The best trekking poles have the power to provide stability on uneven ground, take some weight off your knees (particularly when descending steep hills) and even increase your speed.
It’s for these reasons that, whether you’re taking to the trails on a daily basis or just want some extra support when walking, we think they’re a worthy investment. But with so many options on the market, it can be hard to know which ones to buy.
To help you make your mind up, our team of fitness writers have put together a list of their favorite trekking poles, with options to suit all budgets and activity levels. They’ve also broken down the pros and cons of each one, so you can make an informed decision on which pair is right for you.
So, take a leisurely scroll through the options below to find your perfect hiking partner.
Best trekking poles 2022
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When many people think of trekking poles, the first name that springs to mind is LEKI. In its early days the brand manufactured ski poles, but in the 2000s the team used their knowledge of the great outdoors to begin making poles specifically for walking, and we’re glad they did.
The Leki Makalu FX Carbon AS poles are part of the brand’s current crop of premium trekking poles, with plenty of innovative features to help you enjoy your hike. The AS (or antishock) variant we’ve picked has a Dynamic Suspension System (DSS) which promises to reduce impact and stress on your lower body with each step. They also have a hollow core, maintaining strength and stability while shedding some weight.
To top things off, the Makalu features LEKI’s latest Aergon Air handle, which has a rubberized back and slanted shape to provide optimal grip, particularly when tackling steep downhills.
These Cascade Mountain Tech poles promise a lot for a very reasonable price. The brand says their product is built with 6061 aircraft-grade aluminum, and are able to withstand more lateral pressure than their pricier carbon fiber counterparts. They are also designed to reduce the impact of hiking on your knees, back and hips while improving your traction on slippery surfaces, helping you feel stable and supported while you walk.
At 0.65lb each, they’re by no means a heavy set of poles, but this figure does place them among the weightiest products on this list. But they are suitable for a range of terrains, with interchangeable accessories including mud baskets and snow baskets to stop them sinking too far into soft ground, as well as rubber tips to reduce their noise on hard surfaces.
These TrailBuddy Trekking Poles are an Amazon Best Seller for a reason, offering fantastic value for money. They have an MSRP of under $40 and can often be found in a significant sale. But, despite this modest price tag, they still offer adjustable lengths of 24.5in to 54in and a comfortable cork handle.
The lever locks for adjusting the height are designed to be easy to use, so you can change your poles’ settings with a single hand, and the aluminum shafts are “built to last”.
The poles also come with a selection of rubber tips and baskets for both mud and snow, so you can tackle a range of terrains without seeing the poles sink irretrievably into soft ground. You can buy them in eight different colors too, so there’s a shade to suit all walking outfits. And at this price, it’s a good pole for most walking newbies.
Fit&Well is currently in the process of testing these poles – we'll update this guide accordingly when we've finished.
Carbon fiber walking poles are usually lighter and have less flex than their aluminum counterparts, making them a good choice for walkers wanting speed, support and portability. But they do tend to be more expensive.
That’s not the case with this Cascade Mountain Tech set, however, which boasts lightweight (0.49lb per pole) carbon fiber shafts but retails for less than $65. The poles’ impressive portfolio doesn’t end there either. They also have a “quick locking” mechanism to make adjusting the height a speedy and simple procedure, a selection of tips and baskets for all surfaces, a comfortable cork grip and adjustable wrist straps.
As they use 3K Carbon Fiber, rather than something like tougher 6K, there's a bit of 'flex' in the poles. This could mean that they're more prone to bending out of shape, but you can't really complain at this price.
Montem was founded in 2016 with a mission statement of offering a quality alternative to overpriced, low quality outdoor equipment. Six years on and the brand is sticking to its task, with these aluminum walking poles costing under $70.
The poles are Ultra Strong by name and nature. Made from the same aluminum used to build airplanes, they can support over 350lb while taking pressure away from your knee, hip and ankle joints while walking. But they balance this sturdiness with a lightweight design that sees each stick tip the scales at just 0.6lb – ideal for packing in a bag when traveling.
The poles come with rubber tips and specialized baskets for mud and snow, also benefiting from nylon wrist straps for security and sweat-wicking EVA foam grips for comfort. They can easily be adjusted from 24in to 53in thanks to their quick locks, so you can find the right height to support a perfect walking posture, and Montem is so confident in the quality of its products that it offers a free lifetime replacement promise, providing new poles in the event that a previous buyer’s break.
Fit&Well is currently in the process of testing these poles – we'll update this guide accordingly when we've finished.
The LEKI Cressida FX Carbon AS Lady trekking poles have the same DSS anti-shock system as the Makalus, making them a great fit for anyone wanting to take stress off their hips, knees and ankles while hiking. They also have Aergon Air Compact grips which are 12% shorter than LEKI’s regular handles – ideal for smaller hands. They are designed for comfort and control when walking, while their rubberized back ensures you get great grip when tackling steep declines.
The brand’s hollow core technology, paired with their carbon fiber shafts, ensures the poles don’t weigh over the odds, and the poles’ Speed Lock 2 Plus locking system allows you to quickly change their length to suit your height.
