Best Walking Poles of 2026 | Fully Tested and Reviewed
Find your perfect best pair of walking poles for hiking, trekking, and trail adventures. We've compared the latest and greatest models, with options for all ages and abilities
Walking poles are a common sight in the hands of experienced hikers, backpackers and trail runners and there are good reasons for this. There are recognised physical benefits to using poles. In fact, studies show that they can result in decreased lower extremity muscle activity and increased balance and stability. 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 Hiking Poles Reviewed 2026
With dozens of poles out there, what should you look for? This group test includes our picks of the best trekking and hiking poles around, comparing features and performance. We’ve picked out an overall best buy and highlighted best value poles for those on a budget.
Black Diamond Trail Vista FLZ – Best Overall Hiking Pole
Harrier Catbells V2 Aluminium – Our Runner Up
Leki Cressida FX Carbon Lady – Best Women’s Specific Trekking Pole
Craghoppers Treklite Carbon Poles – Best Value Hiking Pole
Leki Syktera FX Carbon SL Poles – Best Ultralight Hiking Pole
Vango Basho – Best Telescopic Walking 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 hiking 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.
Note: Prices and weights are given per pair.
1. Black Diamond Trail Vista FLZ Hiking Poles
Best Overall Walking Poles: these came out tops in our comparative tests.
Where To Buy
Black Diamond Trail Vista FLZ
Our editor’s verdict: “This is primarily a hiking-specific pole, and in my experience it works perfectly for that purpose. It’s sturdy, comfortable, and I haven’t had any issues with the mechanisms. The adjustment lever is easy to use even with gloves, and the poles stow neatly on a pack or can be used for a tarp tent.”
Price: £130 Weight: 512g Rating: 9/10 Length when packed: 40cm Best for: Treks over rough terrain What we liked: Good balance between weight and durability, compact z-style pole but with height adjustment, comfortable grips What we didn’t like: Quite expensive, a little on the heavy side, grips could be a little longer, buttons are a little difficult to press when wearing thick gloves.
Chosen as our best in test following our assessments in the Lake District (hiking the Helvellyn ridges) and in the Yorkshire Dales (read about completing the Yorkshire Three Peaks here), the Black Diamond Trail Vista FLZ is a highly durable and versatile pole designed for trekking and multi-day hikes. In our tests, the balance between durability, weight and packed size stood out to us – Black Diamond have got things spot on.
OM editor Will using the BD Trail Vista FLZ on Helvellyn in the Lake District.
They’re made from recycled aluminium with a Z-style folding system and a reliable FlickLock height adjustment, and they’re compact, folding down to just 36.5 cm, making them suitable for most packs.
“This is primarily a hiking-specific pole, and in my experience it works perfectly for that purpose,” says OM editor and gear tester Will. “It’s sturdy, comfortable, and I haven’t had any issues with the mechanisms. The adjustment lever is easy to use even with gloves, and the poles stow neatly on a pack or can be used for a tarp tent.”
How they look broken down.
The Trail Vista FLZ also delivers a surprising level of shock absorption on rough ground, keeping your arms fresh over long days, and the recycled (but still high-quality) aluminium construction gives you peace of mind on rocky terrain – something that lighter carbon poles can’t always guarantee. “They’ve handled steep ridges and multi-day treks without a hitch,” Will adds.
“For anyone tackling technical terrain or multi-day hikes, the Trail Vista FLZ is a solid investment in performance and reliability.”
Our editor’s verdict: “I’d say these poles offer excellent value for what you’re getting. There are lighter poles out there – including within Harrier’s own collection – but I still found that these were impressively light and convenient to carry. Go lighter and the trade-off is going to be in the overall durability. So I’d say these strike a really good balance.”
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 walking 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.
OM editor Will using the standard set, with height adjustment, out in the Scottish Highlands.
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 tester’s verdict: “For me, the intuitive grip design and deceptively tough build are the big highlights. On test, I’ve found them ideal for the varied terrains you find here in the UK.”
Price: from £150 Weight: 490g Rating: 4.5/5 Length when packed: 40cm Best for: fastpacking, hiking, trekking What we liked: very versatile, lightweight, compact when packed, really nice grips What we didn’t like: pricey, the 100-1200 cm range of usable length might be a little short for tall users
OM women’s gear tester Jazz has been using these poles for a good while now. After testing them across varied terrains in the UK – including classic British mountain trails like Cairn Gorm and Cadair Idris, as well as further afield up Mount Fuji in Japan – she said: “I’m not exactly light in build or delicate in hiking style so I’ve really had a chance to trash these poles about. So far, I’ve found them ideal for both short distance and long distance hiking here in the UK, and have been surprised at how tough they seem despite being made of 100% carbon fibre.”
OM tester Jazz using the Leki Cressida FX Carbon Lady trekking poles up Mount Fuji in Japan.
She continues, “I also really like how intuitive and natural they feel in hand. I fall into the category of women with smaller hands so I’ve definitely appreciated the smaller grip size (12% shorter). I spent a long time hiking without poles in my younger years so I always prefer poles that I can almost forget I’m using. Thanks to the lightweight design and compact build, they almost become an extension of my arms which is a big plus in my book.”
