Cimalp Distance Carbon 2: the full review

In the folding carbon trail pole market, an unwritten rule has settled in: you pick your size in 10 cm steps, once and for all. Cimalp, a French brand from the Drôme, decided to break that rule with the Distance Carbon 2, the only folding carbon pole on the market whose length adjusts continuously, even mid-run. On paper, the idea is excellent. On the scale, it comes at a price.

Cimalp Distance Carbon 2: betting on continuous adjustment in a market locked into 10 cm steps

The folding carbon trail pole market is dominated by a handful of brands, led by Leki, Black Diamond, Guidetti and Komperdell, all of which sell their models in fixed sizes, usually in steps of five to ten centimetres. Cimalp, a French brand from the Drôme better known for technical apparel sold direct to consumers, took the opposite angle with its Distance Carbon range. The Easy-Lock system, an aluminium lever built into the upper section, lets you set the pole length to the centimetre between 115 and 135 cm, and even tweak it during a run without a long stop. On paper, it is the only offer of its kind in the folding carbon pole market.

Distance Carbon 2 specs

Cimalp Distance Carbon 2: what the brand claims vs what was measured

The product name changed along the way: the model tested by French sources in 2022, then priced at 99,90 euros and claimed at 230 grams, was simply called Distance Carbon. The current version, renamed Distance Carbon 2, is now claimed at 225 grams per pole and sells for 109,90 euros. An independent test run over several weeks and about 800 km in the Alps, on this current version, recorded a real weight of 250 grams per pole on its own scale: 25 grams more than the official figure, a gap of nearly 11 %. That gap deserves to be flagged rather than smoothed over, even if the long-term use documented by the same test, 800 km without a single breakage, confirms how tough the product is.

The Easy-Lock system: the real technical difference

In practice, unfolding the pole is standard: a push button releases the Z sections in a second. That is where the Distance Carbon 2 starts to stand out. Once the upper section is free, a green aluminium lever lets you tighten or loosen the pole length to the centimetre, between 115 and 135 cm. That fine adjustment opens up uses that fixed-size poles simply can't offer: shorten the pole on a big climb to grip higher and get more push, then lengthen it for the descent to gain stability. You just need to memorise the markings printed on the section to find your usual setting quickly.

RunMorph's tip: if you are still unsure about the right pole length, the Distance Carbon 2 saves you from buying blind. For a lighter, more specialised use, the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite remains the market benchmark.

© Cimalp, official photo used for editorial purposes

Field test: cross-checked feedback from real users

Three independent sources were read in full for this review, with one key caveat to keep in mind: the first two cover the version launched in 2022, the Distance Carbon, at 99,90 euros and a claimed 230 grams, while the third covers the current Distance Carbon 2. Le Comparatif du Trail praises the adjustable length and the comfort of the EVA foam grips, which stay effective even when moisture (sweat or rain) creeps in, but points to a weight that puts the product among the heaviest folding carbon poles on the market, plus slight vibrations caused by the aluminium in the sections and a looser cable tension than on full-carbon models. Runactu takes a more forgiving view of that same weight, calling it a good compromise between efficiency and toughness, and strongly recommends the product for its value, with four types of tips in the box: tarmac, Nordic walking, ski and snowshoe.

The most recent test, carried out on the current version 2 by i-Trekkings over about 800 km spread across more than eight weeks of trekking in the Alps, confirms the product holds up over time: no breakage reported despite heavy use, for a measured weight of 250 grams per pole. All three sources agree on one point: weight is the Distance Carbon 2's deliberate trade-off, in exchange for toughness and versatility (trail, hiking, Nordic walking, ski) that ultralight full-carbon poles don't always deliver.

Grip and strap: the product's real strong point

The pole's second asset, praised unanimously by all three sources, is its double EVA foam grip. Its elongated shape lets you move your hand between the top and bottom of the grip depending on the terrain, a detail that matters on long outings with side slopes or technical descents. The grip stays effective even when things get wet, a point Le Comparatif du Trail calls out explicitly. The strap, simple but adjustable through a push-button system, rounds things off without any needless complexity.

