Find your perfect pair of walking or hiking poles with our in-depth group test and buyer’s guide
Trekking poles are a common sight in the hands of elite walkers, hikers, backpackers and ultra-runners and there are good reasons for this. There are recognised physical benefits to using poles. In fact, poles can take up to 40% of strain off your knees. They also help you to generate rhythm and momentum so you can move more quickly.
In addition, they can be used as a probe in thick undergrowth or when crossing rivers; they help to stabilise the weight of a heavy trekking backpack; and they can even be used instead of tent poles for solo backpacking tents.
OM tester Nicole carrying out some pole testing for us.
Will testing poles on a trek in the Brecon Beacons.
The Best Trekking Poles Reviewed 2024
With dozens of poles out there, what should you look for? This group test includes our picks of the best trekking poles around, comparing features and performance. We’ve picked out an overall best buy and highlighted best value poles for those on a budget.
Note: Prices and weights are given per pair.
Best Overall Trekking Pole: Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ
Our Runner Up: Harrier Catbells V2 Aluminium
Best Value Trekking Pole: Vango Camino Trekking Poles
Best Ultralight Trekking Pole: Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles
How We Tested Them
Our tests are always happening and therefore this list chops and changes regularly. OM editor Will has been responsible for the bulk of the testing, with some contributions from our test team too. The testing has been carried out on dedicated gear review trips in Snowdonia, the Lake District and the Scottish Highlands, while some of these poles were also carried on ultra marathon runs, multi-week treks and even a multi-week run. We tested their durability on different types of terrain – with the bulk of the testing done on mixed mud and rock – and also in different temperatures too.
Things we looked for included the following: speed of deployment, breakdown, and adjustment; grip in dry and wet conditions; and shock absorption on hard terrain. We also assessed the overall durability of each build, arguably one of the most important factors when it comes to trekking poles.
1. Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ
Chosen as the best trekking poles in our tests
Will using the BD Pursuit FLZ in the Preseli Hills, Pembrokeshire.
Price: £170 Weight: 496g Rating: 10/10 Length when packed: 37cm [S/M] 43cm [M/L] Best for: year-round hiking and snowshoeing What we liked: durable, easy to operate, compact, excellent quality materials What we didn’t like: expensive
What we like the most about these is that they’re very hardy and durable but still light. During our tests hiking up and down rocky Welsh mountains with them we also loved how compact they are. Each pole can be broken down (z-pole style) to a compact bundle that’s just 43cm-long (in the M/L) thus making them very convenient when you’d prefer them to be kept out of the way, whether that’s on the side of your backpack, front of your running vest harness or in your flight luggage.
Credit to Black Diamond for using a nice and comfortable natural cork on the grip and an eco-friendly algae-based foam on the grip extensions too. We also really liked the fact that the tension levers are nice and wide. This, we found, made them very easy to use with gloves.
OM editor Will using the standard set, with height adjustment, out in the Scottish Highlands.
Price: £60 Weight: 470g Rating: 8.5/10 Length when packed: 35cm Best for: trail running What we liked: great value, helpful sizing advice What we didn’t like: paint seemed to chip quite easily
We tested these out in the Scottish Highlands, running and hiking around Glencoe, and we were impressed by what we saw. As such, we’ve picked these as our ‘runner up’ in this round-up. Harrier’s owner, Kate, is a qualified Nordic walking coach, and that’s definitely reflected in the design here. They offer reliability, durability, they’re light and they’re comfortable to hold. They’re also excellent value. The only reason these poles haven’t landed our top spot is because the quality of materials and design isn’t quite as good compared to our winning set, the Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ.
Harrier, a brand from Derby, near the Peak District, offer the Catbells poles in either a Pro or standard version. The Pro, which comes in four different sizes, has a fixed height and the standard version, which comes in two sizes, has a locking lever that allows for height adjustment. The Pro set cost a touch more but they’re also a touch more reliable too. If you’re a casual hiker or runner, we’d say your best bet would be to opt for the standard set. If you take your outdoor pursuits quite seriously – if you race, perhaps – then the Pro set will be best for you.
Our pick for the best value trekking pole for 2024
Price: £19 Weight: 560g Rating: 5/10 Length when packed: 38cm Best for: Day hikes and hillwalking What we liked: good value, built-in shock absorption What we didn’t like: build quality not great, not very compact
These Vango poles are the cheapest in our test and offer excellent value. The pole sections are made from a sturdy aluminium alloy. Other components, such as the clamps, are plastic. While these may not be as durable as more expensive metal parts, they felt robust enough. They are straightforward to adjust and the locking torsion can be changed without a tool. We did find that, if pulled too hard, the poles do come apart, as there’s only a plastic ring holding them together. This could be a potential weak point, although over a couple of months testing it was fine.
The pole is telescopic and packs down to 67cm, which is not very compact. This does give them a large adjustment range though – from 105 to 135cm. One feature unique to these poles is a built-in anti-shock system. The spring-loaded handles have a considerable bounce – push down, and they drop around 25cm. For low-level walking this may be very useful, though for trail running or mountaineering you’ll definitely need something more rigid for stability.
