Viv Scott reviews Black Diamond's 'Ultra Distance' carbon fibre folding trekking poles. The 3-section Z-Pole design features a coated inner cord, a single push-button release, and a 'speed cone deployment', which aligns like an avalanche probe for increased rigidity.
In reply to UKC Gear: I've got a pair of these for long trail runs, and find them fantastic for the uphills. It's a shame they don't take snow-baskets though.
In reply to UKC Gear:
They look pretty good, but are over twice the weight and almost twice the price of the Mountain King Trail Blaze (which also fold into 4 so easily fit inside a rucksack - useful for climbing). I'm guessing that the BD poles are possibly stronger? I've broken one Trail Blaze and bent another - though replacement sections are only £10.
In reply to Toreador: Hmm, they are only slightly heavier than the Mountain King Trail Blaze (and the very similar RaidLight) poles. I think about 20g heavier for the length of poles I had?
The Mountain King/RaidLight poles are much cheaper as you say, and they fold up shorter than the Black Diamonds, which is great for putting them inside small running packs. I can get the Black Diamonds inside my small Inov-8 Elite 15l pack, but it can be a bit of a squeeze. Should be no problem inside a climbing pack though.
However the Black Diamonds feel stronger, and crucially for me, they work much better on boggy/muddy terrain. I found the Mountain King poles fine on hard-packed/dry trails, but mud/bog would suck the ends and the pole would collapse - very frustrating!
In reply to Nick Smith - UKC:
Ah yes, didn't notice that the BD weights are per pair, the Trail Blaze are per pole
Agree, the string they use to hold them together is a bit of a pain. I've shortened the string so it's held much tighter, which has got rid of almost all the collapsing-pole problems. I'm also thinking of putting a notch in the top to use instead of the velcro, which always sticks to my gloves!
This topic has been archived, and won't accept reply postings.
Elsewhere on the site
Product News KMF Christmas Special - 7 Day Festival Pass
Digital Feature Marmot Photography Awards 2019
Product News The Munros (SMC)
News Hill Running Films for when you can't go Hill Running
For most runners, restricted to local exercise, proper hills might currently be off limits; so get some vicarious inspiration from these running films - then get training, in preparation for the lifting of travel restrictions. Here's to a...