Best Trekking Poles of 2025

The best trekking poles are versatile pieces of gear, and not just for folks with bad knees or loose ankles. They increase stride efficiency, double as tent poles, or provide stability when snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. 

Whatever you plan to use your trekking poles for, we found the 12 best models. We tested them for durability, weight, comfort, ease of use, packability, and features. We took them out into the field and used them while backpacking in the southwest and skiing in the San Juans. Finally, we used our 20,000 miles of combined thru-hiking experience to help us rank them and provide insights on the best pole for your situation.

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Quick Picks for TREKKING POLES

Check out this quick list of our favorites or continue scrolling to see our full list of the best trekking poles with in-depth reviews.

Best Trekking Poles Overall: Black Diamond Pursuit ($170)

Most Innovative Design: Durston Iceline ($169)

Best Ultralight Trail Running Poles: Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ ($220)

Best Folding Trekking Poles: LEKI Black Series FX Carbon ($250)

Most Durable Carbon Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork ($230)

Best Flick Locking Trekking Poles: MSR DynaLock Explore ($119)

Best Telescoping Poles: LEKI Makalu Cork Lite ($150)

Best Budget Buy Trekking Poles: Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 ($56)

Best Beginner Trekking Poles: Black Diamond Trail Back ($100)

Best Ultralight Trekking Poles: Gossamer Gear LT5 ($195)

Best Streamlined Design: REI Flash Carbon ($169)

Best Single Ultralight Trekking Pole: Zpacks Minimalist ($110)

How We Test

Durability

Durability is essential for various reasons, including those who rely on their poles for stability in uneven terrain, use them to pitch their shelter, or for crossing swift rivers. 

We tested the durability of each model by putting it through several different trials. In the first assessment, we threw each trekking pole approximately 10 feet, like a javelin. Afterward, we dropped every pole onto a large boulder. Might sound crazy, but we’ve had some gnarly crashes while sliding down scree fields and boulder hopping.

Finally, we planted each pole in the ground and leaned on them. We don’t actually want to break any poles, so we noted which poles seemed likely to be very easy to break and which would be very difficult to snap. This test was the primary basis for our ranking system. However, we also used the degree of cosmetic damage to help with rankings.

WEIGHT

The importance of weight may vary depending on the use case, but for most backpackers, every ounce counts. You’re already hauling your life on your back, so poles don’t need to add to the afternoon slumps.

The difference between the lightest and heaviest trekking poles is easily noticeable, particularly at the end of a long day. Although trekking pole weights are listed online, we weighed each model on our scale to ensure the accuracy of the listed weights.

We used a small kitchen scale to weigh each pole for our test. Because the poles are long and don’t fit well, we used a medium-sized box and zeroed it out on the scale before placing each trekking pole inside to weigh it. We weighed just one pole at a time, as many hikers prefer one pole. Those looking to compare pole weights should always ensure they know whether the listed weights refer to one or two poles and whether the straps are included in the weight.

COMFORT

Cork handles quickly come to mind when choosing a pole specifically for comfort. Compared to foam, cork reduces vibrations in the hand from the pole hitting the ground. It also better absorbs sweat, limiting the amount of dirt on the handle. Aside from cork, we also examined whether each pole had padded wrist straps, the diameter of the handle, and how the handle’s shape felt in our hands. 

We gave each model a point for every comfort feature it had and counted the total. Before giving each model a final ranking, we also considered design features that would negatively impact comfort, such as weirdly shaped lumps or uncomfortable wrist straps. We took points away if those were present.

EASE OF USE

After testing many trekking poles, it is evident that some are easier to set up and use than others. The storage design, tightness of any flip locks, and materials impact how easy it is to open up the poles in the field.

To test for this, we practiced setting up each pole to the desired length a few times, then timed how long it took to switch the pole from fully collapsed to ready to use. The model with the shortest time is the easiest to use, and the pole with the longest time is the most difficult to use.

PACKABILITY

Packability is an essential quality for traveling with trekking poles or storing them. We have found this to be especially true when flying or hitchhiking. To test how small each set of poles packs down, we completely collapsed each set and measured the length from end to end.

The set of poles with the shortest length is the most packable. While we primarily focused on length, we also measured their collapsed dimensions. This measurement was only used for breaking ties.

FEATURES

Different features can provide more versatility for each pair of trekking poles. We awarded points to each model for including features such as wrist straps, summer baskets, winter baskets, tip covers, the ability to replace the tip, flip lock tightness adjusters, grip extenders, and bags for storage. We awarded the model with the most features the highest ranking in this category.

