Best Trekking Poles For Backpackers and Hikers

The Best Trekking Poles

Finding the best trekking poles isn’t easy. Depending on your priorities on the trail, the perfect combination of weight, durability, and versatility can be hard to find. Not to mention all the options there are, and the variations of those options on top of that!

Don’t sweat it, we know our way around a trekking pole and hunted down the best trekking poles for backpackers and hikers. We found ones that will fit each of the most common priorities among hikers. So whether you’re an ultralight enthusiast, a casual day hiker, or an all-terrain mountaineer, we have something below that will suit your needs.  

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Our Picks For The Best Trekking Poles

Best All Around…

For the hiker who carries their poles in their pack most of the way, these aren’t ideal. They remain long when fully collapsed. However, for the day hiker or backpacker who utilizes their poles consistently, these are hard to beat.

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Runner Up…

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork

Another great option that will satisfy most backpackers and hikers is the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork. These are reliable during all four seasons, so you can trust them on a variety of terrains. They’re tough for poles made out of carbon fiber, and the hand grips are comfortable and made of 100% natural cork.

The downside of these is that they are heavy despite being made of carbon fiber. They also don’t pack down very small. However, they do come in a foldable option that do pack down smaller if saving pack space is important to you.

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Best Budget

Montum Ultra Strong

If you’re unsure about whether you want to use trekking poles or not, you might not want to invest a whole lot of dough in your first pair. That’s totally fine! There are some great options to fit your budget, such as the Montem Ultra Strong. This pair is great all-around. They’re durable, adjustable, and have tips for any surface.

The downside of these poles is their weight. They are one of the heaviest pairs in our best trekking poles list. Some hikers also report having issues with them bending over time. If you plan on putting them through the wringer, you might want to invest in a sturdier pair. However, for someone who wants something affordable that’ll get the job done, these will work just fine.

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Runner Up Budget

These poles are a no-frills option for the hiker who just needs a pair to get them through their next hike. Unfortunately, the lack of frills means you will be sacrificing some of the features that make the premium options so desirable. The most notable being collapsibility. These remain pretty long at their most compact position.

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Best Ultralight

Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Pole

Ultralight hikers who also value the ability to pack their poles down to a small size will appreciate the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Pole. They are incredibly lightweight thanks to their carbon fiber and foam design.  They also fold down tightly into themselves so you can strap them to your pack when they’re not in use.

The main drawback to these is their lack of versatility. They don’t have much in terms of adjustability, so you’ll need to be picky when selecting a size. Since they are made of carbon fiber, you also have to worry about them snapping under stress. However, that is an issue with any ultralight carbon fiber pole.

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Best Women-Specific

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Best Compact

Leki Micro Vario Carbon

Hikers who only use their poles for water crossing and difficult terrain will want a pair of poles that can pack down small to take up less pack space. This pair is perfect for that purpose. Each pole folds down into itself to remain compact for storage. What also makes Leki poles so great is the ability to purchase additional baskets to screw on for the different seasons you are hiking in. So winter backpackers out there can rely on these year-round rather than getting separate pairs.

The downside to this pair is their weight. A carbon fiber pole with foam grips should be much lighter than these are, especially at their premium price. However, at only 16 ounces they are still relatively lightweight compared to aluminum alternatives.

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Runner Up Compact

Black Diamond Alpine FLZ

Another great option for a compact trekking pole is the Black Diamond Alpine FLZ. Similar to the poles above, these fold down to become more compact when not in use. They are sturdier than the pair above since they are made of aluminum rather than carbon fiber, so keep that in mind if durability is a priority

What kept this pair from taking the top spot was partially the weight. These poles are rather heavy. So if you plan on carrying the poles in your pack for a majority of the trek, choosing the Leki pair over these will save you several ounces. 

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Best for Durability

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork

These beauties will last you for a while, and you’ll certainly want them to! The aluminum shafts hold up well to use and stress and telescope out to a variety of different heights. Cork handles mean that you won’t have to worry about deterioration over time no matter how sweaty your hands get. Not to mention the comfort they provide with their ergonomic grip handle keeping the wrist in a neutral position.

The only downside is that these are fairly heavy. If you’re dedicated to reducing pack weight and every ounce counts, this may not be for you. However if you’re looking for comfortable and trustworthy poles that you can use for years to come, these are hard to beat.

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Why Use Trekking Poles?

