News

Oct 14, 2024

The Best Trekking Poles (2024): Ultralight, Affordable, and More

Photo: Evan Green Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}">Download the app. Some still

Photo: Evan Green

Heading out the door? Read this article on the new Outside+ app available now on iOS devices for members! >","name":"in-content-cta","type":"link"}}">Download the app.

Some still debate the merits of using trekking poles, but nowadays, most hikers won’t leave home without them. Poles can help you power up steep climbs, support your weight on downhills, and provide extra points of contact on loose or uneven terrain. The best trekking poles are comfortable in hand, stiff under load, easy to stow away in your pack, and can help you tackle challenging terrain and hike pain-free.

All gear in this guide was tested by multiple reviewers. When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. This supports our mission to get more people active and outside. Learn more.

$180-190 at Diorite Gear

Weight: 7.4 oz (per pole)Size: One size (71-158 cm length)

Pros and Cons⊕ Sturdy⊕ Long enough for any shelter⊕ Easy to repair⊗ Overkill for traditional tent users

The Diorite Telescopic Carbon Fiber is a rare no-compromises trekking pole: it’s the burliest all-carbon construction we’ve ever tested, with a formidable telescoping length that’s a godsend for tarp-oriented thru-hikers. The first thing testers noted was that even though the Diorite looks and feels like an overbuilt aluminum pole, it tips the scales below 8 ounces—a weight limit normally reserved for folding fast-packing poles.

Most ultralight carbon poles in that weight class require babying. In contrast, the Diorite inspired confidence even when several testers slid down steep, sandy descents in Idaho’s Salmon River Mountains. The extra-long EVA foam (also available in cork) grips were comfortable in-hand and made it easy to choke down on steep climbs without stopping to readjust the length of the poles. The beefy locking mechanisms are replaceable, along with the individual pole sections and pole tips. As a bonus for in-field repairs, the Diorite uses a self-threading aluminum adapter that will accept replacement tips from other brands, even if they’re unthreaded.

Best of all, the Diorite poles come with an unusual perk: they extend all the way to 158 cm. While that extra length isn’t necessary for on-trail use (even our 6’5” tester rarely exceeds 135 cm), it does provide a few advantages. For one, all that extra carbon reinforces the poles, making them extra stiff and sturdy. For another, the generous telescoping range means that they can be used to set up nearly any tarp or tent that requires trekking poles. “It’s nice to know that no matter what shelter I bring, these poles will work—even if I opt for my pyramid tarp with a high center height,” said New Hampshire-based tester Dan Huntington. Between its weight, comfort, and durability, the Diorite is one of the few trekking pole quiver-killers on the market.

(Photo: Courtesy Black Diamond)

$120 at REI $120 at Backcountry

Weight: 8.6 oz (per pole)Size: One size (100-140 cm length)

Pros and Cons⊕ Sturdy⊕ Dependable⊕ Relatively Affordable

Trekking poles are one of those items you shouldn’t need to replace often—if ever. For that kind of worry-free investment, we’d choose Black Diamond’s Trail trekking poles, a tried-and-true classic that Backpacker staffers and testers have used for years without bending or lock failure.

One tester used the Trail on four separate mountaineering trips in the Cascades without so much as a slip. At just 8.6 oz, they’re about as light as any aluminum pole on the market. But they’re also reliably stiff, without any of the concerning flex that can plague cheaper poles. That’s thanks to BD’s material of choice: 7075 aluminum, which is stiffer and lighter than the lower-grade aluminum used in budget options. Extended EVA foam grips help keep the weight low (cork is a comfy, but heavy, upgrade) and offer extra length for hikers who choke up on their poles during climbs or prefer having multiple hand positions.

We also appreciated the Trail’s tech tips, which allow you to switch out the carbide tips with screw-on rubber tips. It’s a more secure and elegant solution than the easily-lost press-on rubber tips that many poles use.