These carbon fiber Gossamer trekking poles are designed with portability in mind, having been released as a more compact alternative to the brand’s popular Lightrek poles. They are the lightest pair we tested (weighing 0.3lb each) and can easily be split into three different sections when you want to transport them or pack them away. Reassembling these pieces is a breeze too, thanks to their easy to understand twist lock mechanism.
You can adjust the length from 23.5in to 51in, which falls just shy of the range offered by other trekking poles on this list but will still cater to walkers of most heights. They come with the usual rubber tips for when you aren’t walking on trails, though there is only one choice of basket.
Overall, they are an easy to use, stable, lightweight and compact option well-suited to people who often find they need walking poles on-the-go.
Fit&Well is currently in the process of testing these poles – we'll update this guide accordingly when we've finished.
Black Diamond says its Alpine FLZ Trekking Poles are ready for multi-season adventures, with a range of tip and basket options to suit various weathers and terrains. Natural cork handles ensure great grip and comfort, while the brand’s FlickLock Pro adjustment system means you can adjust the length of the poles with ease.
Each pole doesn’t offer as wide a range of adjustable lengths as others on the market, but you can buy them in three size options (37-43in, 41-49in and 47-55in). Just make sure you choose the right one for your height (we’ve included a handy guide on this in our buying guide below).
SlideLock technology means you can collapse the poles in a matter of seconds, allowing them to be packed into most walking rucksacks when they’re surplus to requirements, and their 7075 aluminum shafts provide a strong and stable base when extended.
Fit&Well is currently in the process of testing these poles – we'll update this guide accordingly when we've finished.
The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles tick nearly every box when it comes to what makes a premium walking pole. They’re made from lightweight carbon fiber, have a sweat-wicking cork handle for great grip and comfort, and come with a variety of tips and baskets so you can stay stable on most surfaces.
They also have some clever features to make your life easier, like the FlickLock Pro adjustable technology. This means you can change their length to suit your height, then secure them into place with a flick of the robust metal buckles that separate the three sections of the poles.
Fit&Well is currently in the process of testing these poles – we'll update this guide accordingly when we've finished.
We love the classic look of these Komperdell Ridgehiker Cork Powerblock poles, with the khaki shaft and cork grips complementing most outdoor ensembles. The cork grip is comfortable and sweat-wicking, making it a good choice for faster-paced hikes (although these could become stained over time) and the poles benefit from hardy tungsten carbide tips.
They can collapse down to 26in for packability, are adjustable from 41in to 55in when extended, and have a Powerlock 3.0 system which securely fastens the three pieces of each pole in place using metal clamps.
They have replaceable tips and baskets and at 0.6lb each they’re fairly light for aluminum poles. Komperdell also has a 100-day return policy, so you know the brand is confident in its products.
Fit&Well is currently in the process of testing these poles – we'll update this guide accordingly when we've finished.
How we tested
We've compiled this list using a two-fold approach: we first researched and compared the most popular trekking poles on the market – the brands loved by real hikers – then we tested out as many as we could. During our hands-on testing periods, we use the poles across a mix of rugged terrains, trying out their features, folding ability and assessing their strength. Where something hasn't yet been tested, we've highlighted this in the copy above.
FAQs
How to choose the best walking poles
There are a few things to consider when choosing a pair of walking poles. We’ve explained some of the key deciding factors below, to help you make an informed decision on which set is best for you.
Size: We have detailed the range of lengths available from each of the adjustable poles featured above. But how does that relate to your height? Market-leader LEKI provides the following guidelines based on your height:
- 5ft 2in - 5ft 4in: 43in pole
- 5ft 6in: 45in pole
- 5ft 8in: 47in pole
- 5ft 10in - 6ft: 49in pole
- 6ft 2in: 51in pole
- 6ft 4in - 6ft 6in: 53in pole
Material: The shafts of most trekking poles are made from two materials; aluminum or carbon fiber. Aluminum poles are usually slightly stronger, more durable and cheaper. However, carbon fiber (while more expensive and weaker, particularly when it comes to lateral forces) is lighter - ideal if you like to keep a fast walking pace.
Premium carbon fiber models may be specially designed to be stronger and counter this weakness, though these are likely to cost more than the sturdiest aluminum poles.
Do trekking poles help?
Several studies have shown that trekking poles have a series of beneficial effects on walkers. A 2020 review article published in the Wilderness and Environmental Medicine journal found using trekking poles could increase hikers’ speed, improve their balance, reduce the force placed on their knees and ankles and make walking feel easier.
However, despite this last point, hiking with poles has been found to burn more calories than standard walking as it uses muscles in your upper body as well as your legs. As a result, they can help you burn fat by creating a calorie deficit (when paired with an appropriate diet).
Are trekking poles worth it?
Considering the impressive list of benefits above, using trekking poles is worth it for many regular walkers. They are particularly useful for those who have previously had an injury in their lower body thanks to their ability to take stress off the knee and ankle joints. They are also useful for anyone who feels they would like more stability when walking, offering support on gradients and uneven terrain.
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