The Best Trekking Poles Reviewed

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: Leki Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles

• Best Value Trekking Pole: Vango Camino Trekking Poles

• Best Ultralight Trekking Pole: Leki MCT 12 Vario Carbon Trekking Poles

• Best Durable Trekking Pole for Four-Season Use: Black Diamond Alpine FLZ Trekking Poles

• Best Shock-Absorbing Trekking Pole: Leki Micro Vario Carbon Antishock Trekking Poles

Best Overall Trekking Pole

1. Leki Micro Vario Carbon

Price: £169.99
Weight: 290g
Best for: Seasoned hikers, long-distance trekking
Key attributes: Lightweight, packable, versatile

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.

Related: Best Daypacks For Hiking

These poles also feature extended grips, with a lower secondary foam rubber section that makes it easy to choke down on a sharp ascent, without having to change the pole length. The rounded Aergon handle has been ergonomically engineered to nestle nicely in the palm. The straps are simple fabric strips, which adjust easily.

Read our full Leki Micro Vario Carbon trekking poles review. 

Best Shock-Absorbing Trekking Pole

2. Leki Micro Vario Carbon Antishock

Price: £164.95
Weight: 504g
Best for: Hiking, trekking, Nordic walking
Key attributes: Lightweight, comfortable, great shock absorption

Leki make some of the best trekking poles in the business. They’ve been leaders in the market since 1970 and now make dedicated poles for all manner of outdoor sports, from skiing and trekking to trail running and Nordic walking.

The Micro Vario Carbon Antishock poles are laden with features. They fold in three sections, packing down to 40cm. The carbon upper and aluminium lower shafts easily snap into place, and then collapse down again with an easy click external locking device. The ‘Speed Lock 2’ height adjustment system is a simple but secure lever mechanism.

One unique feature is the ‘dynamic suspension system’. This is a rubberised ring near the tip of the pole that, according to Leki, absorbs up to 40% of impacts. And it does make a significant difference on hard rock.

The handle is hard foam with an extension further down the pole for quick hand adjustment. Together with the lightweight and breathable strap, it’s one of the most comfortable systems we’ve come across. It’s also one of the key differences between the men’s and women’s versions. The ‘Lady’ has a grip designed specifically for women and a shorter length difference of 100-120cm. It all adds up to make them the best trekking poles in our test.

Read our full Leki Micro Vario Carbon trekking poles review

Best Value Trekking Pole

3. Vango Camino Trekking Poles

Price: £19
Weight: 560g
Best for: Day hikes and hillwalking
Key attributes: Good value, built-in shock absorption

These Vango poles are the cheapest on the 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.

The poles have tungsten carbide steel tips with a set of rubber caps, plus a space for the trekking basket. The handle is comfortable, and the strap has a delicate micro-fleece lining. Overall, for the price, these are an excellent option for walkers on a budget looking for the best trekking poles under £35.

7. MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon Backcountry Poles

Price: £130
Weight: 500g (Large)
Best for: Trekking, snowshoeing, mountaineering, splitboarding
Key attributes: Lightweight, robust, packable

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.

8. Komperdell Hikemaster Trekking Poles

Price: £80
Weight: 586g
Best for: Hiking, trekking and backpacking
Key attributes: Durable and easily adjustable

Tough, fairly lightweight and with no fiddly bits, these durable aluminium poles from Austrian manufacturer Komperdell do exactly what you would expect from a walking pole.

The poles themselves extend between 105 and 140cm and they’re very easily adjustable using the lever locks. They break down simply into three sections to stow easily on the outside (or inside) of your pack.

There’s a comfortable hold as well thanks to the anatomically shaped grip which has a good bit of softness to it. All-in-all, we’d say the Hikemaster is the ideal combination of size and weight for long treks into the mountains.

Read our full review of the Komperdell Hikemaster trekking poles.

9. CimAlp Distance Carbon Trekking Poles

Price: £95.99
Weight: 230g
Best for: Nordic walking, backpacking and trekking
Key attributes: Lightweight, strong, compact, easily adjustable

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.

The straps are simple fabric strips, which adjust easily. They are very comfortable despite lacking the additional padding of some other models on the market.

Selected for our Outdoor 100 2021/22. Read our full CimAlp Distance Carbon Trekking Poles review

Trekking Poles: What To Look For

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. 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.

Related: Best Walking Boots

Related: Best Waterproof Jackets

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.

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.

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.