Overall, for the price, these are an excellent option for walkers on a budget looking for the best trekking poles under £35.
4. Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite Carbon Trekking Poles
Looking for as light as possible? These won our top pick as the best ultralight trekking poles
Giles Dean using the MCT Varios, a former version of the Cross Trail on a hike around Llyn Ogwen.
Price: £200 Weight: 400g Rating: 8/10 Length when packed: 42cm Best for: Fastpacking, trail running, mountain races What we liked: fast deployment, detachable gloves, very light, innovative What we didn’t like: not the most compact
The Leki Cross Trail FX are z-style folding trekking poles that are incredibly easy to deploy. All you need to do is pull down on the shaft below the handle and everything just clicks together. Using their Speed Lock 2 lever you can also slide them from 110cm up to 130cm. This feature will be handy for anyone who needs poles with height adjustment to prop up their tarp or tent. They break down to 42cm in length, which is convenient though there are more compact options out there.
The most unusual design feature are the straps. Rather than simple webbing straps, these employ detachable mesh gloves. They can be attached to the top of each pole handle with a simple click and removed with the press of a button. This helps to encourage effective power transfer and allows the poles to move more closely and effortlessly with the swing of your arms and wrists.
The handle itself has a slight grip extension for on-the-fly adjustment and, as you’d expect, it’s ergonomically shaped for comfort.
OM editor Will used a previous iteration of these on a three-week unbroken fastpacking trip over all 189 of Wales’s mountains and he credits them with helping him to complete the task. They came through the trip unscathed but one of the levers snapped on one of Will’s more recent trips.
A shot from our trip to Snowdonia where we tested these out.
Price: £169.99 Weight: 290g Rating: 8/10 Length when packed: 40cm Best for: Seasoned hikers, long-distance trekking What we liked: Lightweight, compact, high quality build What we didn’t like: expensive, some scratches showed up quite easily, not the most compact
Designed for optimum performance and convenience on the trail, Leki’s Micro Vario Carbon poles combine ultralight carbon fibre construction with a unique external locking system that’s built to endure. In fact, we like Leki’s specialist trekking range so much that they’ve now featured three times in our Outdoor 100 selection.
This particular iteration of the Micro Varios is suitable for demanding trekking tours, as well intensive trail running trips and the like. They’re made from PRC 1000 (performance racing carbon) carbon fibre, making them extremely light yet with a high strength-to-weight ratio and excellent corrosion resistance. They are ‘Z-style’ folding poles comprised of 3 sections, with a central shock-cord system. This gives them an extremely short length of just 37cm when folded – which means they are compact enough to fit inside most daypacks.
A photo from our tester Becki’s trip with the Helinox Passport.
Price: £145 Weight: 380g Rating: 8/10 Length when packed: 35cm Best for: Hiking and running What we liked: Very light but also durable, compact What we didn’t like: quite expensive, would be nice to have a longer pole handle and more padding on the straps
The Passport, which comes as a set of two poles, is supremely light at just 190g (per pole). It’s also tough, passing our durability tests with flying colours.
We liked the comfortable EVA handle and the fact the foam extends down the pole to let you quickly adjust your grip on ascents. We also liked the packability – the Passport is just 53cm in length when it’s collapsed.
There’s height adjustment, so it’ll suit most people and even kids. Really tall people might find it a little on the short side, however.
It’s not the cheapest pole out there, but the quality is excellent.
Price: £95 Weight: 530g Rating: 7/10 Length when packed: 59cm Best for: hiking and trekking What we liked: robust, durable, nice extended handle, easy to adjust What we didn’t like: on the heavy side, not very compact
These well-engineered poles from Black Diamond are made from lightweight and durable aluminium. They’re not as light as the carbon fibre poles on test here (though a lighter and more expensive carbon version is available). The two pole sections lock together with a ‘Double FlickLock Pro’ mechanism, which is easy to use, secure and reliable. A supplied Allen key is used to adjust the torsion of the FlickLock clamps. Similar locks on other poles can be tightened or loosed by hand, without the need for a tool – though once adjusted, the Black Diamond poles shouldn’t need changing very frequently.
The foam grip is comfortable all day long, with a strap that is padded on both sides. The carbide tip is hard-wearing, but there is no shock absorption (though again, a more expensive shock-absorption version is available). The tips can be swapped out for a soft rubber option, but you’ll need to buy those separately. The same applies if you want snow baskets, as the poles are supplied with only a single set of narrow trekking baskets.
Thanks to the two-section design, the poles have an impressive adjustment range of 35cm, though this means the collapsed length is a fairly unwieldy 65cm.
Price: £191 Weight: 500g (Large) Rating: 9/10 Length when packed: Small 36.2cm, Large 44.5cm Best for: Trekking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, splitboarding What we liked: versatile, very sturdy and tough, clever locking mechanism
What we didn’t like: expensive
MSR poles just keep getting better and better. These Ascent poles are designed for ‘snowshoers, mountaineers and splitboarders’ as well as trekkers, and are impressively light. They are made from carbon fibre, but with Kevlar reinforcements for added durability. They’re available in two sizes – the small can be adjusted between 100-120cm and the large from 120-140cm. Both sizes pack down very small (44.5cm Large; 36.2cm Small), with a hook-and-loop band that keeps all the sections together.
