If you’re in search of trekking poles, seasoned hikers and backpackers have long recognized their benefits. Although trekking poles might appear to be optional equipment, they are one of the most versatile items you can bring into the wilderness.
We evaluated numerous trekking poles over thousands of miles on hiking trails worldwide. From lightweight options to more robust designs, here’s what we discovered. We’ll cover everything from materials and features to sizing and budget, ensuring you’re equipped to conquer any terrain with confidence and comfort. Let’s get started with me and nationalparkshops’s team!
Contents
- 1 Top – Rated: Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles ($149.95 on Amazon)
- 2 Best Durable: Leki Legacy Lite
- 3 Best Folding: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles ($201.74 – $209.00 on Amazon)
- 4 Best Budget: MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon ($178.00 – $189.95 on Amazon)
- 5 Best Overall: Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles ($54.99 on Amazon)
- 6 Best Women: Leki Cressida FX Carbon ($215.09 on Amazon)
- 7 Best Seller on Amazon: Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 ($44.99 on Amazon)
- 8 Balance of Performance and Affordability: Black Diamond Pursuit ($149.95 on Amazon)
- 9 TrailBuddy Trekking Poles ($39.99 on Amazon)
- 10 Why you should trust us?
- 11 What to look for when buying trekking poles
- 12 FAQs
Top – Rated: Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles ($149.95 on Amazon)
- Material: Plastic
- Color: Charcoal-Foam Green
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Extended Length: 125 Centimeters
- Size: Medium/Large
The Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles are notable for their comfortable grip, simple adjustability, sturdy components, minimal noise, and replaceable parts. They come in two sizes with varying length options and grip sizes, making them suitable for most hikers’ heights and hand dimensions.
During our tests, these poles performed well on rough, sandy trails and mountainous runs. They held up under our weight without collapsing. An integrated tool for adjusting the locking mechanism allows for easy field adjustments.
We recommend these poles for all conditions except the most extreme terrains that go beyond established hiking paths.
Best Durable: Leki Legacy Lite
- Material: Aluminum
- Color: Orange-Blue-Anthracite
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Extended Length: 54 Inches
- Size: 100 – 135 cm
The Leki Legacy Lite are the recommended poles for those who frequently damage their equipment. They represent an upgraded version of our preferred aluminum trekking poles, the Leki Legacy, which has been a benchmark for many years. These poles are budget-friendly, and sturdy, and include a lifetime warranty, demonstrating their ability to endure years and countless miles of rough use.
We tested the Legacy on a 200-mile segment of the Continental Divide Trail in the San Juan Mountain range in Colorado, where we encountered 10 feet of snow. We found these poles to be robust, inexpensive, and surprisingly lightweight given their strength.
Each Leki Legacy Lite pole weighs just over 17 ounces. Although this new model is about an ounce heavier than earlier versions, we believe the added weight is justified by its durability, cost-effectiveness, and user-friendliness. Despite their affordable nature, these poles still feature Leki’s signature “Speed Lock” system, which allows for manual adjustment of each lock.
The Leki Legacy Lite includes optional snow and mud baskets that provide us with additional leverage while hiking. If the tips on the Legacy become damaged or worn, replacement tips are readily available.
Best Folding: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ Trekking Poles ($201.74 – $209.00 on Amazon)
- Material: Plastic
- Color: Ultra Blue
- Shaft Material: Aluminum, Carbon Fiber
- Extended Length: 110 Centimeters
- Size: 110 cm
The Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ is the top choice for compact folding trekking poles. Their lightweight carbon fiber shaft makes them ideal for day hikes and city strolls, offering greater portability than other options. This feature also makes them suitable for international trips, like to Europe, where a mix of city exploration, sightseeing, and hiking with poles is desirable.
The Distance Carbon FLZ can be collapsed into three sections, reaching lengths of either 13 inches (small) or 15 inches (large)—the most compact design among the poles we evaluated.
