Best Trekking Poles
 

Author: Casey Handley | Editor: Dave Collins 
Last Updated: March 9, 2023

Whether you're thru-hiking across the country or heading out on a quick weekend jaunt, trekking poles can add a lot of stability and comfort to your hike. Trekking poles aren’t essential, but many backpackers love them for a variety of reasons. They help reduce impact on your knees, increase balance on difficult terrain or while fording rivers, and some hikers use trekking poles to pitch ultralight tents.

Many trekking poles are pretty similar in design, so it can be a daunting task to find you perfect pair. But we’ve used dozens of different trekking poles over thousands of hiking miles, and we’re confident that our experience will help you find exactly what you need.

Using the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z-Poles for stability while crossing a river.

Ultralight poles, like the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Zs, take less energy to use

Quick recommendation

Check out this quick list of our favorite trekking poles, or continue scrolling to see our full list with in-depth reviews.

Crossing a frozen stream on the Timberline Trail with the help of the Leki Micro Vario Carbon trekking poles.

Trekking poles can help with stability while crossing water

What’s Most Important to You in a Pair of Trekking Poles?

PRICE - We tend to be willing to spend a bit more for a quality pair of trekking poles since we need to be able to trust that they won’t fail if we need to put our body weight on them. Below we recommend a range of dependable trekking poles from budget buys to high-end poles.

A hiker walking through the desert with the Fizan Compact 3 trekking poles

The Fizan Compact 3 are affordable & ultralight

WEIGHT - Weight should be a top consideration when determining the best trekking pole for you. Similar to the theory behind hiking footwear, every ounce matters when you're lifting your arms thousands of times a day. If you typically only go on short day hikes or you do a lot of winter trekking, a heavier and more durable pair of aluminum poles might be more practical. 

The Gossamer Gear LT5 are the lightest trekking poles on our list.

The Gossamer Gear LT5 are the lightest trekking poles on our list

DURABILITY - When you’re crossing a fast-moving stream or balancing on a narrow ridge, it’s important to know that your trekking poles will support you. Carbon fiber poles are lighter and more energy efficient, but they tend to be less durable over the long run. Aluminum poles are heavier, but they tend to be the more durable option and will bend before failing completely.

Aluminum poles, like the Black Diamond Trail Ergo cork, are heavier than Carbon fiber poles, but they tend to be more durable.

Aluminum poles, like the Black Diamond Trail Ergo cork, are heavier than Carbon fiber poles, but they tend to be more durable

GRIPS - Trekking pole grips create friction against your hands that can lead to sore spots or even blisters, so it’s important to choose poles that feel comfortable. Most trekking pole grips are made from either cork or foam. Cork wins for durability and comfort, while foam is usually more affordable but tends to break down quicker.

Cork is the most durable and comfortable handle material.

Cork is the most durable & comfortable handle material

PACKABILITY - When not in use, it’s nice to have trekking poles that can pack down small for storage on the outside of your pack or in luggage for travel. Generally, folding Z-poles offer the best compactability with the smallest collapsed length.

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z fold down very small.

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z fold down very small

Best Trekking Poles of 2023

BEST ULTRALIGHT TREKKING POLES

MSRP: $195

WEIGHT (PAIR): 10.6 oz.

SHAFT MATERIAL: Carbon Fiber

GRIP MATERIAL: Foam

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 23.5 in.

PROS: Ultralight, comfy handles, easy to adjust, very durable for the weight

CONS: Expensive, carbon fiber isn’t as tough as aluminum

BOTTOM LINE: The Gossamer Gear LT5 carbon fiber trekking poles are incredibly light and comfortable. They're easy to adjust with two simple twist-locks, and the foam handles are comfortable to hold on long hikes. The LT5s are pretty pricey, but the excellent strength-to-weight ratio makes them worth the cost for anyone covering long distances with a light load. We’ve taken ours a few thousand miles on some pretty gnarly trails, and they’ve still got plenty of distance left in them. Check out our full review here.

BEST BUDGET TREKKING POLES

MSRP: $70

WEIGHT (PAIR): 11.2 oz.

SHAFT MATERIAL: Aluminum

GRIP MATERIAL: Foam

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 22.8 in.

