere 12oz. Really happy with the product improvements and otherwise I'm looking forward to racking up some miles with them.

Purchased 6 pairs of Black Diamond poles. They just don’t last. Each pair had some type of issue, and I returned them all within the 1 year warranty time frame. Try LEKI poles instead, they have a much better performance and quality