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Oct 20, 2024

Best Walking Poles: Reviewed and rated by experts

Komperdell Carbon C3 Cloud Compact Alpkit Carbon Marathon Ultra Twins Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Cork Walking Poles Helinox Ridgeline LBB135 Silva Trekking Poles Carbon

Komperdell Carbon C3 Cloud Compact

Alpkit Carbon Marathon Ultra Twins

Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles

Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Cork Walking Poles

Helinox Ridgeline LBB135

Silva Trekking Poles Carbon

LEKI Cressida FX Carbon Lady

Robens Grasmere T7

Vango Camino Walking Pole

Harrier Helvellyn Pro Poles

Walking poles (often called trekking poles) assist with balance and stability on uneven terrain. They also help alleviate the strain suffered by your knees – experts estimate that when used properly, walking poles can take up to 30% of the weight off your lower joints. That's a big plus on long, steep mountain days. And even for shorter walks, we're complete converts - they're an extremely useful part of your hiking kit.

Walking poles also reduce muscle damage, assist in maintaining muscle function in the days after a mountain trek, reduce the potential for subsequent injury, and can help with rhythm and cadence when you’re putting in big miles over the course of a long walk.

Best in test: Komperdell Carbon C3 Cloud Compact

Best value: Alpkit Carbon Marathon Ultra Twins

Best for comfort: Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles

Best walking poles under £40: Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Cork Walking Poles

Editor's note: This article was fully updated in spring 2024 after a full round of testing in the mountains of north Wales.

For all the reasons we've mentioned, most experienced long-distance hikers use walking poles. They're also increasingly popular for trail running. And if you’re backpacking or wild camping, the rise of ultralight trekking pole tents has added another reason to carry them, allowing you to ditch the deadweight of conventional tent poles by taking advantage of the poles you’re already carrying in your hands instead.

So, walking poles are a useful and versatile bit of kit in your backpacking arsenal, allowing you to go lighter and faster. If you’re tempted to try a pair – or if you’re already a convert but are looking for an upgrade – here are our top tested picks.

The walking poles recommended here were reviewed by two of regular gear testers Matt Jones and Ellie Clewlow, plus members of the wider LFTO including Nick Hallisey (above) and Ben Weeks.

Based in Snowdonia National Park, Matt and Ellie are part of our primary gear testing team. Matt is the former editor of Walk and Scouting magazines, and they have walked several long-distance backpacking trails in New Zealand, the USA and throughout the UK.

On test, we use walking poles on a range of routes from short, sharp, technical routes, to longer hillwalks, and big mountain outings. This way we get to know where they excel and where they don't. We also get a true sense of attributes such as build quality, comfort, and ergonomics.

Read more about how we test here.

Komperdell Carbon C3 Cloud Compact

The lightest poles on test, the Carbon C3 Cloud Compact from highly regarded Austrian brand Komperdell use a three-section, all carbon fibre construction. Despite their low weight they feel durable and well-designed, thanks to larger diameter shafts that increase stiffness and rigidity. These poles perform extremely well, especially if you’re moving fast in the mountains.

They also feature aluminium lever locks and a telescopic design rather than the Z-fold style of most ultralight poles. So, they’re not as compact as some, but are much neater when collapsed and easier to attach to a rucksack.

They have a decent range of adjustment but only extend to 120cm. Taller hillwalkers will need the standard C3 Cloud model instead, which extends to 140cm (the C3 Cloud is less compact, but still light at under 200g per pole).

Handles are made from a single piece of natural cork with a pronounced pommel, an ergonomic trigger-style grip and an extended lower section. Straps are very nicely padded, but durable and easy to adjust.

At the tip, a tungsten ferrule plants reliably, and the flexible basket stops the pole from plugging in soft ground. These can be easily swapped out for larger winter baskets, but they’re not included as standard.

Alpkit Carbon Marathon Ultra Twins

alpkit.com

These are great value carbon fibre trekking poles, with a considered design and high-quality materials that defy their reasonable price tag. We used and carried them on several big days in the hills with no dramas.

