Review: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ

Backpack & Gear

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Gear Review , BLACK DIAMOND , Trekking Pole

Written by Yasushi Hisatomi

table of contents

The lightest trekking poles in the class, but it's not just the lightness that's amazing
Detailed review

The lightest trekking poles in the class, but it's not just the lightness that's amazing

In recent years, trekking poles have become an indispensable tool for mountain hiking, reducing the weight on your feet and providing support on descents and slippery surfaces. They are extremely useful gear to have, but even if you don't have them, it doesn't mean you can't go anywhere

For this reason, my personal criteria for choosing poles is "minimal usability with minimal weight and volume" and this Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ is a high-end model in the Distance series that thoroughly pursues lightness and compactness. It's a notable pole that ranks among the lightest and most compact of the many trekking poles for mountaineering. After trying them out throughout this season, I've come to realize that they are absolutely perfect for hiking in the mountains from spring to autumn. I'd like to quickly share my review of these trekking poles.

Detailed review

Item name (reference price)

Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ (Reference price: 21,384 yen)

Main Specifications and ratings

item	Specifications and ratings
size	95-110(34)cm 105-125(37)cm 120-140(40)cm (When stored inside)
weight	95-110cm=345g 105-125cm=355g 120-140cm=365g
Shaft Material	Carbon Fiber Shaft
Storage method	Foldable
Length adjustment	Pin lock + lever lock (Flick Lock 2) system
grip	Lightweight EVA Foam Grip Mini Extension Grip
strap	Mesh straps for excellent breathability
accessories	Rubber Tip
Ease of use	★★★★☆
weight	★★★★★
Storageability	★★★★☆
Durability	★★★☆☆
Multifunctional	★★★☆☆
price	★★☆☆☆
Overall score	★★★★☆

This is amazing!

Are we really going to go this far? Thorough weight reduction

There's no doubt that the biggest reason for choosing these poles is their lightness. When you use them, you'll find that they're ridiculously light. Even someone as weak as me can easily operate them, to the point that I forget I'm even holding them. When climbing with poles, the act of swinging them up can actually tire out the upper body, such as the shoulders and wrists, so this lightness is actually very important.

By the way, there are many carbon trekking poles available, the GRIPWELL Carbon Super Light , Montbell Alpine Carbon Pole , and SINANO Folder FREE 125 , but what makes these poles stand out in terms of lightness?The difference lies in the attention to detail.

For example, the grip is made of lightweight EVA foam that is non-slip even when wet, and has been further lightened to reduce weight. Of course, the lighter weight doesn't mean it's harder to grip. The strap is also made of polyester mesh, which also reduces weight (with the added bonus of increased breathability) .

The grip is easy to hold, and the bottom of the regular grip has a "mini extension grip" that can be held when climbing steep slopes

As you can see, every effort has been made to reduce weight as much as possible without compromising durability and ease of use

Furthermore, with carbon shafts becoming so lightweight, I wondered about their durability, as there has been much discussion about their durability since they first appeared. So I carefully tested this model, as well as other manufacturers' carbon shafts, sometimes increasing the load and hitting them against rocks, and the fact is, so far there have been almost no instances where they have broken or I have felt any obvious signs of instability. For now, I think it's safe to say that there is no need to worry about safety being compromised with normal use (although of course, I can't say for sure that this will always be the case)

Not only is it lightweight, it also has a compact storage size

It's true that they're extremely light, but there are actually even lighter trekking poles out there (such as the LOCUS GEAR CP3). What makes these poles superior to those is their storage method. Instead of the traditional telescoping type (where tubes of different diameters extend and retract like a telescope), these poles are foldable, allowing for a compact storage size of just 37cm (125cm pole). (For more information on the classification of trekking poles, see How to Choose Trekking Poles .)

Although the difference is only a few dozen centimeters, in reality, when it comes to small backpacks used for day hikes, it can make a big difference in whether or not the backpack sticks out when worn, and the Distance Carbon's more compact folding design makes it even easier to use when it comes to portability . What's more, the fact that you can even adjust the length while maintaining this lightness and compactness makes it truly flawless.

The difference in length when stored is clear when comparing them side by side. The top is the Distance Carbon FLZ (37cm) and the bottom is the Montbell Alpine Pole (62cm)

Secure and adjustable locking system

The length adjustment (locking) system uses Flick Lock 2, a lever locking system that Black Diamond has been using for over a decade to make ski poles. Naturally, the materials used here are also designed to be lightweight

The conventional screw lock type (where you rotate the pole to lock it) requires force and there is a risk of it coming loose if not tightened properly, but this type (lever lock type) can be firmly fixed by simply snapping the lever at the desired length (it's also easy to operate even while wearing gloves) .

The Flick Lock 2 used in this product is made of lightweight materials without sacrificing strength or ease of use

By the way, if you feel that the lever is a little loose, you can adjust it with a screwdriver

This is not good

Non-replaceable basket

Black Diamond's Distance series is positioned as a series that thoroughly pursues lightness and compactness, and the manufacturer's view is that "it is not as strong or durable as the company's other series, and is not suitable for winter use," so the basket cannot be replaced for snow use. While I can understand their reasoning, snow sports have now diversified beyond backcountry and alpine climbing to include lighter activities like snowshoeing and snow hiking, so wouldn't it be wrong to think that an ultra-light model like this should also have a snow basket option? Competitor products with similar designs, such as SINANO and GRIPWELL, offer snow baskets as separate accessories, so I really hope they do the same.

GRIPWELL Carbon Super Light	SINANO Folder FREE 125
See details on Amazon GRIPWELL CARBON SUPER LITE	See details on Amazon SINANO Folder FREE 125

price

At over 20,000 yen, it's certainly a bit pricey. However, it's not unusually expensive compared to models with similar performance the Black Diamond Distance FLZ , a similarly easy-to-use model that's 100g heavier and 5,000 yen cheaper, has also proven to be a very good pole.

Summary: What kind of activities do you recommend?

They can be used for a wide range of activities, from trail running to regular hiking and mountain climbing, and their ease of use and comfort are comparable to other models. Best of all, they're so light you'll forget you're even carrying them; the difference in ease of walking and fatigue with or without them is immeasurable. They'll be your most reliable, unsung hero when outdoors in the snow-free season. Their only weakness is their versatility, as they can't be used in snow, so they're not recommended for those who absolutely need just one pole, even for snow. However, if you spend most of your time in the snow-free season (about 9:1), if you simply want to enjoy comfortable mountain hiking from spring to autumn, or if you plan to purchase separate snow-resistant poles for snow use, then I definitely recommend them !

Distance Carbon FLZ

Black Diamond

54,000 yen