Trekking Poles
Need help getting started with trekking poles? Read: Trekking Poles: To Use or Not, Trekking Poles: Parts Explained, Trekking Poles: Selecting a Pair, and Trekking Poles: Fit, Maintenance, and Tips.
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Types of Trekking Poles
Top Picks
How we choose: The best trekking poles highlighted here were selected based on 371 reviews of 179 products. Our top picks are those that are readily-available in the United States and have received the highest overall ratings from reviewers.
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Leki Makalu FX Carbon
Reasons to Buy
- Instant deployment and storage
- Lightweight
- Stay the same length during use
- Adjustable length compatible for most users
- Quality carrying bag
Reasons to Avoid
- Powder baskets sold separately ($9.99)
- No internal shock absorption (Makalu FX Carbon AS/anti-shock is available)
Great poles for the mountains Trekking poles have come a long way since the days of using old ski poles. I’ll admit that I resisted them for a long time, just assuming that they were nothing but extra weight and expense. While I seldom use them on easy, family hikes, I find them indispensable on climbing approaches and mountain hiking. While these poles aren't cheap, Leki has addressed the problem of weight and stowability all while making some fantastic poles with the Makalu FX Carbon poles.
Read more: Leki Makalu FX Carbon review (1)
Mountainsmith Carbonlite Pro
Sturdy trekking poles with lockout-able shock absorbers and great cork grips. What's not to like? Mountain goats don't tackle mountains on two legs; why should you?
Reasons to Buy
- Tried-and-true twist locks that hold fast and weigh less than Flicklocks
- Long!
- Optional—and included—rubber tips and snow baskets
- Natural cork grips stay grippy even when sweaty
- Nicely-padded wrist straps
- Good value
Reasons to Avoid
- IDK...they don't massage your feet after the end of a long day?
Best For: People who like good trekking poles. Design The Mountainsmith Carbonlites Pros are three-piece, telescoping poles built for rigorous use. The diameter of the sections is greater than many of the more lightweight options, and this allows a higher user weight limit. The sections can be completely disassembled for cleaning and lubing, allowing one to appreciate the beefy locking mechanisms employed. The poles sections themselves are constructed with an inner tube of aluminum, wrapped in carbon fiber.
Read more: Mountainsmith Carbonlite Pro review (1)
Black Diamond Trail
These poles are as tough as it gets. I hiked around 1,000 miles in the last six months and I’m glad I had these poles to support me. These are so durable I never even had to tighten the screws of the Flicklocks! I hiked while carrying an average weight of 36 pounds (16 kilos) and in all types of terrain, but the majority of it were granite and other igneous rocks.
Reasons to Buy
- Durability
- Locking mechanism
Reasons to Avoid
- None
Durability Brilliant, superb, outstanding! There were numerous times I had put all of my weight on these poles and they never bent or seemed like they are going to. I threw them down slopes, dragged them on gravel roads and rock slabs and nothing broke, nothing turned loose. The flicklocks never failed! Neither did I ever have to tighten the screws, for 1,000 miles! That’s unbelievable in my point of view. The carbon tips seem like they will stand at least another 1,000 miles and though there is evident wear to them, it’s not nearly what I would expect it to be.
Read more: Black Diamond Trail reviews (7)
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork
The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork trekking poles work very well and are comfortable. They do a great job of helping me keep my balance while carrying large or shifting loads. I would definitely recommend these poles to others.
Reasons to Buy
- comfortable
- sturdy
- lightweight
- easy to use
I had been considering getting a set of trekking poles for a couple of years, and when I found this set for less than $50, I decided it was finally time. I purchased them at the beginning of January, 2012, and here I am nearly three months later, and I've only had a chance to use them a couple of times. Thus, only 4 stars for now, due to the unknown longevity factor. If they prove to be durable through the summer, I will definitely up the rating. Immediately I could tell a difference between the quality of these poles and the quality of other trekking poles I've looked at in stores.
Read more: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork reviews (13)
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork
A beautiful pole that takes a beating, but the form over function of the flick lock design loses points. This is the 95-125 cm Women's version.
Reasons to Buy
- 125 cm length, shorter than standard.
- Seemingly indestructible carbon design.
- Stiff carbon with little flex.
- Comfortable handles and straps.
- Good basket threads.
- Replaceable pole tips.
- Compact.
- Carbon soaks up shock.
Reasons to Avoid
- Heavy for carbon.
- Requires allen wrench to tighten flip lock.
- Flip Locks are removable.
- Expensive.
When the porcupine bites on my wife's 7 year old BD poles started to become annoying, we started looking for another set. These 7 year old poles have been champs with thousands and thousands of miles. And only a few issues. So we decided to grab a pair of the new Black Diamond Women's alpine carbon cork poles. At 5'2" the smaller size and weight limit means a lighter pole. And at 5'9" I was also able to use the poles without issue, but I had to extend them to their max. So we cannot recommend these if you are over 5'9" Old vs new The all carbon shaft is amazing at absorbing shock.