Like many Leki poles, the Cressidas use their ELD folding system which enables the poles to pack up very small into a Z-shaped design. To set up, you simply unfold the poles and connect the sections, then pull up each section until it clicks. This locks each section into place using aluminium collars and a plastic-sheathed internal cord (they call this ‘Speed Lock 2 plus’).
5. Craghoppers Treklite Carbon Hiking Poles
Our pick for the best value trekking poles
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Craghoppers Treklite Carbon
Our editor’s verdict: “The Craghoppers Treklite Carbon poles seem very durable to me. On a couple of occasions since I’ve been using them, most notably on a hike through the bouldery mountains of the Rhinogydd, I managed to accidentally jam them in-between two rocks, but they flexed nicely and didn’t seem too near to breaking. I’ve also found that the poles still look pretty new and smart, despite having been bashed about quite a lot.”
Price: £70 Weight: 370g Rating: 7/10 Length when packed: 36cm Best for: day hiking and backpacking What we liked: lightweight, good price point, easily adjusted, good at holding up tarp tents What we didn’t like: nothing so far
The Craghoppers Treklites are simple telescopic poles that weigh a pretty lightweight 185g (each) thanks to their carbon shafts. They can be adjusted quickly and easily from 100cm all the way up to 135cm and their packing size is 36cm. They might not be as high spec as, say, the new Leki Skytera FX carbon (see below), but they do at least offer reliable performance at a fraction of the price.
OM editor Will is pictured here assessing the Craghoppers Treklite Carbon Poles in North Wales. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.
These have ergonomically-shaped foam handles that extend down the shaft, making it easy to adjust your grip on the fly during steep ascents. “In my experience”, said OM tester Will, “the material feels comfortable, dries quickly, and, crucially, keeps its grip even when wet. I also really rate the broad, smooth-edged top of the pole as it sits nicely in the palm when you’re descending and leaning into it.”
The ends have tungsten tips. These have held up very well according to our tests, even after a lot of mileage over hard, rocky surfaces. They come with rubber tip covers, which can be useful for saving everyone’s sanity when you’re hiking on tarmac, and there are snow baskets that can be screwed on easily – a useful touch that makes these usable for snowshoeing.
Looking for as light as possible? These won our top pick as the best ultralight trekking poles
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Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL
Our editor’s verdict: “This is an exceptionally light pole that still delivers reliable performance. Crafted from high-spec materials, it’s easy to adjust and highly packable, making it ideal for those who value efficiency on the move. It’s designed primarily for hiking but, from what I’ve seen, it’s also excellent for running.”
Price: £155 Weight: 356g Rating: 8/10 Length when packed: 40cm Best for: fastpacking, trail running, ultralight mountain missions What we liked: fast deployment, very light, innovative What we didn’t like: strap adjustment is quite fiddly
The Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL is an exceptionally light pole that delivers reliable performance. Crafted from high-spec materials, it’s easy to adjust and highly packable, making it ideal for those who value efficiency on the move. They are priced quite high at £185 for a pair. They are very high quality though, and the performance does reflect that price.
“This is primarily a hiking pole and, from my experience, it works perfectly for that purpose”, says OM editor and gear tester Will. “It’s stable, it hasn’t collapsed on me and all of the different functions work conveniently. I’ve also found I can easily fit the two poles onto the various different trekking pole attachment configurations that you find on hiking packs – whether that’s on the front of a pack, on the side, or on a harness.”
OM tester Jazz using the Leki Skytera FX Carbon SL Poles in North Wales. Photo: Dave MacFarlane.
During our tests, we also found the Skytera to be light and reliable enough for some trail running too. “It’s definitely coming with me on my next ultra marathon” said Will.
Leki also back their gear with solid aftercare, offering spare parts and repairs for up to 10 years after purchase. So if something does eventually wear out or get damaged, you’re not left high and dry. That kind of support adds extra reassurance to what is already a very polished and well-thought-out bit of kit.
Our editor’s verdict: “I’ve found these a streamlined and ultralight pair of poles that remain sturdy and practical, being both easy to use, adjust and fold away. The remarkably compact folded length is also a major plus for me.”
Price: £135 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.
Our editor’s verdict: “Overall then, the Black Diamond Pursuit FLZ is highly functional, durable and built to last. It might not be the lightest or the cheapest but it’s certainly a great quality offering with some smart design details.”
Price: £150 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.
Will using the BD Pursuit FLZ in the Preseli Hills, Pembrokeshire.
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.
Best telescopic poles – good for attaching to a backpack and easy to deploy.
Where To Buy
Vango Basho
Our tester’s verdict: “Overall, for the price, I think these are an excellent option for walkers on a budget looking for some solid trekking poles under £35.”
Price: £30 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.
9. Helinox Passport TL120 Hiking Poles
Where To Buy
Helinox Passport TL120
Our tester’s verdict: “I was instantly impressed by how lightweight these were. It was easy to stash them away in the side of my backpack without adding any noticeable weight. Setting them up was super simple and can easily be done on the move, thanks to their sturdy tension lock mechanism.”
Price: £160 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.
A photo from our tester Becki’s trip with the Helinox Passport.
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.
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.