$25 at Amazon $25 at Retrospec

Weight: 11.3 oz (per pole)Size: One size (110-135 cm length)

Pros and Cons⊕ Cheap⊕ Durable⊗ Heavy

As useful as trekking poles are, not everyone is convinced of their value. And if you’re on the fence about them, cost is likely the main consideration. Our new favorite pair of dirt-cheap poles is the Retrospec Solstice, which ring up at just $25. There’s little to separate them from other budget poles—the shafts are sturdy 6061 aluminum, the tips are carbide, and the poles employ the same three-piece telescoping design that many brands offer.

The real difference is the price. Other budget options typically run about $40, and these perform as well if not better than anything we’ve tried at that price point. As one long-time trekking pole user said, “My favorite poles are usually the budget ones. I never worry about snapping a pole because replacing them won’t break the bank.” Testers appreciated the solid feel—there was little bend in the shafts—as well as the foam and cork handle options. While the locking mechanisms didn’t feel particularly burly, we never had any issues with the poles slipping or the locks breaking. For the price, it’s hard to ask for more.

$169 at REI

Weight: 5.6 oz (115 cm, per pole)Size: 105, 115, or 125 cm (non-adjustable)

Pros and Cons⊕ Easy and fast deployment⊗ Incompatible with some trekking pole shelters

For trekking poles, simplicity often equates to durability. Case in point: the non-adjustable REI Co-op Swiftland TT. These poles do break down into shorter segments, via a folding mechanism, but they have only one usable length. That eliminates the need for locking mechanisms, a common point of failure. If you’re confident in the length of pole you need, they’re a great option.

Testers loved the quick and easy set-up, as well as the ultra-small packed size (about 14 inches), which make them especially handy for anyone who finds themselves putting their poles away and pulling them out again as trail conditions change. On a 35-mile trek on the Art Loeb Trail in North Carolina that featured more than 9,000 feet of climbing and descending, one first-time pole user was impressed by the Swiftland TT’s specs: They have the stiffness of a telescoping pole in a lighter and sleeker package.

The foam grips are extended length, which we find particularly helpful on fixed length poles, since choking up on the grips is the only way to make the poles shorter on steep climbs. The biggest downside? Most fixed length poles won’t work as trekking pole shelters, which require a specific pole length that is usually longer than the average person’s preferred pole length for hiking.

$230 on AmazonWeight: 8.9 ounces (per pole)Size: One size (110 – 130cm)Pros and Cons⊕ Durable⊕ Excellent grip comfort⊗ Very expensive⊗ Not especially light

Rather than chasing an ultralight weight goal, the Makalu—a modern iteration of the first-ever trekking pole—sets itself apart thanks to durability and comfort. The grips on the Makalu were among our favorites in the test, with EVA foam that one hiker described as “velvety” and easy to clean. The extra-long grip extension made it effortless to bear down on climbs without stopping to adjust pole length. One California-based tester said the Makalu was the most well-balanced pole he tested, thanks to the weight distribution between the pole and the grip. The Makalu has an adjustment system that combines folding and a quick-lock mechanism (similar to Black Diamond FLZ models) which means it boasts the shorter packed length of folding poles, and 20 cm of adjustment. The carbon poles were also impressively durable. Having survived a 170-mile trek in the Dolomites, another tester resorted to tossing them from boulders and ledges to test their mettle. (Spoiler alert: they never broke).

$75 at Amazon $75 at Moosejaw

Weight: 8 oz (per pole)Size: One size (66-137 cm length)

Pros and Cons⊕ Durable⊕ Lightweight⊕ Affordable⊗ Hardware feels cheap

Carbon fiber trekking poles are coveted for their lightness and stiffness, but they often come at a premium price. Our favorite exception is the Cascade Mountain Tech 3K Carbon poles, which manages to keep the price point below many brands’ aluminum options. Testers appreciated the 3K carbon weave, both for its high-tech look and its vertical and horizontal strength. We didn’t manage to break any of the carbon poles in our test this year, and the 3K weave helps to avoid fractures when your pole gets wedged between rocks.

As for design, Cascade Mountain Tech employs a standard three-piece, telescoping system, and the poles come with a selection of rubber tips and baskets that you can change out depending on trail conditions. Cork grips offer a soft-but-durable upgrade that’s uncommon at this price point.

