Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles Review
Black Diamond Altitude Z Review
Durable with a short collapsed length, this is a fantastic value for a lightweight pole
Price: $100 List | $74.96 at Backcountry
Compare prices at 2 resellers
Pros: Lightweight, brusk collapsed length, surprisingly durable
Cons: No length adjustability, average grip comfort
Manufacturer: Black Diamond
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Our Verdict
The Black Diamond Distance Z is a lightweight and durable pole that packs downwardly to a small size. Information technology as well is the almost affordable of the lightweight poles in our review, earning it an esteemed Best Buy Award. Other affordable options are more than adaptable, merely counterbalance significantly more, while the Distance Z is geared more towards the lightweight mountain running and technical climbing crowd. This is the aluminum version of the Distance Carbon Z, a carbon version that is 2 ounces lighter but costs almost twice every bit much. The Altitude Z is a great pole for a majority of users looking for a simple, lightweight pole that won't break the bank.
Compare to Similar Products
| This Product | Leki Cressida Cor-Tec - Women's | Trekology Trek-Z | Black Diamond Trail Sport 3 | Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Awards |  | | |||
| Price | $74.96 at Backcountry Compare at 2 sellers | $120 List | $42 List | $70 List | $65 List $44.99 at Amazon |
Overall Score | |||||
| Star Rating | |||||
| Pros | Lightweight, short collapsed length, surprisingly durable | Durable, excellent lever locks, fairly versatile | Durable, comfortable grip, packs small | Very durable, keen value, comfortable, easy to adjust | Medium weight, versatile, inexpensive |
| Cons | No length adjustability, average grip comfort | Heavy, big packed size | Heavy, less versatile due to weight | Heavy, large packed size | Bulky quick lock levers |
| Bottom Line | Durable with a short collapsed length, this is a fantastic value for a lightweight pole | Heavyweight and durable trekking poles with great adjustability for long adventures with a heavy pack or day hikers looking for something that's built to last | A highly affordable pair of poles with all of the features of more expensive models | An cheap and comfy pair of unisex trekking poles that have a great swing-weight despite beingness heavy | A good pole for entry-level users with some great features at an splendid price |
| Rating Categories | Blackness Diamond Dista... | Leki Cressida Cor-Tec | Trekology Expedition-Z | Black Diamond Trail... | Pour Mountain Te... |
| Comfort (20%) | |||||
| Weight (20%) | |||||
| Locking And Adjustability (15%) | |||||
| Packed Size (15%) | |||||
| Immovability (fifteen%) | |||||
| Versatility (15%) | |||||
| Specs | Black Diamond Dista... | Leki Cressida Cor-Tec | Trekology Trek-Z | Black Diamond Trail... | Cascade Mount Te... |
| Measured Weight (per pair) | 12.5 oz | sixteen.v oz | 26 oz | 22 oz | 16 oz |
| Shaft Material | Aluminum | 7075 HTS 6.five aluminum | Aluminum | Aluminum | Carbon |
| Collapsed Length | 13/fourteen/16/17 in | 25 in | 15 in | 25 in | 26 in |
| Max Length | 39/43/47/51 in | 50 in | 47 in | 55 in | 53 in |
| Pole Design | Foldable | Collapsible | Foldable | Collapsible | Collapsible |
| Grip Material | EVA cream | Cork / Prophylactic | Foam | Rubber | Cork |
| Locking Mechanism | Speed Cone Deployment | External Lever Lock | Lever lock | FlickLock | Quick Lock |
| Baskets/Tip Attachments? | Yes, safety and carbide tips | Comes with carbide tips, baskets sold separately | Yeah, powder and trail baskets, boots, and narrow tips | Yeah, only baskets | Boots, mud baskets, snowfall baskets and modest tips |
| Size Tested | 110 cm | I size | 100-120 cm | One size | One size |
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Our Analysis and Examination Results
The Distance Z scores in the middle of the pack among the best poles on the market. While it isn't adjustable, or nearly as comfortable or featured equally other poles out there, it offers lightweight durability and packable strength at a reasonable toll.
Operation Comparison
These poles are lightweight, compact, and impressively durable.
Credit: Ben Skach
Comfort
The Altitude Z features Black Diamond'southward ultralight trekking pole grip, which is constructed from soft, lightweight foam. It has a modest amount of contouring to fit near manus sizes and easily compresses to fit the shape of each unique user. It also offers ribbed cutouts that shave weight, allow airflow to the palm, and provide some added friction.
In full general, this grip design is less comfortable than a robust cork grip, which we tend to prefer. However, we understand the blueprint of this handle because of the major weight savings it provides. We didn't like to use this grip when conveying a heavy backpack, but for most on-trail use, the comfort is just fine. There is a small lower grip extension, useful for choking upward on the pole when traversing steep hillsides or when ascending cursory, steep sections of trail. The wrist strap is made of relatively thin fabric that could exist more comfortable, but considering that this pole is designed to be low-cal, a thicker strap would defeat the purpose. Overall, we find the comfort to be adequate in a pole that is designed with weight and affordability in mind.
