The Distance Carbon Z is our lightest Z-Pole with 100% carbon construction. Engineered for those who travel fast.
Speed Cone technology comes from our expertise in avalanche probe design—a key component of Z-Poles’ stiffness and fast deployment.
We trust what we make because we use what we make. All Black Diamond products are covered by a two year warranty policy.
But the space between, where the miles and moments become an ocean between the waves, that’s where the magic happens. The experience waits in the distance.
Combining six decades of innovation with Black Diamond’s unique company culture of using and testing our products in the mountains. Our experience outdoors is what inspires and informs our engineering in the lab, and in turn the engineering leads to new gear and apparel that improve the mountain experience.
Overall rating: 4.375 / 5 from 64 reviews.
Review topics: ["weight","straps","design","issues","grip","customer service","poles","light","hiking","race","snap","upgrade","handles","use"].
"Lightweight poles. Very easy to use when trail running. They are great to use but delicate. The last pair broke after less than a year and Black Diamond only would give me 40% off a new pair. They would not warranty them."
"These work just like you’d hope. Stash down well, very light in the hands when using them, I love the fixed size, I’ve found my adjustable hiking poles shrinking down when a lot of force applied. Been using these for long mountain trail runs around the CDT and really loving them"
"I love these hiking poles. I’m not someone who uses trekking poles all the time, but I always carry them in my backpack because they’re so lightweight and compact. More often than not, someone else in my hiking group ends up needing them, so it’s nice to have an extra pair available—not just for me, but for anyone who could use the support. I recently had to purchase another pair after one of my poles broke during a fall on the West Coast Trail. I slipped on wet, muddy tree roots, and the pole became wedged between the roots as I fell. Needless to say, carbon fiber isn’t designed to support your full body weight in that kind of situation! Choosing a replacement was easy—I bought the exact same model. These poles are incredibly lightweight, easy to fold and unfold, and have been exceptionally durable on countless hikes and backpacking trips. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to anyone looking for reliable, high-quality trekking poles."
"I wanted to replace my 15+ year old trekking poles, and thought I'd see what the latest and greatest had to offer. One of my brand new poles broke on their first outing. When looking at the break, it was clear that it was caused by a bad design decision; They broke at the point where two holes were drilled into the shaft to secure an internal pin which is most likely used to hold the internal cable in place. Unfortunately, drilling a hole in carbon fiber severely reduces its shear strength. Even a modest impact will cause them to break, such as when catching yourself if you trip or stumble. I would not trust these poles with anything more strenuous than a walk around the neighborhood. If you need poles for trekking, backpacking, trail running, or anything strenuous, then go with another brand or design. I will be going back to my 15+ year old aluminum poles for now."
"April 2026. They were perfect for the journey—lightweight, reliable, and quick to deploy. They helped keep a steady rhythm and took pressure off my knees on long descents. I wouldn’t do another long walk without them."
"I love these poles. They are extremely lightweight. My last pair broke after about 2 years and I had purchased them at the REI resupply store. Black Diamond was so cool and gave me 30% off for new ones since I didn't buy directly. They have a 2 year warranty and are totally worth it to me. The lighter, the letter!"
"These poles are great. I just upgraded to the carbon set. They enhance the run by utilizing upper body conditioning and add support for ascending and descending. It actually increases my speed going uphill."
"Overall these are a great set poles to have. They fold up real short and weigh barely anything. If I dont even plan to use them, I'll still pack them because I dont even notice them. They disappear in the pack. They are simple to use and do the trick. I have not changed the tips or the baskets out. Im sure there wont be a problem there. But one of my poles seems to click every time weight is placed on it. Thats been my only annoyance with these Distance Carbon Z Poles."
"Been using for a couple months and find them to be exceptional tools. I wish I had bought them sooner. Great and effective providing stability during running / hiking. I have never used trekking poles before so I do not have much to compare them too but I presume these are among the very best."
"Always need to have a pair! Love them for running. They seem to last a while."
| Height | Suggested Length (CM) |
|---|---|
| Under 5'1" Under 155 cm | 100 – 105 |
| 5'1" – 5'7" 155 – 170 cm | 110 – 115 |
| 5'8" – 5'11" 171 – 182 cm | 120 – 125 |
| 6'0"+ 183 cm+ | 130 – 140 |
On flat ground the top of the trekking pole handle should be at waist or hip level and your elbow at 90 degrees (see illustration).
HOW TO: Use Your Black Diamond Z-Poles