Best Budget: MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon ($178.00 – $189.95 on Amazon)
- Material: Aluminum
- Color: Black
- Shaft Material: Carbon Fiber
- Extended Length: 120 Centimeters
- Size: Small
The MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon is advisable with its construction of Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber is highly resilient, and it comes with wider winter baskets to help the poles stay above powdery snow. The rest of the Ascent has qualities similar to a typical trekking pole, such as a collapsible design for easy packing, 8 inches of adjustable length, and a total weight of 1 pound 1 ounce per pair (for the 120-140cm model). Overall, it’s one of the most versatile designs we have tested. In fact, one editor took it along on Patagonia’s challenging 43-mile Huemul Circuit, where he and his partner set the current mixed-gender team’s fastest known time in under 12 hours, showcasing the poles’ versatility.
Additionally, we noticed that the foam grips on the MSR aren’t as comfortable as those on traditional hiking poles, particularly due to the significant amount of exposed plastic at the top. Despite these drawbacks, if you’re looking for a pole suitable for year-round use, from snowshoeing to challenging routes, the DynaLock Ascent Carbon is worth considering.
Best Overall: Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles ($54.99 on Amazon)
- Material: Carbon Fiber, Rubber
- Shaft Material: Carbon Fiber
- Extended Length: 54 Inches
- Size: One Size
If you’re uncertain about whether trekking poles are suitable for you, the Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles offer an affordable option to test them out. This model ranks among the top five best-selling trekking poles on Amazon. They can also be found at Costco and are a popular choice for budget-conscious hiker Paul Magnanti, who wrote about them in his “Outfitted by Costco” article. We bought and evaluated these trekking poles over a distance of 500 miles on the PCT and have continued using them both on and off the trail. We’ve discovered that the Cascade Tech poles are easy to adjust and remarkably durable.
Best Women: Leki Cressida FX Carbon ($215.09 on Amazon)
- Material: Carbon
- Color: Brown-Lightblue-Metallic
- Shaft Material: Carbon Fiber
- Extended Length: 120 Centimeters
- Size: 100 – 120 cm
The Leki Cressida FX Carbon is a high-quality foldable trekking pole that offers both comfort and adaptability. The soft cork grips are comfortable from the start and have an ergonomic notch for your index finger. This pole provides 5.5 inches of grip extension, enabling quick adjustments on steep inclines, while the minimalist straps are particularly comfortable to use without gloves. Reviewers generally favor cork grips due to their ability to conform to hand shapes and their resistance to moisture from sweat.
Additionally, the Cressida features carbon fiber shafts, which help reduce vibrations felt on trails. The locking and adjustment systems are designed for ease of use, benefiting both beginners and experienced users. Lastly, these poles can be compacted to 16 inches, making them easy to store in most backpacks, and they come with a stuff sack for convenient storage.
Despite their advantages, the Cressida FX Carbon poles are considered premium, and their price reflects this quality. While they offer a generous grip extension, they are not extremely lightweight. Reviewers did not find the weight of the poles to be a disadvantage, but those looking to minimize pack weight might want to consider other options. However, if you seek a high-end pair of comfortable trekking poles suitable for a variety of activities from day hikes to alpine climbing and light winter pursuits, these poles are an excellent choice.
Best Seller on Amazon: Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 ($44.99 on Amazon)
- Measured Collapsed Length (Tested Size): 15.0 in (size: 100-120 cm)
- Measured Weight Per Pair (Size Tested): 26.0 oz (size: 100-120 cm)
- Measured Max Length (Tested Size): 47.0 in (size: 100-120 cm)
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Pole Design: Foldable
The Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 consists of foldable, three-section poles that feature adjustable lengths at an unbeatable price. Previously, users had to pay extra for compact, high-quality poles. Today, thanks to modern technology, these options are now more accessible. The grips offer comfort, the basket attachments provide versatility, and the poles are built to last.