The BD Distance Z has a lightly contoured and ribbed foam grip that we found to provide adequate condolement, especially given the weight savings provided be this grip blueprint.
Credit: sam willits
Weight
At 12.5 ounces per pair for the 110 cm length, the Distance Z is i of the lightest poles on the marketplace and feels shockingly lightweight in the easily. It'southward not quite every bit light as the carbon fiber version, just shaving those extra ii ounces volition double the toll of your poles. Lighter poles have less swing weight, which is the try required to swing the pole forwards with each footstep. And over fourth dimension, that extra weight adds upward. The Distance Z poles accept a pleasantly light swing weight that we could hike with all day and barely notice the poles in our hands.
These are light enough for most uses, including long-distance thru-hiking — only alpine climbers or the fastest mount runners will desire to splurge for more weight savings. For 99 percent of users, these poles provide the best weight-per-dollar ratio of any pole nosotros have ever tested. Usually, lower weights and prices mean a sacrifice in durability was fabricated somewhere along the line, but in this instance, we couldn't notice one.
The foam handles and straps are designed for minimum weight.
Credit: Ben Skach
Locking and Adjustability
The Distance Z is a foldable pole with no possibility of length extension. The benefits of this design are weight savings and affordability, but it also requires users to size the pole correctly at the time of purchase. It comes in four different sizes in 4 inch (10cm) increments. The pole is unfolded and locked into its extended configuration with a satisfying click, and to release this lock, a spring-loaded slider is pulled up. This move is easy to accomplish, even with gloved easily.
A scattering of users similar to constantly arrange the length of their trekking poles to match the terrain. The majority of hikers and trekkers don't mind as much and just deal with the length of their poles as terrain changes. If yous're one of the majority, or you are new to using trekking poles, you won't listen the lack of length adjustment found in these stock-still-length poles. That said, if you lot desire the choice, look elsewhere.
The updated locking mechanisms on the 2018 model. The improvement is overnice, and they are significantly easier to use with gloves on than previous iterations.
Credit: Ben Skach
Packed Size
Along with all the other foldable poles we tested, the Altitude Z also crushes the traditional telescoping poles in the packed size category. These poles are awesome for whatsoever application when you might need to stow them on your backpack, such as tall climbing or technical scrambling. They besides disappear into packed luggage when traveling. The Distance Z collapses down to a all-time-in-course xiv inches (35 cm).
Foldable structure results in the smallest packed size, only also eliminates whatever overlap in pole sections, increasing the trend of a pole to wobble or bend when weighted. Considering that these poles are designed for lighter uses, they will serve virtually activities well, although larger folks and those carrying large backpacks might want to cull a heavier, telescoping pole.
Telescoping poles compared to z-fashion poles.
Credit: Ben Skach
Durability
Despite the lightweight construction (12.5 ounces for the 110 cm size) and noticeably lighter-than-average swing weight, our testers were surprised by the durability of the Altitude Z. For its outset field examination, nosotros took information technology on a half dozen-day mountaineering hazard that was near entirely on cross-land terrain. Two other poles broke, but the Altitude Z handled it fantastically. Still, these poles aren't as tough as many of the heavier aluminum telescoping poles, merely we think they're enough durable for all only the hardest users with the biggest backpacks.
Aluminum is more durable than carbon cobweb because it tin can bend without snapping. It too resists chipping and cracking, problems that can plague carbon poles and cause catastrophic failures. The Distance Z aluminum poles are continually durable enough for everything we've thrown at them thus far.
Versatility
The Distance Z is bully for virtually uses, but trekkers on the gnarliest trails and carrying the virtually weight would want to use a heavier pole. For everything else, these poles excel. They are compatible with a snowfall basket (sold separately) that provides some floatation in summer snow, merely they are not burly enough for downhill skiing. The standard carbide tips are excellent, and the included condom tips are perfect for gripping sandstone and pavement while keeping Moab'south slickrock pristine.
Overall, we were surprised by the versatility of these poles. Upon get-go glance, it seems similar they are designed purely for mountain running and lightweight hiking, simply they are actually perfect for most applications. We prefer them over other poles for everything except heavy-duty backpacking and trekking to remote destinations.
The poles feature replaceable carbide tips and stock-still baskets.
Credit: Ben Skach
Value
These are the cheapest foldable poles in our review and one of the least expensive non-telescoping poles on the market. At such a reasonable price, the low weight and high durability of this pole offer excellent value, earning information technology the accolade of All-time Value in a Lightweight Pole.
Decision
While not quite a do-everything pole, the Black Diamond Altitude Z does most things well and is all-time appreciated by folks looking for a low-cal and very collapsible pole. For most users, this pole is a corking option at a relatively depression toll. If you are looking for a pole for trekking with a heavy pack, or for carrying up and over technical alpine climbs, there are better options out there. Simply for the majority of unmarried-day and overnight uses, these poles are a great choice at a reasonable cost.
— Jeff Dobronyi
Source: https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/trekking-poles/black-diamond-distance-z
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