Our biggest complaint? The plastic quick locks feel cheap and have too much play unless you tighten them a bit more than feels necessary (they stay put once they’re locked, though). It’s also worth noting that while carbon is often touted as a weight-saving material, these poles aren’t much lighter than an aluminum pole at 8 oz. For $75, though, the combination of strength, weight, and features these poles offer is hard to beat.

$195 at Gossamer Gear

Weight: 4.9 oz (per pole)Size: One size (60-130 cm)

Pros and Cons⊕ Extremely lightweight⊗ Twist lock

Gossamer Gear is better known for its featherweight packs and shelters, but it’s been making some of the lightest trekking poles on the market for over a decade. The LT5 poles are the peak of Gossamer’s pole design: Compared to earlier models, they pack down smaller and are more durable with minimal weight penalty. The poles have two main weight-cutting features: lightweight carbon construction, and an internal twist lock system rather than the quick locks found on most telescoping poles. As with most weight-saving measures, there are drawbacks to note: it takes a bit of extra time to adjust and lock the LT5, and you have to be careful not to over-tighten them—the twist locks are up to the rigors of daily trail use, but if you crank on them too hard the internal mechanism can wear out prematurely or fail outright.

Several testers noted that it was hard to trust the LT5 poles at first. “They’re so light that I was convinced they would break,” one tester admitted. But the poles withstood several tough, rocky descents in Arizona. Ultimately, the biggest difference between the LT5 and heavier poles was how they felt in the hand. With the LT5, the tell-tale pendulum effect (where poles will swing, seemingly without any input from your hands) is all but gone. After countless trips using poles that weighed about twice as much, one tester said the weight difference was immediately apparent and helped alleviate her chronic wrist pain while hiking.

One ding: the LT5 is only available with an EVA foam grip, for weight-savings. But the foam handholds, which are slightly undersized compared to most grips we’ve tested, are especially comfortable for anyone with smaller hands.

$160 at REI $160 at Backcountry

Weight: 7.4 oz (per pole, size medium)Size: Short (95-110 cm), Medium (110-125 cm), and Long (125-140 cm)

Pros and Cons⊕ Quick set-up⊕ Sturdy for a folding pole⊗ Small adjustment range

One of the biggest trekking pole innovations of the last decade is the introduction of folding poles. In the case of the Black Diamond Distance FLZ poles, that tech combines three folding sections (akin to a tent pole) with a single quick lock that allows for 6 inches of adjustment.

The biggest perk? They pack down smaller than telescoping poles. When folded, the medium-length poles are just under 15 inches long. For one Alaska-based tester who prefers to only deploy his poles in steep terrain, that proved a game-changer. “Once I realized I could easily stow these in a side pocket instead of messing with straps or attachment points, I knew I’d never go back,” he said. Testers also loved the recycled nylon straps, which felt thick and secure enough to provide good wrist support on steep downhills, and soft and breathable for all-day comfort. What ultimately set the Distance FLZ apart from other folding poles was their sturdiness. Too often, the same tech that allows folding poles to pack down so small also results in flex where the sections meet. But testers said the Distance FLZ’s 7075 aluminum shafts seemed to have tighter tolerances where the poles slot together, and they never felt flimsy—even after 550 miles of abuse on the Colorado Trail.

One thing to note: folding poles don’t have a wide range of adjustment, so they aren’t the most versatile choice when it comes to setting up trekking pole shelters. Especially for shorter hikers, there’s a good chance your preferred length of folding pole will be too short to use as support for most shelters.

$178 at Hilleberg

Weight: 8.5 oz per poleSize: One size (90-145 cm length)

Pros and Cons⊕ Extremely robust⊗ Expensive for aluminum poles

We’ve used DAC’s trusty aluminum tech in tents for years, but it’s relatively rare in hiking poles. These Hilleberg sticks leverage DAC’s know-how into the best strength-to-weight ratio in the test, borne out over 300 miles of backpacking in the Northern Rockies.

