Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trail Running Poles Review

Yay, it’s another accessory review day! I’m always excited to share these reviews because, as we all know, gear can be just as important as running shoes when it comes to ultra trail running, especially in mountain races where steep climbs dominate. Today, I’ll be reviewing the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z running poles, which I’ve been using alongside the Leki Ultratrail FX.One poles for some steep ascent training and trail racing. In this review, I’m going to share what makes these poles a great option for fast-paced trail running and ultramarathons.

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles are specifically designed for those who prioritize speed and efficiency, making them one of the best trail running poles options for runners who want ultra-lightweight gear without sacrificing durability. These poles excel in all-season trail running where vertical gain is a significant feature of the terrain and training.

Why Use Trail Running Poles?

If you’re new to trail running poles, you might wonder why you should even consider them. Let me break down the three main benefits:

1. Climbing assistance: Poles make steep mountain climbs more manageable by distributing the effort across your upper body, allowing your legs to conserve energy.
2. Muscle preservation: By taking some of the strain off your legs, poles help you save crucial leg muscles during long runs, especially in ultras.
3. Better balance: Poles improve your stability on challenging descents, helping you stay upright on rocky, muddy, or uneven terrain.

Key features

These poles are packed with some excellent features that make them a top choice for trail running fast and also over ultra distances:

• Weight: Weight: 9.9oz / 281g (my 115cm pair)
• 100% Carbon Fiber Construction: The pole shafts are made entirely of carbon fiber, giving them their incredibly light weight while still maintaining strength and durability.
• Speed-Cone Deployment: The Z-Pole technology allows for rapid deployment and collapse. Just pull them apart, and they lock into place instantly, thanks to a clever cone system inspired by avalanche probe design.
• Lightweight EVA Foam Grip: The grip is made from EVA foam, which is moisture wicking, comfortable yet ultra-light, and includes a grip extension for varied hand positions during steep ascents.
• Breathable, Moisture-Wicking Strap: The strap is made from recycled materials and ensures a secure, comfortable fit while keeping your hands dry.
• Tech Tips: The poles come with interchangeable rubber and carbide tips, giving you excellent versatility on all kinds of terrain.
• Low-Profile Baskets: These come with removable baskets that make the poles adaptable for different terrains and even compatible with snow baskets.

The photo below shows the speed-cone geometry and the reinforced cable running through the middle of these poles – it stops the shafts from snagging when you want to rapidly construct the poles.

Portability and usability

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles collapse down into three sections (that ‘Z’ pattern), which makes them extremely portable and easy to store in your race vest or running belt and due to them being made from Carbon Fiber, they’re also very lightweight – weighing in at just 9.9oz / 281g (my 115cm pair).

In the 115cm size, they collapse down to just 37cm, which is ideal for ultra runners who need to save every bit of space and weight in their running hydration pack or race vest.

I like how easy they are to pack away or assemble too because it means you can do so while on the move, saving valuable time in a race scenario. Whether you’re scrambling up a steep mountain or cruising through technical descents, these poles pack away easily when you don’t need them and deploy quickly when you do.

I like to wear my poles either attached to my running belt or to my hydration back.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z performance review

I’ve had the chance to test the Distance Carbon Z poles on various terrains, and they perform very well.

The carbide tips provide excellent traction on rocky, muddy, or even icy terrain, and the option to switch to rubber tips makes them versatile for different environments, although I tend to just leave the carbide tip in place as I prefer the better performance they provide on most types of terrain.

The EVA foam grips feel great in the hands, even on longer runs, and the breathable straps keep your hands dry.

When you’re pushing hard on steep climbs, the grip extension gives you flexibility in how you hold the poles, and the lightweight design means you’re not adding unnecessary fatigue to your arms.

The carbon fiber shafts provide a great balance between weight and durability. While they’re incredibly light, I never feel like I’m sacrificing strength of the poles – some more fragile, albeit lighter poles can snap very easily. These poles however, hold up well even when you apply a lot of force on steep climbs or during fast descents.

There’s always a chance that you accidentally get a pole stuck between rocks when moving at speed, and in such rare cases, most poles will snap under such pressure – so just be careful with tip placement when running with poles.

The optimized joint support and stiffness ensure that these poles can take a beating on the trails. I’ve put them through rocky, technical terrain, and they’ve held up remarkably well. That said, if you’re someone who needs a bit more strength for ultra-demanding races, you might want to consider poles with a thicker shaft diameter, but for most fast-moving trail runners, the Distance Carbon Z will be more than enough.

How to put them together and take down

How do they compare to other lightweight poles?

For those who may be wondering how the Distance Carbon Z poles compare to other ultra-lightweight options, like for example, the Leki Ultratrail FX.One (the other top brand and running poles model), here’s a key difference: the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z is one of the lightest collapsible poles on the market, weighing just 280 grams per pair for the 115cm size (Leki Ultratrail FX.One weighs 12.9 oz / 366g per pair – including wrist straps). They cost around $190, which places them slightly below the Leki FX.One which cost $220.

After reading that, you may be thinking, well I’ll just get these then… hold on tiger.. there’s more to trail running poles and those two metrics – get the full story in my LEKI Ultratrail FX.One Trail Running Poles Review.

The Distance Carbon Z is engineered with 100% carbon fiber, which gives it incredible strength while keeping it feather-light. These are ideal for those who travel fast and want a pole that deploys quickly and stores efficiently in small spaces.

Are they worth buying?

At $190 from blackdiamond.com, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles are slightly more affordable than some of their competitors, and in my opinion, they offer outstanding value for the money. These are poles that will likely be with you for a lifetime of running, so it’s a worthwhile investment if you love trail running and plan on doing lots of mountain adventure with them.

Their lightweight design, collapsibility, combined with durable construction and thoughtful features like the interchangeable tips and rapid deployment system, make them a fantastic choice for any trail runner who wants to move fast and efficiently in a race or during training.

For those who are all about speed, these poles offer everything you need in a trail running pole without the bulk. Their portability and ease of use also make them perfect for ultramarathons where space and weight are at a premium.

[content-egg-block template=price_comparison]

👋🏼 Hey there! If you’re considering buying the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z poles for your next trail adventure, using the links on our site helps support Trail & Kale Running Co. We earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps us keep providing independent reviews like this one. Thanks so much for your support! -Alastair