Black Diamond Distance Carbon Running Poles

Having broken many carbon trekking poles over the years, I was drawn to these primarily because of their light weight, low swing weight, and durable shafts. They user thicker-walled tubing and are more durable than, say, Lightreks (Gossamer Gear). I use them on nearly all trips that don’t require air travel or stowing on my pack, e.g., while mountaineering or packrafting (since they are not collapsible).

• Strengths – light weight, stiff, durable, nothing to break, small-diameter grips, ease of carry when not in use
• Limitations – fixed length, packability, non-adjustability for trekking pole shelters

I have more than 400 days on my original pair (now several years old), and probably another 100 days on another, newer set. They are scratched up as can be, and I’ve used them everywhere from trail to talus.

They are almost unimaginably light – the kind of pole you have to experience to appreciate what a truly ultralight swing weight feels like. After using these, it’s hard to go back to any other pole. Other poles I’ve used regularly in the past five years – Gossamer Gear Lightreks, Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork, Durston Iceline, Black Diamond Z-poles. I don’t have an affinity for any of these models (they’re all good enough, I suppose) as I do for the BD Distance Carbon Running poles.

They aren’t for everyone (hence my low recommendation score) – most backpackers are addicted to collapsible, adjustable poles. That means they come with some compromise (especially for trekking pole shelters that don’t precisely fit your chosen length in these – but this can be addressed with pole jacks). But if you value durable, ultralight, simple gear – and you carry rather than stash poles when they aren’t in use – the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Running Poles have little competition.