PROS: Affordable, ultralight, easy to adjust, several different basket sizes included

CONS: Thin aluminum isn’t as durable, segments have a tendency to get stuck

BOTTOM LINE: The Fizan Compact 3s are giving our top pick, the Gossamer Gear LT5s, a good run for their money. The C3s cost a fraction of the price, have a wider range of usable lengths, and weigh barely half an ounce more for the pair. We still like the LT5s a bit more because we find the grips to be more comfy, the carbon fiber shaft has a bit less flex than the aluminum C3s, and the stoppers on the LT5s prevent a very annoying problem we’ve experienced with the C3s. Because there aren’t catches at the tops of the pole segments, it’s surprisingly easy to collapse the Compact 3s too much and get them stuck. That said, as long as you’re careful to avoid that issue, the Compact 3s are an awesome value. Check out our full review of the Fizan Compact 3s here.

AFFORDABLE & DURABLE TREKKING POLES

MSRP: $70

WEIGHT (PAIR): 19.2 oz.

SHAFT MATERIAL: Aluminum

GRIP MATERIAL: Foam

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 24 in.

PROS: Affordable, durable, easy to adjust

CONS: Heavy, foam grips aren’t as comfy as cork

BOTTOM LINE: The Montem Ultra Strong trekking poles are a solid budget buy. They're durable, compact, easy to use, and much more affordable than the high-end poles on this list. Equipped with a flick-lock lever system, they are collapsible down to two feet, which is pretty good for stowing when not in use. The hand grips are soft and comfortable, but we do tend to prefer cork grips over foam. If you're new to trekking poles or on a tight budget, the Montem Ultra Strong poles are a great buy. For those looking to shave ounces, Montem also offers Ultralight Carbon Trekking Poles for a surprisingly affordable price.

BEST TREKKING POLES FOR COMFORT & DURABILITY

MSRP: $140

WEIGHT (PAIR): 18 oz.

SHAFT MATERIAL: Aluminum

GRIP MATERIAL: Cork

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 27 in.

PROS: Cork grips, durable, easy to adjust, affordable for the quality

CONS: Not as compact as some, a bit heavy

BOTTOM LINE: The Trail Ergo Cork poles (also available in women’s sizes) from Black Diamond aren't the lightest poles on the market, but they’re durable and pretty affordable for the quality. Their ergonomic cork handles are very comfortable, and their dual flick-lock system makes adjusting to different lengths a breeze. For durable aluminum poles that fall in the mid-weight range, the Trail Ergo Cork poles are a good value buy. Check out our full review here.

AFFORDABLE & LIGHTWEIGHT CARBON FIBER TREKKING POLES

MSRP: $149

WEIGHT (PAIR): 13.6 oz. 

SHAFT MATERIAL: Carbon fiber & aluminum

GRIP MATERIAL: Foam

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 25 in.

PROS: Affordable for the quality & weight, durable

CONS: Not as compact as some, foam grips aren’t as comfy as cork

BOTTOM LINE: The REI Flash Carbon trekking poles are a great option for those looking to trim a few ounces without breaking the bank. These poles have a simple and secure flick-lock system and comfortable foam hand grips. They’re made from a combination of carbon fiber and aluminum which makes them decently light while maintaining durability. The Flash Carbon poles also come in a lighter compact version for those who don’t need their poles to be longer than 120 cm. If you're looking for a budget option and don't mind carrying a few more ounces, the REI Traverse poles are a solid choice as well.  

HIGHLY PACKABLE ULTRALIGHT TREKKING POLES

MSRP: $190

WEIGHT (PAIR): 9.8 oz.

SHAFT MATERIAL: Carbon Fiber

GRIP MATERIAL: Foam

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 13-17 in.

PROS: Ultralight, small collapsed length

CONS: Expensive, Z-pole design takes some getting used to, foam grips aren’t as comfy as cork, fixed length

BOTTOM LINE: At only nine ounces, the Distance Carbon Z-Poles are the lightest trekking poles on our list. The folding Z-pole design allows them to break down to a small size for easy storage, so they’re a great choice for hikers who will only use their poles occasionally. The one downside with these poles is that they come in four different fixed lengths (100-130 cm.), which could be an issue depending on your specific needs. Hikers who use trekking poles to support their shelter should measure carefully to make sure these poles will be the correct length to serve their purposes.

