Black Diamond Ultra Distance Carbon Z – Test & Review

Reviews with Louise Tidbury

I am here to give an honest review, from a runner’s point of view, on all the things that truly matter to us, from those new to the sport, to the more experienced racers.

Why Use Poles?

Poles aren’t a piece of kit everyone knows much about, so before we go further, let’s talk about how useful they are.  They can give you a number of advantages; used early on in a race or adventure they will decrease the fatigue on your legs from the trail. You can use trekking poles on a long, steep ascent to allow your arms to help power you up the hill and on technical descents they provide support and stability and reduce the jarring on your knees.

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Running Poles   

“Black Diamond have been a favourite among trail runners for years.  True to expectations, they really set the bar when they came out with the Ultra Distance Carbon Z.  These new poles have improved upon the design of their predecessor, resulting in a very functional and packable trekking pole.  The carbon fibre keeps the weight down, while the easy to use rapid deployment system means set up is fast and folding them down is a breeze.”

Black Diamond have specifically targeted those taking to the mountains for their adventures with this upgrade, stating that this is their ‘lightest and strongest pole yet with improved joint support and durability’……that certainly would tick all the boxes, so I decided to take to the fells of the Lake District and put these claims to the test.  I used the poles for a total of 10 hours over multiple terrains and in interchangeable weather conditions, and I’m happy to say, they didn’t disappoint.

First Impressions:

“The first thing you notice when you pick up these poles is their weight, or lack thereof.  Given the claims of stability and strength, you would expect this to come with a compromise in the weight but that definitely isn’t the case.  Looks wise, these have a dynamic and vibrant appearance in black with ultra-blue trim.  They come packaged folded into the Z formation so the first thing I did was to interlock the pieces to create the full extension.  I managed this first time with ease.  On first feel, they appeared sturdy and supportive and fit my height perfectly.”

Comfort:

One thing which tends to be a bugbear of runners who use poles frequently over a long period of time such as ultras are the grips (handles).  Often they can be too hard and cause rubbing and even blisters if used for prolonged times.  Black Diamond have taken this into account and the Carbon Z features lightly-contoured foam grips which are accentuated with ribbed cut-outs. The result? After 10 hours of use on very technical routes the grip still felt comfortable and I had no hotspots.  A prime indicator for me that Black Diamond has got this right was the fact that I didn’t fidget with the grip at all.  I changed position to suit the terrain but otherwise my hands didn’t move.  Usually, I tend to move poles around my hands a lot to try and avoid areas of rubbing or discomfort. With the Carbon Z, there was none of that. Chalk one up to Black Diamond for that.

Another thing to note for comfort is that the carbon fibre provides a decent amount of shock absorption compared to aluminium shafts as used in other poles, and although the difference is barely noticeable at first, over time, I definitely noticed the improved comfort of using these poles over a long distance. Their lightweight structure means there isn’t the lag on your wrists from holding them for long periods and so your posture doesn’t suffer and they continue to perform over complex terrain, absorbing the energy especially as your pace quickens and stopping you from fatiguing quickly.  I sometimes suffer with my arm muscles in ultras when using poles for a while as it almost feels like a weight session as well as a run, but with the Carbon Z I had no after-effects in my upper body at all which was a definite positive for me.

Grips:

The grips are made of EVA foam.  I really like the foam handles because you can use them with both gloves and bare hands with ease.  They wick away perspiration really well, meaning you don’t get that clammy, slippery feel on the handle which could detract from the usability and stability of the pole.  The top of the grip is rounded so you can palm it going downhill and it doesn’t cause any discomfort of that ‘pressure point’ feeling you can get with other brands who opt for the more solid material on grips.  For the steeper ascents there’s even a lower grip placement which allows you to hold the poles at a lower spot and change the level of support.  This is massively practical and not something all brands think of.  Being able to use the grips in this manner allows you to get the maximum support and ensures you keep your posture upright at all times, minimising the risk of injury or muscle strain.

Lock and Go:

“The Carbon Z get their name from the fact that they fold into a Z formation with 3 separate parts all connected with a Kevlar cord.  Sounds very fiddly doesn’t it?  That was my main worry about this product, especially as for those of us wanting to use them on races, every second is valuable and the last thing you want to be doing is wasting time putting together something which is supposed to help you, not hinder you!  Fear not! Black Diamond have it sussed!!”

The rapid deployment feature of these poles means that the inner Kevlar cord connects all sections together and as soon as this is tensioned; Hey Presto! The poles are stable!!  To do this is simple; you just grab the grip and first pole section and pull them away from each other until you hear a click.  To fold them back down just pull these sections apart slightly, press down on the button (with a locked icon) and push the first section back up towards the grip.  Doing this loosens the central cord and allows you to fold down the other sections. It’s super-fast to setup even when on a run with the help of the ‘speed cone’ design which guides each section into place at the joints so you don’t have to position them, wasting valuable time.

