The Best Trekking Poles


Trekking poles are for hikers of all ages and skill levels. Having one of these polls handy while hiking can keep you balanced on uneven terrain and even increase your endurance and power.  You’re buying your first trekking poles, so which are the best ones?

These are the top 10 trekking poles:

  • Gossamer Gear LT5 Three-Piece Carbon Trekking Poles
  • Montem Ultra-Strong Trekking Poles
  • Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
  • Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles
  • Kelty Upslope 2.0 Outdoor Adjustable Trekking Poles
  • REI Co-Op Trailbreak Trekking Poles
  • MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles
  • Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles
  • Mountainsmith Dolomite 7075 OLS Trekking Pole
  • BAFX Products Adjustable Hiking Poles

This guide for first-time trekking pole shoppers will include lots of useful information. Ahead, we’ll review each of the 10 trekking poles above, discussing the pole material, pricing, and other features. You won’t want to miss it!

These Are the 10 Best Trekking Poles

Gossamer Gear LT5 Three-Piece Carbon Trekking Poles – $195

At the top of our list are the Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles.

Gossamer declared the LT5 trekking poles “the most portable poles we have ever made.” Besides that, this set of two poles is renowned for remaining lightweight so whether you’re walking with them or carrying them in your pack, your hiking gear isn’t too heavy.

The carbon fiber body of each pole is resilient and tough, and when combined with an all-terrain carbide tip, you won’t have to second-guess the durability of these poles. EVA foam grip prevents your hands from hurting even if you hold onto the poles for hours at a time.

The poles weigh 139 grams or 4.9 ounces each with a nine-gram rubber boot and a seven-gram basket. The length of each pole when collapsed is 23.5 inches and the max length is 51 inches each. 

The rugged look of these poles will impress your hiking buddies for certain. You’ll love how the Gossamer Gear LT5 trekking poles keep you secure so you can see more of the world on your hikes! 

Montem Ultra-Strong Trekking Poles – $70

For under $100, the Montem ultra-strong trekking poles are a fantastic option. 

The set of two hiking poles are triple-pieced so you can adjust the length as you see fit. The length range for the poles is between 24 inches and 53 inches, which makes them ideal for users who are four feet to nearly seven feet tall. The weight limit for the Montem trekking poles is 400 pounds.

The handles are enwrapped in soft EVA foam and include padded straps to augment your comfort. The tip of each pole is covered in tungsten carbide that can easily handle ice, snow, and hard trails. 

If you’re worried about your trekking poles weighing you down when not in use, that won’t be the case with this set from Montem. The poles weigh 9.6 ounces apiece so they’re ultra-lightweight. That’s all due to the 7075-aluminum construction.

You can select from three colors for your Montem trekking pole set: yellow, blue, or black. 

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles – $130

You’ll turn heads wherever your hiking adventures take you when you trek in the Black Diamond Trail Ergo cork trekking poles.

This mid-priced set of poles can expand or collapse. The collapsed length is 27 inches, and the expanded length is 55 inches. An external lever lock keeps your Diamond Trail hiking poles secure once you choose your preferred length.

The Tech Tips are hardy carbide. Even better is that you can change them out without having to replace the Trail Ergo poles. This can increase the lifetime of your poles so you get your money’s worth.

With Dual FlickLock adjustments, you can quickly set the length of your hiking poles and then be on your way. The Trail Ergo poles feature a corrective angle setting of 15 degrees. This keeps your grip in the correct position so you can hike and trek with less pain.

The cork grip is made of natural materials for awesome ergonomics. On top of that, it’s moisture-wicking so sweat doesn’t soak through and leave the grip feeling soggy and nasty. With solution straps and rubber grip extensions, you won’t buckle even on hard terrain.

The aluminum body makes the Black Diamond Trail Ergo trekking poles moderately lightweight. The set of poles weigh one pound and two ounces.  

Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles – $200

Get out there and do more hiking with the Leki Micro Vario carbon trekking poles!

This unisex pair of poles are adjustable between 44 inches and 51 inches. An included basket system is interchangeable so that if you own Leki baskets of various sizes, you can quickly attach them and use them.

The Carbide Flextips are built for years of use on an assortment of terrains. You can replace them when they wear out without having to buy new poles. Talk about cost-effectiveness in action! The carbon sections include machinated aluminum sleeves to further increase durability. 

When assembling the poles, you’ll appreciate the machinated aluminum connectors. They keep the center shaft sections moving smoothly. The shafts feature high tension since the lower shaft includes an internal spring. The spring comes out and is serviceable. The Vario also has a tension cord that’s reinforced with Kevlar and coated in polyethylene.

Aergon Thermo foam grips are insulated for use in cold weather. They feature a hollow core so they don’t contribute to the weight of the poles, which is one pound, 0.9 ounces for the two.

The eight-degree positive angle in the grips maintains neutral wrist positioning. The wrist straps with air texturing are adjustable without the need for buckles. They also wick away sweat quickly.

An External Locking Device or ELD system lets you release the pole’s assembly tension so you can compress it and pack it away when you’re done hiking for the afternoon. You’ll also like the SpeedLock2 system, which is for adjusting the length of the poles and other features faster. 

Kelty Upslope 2.0 Outdoor Adjustable Trekking Poles – $40

If the costs of the trekking poles we’ve discussed to this point have made you do a double-take, the Kelty Upslope 2.0 hiking poles ought to be more up your alley. They’re available for less than $50.

The aluminum alloy body of each pole is lightweight enough that you can easily walk using the trekking poles yet tough for season after season of reliable use.

The pair of poles feature a twist lock that you can use to adjust the pole’s length on the fly. The EVA grip is soft, plush foam to keep your hands from getting achy as you grip your trekking pole. The accompanying wrist strap is also nice for ergonomics.