They use a three-section, Z-folding construction with EVA foam rubber grips and woven fabric wrist straps. The internal tensioning cord is sheathed in protective plastic, while the inner ferrules and lever-lock clamps are made from durable aluminium.

Tension does rely on a single button lock, but it seems secure. As with most poles, the tips are tungsten with screw-in trekking baskets. It’s all relatively simple but effective, and they proved to be reliable performers for us.

They’re lightweight and extremely packable, with the shortest folded length of any poles on test. This ensures they stash easily into a small daypack. But the maximum extended length is only 130cm, which isn't ideal for tall hikers, so we'd happily trade some compactness for more length.

We also like the integrated Velcro straps in the handle, which keep the folded sections together very neatly when not in use.

Although reasonably basic, for 3-season hiking and long distance backpacking we happily back these. In fact, one of our testers has an older twist-lock set of Alpkit Carbon Ultras that have done several hundred miles and are still going strong.

alpkit.com

Black Diamond Pursuit Trekking Poles

These are sturdy all-season trekking poles made from 7000-series aluminium alloy, with a three-piece construction. They feel comfortable and supportive – in fact, they were our favourite of all the poles on test in terms of comfort. And although they aren't the lightest or most compact, they are a solid choice for year-round use on mountain terrain and tough trails.

Black Diamond has had the sense to offer the Pursuit in two sizes, and better yet, the large size has larger grips for larger hands. The handles are made from natural cork with a lower section made from sustainable foam, derived from algal blooms. The cork does a good job of absorbing sweat, while the foam extension allows you to choke down on the poles when ascending. The wrist straps are also made from recycled fabric and are well sculpted.

These poles are easy to adjust and feel very solid too, thanks to Black Diamond’s Flicklock Pro mechanism. We’ve previously criticised this system because it was only adjustable via a tiny Allen key, which made fine-tuning on the trail tricky. Fortunately, Black Diamond has fixed this by including a 1.5mm Hex bit hidden inside the lower section of one pole – genius.

The lever locks also now have a soft-touch rubberised coating, which makes them easier to use with cold hands or bulky gloves. And you now get two sets of baskets supplied as standard: a smaller trekking set and a larger alpine/snow set. These are all worthwhile upgrades to what were already durable and dependable poles.

Black Diamond Equipment

Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Cork Walking Poles

Rrp: £64.99

These poles from relative newcomer Oregon-based Trekology have a very clear focus on value. Sure, these walking poles are very well priced but crucially, we found they're very decent. Somewhat predictably, the finish doesn’t quite match the more established brands, but the materials and construction are high-quality. Certainly far better than other cheap rivals.

The four-piece shaft is made from 7075 aluminium alloy, connected via an internal cord with a protective plastic sheath. A lever lock enables a wide range of adjustment, employing a plastic collar with a metal clamp. At one end of the pole, you get a comfortable cork grip with an EVA foam extension and a simple fabric wrist strap. At the other is a tungsten carbide tip with a removable plastic trekking basket.

And despite their low cost, these poles come with two sets of baskets. Really, the only quibbles we had on test were that they're not the quickest to deploy, since the telescopic section partway up the shaft needs to be extended to lock the pole tension, which isn’t immediately obvious. And at 300g each, they're relatively heavy.

Rrp: £64.99

Helinox Ridgeline LBB135

These are hefty-looking poles, but they are surprisingly light. That’s because they’re made from a custom aluminium alloy (TH72M) specially developed by DAC (the manufacturer of the best aluminium tent poles).

On test, we spent a lot of time roaming Snowdonia’s rugged Rhinogydd mountains with these poles, which is the perfect environment for them. They feel well-built, well-balanced and made to last.

In terms of performance, it’s just about the strongest aluminium alloy out there (around 20% stronger than the commonly used 7000-series ‘aircraft-grade’ alloy). Yet the LBB135 still weighs just 238g per pole.

The larger-diameter shafts feel impressively stiff and robust, and they’re well suited for hard use. They use a four-section construction with an unusual combination of lever locks and automatic locking buttons. This minimises weight and makes for a streamlined design. It also means the collapsed length is shorter than most rival telescopic poles.