Trekking poles aren’t for everyone, but they certainly are popular among hikers, and for good reason. There are a bunch of benefits to using them!

Most hikers seek out the best trekking poles to aid in their stability on the trail. Have you ever come across a water crossing with mossy, slick rocks for stepping stones? That’s when trekking poles can come in handy. Poles give you something to hold onto and catch yourself with when you lose your footing. This is also helpful when walking on steep inclines or in wet or icy areas.

If you’re someone with tender or injured knees, a good pair of trekking poles can help reduce the impact hiking has on them. In areas with steep and deep steps, you can use the poles to lower yourself down slowly. This is far better for the knees than taking the full impact of your body weight on the step.

Your knees aren’t the only part of your body that will benefit. Your hands will, too! When you hike with your arms dangling by your side, the circulation to your hands may be disrupted, especially at high altitudes. This can leave your hands feeling swollen and inflamed. Having something to encourage arm movement and elevation can give you relief.

Aside from these great perks of using trekking poles as intended, you can also utilize them in other ways. These poles can be used as tent poles  or even as a backup weapon if an aggressive animal gets too close.

Read more about the benefits and drawbacks of trekking poles here!

How to Choose the Best Trekking Poles

Pole Material

The best trekking poles’ material depends a lot on your needs and priorities. Most trekking poles are made from either aluminum or carbon fiber. Both are excellent materials for the job because they are lightweight and sturdy compared to other materials. However, each has its intended uses.

• Aluminum – The more affordable options you see will be made of aluminum. But that doesn’t mean aluminum is lower quality. Aluminum is more durable than carbon fiber. It may bend when put under too much stress, but won’t shatter or snap.
• Carbon Fiber – Ultralight backpackers are willing to pay the premium price on carbon fiber poles because of how lightweight they are. This is the most lightweight material for poles. However, when it comes to durability, these aren’t the greatest. They may snap or shatter when you push it to its limits, which is a lot more annoying than the bend you might get from an aluminum pole.

Grip Material

You’re going to want a nice and comfortable grip on your poles. After all, you’re going to be holding on to them for a while. There are 3 different types of material you will see trekking pole grips made out of – cork, plastic, and foam.

• Cork – Some of the best trekking poles will have a cork grip. These are great because they resist moisture, meaning you’ll be less likely to experience chafing and develop blisters from holding on to your poles as your hands sweat. The durability of cork means that your sweat won’t cause them to deteriorate over time. Unfortunately, cork is a heavier material, so it will impact overall weight.
• Plastic – Arguably one of the least desirable grip materials is plastic. The reason being that they don’t resist moisture, so you’re more likely to develop blisters. They are sturdy and cheap, however, so it may not be a bad option if your priorities are durability and affordability.
• Foam– The most lightweight option for grip material is foam. Foam also tends to be rather comfortable in the hand. Unfortunately, these are more prone to breaking down over time due to water absorption. You may find yourself replacing these sooner.

Adjustable

A nice quality to have in a trekking pole is the ability to alter the height to fit your needs. This is great not only for setting a perfect starting height, but for adjusting the height as the terrain changes.

For example, as you go uphill, it is better to have the poles slightly shorter to help you ascend the hill. As you go downhill, taller poles can help support you as you take on the decline. On most surfaces, you’ll want your elbows to be at 90 degrees when your tips are touching the ground.

Most trekking poles are adjustable, but not all of them will have a wide variety of settings to help you find your perfect fit.

Collapsible

Even if you have the best trekking poles, you might not want to use them during the entire hike. Maybe you only need them to help you cross waterways or maybe you just need some help on the declines. Either way, collapsibility is a great quality to have in your poles. It’s easier to pack them down and fit them in your backpack when you’re no longer using them.

There are two typical designs for collapsing trekking poles – foldable and telescope. Foldable poles tend to be a little less sturdy, but can fold down pretty small. Telescope poles tend to stay a little longer when compacted, but hold up well to use and stress.  

Shock Absorption

If you have sensitive joints, poles with shock absorption features are ideal. Shock absorption takes away some of the impact on your wrists and forearms when you are hiking on hard surfaces. This can help reduce inflammation and stress on the wrist and elbow.

The tradeoff to having good shock absorption is decreased stability. This is especially true when you’re going uphill. It’s nicer to have sturdy and solid poles to help drive your body upward, especially on a steep incline.

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