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So I’ve hiked with a pair of Easton Trekking Poles for the most part and they work pretty well but several friends that I hike with on a regular basis, use Black Diamond Ultra Distance FL Trekking Poles(carbon fiber) and the Black Diamond Distance FL Trekking Poles(aluminum).  When I first saw a friend bust them out of their travel bag and go from collapsed to fully deployed in mere seconds my eyes bugged out of my head!  I was really digging them but then I watched the shaft snap on one of the carbon fiber ultra distance models when they slipped on the way down to Big Fat Gap @ Citico Wilderness in North Carolina and I questioned their durability at that point.  But that’s the only time I’ve seen one of them actually break and I’ve hiked many miles with the same friends since then, including the Wonderland Trail.  The other thing that I didn’t like about these poles is the fact that I thought they could only be purchased in a fixed length.  I was wrong! I had to rethink whether I should buy a pair of them or not.

So I started researching whether it was worth spending the extra money on them and they started to look better and better.  I took a look at lots of reviews on several different websites and they were very good so that relieved that part of my opinion about them.  Not to mention that Black Diamond has an awesome warranty return policy if you should break one of them.  I’m halfway there at this point.

 

Next, I started checking out whether the weight savings was really worth spending more money on them.  I first looked at the ultra model that a few of my hiking partners have and they weigh in at around 10.4 ounces for my size but they are very pricey.   So I took a look at the aluminum fixed length poles and they weighed in at 13 ounces.  I really liked the weight of this model and the price is definitely better but again, I didn’t care for that fixed length non adjustability.  Then I came across the aluminum version with the flick lock pro for the adjustability that I felt I needed and they weighed in at 16 ounces.   Well after a lot of going back and forth I finally settled on the 16oz model called the Distance FL.

It’s now winter time so I plan on waiting until warmer weather to start using these babies and once I do I will give my two cents here.

UPDATE 3/20/15 – I took these poles to on a trip to Panthertown Valley in North Carolina and they performed well.  I really like everything about them except the hand straps.  They bring so much to the table as long as you keep in mind that you can’t put as much weight on them as you can on a larger/heavier pair of standard trekking poles.

Weight savings – They are considerably lighter than most other standard trekking poles.  So, when you factor that in to a lot of miles the weight savings adds up tremendously.

Compactness – They collapse to a very small length and they are of such a small diameter that they take up little room.

All Around Flexibility – With poles that adjust telescopically, they inevitably get dust and grit on them sooner or later that makes adjusting them a pain so it tends to make you not collapse them.  With these Z-poles it’s so easy to collapse them that you don’t hesitate to collapse them and hang them on your pack if you’re tired of using them and want a change.

UPDATE 9/15/15 – Well I put these poles through the ringer and took them on a 95 mile John Muir Trail hike through the Sierra Nevada’s and they held up well.  I relied on them mile after mile which included supporting my Nemo Veda on each night and they performed flawlessly in that area as well.  The joints are still fitting snug with no obvious gaps and the internal elastic to hold the joints appears to be in very good shape as well.  I’d say at this point about the only thing I dislike about these poles is the hand strap.  It’s strange and frayed and I wonder how much longer it will last before it breaks.  Oh well, I guess I’ll find out.

 

BELOW IS STRAIGHT FROM BLACK DIAMONDS WEBSITE

BLACK DIAMOND DISTANCE FL TREKKING POLES

Description

Built with durable, lightweight aluminum and featuring both our compactible Z-Pole technology and FlickLock® Pro adjustability, the Black Diamond Distance FL trekking pole defines on-trail versatility. Ideal for everything from short day hikes to week-long backpacking trips, the Distance FL’s 20 cm of adjustability lets you tweak the length (especially nice for side-hilling or for use with a tarp shelter). Employing a coated inner cord and conical shaft ends, our speed cone deployment provides quick and rigid alignment in seconds. A lightweight EVA grip is complemented by a mini-extension for choke-ups on steep inclines and interchangeable tips for variable trail surfaces.

• Durable aluminum construction
• 3-section Z-Pole folding design with speed cone deployment and FlickLock Pro adjustability
• Lightweight EVA foam grip with breathable, moisture-wicking strap
• Non-slip foam mini-grip extension for secure choke-ups
• Includes interchangeable, non-marking rubber Tech Tips, carbide Tech Tips and stow bag
• Stopper basket with shaft catcher secures folding sections
• NOTE: 3-season Z-Poles do not accept, or have fittings for snow or powder baskets

 

Tech Specs