The adjustable wrist straps are made from tough, partially padded nylon webbing. But on the downside, we found them quite narrow and the pommels of the handles are made from hard plastic rather than soft rubber, so they’re slightly less comfortable on descents.

Silva Trekking Poles Carbon

www.tradeinn.com

These are some of the stiffest carbon fibre poles we’ve tested, with thicker diameter shafts that feel very sturdy. They are solid and well-balanced. However, they’re still commendably light, tipping the scales at precisely 200g per pole.

They’re a three-section telescopic construction with an excellent range of adjustment via twin flick locks. The levers can be hand-tightened via a dial, requiring no tools, unlike some rivals. Measurements are also clearly marked on each pole section, making them easier to adjust in the field, though the flick-locks add a little bulk and seem slightly more prone to getting knocked about or clogged with dirt. Still, we experienced no issues on test.

But we had differing opinions on the comfort of the handles. They're a chunky mix of cork and foam, which Matt liked very much, but they were a bit too big for Ellie’s smaller hands to grasp comfortably. And speaking of oversized, the supplied baskets are also very large – ideal for deep mud and snow, but a bit unwieldy for general trail use. Nor are the Silva Trekking Poles Carbon the most compact walking poles, but that solidity-compact trade-off is to be expected.

www.tradeinn.com

LEKI Cressida FX Carbon Lady

www.ellis-brigham.com

These are top-end trekking poles made from premium grade performance racing carbon fibre. We tested the women’s-specific Cressida FX Carbon variant, while the men’s version is named the Makalu FX Carbon.

In use, they feel stiff and stable, yet very well-balanced in the hand. But their real benefits are in their speed and ease of use when it comes to deployment.

Both are Z-folding designs equipped with Leki’s innovative ELD folding system. You can basically just shake out each pole and pull the top section until it clicks, locking each section securely in place via precision aluminium collars and a plastic-sheathed internal cord. Disassembly is just as easy.

The five-section construction ensures they have an extremely compact folded length too. They’re short enough to stash inside a daysack and come with a neat storage bag. Other features include Aergon Air grips, with a rubberised head, contoured cork handles and cutaway sections to reduce weight.

We found them ideal for mountain routes that include a mix of terrain like pole-friendly paths plus steeper, hands-on scrambles.

Check out the men's Makalu FX Carbon Poles here

www.ellis-brigham.com

Robens Grasmere T7

www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

These trekking poles are relatively inexpensive, but don’t skimp on design or materials. The shafts are made from high-quality 7075 grade aluminium alloy, with extended EVA foam rubber grips and fabric wrist straps.

The top of the handle is a softer rubber rather than a hard plastic. They have a switchable anti-shock system that is turned on or off with a quick twist. The poles have a wide range of adjustment too, ensuring one size fits most.

The three-piece telescopic design employs modern lever locks rather than the older-style twist-lock system. The locking pins are metal, but the collars and clamps are plastic, while the tips are tungsten carbide with screw-in baskets. They’re also supplied with a carry bag.

They’re not the lightest walking poles, but don’t feel too unwieldy either. We've come to happily trust them long-distance trips or big hillwalking days. However, they're not very compact, with their 65cm collapsed length sometimes making them awkward to attach to a daypack.

www.cotswoldoutdoor.com

Vango Camino Walking Pole

www.nevisport.com

Like the Robens poles above, this Vango pole (sold individually but we tested as a pair) is a dependable option at an affordable price.

We found there was a lot to like and little to scorn with the Camino. At 280g it's reasonably lightweight yet feels reassuringly sold and strong. It's made from 7075 grade aluminium alloy and the flip-lock style mechanism should prove a more durable approach than a twist lock system too.

One notable feature on the Camino is its anti-shock feature, which is always welcome on longer routes. The grip is fairly basic but still comfy and ergonomic all the same. The pole comes with both a rubber tip and basket.

