From weekend strolls in the woods to full-on thru-hikes, trekking poles are an essential tool for every hiker. Studies have shown that hiking poles significantly reduce the impact load on your knees—especially when going downhill. This prevents long-term damage. Additionally, hiking poles can help mitigate short-term injuries, like twists and sprains, by assisting with your balance and stability on uneven or rocky terrain.
Our top pick for 2023’s best trekking poles goes to Black Diamond’s Alpine Carbon Z-Poles, for a mix of weight, strength, and packability.
The Top Trekking Poles Reviewed
Best Overall Trekking Poles
Our pick for best overall trekking poles in 2021 are the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z-Poles. The carbon fibre frame is stiff and ultralight, the foam handles are soft and comfortable, and the folding mechanism makes them extremely packable.
These versatile hiking sticks are suitable for every breed of outdoor adventure, from ultralight thru-hike to winter excursion.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Lightweight
- Strong
- Stiff
- Comfortable
- Packable
Cons
- Price
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Best Budget Trekking Poles
If you’re looking for an affordable and functional hiking pole, look no further than the Life Sports Gear Easy Trail Trekking Poles. The aluminium frame certainly isn’t ultralight, but it is durable.
The three collapsible joints make them easy to transport; the handle is soft and features secure wrist wraps. Plus, the carbon steel tip is supremely tough. This makes them a clear winner for our best budget trekking poles
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Price
- Collapsible
- Packable
- Durable
Cons
- Heavier than carbon fibre alternatives
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Best Trekking Poles for Women
The best modern trekking poles are built from high-quality materials, weigh next to nothing, and stand up to repeated impact. For women, the Leki Cressida Trekking Poles offers all this and more. While the price is steep, the hollow aluminium frame makes them both lightweight and flexible.
The length is highly adjustable with its three segments, and the cork handle won’t leave your hand covered in blisters. Meanwhile, the grip is 12% shorter, adapting perfectly to smaller hands.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Ultralight
- Adjustable
- Materials
- Durable
Cons
- Price
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Best Ultralight Trekking Poles
If you’re a speed hiker or trail runner, the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite Trekking Poles are a no-brainer. Made from 100% carbon fibre and featuring three collapsible joints for easy transport, these lightweight poles fold down to just 42 cm (16.5”) in length.
Seriously—these are some of the lightest trekking poles on the market, coming in at just 406g (or 0.9lbs) for the pair.
Meanwhile, the wrist wraps quite literally fit like a glove. That said, for winter hiking or the heavy-handed, these won’t offer the best durability.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Ultralight
- Adjustable
- Comfortable
- Collapsible
Cons
- Less durable
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Best Premium Trekking Poles
The Leki Black Series FX Carbon Trekking Poles are premium hiking poles. And yes, this is reflected in their price tag. But before you scroll on, let’s take a moment to consider what makes these poles so haut de gamme.
These high end trekking poles feature all the usual coveted features we expect from Leki: 100% carbon fibre frame, exceptional packability, comfortable wrist straps, and ergonomic cork handles.
There are some added benefits, too. For one, the Black Series was designed to provide maximum grip and control while hiking downhill thanks to their patented Aergon Air system. Secondly, the hollow core technology reduces the weight of each pole to a mere 228g (8 oz), making these a durable option for ultralight poles.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Durable
- Multi-purpose
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
Cons
- Price
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Best Compact Trekking Poles
While many of our top picks are highly compact, we’ve got a soft spot for the Komperdell Carbon FXP Approach Compact Trekking Poles. These well-regarded hiking poles are made entirely of carbon fibre and feature cork handles are lightweight, breathable, and soft.
The two collapsible joints make for easy storage and optimal adjustability, measuring just 38 cm (14.9“) apiece when completely collapsed. Powerlock 3.0 joints are always ready for quick release when you’re ready to hit the trail.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Compact
- Adjustable
- Lightweight
- Comfortable
Cons
- Price
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Best Winter Trekking Poles
Winter hiking poles should be stronger and more stable than three-season poles. That’s why the Koti Sports L'Agile Snowshoes and Poles Set comes in two sizes to accommodate different body weights. Plus, this kit includes a pair of snowshoes with your trekking poles.
