Model assessment · Black Diamond

Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles (110–125 and 120–135 cm options) review

A carbon three-section folding pole with Speed Cone deployment, FlickLock+ length adjustment, cork grips, Bloom foam extensions and two separately listed size ranges.

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Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon FLZ trekking poles in Octane, with folded pole sections, lever hardware and cork grips against white.
Official Black Diamond image of the Octane Pursuit Carbon FLZ; the shared image does not identify a size SKU. No performance testing is implied. Black Diamond Equipment manufacturer image
A useful fit for

A source-based candidate for hikers who want a carbon folding pole with an external FlickLock+ adjustment, cork grip, alternate Bloom-foam hand positions, and a choice between 110–125 cm and 120–135 cm ranges. The two size plans keep their own reach and collapsed lengths.

The main tradeoff

The FLZ uses carbon rather than the aluminum Pursuit's more familiar lever-adjustable telescoping format, and the page does not state the basis of its 490/502 g weights. Snow baskets are listed as included; trekking-basket inclusion and package count are not separately confirmed.

Your needs, this model

Does it fit your priorities?

Which Carbon FLZ size reaches a 135 cm pole setting?

Only the 120–135 cm option reaches 135 cm. Confirm SKU BD11256280011351; the shorter 110–125 cm SKU ends at 125 cm.

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Does this FLZ include snow baskets?

The official product page lists snow baskets as included. It does not separately confirm trekking-basket inclusion, so check that detail if you need both types.

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Will the larger FLZ plan meet a 40 cm packing limit?

The two listed collapsed lengths are 36 cm and 39 cm in the same order as the 110–125 and 120–135 cm options. The 120–135 cm plan is therefore within a 40 cm limit in the published specification; measure the specific pack opening and verify the exact offer.

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How does it differ from the Pursuit Carbon Z?

Both are carbon cork-grip Z-poles. The Carbon FLZ adds FlickLock+ length adjustment and two working ranges; the Carbon Z is fixed at a selected length. The FLZ page lists 36/39 cm collapse values for its two options, while the Carbon Z lists five fixed lengths and five collapsed-length values.

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The Pursuit Carbon FLZ sits between two different ideas: it folds into Z-pole sections for carrying, yet a FlickLock+ lever still adjusts its working length. Black Diamond’s current US page lists two Octane sizes, so the key choice is the shorter 110–125 cm range or the longer 120–135 cm range. This review interprets the manufacturer’s published information; it does not claim field use or a carbon-strength test.

Two size plans, not one broad range

The official feed identifies two exact size SKUs: BD11256280011251 for 110–125 cm and BD11256280011351 for 120–135 cm. Both are the Octane color. They share the same main construction and features, but they do not reach the same settings. If 135 cm is essential, only the 120–135 cm option reaches that endpoint; the 110–125 cm version stops at 125 cm. Check your needed setting rather than choosing by height alone. The product page lists collapsed lengths of 36 and 39 cm alongside the two size ranges, and listed weights of 490 and 502 g in the same order. We associate 36 cm with the shorter range and 39 cm with the longer one because the manufacturer presents the two values in the order of its two options. The page does not spell out the mapping in a separate size-by-size table, so treat that as an ordered-spec reading and confirm the exact size if a packed-length cutoff is critical. The weight basis is unstated: the 490/502 g figures should not be compared as per-pole or per-pair values without confirmation. The product feed includes its own 465 value for both variants in an unlabeled weight field. That differs from the product-page specification and has no declared product-versus-shipping basis. We do not substitute it for the product-page figures or claim that either is a measured weight.

Folding storage plus lever adjustment

Black Diamond describes this model as a three-section, foldable pole with Speed Cone deployment and FlickLock+ adjustability. That combination matters: folding is the carrying arrangement, while the external lever adjusts pole length within the selected range. It is not a fixed-length Z-pole like the Pursuit Carbon Z. Conversely, the Carbon Z has a broader list of fixed size increments rather than a short adjustable interval within one selected size. The page identifies 100% carbon construction, cork grips, Bloom algae-foam grip extensions and a breathable air-mesh strap. The extension adds a place to hold lower on the shaft, which can be useful to compare when an ascent changes hand position; it is not a substitute for checking fit or a promise of less fatigue. The Carbon Z shares carbon, cork and foam-extension themes, while the standard aluminum Pursuit has two manufacturer-listed grip sizes and a longer telescoping form. The FLZ product page explicitly says snow baskets are included and describes flex-tip construction. It also names replaceable Wavelock tips and carbide and steel tip materials. The page does not separately confirm trekking-basket inclusion or how many poles are in a package. Treat those as seller checks, not assumptions from a pole photograph. If you require both basket types, compare the standard Pursuit and Carbon Z listings, where trekking baskets are also named, and confirm exact contents before buying.

What the construction does and does not tell you

The compact three-section layout is a practical distinction from the standard telescoping Pursuit: the ordered page values put this Carbon FLZ at 36 or 39 cm collapsed, versus 62 or 68 cm for the standard model. It can therefore be a candidate when your pack space is measured and shorter than the standard Pursuit’s listed collapse. A specification is not a guarantee that the pole fits a particular pack pocket, luggage slot or airline rule; allow room for the grip, tips and how you carry it. Black Diamond’s Z-Pole and trekking-pole instructions warn that carbon shafts can be damaged by dents, gouges, scratches, fractures or chipping and call for frequent inspection of ultralight carbon models. Inspect after an impact and do not keep using a visibly damaged shaft. The trekking-pole instructions also describe external-lever tension checks and warn against oil or silicone on sliding shafts. Read the current product instructions for the exact setup; a review cannot certify the condition of an individual pole.

Who should compare the Carbon FLZ?

Compare it if a folding pole with lever adjustment, a cork grip and a selected range up to 135 cm fits your measured requirements. The 120–135 cm SKU is the only option here for a 135 cm setting; the shorter option has a 36 cm ordered collapsed-length figure and lower reach, while the longer plan is listed at 39 cm and reaches higher. If a fixed working length is acceptable and compactness is the priority, the Carbon Z may be the simpler design. If a longer adjustable range or smaller grip size matters more than a short pack length, compare the standard Pursuit instead. Before purchase, verify the Octane color, exact size SKU, included snow baskets, trekking-basket status, package quantity, selected working range, the ordered collapsed-length value and the weight basis. The manufacturer page flags PFAS content and shipping limits for California, New York and Colorado; confirm the current seller and destination terms. No personal comfort, durability or trail-performance result is claimed.
Key specifications

Key details at a glance

Minimum usable length110 cm
Maximum usable length135 cm
Published weight entries (mapping or basis may be unclear)490 / 502 g
Published collapsed-length entries (size mapping may be unclear)36 / 39 cm
Adjustable working lengthYes
Shaft materialCarbon
Adjustment lockExternal lever clamp
Grip materialCork or cork-mix
Shaft sections3
Extended grip sectionYes
Available usable-length ranges110–125 cm / 120–135 cm
Published collapsed-length entries (size mapping unclear)36 / 39 cm
Published weight entries (mapping or basis may be unclear)490 / 502 g
Shaft storage designFolding Z-pole

Use the exact model’s instructions for operating limits, supplied equipment and version differences.

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