Why Trust CleverHiker

Gear analyst Bailey Bremner has spent over 600 nights and nearly 8500 miles on trails across the U.S. with various trekking poles. Many of her shelters have been trekking pole tents, and she leans on trekking poles to help her hike through rugged terrain on and off the trail. She found her trekking poles particularly useful while backpacking in Alaska and thru-hiking original routes such as the San Luis Loop, Columbine Route, and Western Wanderer Route.

Anyalysis & Results

We rank trekking poles based on six metrics: durability, weight, comfort, ease of use, packability, and features. Our comparative results below outline the top performers in each metric.

VALUE

Value is figured by comparing the performance of a piece of gear to the price. There are a few models that provide a lot of value, such as the Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 and Black Diamond Pursuit. We like the Trek-Z poles because they are the most affordable model that we tested, but they still placed in the middle of the pack of the poles we tested. 

On the other hand, the Pursuit costs more, but also is our best performer across all of our tests. The Black Diamond Trail Back, Durston Iceline, MSR Dynalock Explore, and Leki Makalu Cork Lite poles are other models that trend towards the lower right corner of our value graph. Each of these poles balances price with desirable features. 

There are some poles that we tested, which performed well in our tests, but come with a substantial monetary investment. The Leki Black Series FX Carbon, Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ, and Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork all can make you wonder if you should save your money and just find a stick for free on the trail.

Alternatively, the Zpacks Minimalist is much easier on the bank, but may not last as long due to durability concerns. Balancing whether the long-term investment is worthwhile or a more affordable ultralight model is the priority will help with deciding which pole to purchase in these scenarios.

The REI Flash Carbon and Gossamer Gear LT5 had more expensive price tags given their performance in our trials. However, it is important to remember that the LT5 trekking poles are also very specialized. The cost and downsides may be worth it for users who are ultralight backpacking with them.

DURABILITY

We expected many of the results from the durability trials, but there were a few surprises too. We started by throwing each trekking pole as far as possible, like a javelin. At the end of this test portion, the only result was cosmetic damage on some poles, such as the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork model. After picking up the poles, we moved on to the drop test. Again, all of the poles survived with minimal damage. The bend test was the most telling, resulting in the broadest range of results. 

On one end of the spectrum, we had the Zpacks Minimalist and Gossamer Gear LT5, which both had significant bend and felt very easy to break. The Black Diamond Pursuit, Trail Back, and Alpine Carbon Cork models were more difficult to bend and felt like they would take significant force to snap them. 

The other poles ranged somewhere in between, with the Durston Iceline poles being surprisingly durable, and the REI Flash Carbon unfortunately didn’t provide long-term durability confidence. We were happy to find that the newest model of the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ poles seems sturdier than past models we have used. 

The Leki Black Series FX Carbon, Leki Makalu Cork Lite, MSR DynaLock Explore, and Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 poles all ranked in the middle of the pack. The Black Series was a bit of a surprise given its carbon construction, and the Trek-Z poles had a fair performance given their price point. 

Most importantly, all the poles we tested performed fine in the field, even in rough terrain. Since we didn’t want to destroy any poles in our testing, we had to split hairs in this category. In the end, if you take a big crash that could break a trekking pole, you probably have bigger injuries to worry about at that point.

WEIGHT

Unsurprisingly, the lightest trekking poles we tested are all made from carbon fiber. The Gossamer Gear LT5 took the top spot, closely followed by the Durston Iceline and Zpacks Minimalist. All three trekking poles are made explicitly for ultralight backpacking, so they lack some features that add weight and may cut corners in other areas to compensate. 

The Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ are also incredibly light but are geared more towards running and have a smaller diameter to help compensate. 

At the bottom of the carbon fiber models we tested, the REI Flash Carbon and Leki Black Series FX Carbon both had an average weight across all of the poles that we tested. Their performance is a bit lackluster given the tradeoff with durability. 

Ranking last out of all the carbon fiber poles we tested, the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork weighed 8.6 ounces per pole on our scale. Because of this, they would not be our first choice from this category for weight.

The Black Diamond Pursuit is the lightest aluminum pole in our lineup. These poles do a good job of balancing weight and performance. Following behind, the Leki Makalu Cork Lite and MSR DynaLock Explore are towards the bottom of the lineup in regards to weight, though they are in the middle of group when only considering aluminum poles.

It is not a big surprise to find that the more affordable trekking poles, such as the Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 and Black Diamond Trail Back, are the heaviest. 

We found that the poles in the middle of the pack were more challenging to distinguish while hiking. The models on either extreme were noticeably lighter or heavier, even when walking during the day. Overall, the single pole weights ranged from 5.3 to 9.9 ounces.

