FEATURES
- 100% carbon fiber shafts
- Z-pole fixed length construction with speed-cone deployment
- FlickLock® Pro adjustability— featuring forged aluminum construction
- Incredibly lightweight collapsible pole: 170 grams/pole (120cm)
- Lightweight EVA foam grip and grip extension with breathable, moisture wicking strap made from recycled materials
- Optimized joint support and stiffness for increased durability
- Interchangeable tech tip compatible with both carbide and rubber tech tips included
- Removable low-profile baskets for versatility
- Z-Pole Snow Basket compatible
TECH SPECS
Weight per pair
[110cm] 284g [125cm] 360g [140cm] 386g
Collapsed length
[110] 34cm [125] 37cm [140] 40cm
Useable length
[110] 95-110cm [125] 110-125cm [140] 125-140cm
Weight
[110cm] 142g per pole [125cm] 180g per pole [140cm] 193g per pole
Material
Carbon
A hybrid of the previous and current version would be a winner.
Very light. I preferred the grooved handle airflow, all the way around, pattern on the previous model. The new pattern makes no sense. No airflow, or extra grip, on the front where you need it. Airflow and grip on the back, where the strap is, where you dont need it. The whole top handle section, and plastic cliplock with slot screw adjustment, on the older model, is better than the new metal alan key version. The older version distributes clamping force more evenly and the larger slot head bolt can be adjusted easily with a knife blade or thin titanium spoon. The new version needs an allan key which you are not likely to be carrying when hiking. Both the tiny screw and the allan key could easily be lost. The old top section goes very well with the new bottom section. This gives a pole thats a max of 127cm long, vs 125cm. That works better for me. I'm of average height. Adding an inch to all of the sizes would be a good move eg 112.5 127.5 and 142.5 . It would suit people and trekking pole tents better. The poles do have to be adjusted. A fairly obvious something that the other reviewers don't appear to have understood. The clip lock force . Now via a not as obvious Alan key. The plastic screw 'turnbuckle' down the bottom works fine but a stick on label might get the message across. The older version used a kevlar tendon. You'd do better to use dyneema for the tendon if you haven't already done so. Kevlar has poor torsional strength. Twist it enough and it will fall apart. The new version comes with the option of larger plastic baskets. These work very well on most walkways and I always leave them on. I have discarded the small 'baskets'.
Disappointed
Similar to John, after keeping them in extended position on a 30 day hike, the middle sleeve jammed on one after 10 days and the other a week later. I was later advised to collapse them every night so I did that. Now I can’t extend the top section on one and the other takes me a lot of effort to fully extend for the button to click and lock.
Black Diamond Australia
Thanks for taking the time to share your Review, Mir. We’re sorry to hear you feel you’ve had a bad experience with our Distance Carbon FLZ Poles. Our Customer Service team will reach out to you directly by email to discuss in detail how we might be able to be of any further assistance.
Better construction materials required
The blue plastic between the poles hardens and cracks making it difficult to deploy the poles quickly. I got the first set replaced in warranty but 6 months later the second set did the same. I decided to live with it because I didn't want to create more waste for the environment, but now after storing them in extended position the button on one is stuck, and the bottom sections on both won't come apart because the inner alloy sleve has corroded and jammed.