BLACK DIAMOND DISTANCE CARBON Z TREKKING POLES – FAIL

I’ve got a pair of Distance Zs (aluminum, not carbon, and vintage 2011), and one of the buttons is frozen.  I don’t remember for sure whether the button is frozen or it’ll push but the joint won’t move (they’re loaned out to my son right now).  I take part of the blame because I probably went several years without breaking them down, but it’s one of several niggling issues that would keep me from buying another pair, despite their wonderful balance.

I have a few sets of the BD Distance Z poles (alu and carbon) plus Carbon Compactors and the old Carbon Alpine Z, and have used them around salt water lots (ocean packrafting trips), and in rain tons. They show some cosmetic corrosion but not enough to freeze. Give it a squirt of silicone and work it a bit. They would be really hard to replace due to the button’s location in the pole, but maybe BD will be able to do it.

A  similar system had been used on camera  tripod legs for the very light weight travel type  . After some use they always got stuck or failed  somehow.

I have the flicklock/adjustable carbon Z poles and have had no problem.  But the climate here is pretty dry, and I haven’t really used them much around water.  They are fine.

BUT I did pick up a couple of used aluminum Z poles at an REI garage sale.  They have been used as fishing staffs, and the button on one of them is stuck, will not pop out and lock.  It’s actually surprising that it lasted as long as i did, given what it’s been subjected to.  I am not unhappy.

All I can say is my carbon kayak paddle has spring and button pins. They never freeze in sand or saltwater. BD just using cheaper materials for those pins. That is the issue. Good luck getting your issue resolved!

Thank you all for your collective feedback. Some comments:

Todd didn’t break them down and one is frozen open. I did break them down and both of mine are frozen shut. Either way…..

Phillip is using around saltwater with only cosmetic issues. Must be a wide variation of material specs. I used in mostly dry fresh water conditions. Oil is good for sure…I’m partly to blame.

Franco questions use of the buttons period…and I’m justifiably wary now.

Jenny says flick locks instead of buttons, and with my carbon cork experience I have to agree.

Bill says his product of similar design has no issue, pointing the finger at inferior materials. I agree. Black Diamond should have this nailed..good grief!

If I had been on the trail my only resolution would have been to use duct tape to keep them in a permanent fixed position. I’m planning to complain to BD and I’ll post what happens. I love the weight and feel of the poles but I’m not ready for the consequences.

Thank you all for your feedback.

Happy Trails- Russ

Damn…I bought two sets for my daughters. ‘Corse we have been using them over a year without any real problems…slight sticking. But, I realized that the trick was to pull the poles as you worked the pin. We had oiled it early on, maybe that is what is saving it from corrosion.

Flick locks I generally do not care for. I broke one, and cracked one, besides having another fail completely after I knocked it loose and snagged on a rock. But, the upper locks on the BD’s seems fine after about 200-300mi.