Which hiking poles are best

Trekking poles with foam grip tend to be more affordable than those with cork grip. Rubber grip are usually cheaper, but can be very uncomfortable, sweaty hands tend to slide on them, and you get easier blisters. There are two types of collapsible poles.

Adjustable poles are the ones that collapse into themselves as you push them shorter. Foldable poles function a lot like tent poles and are usually more lightweight and quicker to put away.

However, they sometimes need more maintenance as the straps can break with high usage. Some foldable poles have a few cm height adjustment at the top or the bottom of the poles which is enough to adjust for uphill and downhill sections.

You find both standard and shock absorbing hiking poles. The difference is that the shock absorbing trekking poles have internal springs that absorb the shock when you walk downhill, taking stress off your joints. This can be of great value if you struggle with knee or joint pain, though there are mixed opinions on whether it actually makes a difference or not.

The shock absorbsion feature can be turned off when walking uphill. Finally, light and ultralight trekking poles can be useful if you need to save weight in your hiking gear. This might be exactly what you need if your heading out on a challenging multi-day trek and need to save all the energy you can.

They are usually made of carbon fiber which is a lighter material, thus not as sturdy. To make sure you get the most out of your hiking poles, make sure you use them properly. Here are a few tips for newbies on how to use trekking poles. Montem Ultra Strong might be one of the best budget trekking poles and good if you just need them for casual use. Their grip is comfortable and works good for day trips or shorter backpacking trips.

These trekking poles also have easily adjustable straps and are easy to adjust in length. But as every budget hiking poles, there are weaknesses and these lack the sturdiness of the more expensive poles from both Black Diamond and Leki. You can especially expect to notice this on steep parts where you rely on leaning all your weight onto the pole. Cascade Mountain Tech Quick Lock are good budget lightweight trekking poles with a comfortable cork grip.

On top of that, they have a quick lock system which makes it easy to change length when walking in uneven terrain with up- and downhill. What you have to compromise for the price, are the locks, which might not be as durable as on higher price range poles. Carbon also tend to snap rather than bend when they break. Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber trekking poles are another option for budget lightweight trekking poles.

They have comfortable cork grips with foam grips beneath, so if you hike uphill, you can easily move your hand without changing the length of the poles. They also have flick lock adjusters for adjusting the length and come with many attachments for year-round usage. The good thing about the Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber poles is that they come with 3 years manufacturer warranty.

The cons with these trekking poles are that carbon fiber sticks tend to snap instead of bend if they break. In fact, many cork poles have foam extensions under the handle if you need to lower your hands when climbing uphill. Ultimately it comes down to personal preference and price.

They can be very helpful to reduce the risk of repetitive stress injuries in your wrists or inflammation if you suffer from carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis. The trekking pole baskets have several purposes. The small ones called trekking baskets are designed to prevent your pole tips from getting caught between rocks and broken.

Most trekking poles cope with carbide tips for hiking over bare ground and rock. Many poles also come with rubber tips, which can be used on asphalt. These may be curved on the bottom or just bulbous rubber caps.

Either type works well. The only difference between unisex and gender-specific poles is the length. I was surprised you were even able to put together a list of 10 trekking poles worth considering then I saw 2 of them are the same poles with different branding.

Are any of these fixed length besides the Black Diamond Z poles? You touched on cleaning poles, but for telescoping poles, storing them disconnected also helps maintain their function especially after use in humid conditions. No fixed length. I have used fixed-length poles mind you, including CF ones, but they break a lot. Not worth the hassle. Folding poles are really a good alternative to a fixed-length pole in terms of rigidity.

Very stable. For women with small hands, this can make a big difference in comfort, especially on multi-day trips where ill-fitting grips can chafe your hands.

Love my CNOC trekking poles with long cork handles and thick and lightweight carbon fiber poles with parts to purchase to make a replacement of a section for whatever reason. Priced per inch the same as the rest. Also what other brands offer replacement parts online. I love my Cnoc Trekking Poles too. Regarding the Overpriced comment, they are comparable with some others in this list and made in the USA! Glad to see the Cascade Mountain poles make the list.

Tarptent makes little nylon pockets that tie to the top of the tent or tarp that fit the handles and keeps them off the ground. Something like an Ursack for pole handles? The material might be available online. I saw a returned Ursack with defective stitching marked for clearance at the local REI.

My mice issues have been mainly with their apparent love of wool yarn, I guess for lining nests. I wonder if putting an old wool sock over the pole handle would distract them from attacking the pole while sacrificing the sock. But I do overthink things sometimes…. Thanks Ronald. Looking for something to protect the handles for a traditional point up pitch. I got them for my Durston Xmid 1 tent, but found the carbide tip up worked better for this tent.