The three pole sections extend easily and can then be adjusted and locked in place. The tension of the lock can be adjusted by hand and is effortless to use. The long grip is made of hard foam that is comfortable and ergonomically shaped. The tips are solid carbide steel, though there is no shock absorption.
The poles come with two sizes of baskets, one for snow and a smaller one for regular hiking. They’re easy to screw on and off. This is an excellent pair of carbon poles that should be durable and long lasting. In fact, they’re one of the best trekking poles out there and proved a close contender for best buy – though they’re not the cheapest option.
Price: £119 Weight: 460g Rating: 7/10 Length when packed: 39cm Best for: Nordic walking, backpacking and trekking What we liked: lightweight, strong, compact, easily adjustable What we didn’t like: strap is light on padding, quality of plastic not great
Although these poles work well for Nordic walking, we found they really proved their worth on long-distance, multi-day treks with a heavy pack. The compact folded length makes them easy to stow and they are also supplied with both trekking and snow baskets. This gives them the versatility for year-round, all-weather use.
The CimAlp Distance Carbon trekking poles are made from 100% carbon fibre, making them extremely light, but they also have an excellent strength-to-weight ratio and good corrosion resistance. They are ‘Z-style’ folding poles comprised of 3 sections, with a central shock-cord system. This gives them an extremely short length of less than 40cm when folded. The top grip can also be removed if necessary, which enables you to further collapse them to 36cm – and this means they are compact enough to fit inside most daypacks.
They have a good range of adjustment from 110cm to 130cm, and are very easy to assemble and fold away. They also feature extended grips, which makes it easy to choke down on a sharp ascent without having to change the pole length. The rounded top handle also nestles nicely into the palm if using the poles for braking and balance on steep downhill trails.
When selecting a trekking pole or a pair of them, conventional wisdom is that you should ensure your elbow forms a right angle when you’re holding them.
To work out what length you need, hold your arm in the right angle position and measure the distance from your elbow to the floor. Many trekking poles come with adjustable lengths and the manufacturer will nearly always give details on the minimum and maximum length that the pole will adjust to.
Trekking Poles: the Best Material
Heavy poles can cause fatigue, whether carried in your hands or stashed on your back. Fortunately, modern poles are getting lighter all the time thanks to the use of aluminium and even carbon fibre.
OM editor Will using trekking poles hiking in the mountains of Wales.
A decent, lightweight pair of poles will weigh somewhere between 450 and 550 grams. Carbon fibre poles tend to be lighter and stiffer, but they can crack. They’re also more expensive. Aluminium poles are usually slightly heavier, but also cheaper and more durable.
Trekking Poles: Fixed length, Z-poles or Telescopic?
You won’t always be using your poles, so consider their packability. How do they fold down, and what is their packed length? Can you carry them easily on or in your hiking backpack? Manufacturers have developed various different systems for shortening poles. Some are telescopic, others fold into sections. These usually break down into two or three pieces, linked by an internal shock cord.
Look for a reliable and easy to use locking mechanism that is easy to adjust if needed. Some poles use a twist lock system, while others use a clamp or lever lock. The latter is the most common as it is generally easiest to use, more straightforward and longer lasting.
Fixed length poles are also commonly available and can often be cheaper than telescopic or Z-lock poles. They also tend to be very light in weight due to the absence of locks or mechanisms – and this means a reduced risk of mechanical failure too.
Useful Features to Look for
Other important design features to consider are the hand grips. Most are made from foam, cork or rubber. Look for ergonomic grips that feel comfortable in the hand, with a good strap or sling. Cheaper poles have handles that are made from plastic – these are best avoided as they tend to become slippery when wet.
The round discs at the bottom of the pole are called baskets. They stop the pole from plugging in the ground, and are especially useful in snow. Almost all poles have interchangeable baskets, but often the larger snow baskets have to be bought separately.
Why You Should Use Trekking Poles
A study into the biomechanical and physiological effects of poles found that they can reduce the pressure on every step by up to seven kilos. That translates as 30 tonnes less pressure on your knees when you’re out on the trails and ultimately means less risk of muscle or joint damage.
Z-poles are great for stashing onto the side of a backpack. Photo: Ed Checkley and Beckie Burr
Here at Outdoors Magic, we all swear by poles (and we’re all spritely young things… by and large!) and that’s for both hiking and trail running. From our experience, they really to help to manage the strain of a heavy backpack when out trekking, while they also help for stability on river crossings or over rocky or boggy ground. For running, they’re excellent for when you’re going the distance over challenging terrain and what that extra bit of boost, particularly on ascents.
A lot of us at Outdoors Magic will also run and hike with tents that require at least one trekking pole as a prop. They can be so handy for a lightweight approach as they give you a boost in the day and, by taking the place of dedicated tent poles, they let you carry a lighter load too. You can see some of these types of tents in our round up of the best one person tents.
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