Between the terrain-handling capabilities of these poles and the low price, they’re a favorite of many outdoor enthusiasts, hikers, and trekkers.  

REI Co-Op Trailbreak Trekking Poles – $60

Another mid-priced pair of trekking poles comes courtesy of REI Co-Op: the Trailbreak poles.

These poles are 41 inches to 55 inches long but can collapse to 25 inches so they fit comfortably in any backpack or rucksack. 

An external lever locking mechanism prevents the poles from shifting in length once you set them. The locks are also designed to be bigger than necessary so you can switch pole lengths ahead of slope angles. 

EVA rubber grips mold to your hands. An included wrist strap per pole is stretchy and soft so carrying these poles isn’t a pain. 

The 7075-aluminum base won’t buckle, and it’s lightweight as well. Included trail baskets allow for better flotation in even snow and softer soil, which makes the Trailbreak trekking poles one versatile set! 

MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles – $160

MSR produces all sorts of equipment for outdoorspeople, including trekking poles. The DynaLock Ascent carbon backcountry poles are among the best-selling from the brand.

Baskets intended for summer and winter use will inspire you to spend more time outside even when most other hikers have retired for the season. The carbon fiber base of the poles with Kevlar reinforcements can certainly handle usage all year long!

The EVA foam grip handles feel good in your hands. An extra lower grip is for choking or sidehilling on steep terrain. 

Do you feel like adjusting your DynaLock poles? The adjustment lever, which is made of durable anodized aluminum, lets you set the length of the poles. 

When the day ends and you want to pack up, the DynaLock includes a quick-deploy feature for compressing speedily. You’ll be off the trail faster than all your friends! 

Choose between two sizes for the MSR DynaLock Ascent, small or large. The small is adjustable between 39 inches and 47 inches while the large is adjustable between 47 inches and 55 inches. 

Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles – $25

An Amazon’s Choice pick that’s also incredibly low-priced, the Cascade Mountain trekking poles should be on your radar.

The tungsten carbide tips are exchangeable depending on the type of hiking you’re doing. 

The snow baskets can withstand even a coating of flurries and freezing cold temperatures. The mud baskets are adept at handling sand without falling into the soft, pliable ground. You’ll enjoy better leverage. The standard rubber boot tips provide propulsion with each step while keeping your body cushioned from hard impacts. 

A cork grip boasts moisture-wicking properties. As you walk with the Cascade Mountain trekking poles, the grip will reduce your vibrations, which will again spare your body. 

The quick-lock mechanism requires you to open the tab, then adjust the poles to your preferences. You can do this by first accessing the quick-lock tab. Then tighten up the thumbscrew, rotating it ¼ inches to ½ inches clockwise. 

The length of the Cascade Mountains trekking poles is 54 inches each when fully extended. You can collapse the poles to 26 inches. If you use the carbide tips, then each pole weighs 10.9 ounces. Without the carbide tips, the weight per pole is 10.4 ounces.

You can shop the Cascade Mountain poles in three colors: orange, pale blue, or green. 

Mountainsmith Dolomite 7075 OLS Trekking Pole – $30

If you only need one hiking pole rather than a set, try the Mountainsmith Dolomite OLS pole. Since it’s a single pole, it’s very budget-friendly!

The Dolomite is a unisex trekking pole. You can adjust the length between 25 inches and 54 inches using the Outerlock adjustment lever. The collapsed length of the pole is 24 inches. 

A TPR or cork handle covers more of the Dolomite pole so you can grip the hiking pole the way you want to. 

The wrist strap webbing feels, as Mountainsmith says, “smooth as butter.” You’ll notice fewer pressure points and hot spots when carrying the Dolomite trekking pole compared to other trekking poles, even those that are available in sets of two.

The rubber boot tip of the Dolomite pole will provide traction and security when on uneven terrains such as hills or rocky cliffsides. The hiking basket has a locking pin to keep it in place; you can also remove the basket if you’d rather lighten your load.

Speaking of a lighter load, the 7075-aluminum body doesn’t make the Dolomite OLS trekking pole any heavier than it has to be. 

BAFX Products Adjustable Hiking Poles – $25

Our final pick for the best trekking poles is the Amazon’s Choice BAFX Products hiking poles. Yes, this time there are two poles to a set, and for less than $30 too!

An anti-shock mechanism built into the top and middle of each pole features a spring that prevents jolts and bodily impact. Your hikes will be longer and ache-free!

You can also choose between three types of pole tips. The mud basket will keep sand and mud away from your clothes as you hike. The carbide tip can handle all sorts of terrain, everything from ice to rocks, hard-packed ground, and gravel. The rubber tips are for larger rocks, sidewalks, and paved paths.

The ergonomic grips with rubber supports feel great. Each wrist strap is extra-wide and padded so you can walk in comfort for hours. 

The starting length of the BAFX Products trekking pole is 26.5 inches. You can extend the length to 53.25 inches. Lock the pole length in place with a twist-lock mechanism. BAFX recommends the poles for people up to six feet, four inches tall.   

Lightweight, each pole is 12.4 ounces with one of the three tips included. The body of each pole is 6061 aluminum construction. You can choose from three colors: silver, blue, or black. 

Final Thoughts

Trekking poles will spare your body from hard impacts on rough terrain. You’ll also appreciate the confidence you’ll feel as you walk, even as your hiking bodies are weebling and wobbling behind you. You can’t go wrong with any of the 10 trekking poles we recommended today! 

Geoff Southworth

I am a California native and I enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. My latest adventures have been taking the family camping, hiking and surfing.

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