5 Black Diamond Ultra Distance Poles Review

Reviewer: Ed Russell, Windsor   (8-3-2012)

The BD Ultra Distance Poles are super lightweight and compact. They fit easily inside a rucksack making them very suitable for alpine climbing and high altitude trekking. They work on a similar basis to an avalanche probe and seem as strong as any competing poles. They are an exceptionally well designed and usable pole (it takes less than 30 seconds to put them together). The limitations are that they are not adjustable (buy the right size in the first place) and you cannot put a snow basket on the bottom so more suitable for trail use rather than snow. They are also quite pricey, but you can see where the extra money goes.

5 Black Diamond Ultra Distance Poles Review

Reviewer: Chris Gould, Prestatyn   (12-7-2011)

I am a big chap (14 stone) and since I am fast approaching 60, my knees have started to cause problems.I push hard on my poles when ascending, and during the descent I put a lot of weight on them to take the load off my knees.

When these poles arrived I was initially sceptical that they would be strong enough since they seemed so light and flimsy. However, I need not have worried since they have been easily up the task. They do bend slightly under load, but no more than my Leki poles, and always spring back into shape immediately.

Folding and unfolding is easy with an ingenious mechanism which has so far proved 100% reliable. They pack up very small and easily fit into my day sack.

I am very impressed with these poles, although they are expensive I feel that they are worth every penny. My only criticism is that the baskets are very small and would be unsuitable on fresh snow but are OK on all other terrain.

They are not length adjustable so I measured the length I normally set my Leki poles and found that this was 120cm. I ordered the 120 cm poles and they have been perfect. An excellent product.