Collapsed black diamond z poles don’t lock anymore

[Aimzywynn]

Hi all. I bought my z poles a while back and collapsed them in storage. I recently pulled them out for a new hike and saw that the plastic inserts inside the poles started to degrade. When I try to extend it, the joints are loose and don’t lock anymore so the extended pole isn’t secure. Wondering if anyone has any tips to fix this. Hate to trash them after just a single use!

 

[dougfitz]

I have previously provided a link to the BD z-pole user instructions here. There are directions in that on how to adjust the tension.

 

[arturo garcia]

Maybe they were close to some materials/chemicals than makes the plastic to degrade faster or easier. Also those poles were designed for trail running, not for backpacking, so using them for that might shorten their life expectancy. Just my thoughts. Maybe I´m wrong. Best regards

 

[Gary94123]

Hi all. I bought my z poles a while back and collapsed them in storage. I recently pulled them out for a new hike and saw that the plastic inserts inside the poles started to degrade. When I try to extend it, the joints are loose and don’t lock anymore so the extended pole isn’t secure. Wondering if anyone has any tips to fix this. Hate to trash them after just a single use!

If broken, duct tape is your friend.

 

[TexasIndia]

I had one of my BD poles locking mechanism break last year while on the Camino del Norte. Couldn't get it fixed. Fortunately I only had two days without it. When I got home and called BD they said it was out of warranty ( 6 yrs old), but they did give me a 60% discount on my current poles.
I finished the Camino today and they were wonderful. Light, strong, and fold up very small.

 

[t2andreo]

Contact Black Diamond Customer Service. They are very good. Here is the contact information for those in the US:

Contact Us | Black Diamond® Equipment

Have a question? Our customer service at Black Diamond is here to help. Contact us by phone or via e-mail for product info, orders, shipping info and more.

www.blackdiamondequipment.com

In most cases, your poles can either be adjusted, or the worn out parts replaced. I have even used spray silicone on my internal silicone bands to rejuvenate them for one more Camino. I also store my poles without tension on the joint hardware, I allow them to hand loose in a closet.

If you noodle about the website, you will find other useful links.

Hope this helps,

Tom

 

[wynrich]

Hi all. I bought my z poles a while back and collapsed them in storage. I recently pulled them out for a new hike and saw that the plastic inserts inside the poles started to degrade. When I try to extend it, the joints are loose and don’t lock anymore so the extended pole isn’t secure. Wondering if anyone has any tips to fix this. Hate to trash them after just a single use!

Gosh, seems so soon for them to go wrong. I have walked 1000s of kilometers with my Black Diamond Z-Poles and so far they have worked fine. Since they are getting old, I do worry they will give out on me at an inopportune time. Your post is making me worry even more.

 

[Rita Flower]

If broken, duct tape is your friend.

Agree! One of my Decathlon poles started to fall apart after 2 days. I used duct tape to hold them together very successful for a very long Camino. And easy to collapse them again for the flight home. I will use the same poles (and new duct tape) for my next Camino.

 

[mattythedog]

I had one of my BD poles locking mechanism break last year while on the Camino del Norte. Couldn't get it fixed. Fortunately I only had two days without it. When I got home and called BD they said it was out of warranty ( 6 yrs old), but they did give me a 60% discount on my current poles.
I finished the Camino today and they were wonderful. Light, strong, and fold up very small.

Locking button on my BRAND NEW z’s broke on first day of hiking del Norte last month. I jammed a twig into the hole where button used to be and duct taped it into place. Did not collapse second pole after that for fear same thing would happen. 12 days later, button on second pole disintegrated. Plugged that one with fat tooth picks at a cafe. Both poles finished the camino on my field repairs. Back in the USA now fighting to get a new pair (warranty is 2 years, by the way) with better design and sturdier materials. You can apparently get a 5 year warranty on that new pair, which sounds like the ones I just bought, by registering them. You are gonna need it!

I had the 6 year old version that I had to field-repair 4 Camino’s in a row for various reasons. BD was good about sending parts until both internal strings broke last spring. They only gave me a 40% off coupon for the new ones, although I asked for more. You were lucky… sort of…

And to the post saying z’s were only for running, No, that is a different model. My z’s are for backpacking and running. They also cost more.

 

[debigetsout]

Maybe they were close to some materials/chemicals than makes the plastic to degrade faster or easier. Also those poles were designed for trail running, not for backpacking, so using them for that might shorten their life expectancy. Just my thoughts. Maybe I´m wrong. Best regards

Hmmm, if that is the case, then MEC should not have sold them to me for backpacking....

 

[alhartman]

Not useful except when checking out before a camino, but here is a link for trekking pole parts
https://cascademountaintech.com/collections/trekking-pole-replacement

Google may have others.