Best Overall
Leki Micro Vario Carbon
$210
Weight9.5oz / 270g per pair
MaterialCarbon fiber shaft
TypeTelescoping — adjustable length
GripCork — absorbs sweat, comfortable
LockSpeed Lock 2 — reliable
Packed LengthCollapses to 39cm
Best Packable
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
$200
Weight9oz / 255g per pair
MaterialCarbon fiber shaft
TypeFolding Z-pole — fixed length per size
GripEVA foam — lighter, slightly less comfortable
LockFlip lock (folds lock into place)
Packed LengthFolds to 33cm — more compact
Bottom line: Adjustable length is the key advantage — you set the correct length for your height and adjust for uphills/downhills. The BD Z poles are a fixed size per SKU; you buy the right length and it stays there. For AT hiking with significant elevation change: adjustable wins. For trail running and fast-and-light where you pack poles away frequently: Z poles win on packdown size.
Head-to-head: key differences
Adjustability
VarioAdjustable length — change on the fly for terrain
CarbonFixed length per size ordered — cannot adjust on trail
Leki wins for AT hiking with variable terrain.
Packed size
VarioCollapses to 39cm
CarbonFolds to 33cm — more compact
BD wins on packdown size.
Weight
Vario9.5oz per pair — 0.5oz heavier
Carbon9oz per pair — slight edge
BD wins on weight, marginally.
Grip comfort
VarioCork grip — absorbs moisture, conforms to hand over time
CarbonEVA foam — comfortable but less premium long-term feel
Leki grip is better for long days.
Choose Leki Micro if:
- →Multi-day AT section hiking with varied terrain
- →You want to adjust length for uphills and downhills
- →Grip comfort matters over all-day use
Choose Black Diamond if:
- →Trail running where poles are stowed frequently
- →You need poles that pack into a running pack or carry-on
- →Slight weight savings at similar price
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Common Questions
Are Leki poles worth the premium over Black Diamond?
Both are premium brands with excellent quality. Leki Micro Vario ($210) vs BD Distance Carbon Z ($200) is a $10 difference — not a meaningful cost gap. The decision is adjustable vs fixed length, not price.
Do trekking poles help on the Appalachian Trail?
Significantly — particularly on descents. Trekking poles reduce knee impact on rocky Virginia and Pennsylvania descents by distributing load to the upper body. Most experienced AT hikers use poles after the first few trips where knee pain taught them the lesson.
How do I set trekking pole length?
Standard formula: elbow at 90° when gripping the pole with the tip on flat ground. For uphills: shorten 5-10cm. For steep downhills: lengthen 5-10cm. The Leki Micro Vario's adjustability makes this easy on the move. BD Z poles require pre-setting before a hike.