However, a significant drawback of these budget-friendly poles is their weight. Weighing in at 26 ounces, they stand out as the heaviest pair in our evaluation. For activities such as long-distance hiking, where minimizing weight is crucial, we prefer the MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon. Additionally, we found only seven inches of length adjustability, which is less than most competing models. Nevertheless, considering these factors, the Trek-Z is an excellent choice for beginners looking for high-performing, foldable poles at an affordable price.
Balance of Performance and Affordability: Black Diamond Pursuit ($149.95 on Amazon)
- Material: Plastic
- Color: Charcoal-Foam Green
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Extended Length: 125 Centimeters
- Size: Medium/Large
The Black Diamond Pursuit is a three-part telescoping pole that excels in performance overall while remaining relatively budget-friendly compared to the leading models. This pole nearly matches the top performers’ capabilities at a much more reasonable price. It features comfortable grips, ample length adjustments, ergonomic locks, and padded wrist straps. Its versatility makes it ideal for various uses, from regular hiking to challenging treks and winter sports. Additionally, its excellent construction quality ensures that your investment is secure.
The main drawbacks of this pole are its heavier weight and larger packed size. As a result, it’s not suitable for activities that require the lightest and most compact poles, such as alpine climbing, mountain running, and peak bagging.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles ($39.99 on Amazon)
- Material: Aluminum
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Extended Length: 54 Inches
- Item Weight: 1.2 Pounds
If you’re on the lookout for a budget-friendly option, the TrailBuddy Trekking Poles boast impressive features without breaking the bank! Weighing about 1 lb. and 6 oz. per pair, they offer robust support that doesn’t feel heavy during longer hikes.
Their adjustable length ranges from 100 cm to 135 cm, making them ideal for people of various heights! One aspect I really like is their comfy EVA foam grips, which effectively wick away sweat—ensuring you maintain a secure grip even when things get tough!
I’ve taken these poles on numerous weekend adventures where keeping costs low was essential—and they did an outstanding job every time! Their durable design offered stability over different terrains, from rocky paths to muddy trails.
Why you should trust us?
I am a staff writer focused on travel and outdoor equipment. For this guide, I took the following actions:
- I explored long-distance hiking forums to narrow down the vast array of trekking pole choices available.
- I watched numerous online videos featuring insights from both professional reviewers and customers regarding trekking poles.
- I analyzed and assessed the advantages of various types of aluminum and carbon materials used in trekking poles.
- I examined research conducted by academics who focus on movement and the impact of using hiking poles, particularly in terms of energy efficiency and injury avoidance.
What to look for when buying trekking poles
- Materials: Most trekking poles are constructed from carbon (which is lightweight and flexible but also delicate and costly) or aluminum (which is more affordable and durable).
- Design: They usually have a telescopic design, where sections slide into each other, or a three-piece Z shape, which assembles like a tent pole, featuring a central elastic-like component that holds the pieces together. Telescopic poles are typically longer when collapsed, while Z poles require a strap to keep them organized.
- Smart features: These include extended grip areas, which are beneficial for walking on uneven trails or steep inclines, allowing you to adjust the pole length without stopping.
FAQs
Why buy trekking poles?
One common question often arises regarding why one should buy trekking poles. Using trekking polls provides numerous benefits including improved stability and reduced strain joints, especially during ascents and descents helping maintain a good posture pace throughout the hike enhancing overall enjoyment experienced outdoors!
What is the difference between hiking poles and trekking poles?
Trekking poles are typically considered synonymous with hiking poles. Occasionally, individuals may use the terms hiking sticks or hiking staffs interchangeably with hiking poles. However, hiking sticks and hiking staffs are usually bulkier, heavier, and intended for use as a single pole. In contrast, hiking poles and trekking poles are meant to be utilized in pairs.
Can I use ski poles as trekking poles?
Ski poles have a set length, whereas trekking poles can be modified in height. If you prefer to change the length of your trekking poles for extended uphill or downhill treks, ski poles are not suitable. Turning while skiing exerts significant pressure on the poles. This could lead to damaging your trekking poles or, even more critically, causing them to collapse when you need support.
