Trekking Poles - BD Alpine Carbon Z poles or Distance Aluminum Poles? For long approaches and backpacking

Sam Cieply wrote:

I made this same decision recently and went for the aluminum z-poles because of the lower cost and durability. They are still very light! Unless you're super serious about being the MOST ultralight possible, don't turn your nose up at the aluminum model.

I should also note that I am slightly klutzy, and was concerned that an errant pole placement or accidental kick would break the carbon pole. I read quite a few disappointed reviews from clumsy hikers who snapped the carbon poles.

how many miles have you put on them and have you experienced any loosening or wobble occuring in the connection points?

JasonSH wrote:

how many miles have you put on them and have you experienced any loosening or wobble occuring in the connection points?

Just got them last month and hiked around 40 miles in the Sierras with them, so I can't truly speak to their durability yet.

I did use them in snow, 3rd/4th class terrain, and high water crossings and so far so good. I personally feel more confident going hard with them than I would with the carbon, but like I said, I have a tendency to break stuff...

Also, I got them for $74 on Amazon which was close to half what the carbon poles were going for.

+1 for BD Alpine Carbon Cork... have put some serious miles and abuse on those things and they still kick ass.... Best poles I've ever had for sure.

Jordan wrote:

+1 for BD Alpine Carbon Cork... have put some serious miles and abuse on those things and they still kick ass.... Best poles I've ever had for sure.

Do you have the telescoping ones or the z fold version?

Alexander K wrote:

Alpine carbon cork. Flick lock > z-poles. Very durable, I have 4000 miles of hiking on mine and they are still going strong. Easy to switch out tips as they break.

Do you find they break often?  Do you usually carry extra set of tips?

What about things like water crossings, maybe knee deep and using trekking poles in that instance for stability?  There's where I get scared I'm gonna lift a pole up out of the water and feel one snap between a rock or something?

JasonSH wrote:

Do you find they break often?  Do you usually carry extra set of tips?

What about things like eater crossings, maybe knee deep and using trekking poles in that instance for stability?  There's where I get scared I'm gonna lift a pole up out of the water and feel one snap between a rock or something?

Over all those miles I think I've replaced the tips twice? One time they broke after 600 miles but I did take them the length of the Sierra so that might have something to do with it.

Once the carbide tip breaks you can normally still use the plastic bit for some miles before you wear it down to much. Only time I would carry extra tips would be doing very extended trips (on the PCT for instance I'd just ship myself new ones once I had a problem).

The advantage of the carbon poles is that if you catch them between logs/rocks etc they flex instead of bend (like aluminum). The downside is that if you really tried, like fell on one, then it would shatter (I've fallen plenty and never had this happen). Normally when BD carbon poles break it's because the fibers get repeatedly cut on the lower section from sharp rocks, etc, weakening the pole, this could be protected by tape or glue if you're concerned. You are much more likely to bend an aluminum pole than break a heavy duty carbon one (other carbon poles aren't as sturdy/veefy as the BD alpine carbon cork ones). 

The Flick locks also mean that the joints are nested so they are sturdier than the Z-poles. If you have a tarp or UL tent (or will ever get one) the greater adjustability is really nice.

Alexander K wrote:

Over all those miles I think I've replaced the tips twice? One time they broke after 600 miles but I did take them the length of the Sierra so that might have something to do with it.

Once the carbide tip breaks you can normally still use the plastic bit for some miles before you wear it down to much. Only time I would carry extra tips would be doing very extended trips (on the PCT for instance I'd just ship myself new ones once I had a problem).

The advantage of the carbon poles is that if you catch them between logs/rocks etc they flex instead of bend (like aluminum). The downside is that if you really tried, like fell on one, then it would shatter (I've fallen plenty and never had this happen). Normally when BD carbon poles break it's because the fibers get repeatedly cut on the lower section from sharp rocks, etc, weakening the pole, this could be protected by tape or glue if you're concerned. You are much more likely to bend an aluminum pole than break a heavy duty carbon one (other carbon poles aren't as sturdy/veefy as the BD alpine carbon cork ones). 

The Flick locks also mean that the joints are nested so they are sturdier than the Z-poles. If you have a tarp or UL tent (or will ever get one) the greater adjustability is really nice.

Thank you for the insight.  That makes a big difference in my decision.

I like the point of the telescoping pole rather than the Z poles for use with UL or tarps (as I have a hammock tarp that I've been thinknig about using as a ground tarp, which it can be used as such),... so the telescoping is certainly preferred.  Though i like the Z for clean pack-ability on alpine areas etc.  

Hmm,... guess its just a toss up, 6 of one half a dozen of another?

I have the carbon z (not telescoping). Like them for long hikes, haven't used them much with a heavy pack. They've held up well so far but I haven't fallen with them or anything so hard to say. It's nice having such a light swing weight.

I started with the aluminum FL's, then went to the carbon Ultra D's.  I use them for trail-running as well as hiking and wanted to shave grams.  I found I never adjusted the FL's anyway so went with fixed length.  I like the smaller baskets, they don't seem to catch as much on the trail as alpine baskets, and I don't need snow resistance of the bigger baskets all that much.

Sometimes I use straps, sometimes not.  When hiking usually not, when running, often.  My hands get really sweaty when running and I'd be dropping the poles all the time without straps. In any case, I  haven't removed the straps and wouldn't.

Some of my runs have scrambling sections, and I fold the poles up for these, which means I open and close the poles a lot.  I keep the buttons WD-40'd, but that isn't enough to prevent jamming.  I think the cords inside can twist (the bottom section can rotate relative to the upper sections while the pole is in use),  the twisting makes them effectively shorter, and then the buttons jam and you need pliers.  Once released, twirlng the cord until it lengthens a bit temporarily cures the problem.  (There is a screw adjustment for the length of the cord, but I've found it is not the issue and you can't continually lengthen the cords with the screw setting anyway, as the twisting keeps on shortening them.)

In my opinion Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles it is best on the market, lightweight, compact and strong. I found good article on over mountain web.

Hobo Greg wrote: 12 years and 1500 miles on my Leki’s, they get ABUSED. I rest heavily on them, toss em on the ground, have stepped on em, get em bent sideways and have em spring back. I’ve never had to do any maintenance at all. The carbide tip looks new somehow.

Aluminum, and they weigh 8oz each. How much lighter can you go?

https://www.gossamergear.com/collections/trekking-poles/products/lt5-three-piece-carbon-trekking-poles-pair

3.4oz exactly. 

Hobo Greg wrote
Aluminum, and they weigh 8oz each. How much lighter can you go?

My BD poles weigh about 5 oz each.  I had an aluminum pair before, that and the weight difference is noticeable when trail running. Carbon surely can't be abused like aluminum, but I've broken aluminum and carbon poles in more or less the same way

Russell Bangert wrote:

https://www.gossamergear.com/collections/trekking-poles/products/lt5-three-piece-carbon-trekking-poles-pair

3.4oz exactly. 

Where did you get 3.4 oz? I don't see that on their specs page. I do see 5.3 oz.

Aluminum, and they weigh 8oz each. How much lighter can you go?

Russell Bangert wrote:
Pole -  4.6 oz / 130 g (minus basket and strap)

8 - 4.6 = 3.4

Thanks, Russell. I misread your comment as saying the pole weighed 3.4 oz, when you were stating the difference. Reading comprehension failure, on my part!

No problem, I could been more clear with that but I gotta headache today.