“This feature is especially important for ultra-runners who like to swap between carrying their poles or storing them on their belts/packs and need to make this transition quickly to keep moving and not lose precious minutes.  I tested the removal of the poles from my race vest at least 20 times throughout the day and negotiated different terrains and elevations and when running at different speeds.  I found the transitions fluid each time, and the more I got used to the poles, the quicker this became.  Even to the point where I didn’t even take my race vest off to store them as is my usual habit with poles, I just popped them over my head and into the front pocket of my vest where they stayed secured until I needed them next.”

The only caution I would give is that it is slightly trickier to disassemble if you are wearing heavy gloves.  On this outing, due to the conditions I had quite thick waterproof gloves on so the dexterity of my fingers wasn’t as good.  This probably added a fraction of time onto the disassembly, although, again, the more I got used to the poles, the less this was an issue but it’s still worth noting.

Size:

These are fixed length poles so there’s no adjustment, which will immediately dissuade some hikers who prefer the option to change a pole’s length in that sense but they come in several different lengths, meaning you can chose what suits you best.  I am 5ft 2inches and I used the 105cm poles.  They were perfect for me and I certainly wouldn’t have been adjusting them even if that had been an option.  I noticed that my posture remained consistently upright with these, especially notable on really steep gradients when I have a tendency to hunch over, even with the assistance of poles.  Due to the aforementioned lower grips, I simply lowered my hands and it gave me the confidence to remain upright and still feel stable and able to drive forwards in a much more powerful way.  Pro tip….if you are a runner and are in-between sizes, I would recommend that you size down for better uphill propulsion. If you’re more a hiker or walker, I would suggest sizing up for that additional stability overall.

“The Carbon Z packs down to 13, 14, 16, or 17 inches, depending on the length you choose. This is small enough to disappear comfortably into a race vest, and the air wicking slots in the handles mean that you can catch the bungee cord on these slots and help secure them into place.  This will stop any bouncing about which could result in hot spots or chaffing when not in use, or even worse, having them fall out of your pack unnoticed (as happened to a friend of mine during a race with her running poles which had narrow, smooth grips on). They will also fit effortlessly into luggage, and are a great option for air travellers/backpackers wandering from country to country on adventures.”

Weight:

This pole is designed primarily to save weight, and in that regard, it performs excellently, weighing in at 10.4 ounces per pair. The much discussed carbon fibre shaft construction provides the bulk of the weight savings compared to other trekking poles. The shafts are thin enough to shave ounces off the final weight, but surprisingly, also thick enough to take a beating; they are also very durable for the weight.

“Other features that save weight include the streamlined grip, narrow wrist strap, small trail basket, and lack of any length adjustment mechanism. For those runners who count grams and don’t want any extra weight to swing forward each step, these poles are the prize winners for sure.”

The Technical bit:

“Ultimately, these poles are going to be the most useful on technical courses and surfaces.  This is where the interchangeable tips come into play and really set the Carbon Z apart.  You get a carbide tip and a non-scarring rubber one.  The rubber tech tip is installed onto the poles in manufacturing and so will come as the standard set up when you purchase the poles.  For the best traction, especially on hard surfaces or on ice, I recommend the carbide tip as I find it has better grip over a wider range of terrain and conditions.”

The rubber tips are great for improved surfaces like cobblestones or pavement so perhaps more likely to be used on a road-based ultra when you’re getting into the heavy mileage and your legs are starting to tire and your posture going.  We’ve all been there when we start to fatigue and hunch over; this puts a lot of pressure on our core and over-stretches the back not to mention we compress our rib cage meaning that our breathing is not as effective.  Using the poles at this point can help take some of this pressure off and allow us to maintain a good posture, hopefully avoiding injury and allowing us to keep moving forwards at a productive pace.

There is a small attached basket on the poles.  This is brilliant for use in muddy surfaces.  Unlike some brands, this basket doesn’t get in the way when the poles are folded together because it has a cut-out section which allows the poles to slot into this area comfortably and align perfectly.  Definitely a great innovation by Black Diamond.  There is also a little notch above the basket where you can attach snow baskets (sold separately) for winter conditions.  So these poles are extremely versatile and if you were to compete in an ultra in winter conditions, this additional feature means you can simply add on to your existing poles rather than having to have a separate set.

Cost:

These range in price depending where you get them, starting at a price of £120 for the pair.  Perhaps a little pricey for those starting off in running but I honestly think that they are worth every penny.  Given the comfort and security they give, it makes sense to me to spend the extra.  Ultimately you get what you pay for, and these certainly earn their keep.

Who would it suit?

“This is a pole for any athlete looking to take to the mountains and travel fast.  Being made of 100% carbon fibre, it remains light and is perfect for long distance treks, speed hiking and ultra-running.

In my opinion, these poles will help you confidently cross any terrain like a mountain goat.  Well done Black Diamond!”

Find out more about the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Poles here.

Test and Review by Louise Tidbury