Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z is the packable pole for trail runners and hikers who need poles for descents but don't want to carry them the entire route.
Who it's for
Buy this if: Trail runners and fast hikers who need poles for steeper sections but want to stow them easily on flat terrain.
Skip this if: Hikers who use poles continuously — telescoping poles are more versatile for continuous all-day use.
In practice
Z-Fold vs. Telescope
Telescoping poles adjust length precisely but require full extension to pack small — packing length of 24-28 inches for most telescoping designs. Z-fold collapses to 13 inches through folding (like tent poles) — more compact but non-adjustable. For hikers who know their ideal pole length, Z-fold provides the superior pack size.
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