At 69cm when collapsed down (Vango says 67cm but it's more like 69cm) this is hardly the most compact walking pole. With an useable range of 105 to 135cm, it is, however, quite versatile for use on a variety of terrains and people.

www.nevisport.com

Harrier Helvellyn Pro Poles

harrierrunfree.co.uk

New kid on the block, Harrier, is a small running brand specialising in direct-to-consumer sales. That means, in theory, you get top quality cut-price gear that performs just as well for running as it does for hiking, seeing as there's no greedy 3rd party retailers taking a cut. But does Harrier's gear stack up? We tested their Helvellyn Pro walking poles to find out.

Having used them to yeet up and down some pretty spiky mountains in Spain this summer, we're pleased to say that the Helvellyn Pro poles offer great traction, comfort, durability, and pack size. At 175g each for the 110cm version (these are fixed in length rather than adjustable, so you'll need to find out what size to go for before purchase) they're pretty lightweight too - both Harrier poles are equivalent to just one of the Vango Caminos. This, coupled with the good pack size makes them perfect for lightweight treks and trail runs.

We like the collapsible z frame system as it feels more trustworthy than telescopic poles, especially when weighting them fully on downhill terrain, and the handle is pretty comfy too, even in 30 degree heat. We're slightly suspicious, however, on the button mechanism, as previous walking poles we've had have jammed up when exposed to saltwalter or frost - but as we've only tested these in summer, this is innocent until proven guilty. Additionally, we took the rubber cap on the bottom of the poles straight off before they got lost in a bog forever, seeing as they're held on with hope and gravity rather than a screw thread.

And at £79.99 for the pair, we're pretty happy with them in terms of value - that's half the price of the LEKI equivalent for just as much durability and a lower weight. Win, win.

harrierrunfree.co.uk

Two is best because it gives you better stability going downhill. Two hiking poles also give you more power when going uphill.

Using one trekking pole on the same side of your body can lead to unbalanced muscle development. This can result in extra strain on joints, tendons and muscles. Just make sure that if you do use only one walking pole, remember to switch sides as you walk.

With pole in hand your elbow should be at 90°. In this position, measure the distance from your hands to the ground and you have your optimum pole length. Opt for a pole that will lengthen 5-10cm up or down either side of this for when you’re ascending or descending.

Carbon poles are lighter and stiffer, but more expensive and brittle. Aluminium poles are generally cheaper and more durable, but heavier. Some poles combine both materials.

Heavier aluminium poles can take more abuse over rough and rocky mountainous terrain where walking poles undergo a real battering.

Some walking poles use a twist-lock mechanism, while others have a flip-style lock. The latter is considered more secure, longer lasting, easier to use and less prone to slippage. Twist-locks are lighter and easier to use with gloves.

Z-shaped poles fold into thirds, while telescopic poles slide into themselves like a telescope. Either way, a collapsible design is needed for carrying in or on your backpack.

For moving fast and light, an ultralight carbon trekking pole weighing under 200g is most energy efficient. But for general hillwalking, a slightly heavier aluminium walking pole weighing will be stronger and more durable.

With handgrips, select your preference from foam, cork or rubber designs. And for enhanced comfort choose an ergonomic grip with shaping and cushioning. A longer handle allows you to slide your hand up and down, depending on the steepness of terrain, to effectively adjust the pole length on the move.

Pole tips are usually made of hardened metal such as tungsten or carbide, housed in a plastic body. If you’re walking on roads or very rocky terrain, you can use rubber feet over the tips.

Wrist straps or slings help prevent poles being dropped.

Baskets – the little round discs near the tip – stop them from plugging in the ground. Wider baskets are a good strategy if hiking in snow. Some poles also have shock absorbers – spring-like mechanisms that cushion the impact of striking the ground.

As the former editor of Walk magazine and Scouting magazine, Matt Jones is one of the most respected names in the UK outdoor industry.

Now a freelance journalist based in the heart of Snowdonia National Park, he’s a vastly experienced gear tester and self-confessed outdoor kit geek. Matt’s been one of our main gear testers for the last couple of years and is the first person we call with any complicated kit queries that need in-depth and forensic analysis.