The telescoping, three-section poles taper from a substantial 18.5 millimeters at the top to 11.5 at the bottom and have double-cam levers in a vertical position, so even the most brutish pole placements didn’t jar them loose. “While descending granite slabs in Montana’s Bitterroot National Forest, I took a misstep on a small rock and landed 2 feet below with such force, I was sure I had bent the poles or blown out the locking device,” our tester says. “But even under 200 pounds of weight from me and my backpack, they held firm.” The poles travel well and collapse down to 65 cm (just over two feet), but also extend up to 145 cm.

$275 at REI (Limited Release Coming June 2024)

Weight: 10 oz (per pole)Size: One size (110 – 130cm)

Pros and Cons⊕ Durable⊕ Excellent grip comfort⊗ Very expensive⊗ Not especially light

Hemp trekking poles might sound like an eco-cred gimmick, but the LEKI Hemp One Vario is the real deal. Nearly every part of the pole is made of hemp (harvested just a few miles from LEKI’s headquarters in southern Germany), except the straps, which are made of thick flax linen. The shafts of the poles are made up of a bunch of hemp fibers, oriented vertically, that are encased in a bio-based resin. The grips, made of 25 percent hemp and 27 percent cork, have a broken-in feel that’s soft and comfortable on long hikes. Despite the simplicity of its raw construction, the Hemp One Vario proved just as stiff and durable as carbon fiber (according to LEKI, raw hemp fibers are twice as strong as steel).

In our testing, which ranged from slickrock in Arizona to scree in California, we haven’t encountered any conditions that they can’t tackle, even while sliding down the notoriously steep slopes of Idaho’s Hells Canyon. That said, the drawbacks are real: They are more expensive than LEKI’s top-of-the-line carbon Makalu poles, and heavier. They use a two-piece telescoping design, which means they are adjustable, but don’t pack down shorter than 110 centimeters, essentially making them non-packable.

To us, the Hemp One Vario is proof that hemp is a viable material for all sorts of outdoor gear, and gives us hope that it’s a harbinger of truly sustainable gear in everything from trekking poles to pack frames in the future.

The most important feature of any trekking pole is length. This is especially important for fixed-length poles, but even with adjustable poles, you want to make sure your preferred length is within the range of adjustment, especially if you are particularly short or tall. Measure your pole length by standing on flat ground with your arms held in front of you, elbows at a 90-degree angle. Your ideal pole length is the distance from your hands to the ground. Adjustable poles give you some wiggle room depending on your hiking style—many people prefer to shorten their poles during sustained climbs and elongate them during descents.

Pole material is an important consideration as well. Aluminum is generally less expensive and heavier, while carbon is stiffer and lighter. Consider that an aluminum pole will likely bend under strong lateral forces (like getting pinched between rocks) while a carbon pole is more likely to break and become unusable.

Finally, telescopic poles will generally have a larger range of adjustment but a longer packed length, while folding poles will pack down shorter but offer less length adjustment. Some poles offer a fusion of styles. If you plan to use your poles to set up your shelter, double check the length required for an optimal pitch. You’ll want to ensure that your poles can adjust to accommodate both your hiking length and your shelter set-up length.

Every year, we test the latest trekking poles and stack them up against our tried-and-true picks. We assemble a team of testers who head out on trips ranging from simple day hikes to epic thru-hikes. Our poles are testing in multiple states, regularly including Washington, North Carolina, and California. Our testers use poles to climb steep trails, set up tarp shelters in sustained winds, and save their ankles on sketchy, rocky descents. Along the way, we task the team with recording every detail, from ergonomics and comfort to ease of use and packability.

Nathan Pipenberg is a freelance writer based in Boise, Idaho, who writes Backpacker’s ultralight hiking column. Over the course of his hiking career, he has broken three pairs of ultralight carbon poles, set up a tarp tent using bent ski poles, and hiked 200 miles with a pair of cheap trekking poles bought during a last-minute Walmart stop. A 2011 Appalachian Trail thru-hiker, he’s always scanning his calendar for a six-month gap in deadlines to fit in another long-distance hike.

When you buy something using the retail links in our stories, we may earn a small commission. We do not accept money for editorial gear reviews. Read more about our policy.