For other distinct colourways designed by JASNKO, check out the Smiley Snowshoes and Poles Set and the Vallonneuse Snowshoes and Poles Set.
Price: 0.00$
Pros
- Winter-ready
- Strong
- Adjustable
- Comes with snowshoes!
Cons
- No ice pick included
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What to look for when buying trekking poles
Pole Material
The two most common hiking pole materials are aluminium and carbon fibre. The former is affordable and extremely durable, while the latter is ultralight and flexible.
If you tend to lean heavily into your poles or frequently require them for balance, aluminium is a safe bet. If you like to move quickly, you’ll adore carbon fibre but this does come at a higher price.
Grip Material
Cork is best when it comes to trekking poles. It’s fast-drying, malleable, and smooth to the touch. In second place is any kind of foam, as it’s also soft and lightweight, though more likely to retain odours.
The least desirable grip material is firm plastic, which is both heavy and increases the likelihood of gnarly blisters. Though, incidentally, plastic is probably the most sanitary.
Wrist Wraps
A standard feature across most walking poles, wrist wraps let you keep a looser grip on your poles without fear of dropping them. A looser grip also allows for more pole flexibility on uneven surfaces and requires less energy from your arms.
Length
At a minimum, your poles should extend to the height of your hips. This is the ideal height for ungraded (flat) surfaces. You will, however, need to adjust the height when going up or downhill.
If you plan on using your poles to pitch your tent, check the required specs. Nesting poles (whereby each inner tube is nested in its parent tube) offer the most versatility when it comes to length adjustment.
Weight
Trekking poles can weigh anywhere from under a pound to several pounds. For ultralighters in three-season conditions, lightweight carbon fibre trekking poles is the way to go. For winter hikers relying on their poles for balance and support, expect a heavier set.
Locking System
Locking systems keep your pole rigid at your desired height. There are three main locking systems, including twist locks, external lever locks, push-button locks, or a combination thereof. All systems are dependable and this mostly comes down to personal preference.
Packability
Many cheaper poles or obsessively ultralight poles aren’t collapsible, making them a terrible choice for packability.
The most packable poles have between two and three joints, where they can be collapsed to a reasonable length that fits in your backpack’s external pocket or dedicated pole loops.
Strength & Durability
As previously mentioned, aluminium is stronger than carbon fibre. That said, carbon fibre is exceptionally strong for its density. Overall, an aluminium set will be more durable in the long-run. But don’t discount the strength of a carbon set!
Versatility
Beyond being a mere glorified walking stick, trekking poles are actually multi-purpose. For one, they can be used as a last-ditch attempt against a charging bear.
More importantly, they can be used in place of tent poles to pitch your tent. Many ultralight brands have ditched tent poles altogether, allowing them to shave ounces off their base weight.
FAQs for trekking poles
How tall should my trekking pole be?
When it comes to pole length, the top of the handle should align with your hips. This is true whether hiking on flat or graded trails.
To achieve this when going downhill, extend the poles; when going up, shorten them. If your poles are much higher than your waist, your arms will tire. If lower, you’ll be putting undue strain on your wrists and not absorbing as much impact.
Are trekking poles worth it?
While trekking poles aren’t strictly necessary, they’re undeniably worthwhile. Trekking poles have been proven to reduce strain on your joints and, in particular, on your knees.
You’ll especially notice this when going downhill. As we’ve seen, they can also double as tent poles for ultralight tents.
How do you pack trekking poles?
Most trekking poles are collapsible, either by way of folding or by nesting. If they’re not, it’s worth paying a little extra for some that are.
When not in use, simply collapse your poles and attach them to your backpack. Many backpacks feature hiking pole loops. Alternatively, you can stuff ‘em in your pack’s large external pocket.
Conclusion
Hiking poles are immeasurably useful for serious hiking. For the highest quality and most versatile poles, we recommend the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Z-Poles.
Next up, pick out the perfect hiking shoes for all your 2023 backpacking trips. Happy trails!
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