Read more: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork reviews (9)
Explore more top-rated trekking poles from Black Diamond:
MSR DynaLock Explore Backcountry Poles
Very good, three-section aluminum trekking poles for trekking and year-round mountaineering. Sturdy and relatively light, feel dependable, and delivered with multiple baskets. Great price tag and the cost/quality ratio. 550g / 1 lbs 4 oz | Open, Max: 140 cm / 55 in | Collapsed 62.2 cm / 24.5 in
Reasons to Buy
- Dynalock system with adjustable tension
- Sturdy and durable, yet not overly heavy
- Comfy no-slip rubbery foam on grip and extension
- Nice wide band with pleasent feel
Reasons to Avoid
- Very specialized users will want something lighter
I was looking for a trekking pole to cover my needs for at least three-season use, and I generally accept something a little heavier to gain durability (and dependability). After some research I went with these poles, which are not widely well-known apparently, as other brands have the lion's share of the market and many buyers go by the reviews online to play it safe (completely understandable). Trekking poles fully retracted Trekking poles, fully open (right) and fully retracted (left) I was pleasantly surprised by this pair of trekking poles, which are three-section poles, made entirely of aluminum (MSR mentions the "light, high-strength 7075 aluminum lower sections").
Read more: MSR DynaLock Explore Backcountry Poles review (1)
Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles Cork Grip
The Cascade trekking poles are a very good design and construction. They appear to be very durable long-term. They are certainly a bargain for the price, delivering good performance, as good or better than many better-known, higher priced poles.
Reasons to Buy
- Strength (made from carbon fiber)
- Inexpensive, meaning the least expensive quality pole I have seen
- Very light
- Good “swing”
- Easily adjustable
- Cork upper handgrips with foam extension grips below the handgrip for traversing
- Four different interchangeable baskets/tip covers included
Reasons to Avoid
- Tensioning adjustment piece is easy to lose
- Handstrap difficult to adjust
- Handstrap excessively long (OK for big cold-weather mittens)
- Noisy – rattles on many surfaces
- Excessive packaging is not very environmentally friendly
Background: The conventional wisdom is that poles provide better balance, promote rhythm when hiking, and “4 points on the ground”, especially on steep, rough trails, when carrying heavy loads. I have been using poles since I was very young, first as sticks I picked up along the trail, then single purpose-made staves (made from bamboo or various woods), often decorated with little plaques that showed where I had hiked. I will have to say that my favorite hiking staff is the one presented to me when I retired as Scoutmaster of Troop 5.
Read more: Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles Cork Grip reviews (4)
REI Hiker Shocklight Staff
A sturdy lightweight staff that provides plenty of support for the backpacker who wants a hand free while hiking.
Reasons to Buy
- Lightweight
- Sturdy
- Well made
- Nice grip
- Ergonomic strap
- Handy camera mount
- Smooth easy adjustment
- Positive locking
Reasons to Avoid
- Stows a bit long
When my much loved Leki Makalu Tour trekking poles finally wore out after years and miles of use, I thought I might prefer a different approach when replacing them. I decided after much consideration, to go with a hiking staff instead of trekking poles. I so far have not regretted my decision. My one staff, while not super light at 10 ounces, is still lighter than two trekking poles (at least in the sub $100 range). Also, along with the lightweight advantage I have one hand free while hiking at all times.
Read more: REI Hiker Shocklight Staff review (1)
Mountainsmith Trekker FX MonoPod
I generally use two poles for winter hiking and snowshoeing; but for summer treks, I find one pole is sufficient, and easier to keep out of the way during scrambles. Last summer, I decided to put away the single ski pole I had used for summer, and try an actual trekking pole. I did not want to spend a lot of money, as this was going to be new—using an adjustable pole, with spring mechanism. My husband and I bought the same model...well, I am now sold, and really like the Mountainsmith Trekker monopod.
Reasons to Buy
- Price
- Adjustable feature has held up well
- Soft grip and top knob
- Monopod for camera
Reasons to Avoid
- Rubber tips wear out quickly
- Does not hold heavier cameras that well
The straps and grip are comfortable,and have a range of adjustments. I did put bicycle handlebar tape on my grip,as I prefer a thicker grip than is standard on any pole. The adjustable length feature is appreciated, and handy, as I hike varying terrain, and sometimes I want to not use the pole, and it can easily be clipped to my pack in its shortest configuration. My husband is quite tall, and uses the pole to compensate for a bad knee. Neither of us has experienced any slippage in the locking mechanism.
Read more: Mountainsmith Trekker FX MonoPod reviews (2)
Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075
Vast improvements over last year's model. Cork grips, better carbide tips, and ability to lock out the shock absorber have been added.
Reasons to Buy
- Value and performance
- Adjustability
- Very strong
Reasons to Avoid
- Not the lightest
I felt compelled to write this review because I own the last year's model and bought a pair of this year's model of the Pyrite 7075 for a through hike of the John Muir Trail. Last year's model had rubber grips and a high wear rate on the carbide tips during moderate hiking in Alabama. Also, the shock absorber was full-time and could not be turned off. The locks always worked, it was good, but the baskets tended to fall off. This year's model had cork grips with far improved comfort and a good fit for my medium-size hands.
Read more: Mountainsmith Pyrite 7075 reviews (4)
More Trekking Poles
Trailspace reviewers have shared 371 reviews of 179 different trekking poles. Narrow your search and view more specific trekking pole recommendations in these categories:
Antishock Trekking Poles
Rigid Trekking Poles
Hiking Staffs
All Hiking and Camping Gear
Other Types of Hiking and Camping Gear
Find more hiking and camping gear reviewed in these related categories:
Backpacks
Tents and Shelters
Sleeping Bags and Pads
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