STURDY TREKKING POLES WITH COMFORTABLE GRIPS

MSRP: $200

WEIGHT (PAIR): 1 lb. 1.1 oz.

SHAFT MATERIAL: Carbon Fiber

GRIP MATERIAL: Cork

COLLAPSED LENGTH: 24 in.

PROS: Cork grips, durable, easy to adjust

CONS: Expensive, heavy

BOTTOM LINE: The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork poles (also available in women’s sizes) are tough 4-season poles that’re incredibly reliable in almost any condition. The easy flick-lock system is secure and makes it simple to adjust the length. Though not the lightest option on the market, these poles are very tough and their grips are quite comfortable. For burly all-weather terrain, these are the poles we'd choose. The Alpines also come in a folding version that’s much more compact and lightweight.

A hiker standing on a mountain pass holding Fizan Compact 3 trekking poles

Fizan's Compact 3 trekking poles are far more affordable than others with a comparable weight

Critical Trekking Pole Considerations

Below, we break down some important things to consider when making a new trekking pole purchase. If you’re still unsure about whether or not hiking with poles is right for you, check out our Pros and Cons of Hiking with Trekking Poles post.

MATERIALS - The two most common materials used for trekking poles are aluminum and carbon fiber. Carbon fiber poles are far lighter, but they're also more expensive and more likely to break if bent the wrong way with force. Aluminum poles are heavier, but they're more economical and likely to bend instead of snapping under pressure. Some poles combine both materials, using an aluminum lower shaft with a carbon fiber upper.

A hiker standing on a ledge with the Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles looking at a mountain view

Carbon Fiber Trekking poles, like the Gossamer Gear LT5, are very light, but they’re less durable than aluminum poles

POLE DESIGN:

  • Telescoping: Telescoping trekking poles are the most common option. They usually consist of two or three sections that nest into each other with a locking mechanism to hold them in place when extended. They’re highly adjustable and can pack down small.

  • Folding: "Z-type" folding trekking poles usually have three sections that fold to roughly 1/3 of their full length. Held together by an internal tension cord, each section unfolds to create a single shaft when locked into place (similar to a tent pole). Though they pack down small and are often lighter than telescoping poles, most models are not length adjustable. Some folding trekking poles do offer one telescoping section, which will allow you to adjust the length of the pole.

  • Fixed: The least common type of trekking poles on the trail is fixed-length, straight shaft trekking poles. They're not adjustable and don't collapse, making them difficult to stow away when not in use. Due to their storage impracticality, we don't really recommend fixed poles.

The REI Co-op Flash Carbon poles have a telescoping design so you can easily adjust the length to fit the terrain if you want.

The REI Flash Carbon poles have a telescoping design so you can easily adjust the length

LOCKING SYSTEMS - Trekking poles have either an internal or external locking system to hold the pole's sections in place. Internal locking systems usually employ a "twist lock," which expands a small bracket inside the poles when twisted to hold the sections in place. External locking systems, or "flick locks," use a lever to put pressure on the shaft and hold both sections in place. Twist locks are slightly more complicated than flick locks, so they tend to have a slight learning curve and aren’t as easy to repair in the field. Flick locks are typically more reliable over time, but we've had success with poles using both locking methods.

STRAPS – To use the straps correctly, your hand should enter from below before grabbing the grip. This will create a loop around the back of your hand with two sections of strap running through your palm. This method will allow you to put a lot of pressure from your upper body on the pole, without requiring an exhausting hand grip. Straps are often made of nylon webbing, which can produce chafing. Fleece or soft chamois straps tend to be more comfortable, but they may make your hands sweat in hot weather.

The Montem Ultra Strong are our favorite budget trekking poles.

The Montem Ultra Strong are some of our favorite budget trekking poles

BASKETS – Many poles come with removable baskets (a wide circular plastic section, like on ski poles) near the tips. Their main purpose is to keep the poles from driving too deep in snow, sand, or mud.

Baskets help keep your trekking poles from sinking in snow and sand.