The handle pockets were too sloppy. You could sew them on. I really like fizan poles — aluminum, 3 section, twist lock, under 5oz each stripped of straps and baskets. Easy to pack or hold when not used. Your email address will not be published. Here are the top 10 trekking poles that we recommend. The grips feature a degree corrective angle that keeps your wrists in a neutral position for comfort while helping to reduce the risk of repetitive strain or wrist injury.

There is a huge variation in quality across the board depending on the company however. If you go down that road you can expect the associated performance.

Though I must admit I have owned some super cheap trekking poles before and they actually worked very well they were heavy. As I have said, budget trekking poles are often bulky, heavy, and can feature uncomfortable plastic or rubber grips. If cheap, shit sticks are all you have known than you will probably continue to be happy with them. If you are somehow unsure whether or not poles are for you, pick up some budget trekking poles and see how they feel.

You can always upgrade later on down the line. The Montem Ultra Strong trekking poles are good budget candidates. Trekking poles with seriously reduce the wear and tear on your body over time, period. Hiking and trekking in the mountains takes its toll on you.

The sooner you get on the train the better. With enough abuse, your knees, ankles, feet, hips, and back will eventually wear out. I honestly believe that trekking poles will add decades of life to those body parts. I have hiked well over 4, miles in the mountains with trekkingpoles and at this point there is no going back.

They are a mandatory staple in my hiking kit. Some words from a physiotherapy and wellness organization regarding trekking pole use and benefits:. Still have some questions?

No problem! The simple answer? Because they are awesome. Anti-shock tekking poles are great at absorbing the impact on your body even more than rigid trekking poles. With only Professional trekking poles need to be high-quality, durable and in most cases, shock absorbing.

However, we also need to mention the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork as another great option for pros. I know just how hard it can be to choose a pair of hiking pole for yourself. After reading this review you are now armed with all of the important information you need regarding the best poles on the market.

You can now make an informed decision based on your own needs, budget, and trekking style. For an all-around awesome trekking pole experience go with my top pick: the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork. Finally, for all of you backpackers that want to pick up a decent pair of budget poles, the obvious choice is the Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber poles.

I can guarantee you that you will feel the difference after using a quality set of trekking poles. Pick up a pair of badass sticks and start reaping the benefits immediately. I did not receive any free gear from any companies to write this review. Thus, I had no agenda or particular bias whilst crafting this article. All thoughts expressed within are indeed my own opinion based on my own experiences. But we do it because we love it — we love providing epic and free content.

We love the knowledge that our content keeps you adventuring. That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Again, thank you! I have an offbeat question. I am obese and have the not unexpected total ruin of my knees as a result. They have recently deteriorated to the point I am now using a cane, but I have not been happy with my overall stability and support. From my backpacking days, I happened to think that maybe a pair of trekking poles might be better for general mobility.

Hi Steve, good question. I think going with a more heavy-duty pole is the way to go as opposed to a set where lightweight materials are used. Carbon fiber poles are great because they are light, but in terms of weight they are able to support — I think going with aluminum poles would be the better option. Good luck and happy hiking!

Your email address will not be published. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Notify me of followup comments via e-mail. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. More information. Table of Contents Show. Finding the right trekking poles for yourself will elevate your hiking game considerably it did for me!

Check on Amazon. Check on REI. Check on Gossamer. Durable carbon shaft Black Diamond warranty included Packable. Not an ultralight trekking pole Expensive. Shock absorbers included in design Flick lock telescope design. Heavier than other models. Affordable price. Ideal for year round use Highly packable Durable. Heavier than ot trekking poles No shock absorber may be a deal breaker for some backpackers. Competitive price Black Diamond warranty included.

Quite Heavy Rubber grips can be uncomfortable for some people. Folding poles have superior packability Black Diamond warranty included. Expensive Cork grips started to wear out after limited use. Foldable poles have superior packability Black Diamond warranty included. Versatile for the multi-sport backcountry athlete Articulated 15 degree corrective angle for support Black Diamond warranty included. Heavier than other similar products.

Competitive price Dynamic suspension system anti-shock. Heavy compared to similar types of trekking poles. Ultralight Simplistic design. Expensive Questionable long-term durablity. How to Choose the Best Hiking Poles. I certainly tend to be rough on my trekking poles, so I prefer a more durable build rather than an ultralight design. Ideally, you can find a balance of light and tough when you are considering your trekking pole options.

No matter if you are going on weekend jaunts or long-distance hikes, you want your trekking poles to offer up a comfy feel. My dad using anti-shock trekking poles at age 66 in the French Alps. An investment in a good pair of trekking poles means you can enjoy them in 4-season conditions year round. I picked up some budget trekking poles on a New Zealand backpacking trip and they served me quite well!

Photo: Elias Braunschweiler. Live long, stay healthy, and go trekking for as long as you can! Do I need trekking poles? What are anti-shock trekking poles? What are the best lightweight trekking poles?

Which trekking poles should professsionals get? Trekking Poles will change the way you experience trekking. Good luck! Support the Site. Chris Lininger.