Whether you’re spending your afternoons on day hikes through comfortable state park trails or taking week-long excursions out into the bush, trekking poles are an extremely valuable tool that help you save energy and maximize performance. It may seem awkward to carry around poles when you’re not using them and those that do collapse on themselves can do so in a way that can compromise the integrity of the pole or with mechanisms that wear out over time. Not so with the Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Poles. These carbon-fiber, light-weight poles fold up in a unique way: an elastic cord in the middle applies pressure that pulls the pole together, but pulling the pole in the opposite direction allows it to be “broken apart”, collapsing down to as little as 13in. Think old school tent poles on steroids. The inner cord is made of Kevlar® and the whole systems locks into place with a simple pull on the grip keeping the 3 sections from coming apart while in use.

Like I said, these poles are super light-weight; as little as 9.2oz per pair depending on size. This plays perfect with the golden rule of backpacking: “Every ounce counts!” The poles come in fixed sizes meaning you won’t have to make any adjustments to make sure the poles fit you. Buy the right size the first time and you never have to worry about adjustments. Included in the packaging are two kinds of tips: rubber and carbide. The rubber tips come pre-installed and you may have to use a pair of pliers to remove them. The tips use a Wavelock™ connection that ensures they are secured to the poles. The straps on these poles are also extremely comfortable which is nice to see. They are breathable and moisture-wicking and don’t cause irritation after long use. The grips up top are solid, yet comfortable offering a good-grip feel when in use.

The poles have very few negative aspects, but like everything, they are not perfect. For one, the basket is permanently attached to pole, meaning no snow baskets can be attached. This is kind of a bummer, but not a deal breaker by an means. There is also no anti-shock systems in place of any kind. Personally, I prefer this, but I know a lot of people like shock absorption built into their trekking poles, so keep that in mind before considering a purchase. Oddly enough, the size may actually be a problem for some. Collapsing down to as little as 13 in. actually makes the poles to small to fit in most backpacks that have trekking pole holders. A minor annoyance, but, again, certainly not a deal breaker. Lastly, the inner cord can get a little stretched out even after a little use, but this problem is easily fixed as the cord can be tightened with a simple adjustment. Just something to keep in mind if you do choose to purchase these.

The Black Diamond Ultra Distance Trekking Poles will set you back $149.95 which is just a touch on the expensive side. If you’re serious about hiking and backpacking though and are looking for a good quality, light-weight, durable pole, look no further. Despite the few minor issues, these poles would make an excellent addition to anyone’s equipment. While they may be a tad pricey, in this case, shelling out a couple of extra bucks will pay off in the end.

 

Pros

Super light-weight and durable

Collapse down to as little as 13in.

Fixed sizes

Secure tips with Wavelock™ technology

Comfortable grips and straps

 

Cons

Fixed basket

No anti-shock system

Folded size can actually be too small

A little pricey

 

Technical Specs

Series : Z-Poles
Usable Length : 100 cm, 39.4 in; 110 cm, 43.3in; 120 cm, 47.2 in; 130 cm, 51.2 in
Weight Per Pair : (100 cm) 260 g, 9.2 oz; (110 cm) 265 g, 9.3 oz; (120 cm) 270 g, 9.5 oz; (130 cm) 275 g, 9.7 oz
Collapsed Length : (100 cm) 33 cm, 13 in; (110 cm) 36.5 cm, 14.4 in; (120 cm) 39.5 cm, 15.6 in; (130 cm) 43 cm, 17 in