Baskets help keep your trekking poles from sinking in snow & sand

TIPS - Pole tips are usually comprised of a plastic body that holds a durable point at the end, typically made of hardened steel. They’re designed to increase stability and traction by biting into dirt, rock, and ice. To maintain optimal functionality, tips should be replaced every 1,500-2,000 miles or so.

SHOCK ABSORBERS - Shock absorbers are small, spring-like mechanisms near the tips of poles that help reduce the impact of striking the ground. Internal shock absorption systems are more common on high-end poles and will increase price and weight. Some people love the cushion they provide, but we generally avoid them. The springs in them create a less secure pole plant and can make ascents a bit more difficult, due to the springs absorbing some of your uphill push. They can also be somewhat squeaky, which can get annoying after a full day on the trail.

ADJUSTMENTS - When properly adjusted, your arms should form a 90-degree bend when the poles are held at your sides with their tips on the ground. It’s important to make sure your poles are adjusted properly and feel comfortable, as you can easily stress your neck, shoulders, and wrists with poles set at an improper height.

When heading uphill, you may want to shorten your poles about 5 to 10 cm. to provide better planting and traction. With slightly shorter poles, you should be able to maintain uphill momentum. When heading downhill, lengthen your poles 5 to 10 cm. to help maintain solid footing and stability.

A hiker adjusting the Fizan Compact 3 trekking poles in the desert

The Fizan Compact 3 use a twist lock for adjustments

GENDER-SPECIFIC: Some brands offer gender-specific poles, but that mostly amounts to tweaks in color and pole length.  The majority of trekking poles are unisex and work equally well for men and women. We recommend buying the ones that fit you best.

The REI Co-op Flash Carbon are a good budget option for lightweight backpackers.

The REI Flash Carbon are a good budget option for lightweight backpackers

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATION - Trekking poles can cause damage to trails, soil, vegetation, and rocks bordering the trail. High-traffic trails - especially after periods of snow melt or rain - are susceptible to erosion and wash outs. Always be mindful of where you plant your poles and practice LNT backpacking.

Plastic tips reduce the impact trekking poles have on the environment.

Plastic tips reduce the impact trekking poles have on the environment

Lightweight Footwear & Trekking Poles Video 

As part of our Lightweight Backpacking Gear Basics video series, we put together this video on footwear and trekking poles. Some of our feelings have changed a bit in the years since the making of this video, but there's still a lot of useful info in there. If you just want trekking pole info, skip to minute 3:40.

Need More Gear Advice?

If you liked this list, you’ll love the CleverHiker Gear Guide where we test and recommend tons of outdoor adventure gear from a variety of categories. here are some links to popular articles:

Using the Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles for a glacial river crossing

Trekking poles greatly improve your balance for river crossings & rocky terrain

Why Trust Us?

We fully understand how tough it is to find trustworthy gear advice, and that’s one of the main reasons we built CleverHiker. We live for outdoor adventure, and we take these guides very seriously. Here are some of the reasons you can trust us:

  • Our choices are completely independent and based on personal experience.

  • We’ve logged over 10,000 trail miles and test outdoor gear for a living.

  • We own and field test every product we recommend, which is sadly not the norm.

  • We travel to industry trade shows to learn about upcoming product innovations.

  • We constantly update our guides when new products launch.

  • We treat our recommendations as if they were for our family and friends.

  • We’re lifelong learners and we’re always open to constructive criticism. If you think we’ve missed a product or got something wrong, we’d love to hear your feedback.

Trekking poles can help provide some forward momentum for long uphill slogs.

Trekking poles can help provide some forward momentum for long uphill slogs

MORE INFORMATION

We hope this guide helps you find the perfect gear for your needs. If you have more questions or a suggestion, we’d love to hear from you! Sign up for our newsletter to stay updated on our latest posts then visit our Facebook page and Instagram to join the community conversation.

If you found this guide helpful, please give it a share on social media! Also, be sure to check out our CleverHiker Gear Guide to see all of our top gear picks.

Thanks for reading and happy trails!

Trekking poles are great for maintaining balance on tricky terrain.

Trekking poles are great for maintaining balance on tricky terrain

 

Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a modest commission if purchases are made through those links. This adds no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site up and running. Our reputation is our most important asset, which is why we only provide completely honest and unbiased recommendations.