Main flaw: weight, a real trade-off you have to accept

At a claimed 225 grams, and up to 250 grams measured independently, the Distance Carbon 2 weighs nearly 65 % more than the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite (137 g), the market benchmark for lightness. Even against rivals already positioned in the mid-range, like the Kiprun Trail Carbon Poles (141 g) or the Komperdell FX Lite Carbon Vario Summit Comp (227 g), the gap is either clear or barely level. Cimalp owns this trade-off: part of the weight comes from the aluminium Easy-Lock system and the chunky EVA grips, two features that give you comfort and toughness in return. The weight also shows up when you carry them: the bulky grip makes it harder to stow the poles in some quivers or pole-belt loops designed for slimmer models.

Cimalp Distance Carbon 2 vs Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite and Kiprun Trail Carbon Poles

The bottom line: if weight is your number one criterion, the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite is out of the Distance Carbon 2's reach, nearly 90 grams lighter per pole. Against the Kiprun, already very strong on value, the Distance Carbon 2 doesn't win on weight but takes the lead on versatility, thanks to its continuous adjustment and the four types of included tips that let you use it all year round, on trails as well as for hiking or Nordic walking.

Pros and cons of the Cimalp Distance Carbon 2

Durability and cost per use

The most recent independent test, run over about 800 km across more than eight weeks in the Alps, found no breakage despite heavy use on varied terrain. The aluminium in the Easy-Lock system, usually seen as a weight penalty, works in favour of toughness here against knocks and falls, a point Le Comparatif du Trail already made back with the 2022 version. At 109,90 euros for a product that includes a carry bag, baskets and four types of tips, the cost per use stays very competitive against poles selling for 60 to 90 euros more without those accessories.

© Cimalp, official photo used for editorial purposes

Our field verdict: who is the Distance Carbon 2 for?

The Distance Carbon 2 is aimed first at beginner or occasional trail runners, and at those who split their time between trail running and hiking and want a single versatile pair of poles. The continuous adjustment also makes buying easier for anyone unsure of their ideal size. On the other hand, a racer chasing every gram on a skyrunning format will be better off with a Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite or a Guidetti Platinium Néo, lighter but also pricier and without continuous adjustment.

The RunMorph Coach's verdict

The Cimalp Distance Carbon 2 delivers on a rare promise in this market: truly continuous length adjustment on a folding carbon pole, a feature no direct competitor offers today. The price you pay is clear and owned: a claimed weight of 225 grams that climbs to 250 grams when measured independently, putting it among the heaviest in its category. With a score of 7,3/10, it ranks as a good product held back by its weight: excellent for versatile trail and hiking use or for a beginner unsure about sizing, less relevant for a racer chasing grams.

Key takeaways for your training

• 225 g claimed, up to 250 g measured: a gap of nearly 11 % to factor in if weight is a deciding criterion.
• Continuous adjustment 115-135 cm: unique in the folding carbon pole market, handy for adjusting length mid-run.
• 800 km without a breakage: toughness confirmed by a recent independent test in real conditions.
• 109,90 euros with accessories: carry bag, summer/winter baskets and 4 types of tips in the box.
• 65 % heavier than the market benchmark: the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite (137 g) stays out of reach on this specific criterion.

FAQ

Is the Cimalp Distance Carbon 2 good for trail running beginners?

Yes, that is actually its main selling point: continuous adjustment between 115 and 135 cm saves you from blindly buying a fixed size, a real advantage if you have never used poles.

What is the real weight of the Cimalp Distance Carbon 2?

Cimalp claims 225 grams per pole. An independent test over 800 km measured 250 grams, a gap of nearly 11 %.

Is the Cimalp Distance Carbon 2 suitable for racing?

Not really recommended for pure performance: at 225-250 g per pole, it is clearly heavier than market benchmarks like the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite (137 g). It does, however, make sense on very technical ultras where toughness matters more than weight.

What comes in the Cimalp Distance Carbon 2 box?

The pair of poles ships with a storage bag, summer and winter baskets, and 4 types of tips (tarmac, Nordic walking, ski, snowshoe), for year-round use.

What is the difference between the Distance Carbon and the Distance Carbon 2?

The current version 2 is claimed at 225 grams per pole versus 230 grams for the version launched in 2022, and costs 109,90 euros versus 99,90 euros at launch.