COMFORT

We love the Black Diamond Pursuit for its exceptional comfort. They have several features that stand out from all the other trekking poles we tried, such as the thickest padding on the wrist straps and a grip shape that fits our gear tester’s hand like a glove. 

The Black Diamond Alpine Cork poles are a close second, thanks to modestly padded wrist straps and cork handles that help absorb sweat. 

Most other poles in our lineup are average, with either a padded wrist strap or cork handles, but not both. For example, the MSR DynaLock Explore, Black Diamond Trail Back, and REI Flash Carbon all have an average amount of padding. On the flip side, the Leki Makalu Cork Lite and Black Series FX Carbon both have cork handles rather than padding.

At the bottom of our rankings are either ultralight models, such as the GossamerGear LT5, Durston Iceline, and Black Diamond DistanceCarbon FLZ, or inexpensive, like the Trekology Trek-Z 2.0. They do not include extra comfort features in order to help save weight or minimize cost. At the bottom is the Zpacks Minimalist, which is both lightweight AND relatively inexpensive.

EASE OF USE

One advantage of the Durston Iceline’s unique design is that it is faster and easier to set up. This model was the quickest when we timed how long it took to extend a collapsed pole to hiking length. The single folding joint paired with a shaft that slides easily along the telescoping section speeds up the process. 

Another model that was incredibly easy to put together was the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ. The shafts were easy to lock together thanks to the inner cord and the new closure on the updated model has the perfect tension for both ease of use and security. When we timed these models, they both took about six seconds per pole to set up.

The Leki Makalu Cork Lite and Black Diamond Pursuit are also among our favorites due to their well-designed flick-lock shapes and shafts, which do not stick when expanded.

Poles with a distinctly average performance that was not very noteworthy include the Leki Black Series FX Carbon, MSR DynaLock Explore, and Zpacks Minimalist poles. The Explore poles could be a bit sticky in the bottom shaft, but still fairly fast to set up.

Both the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork and Trail Back models took longer to use, but were not necessarily frustrating to use.

Some notably complex trekking poles to use are the REI Flash Carbon, Trekology Trek-Z 2.0, and Gossamer Gear LT5 poles. The Flash Carbon pole shafts have a lot of friction, making them challenging to expand and collapse (particularly the lowest shaft).

We also found the Trek-Z poles to be irritating to set up. The shaft pieces on these poles do not fit together readily, and it is difficult to get them in place while simultaneously increasing the tension of the inner cord.

We have always found twist-lock poles time-consuming to set up, which is also our experience with the LT5 poles.

PACKABILITY

Trekking poles with a folding design tend to be more compact than telescoping models. After measuring the collapsed length of each pole in our lineup, we found that the Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ and Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 models were easily the most compact trekking poles.

The Leki Black Series FX Carbon poles are not too far behind. The Durston Iceline poles have a hybrid design and fall in between the folding and telescoping trekking poles for packability.

The smallest collapsed telescoping pole we tested is the Black Diamond Pursuit, measuring 23 inches in length. This pole is noticeably shorter than the other telescoping models. The Gossamer Gear LT5 has a respectable packed length for a telescoping model and isn’t too much longer than the Pursuit. 

The MSR DynaLock Explore, REI Flash Carbon, Zpacks Minimalist, and Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork all progressively get longer due to longer shafts. It is worth noting that the Black Diamond Trail Back and Leki Makalu Cork Lite have the longest collapsed length. 

Every pole measured true to the specification listed on the manufacturer’s website. In the field, we found that the shortest trekking poles were significantly easier to travel with due to being easier to store in our packs and stow away while driving.

FEATURES

The Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 trekking poles have the most features, which means they have a lot of versatility. Specifically, these poles include the basics, such as wrist straps and summer and winter baskets, several tip covers, and a grip extension. Most of the folding-style models came with a storage bag or, at the very least, a small velcro strap. 

Our overall top performer, the Black Diamond Pursuit, also did well in the features category. They include great winter baskets that we used while skiing and a small tension adjuster hidden inside the lower pole shaft. Both the MSR DynaLock Explore and Leki Black Series FX Carbon offered a similar amount of versatility to the Pursuit due to their own combination of features. 

Poles that scored in the average range were generally more affordable or ultralight models such as the Black Diamond Trail Back, Gossamer Gear LT5, Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ, and Zpacks Minimalist. We were surprised that the Leki Makalu Cork Lite also ended up in this group. Given the price point and weight, it would have been nice to see at least one or two more features offered such as a second set of baskets or tip covers. The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork was another surprise towards the bottom of the list for similar reasons as the Cork Lite.

The REI Flash Carbon and Durston Iceline poles performed at the bottom. This is more acceptable for the Durston trekking poles. They are lighter and have fewer features to cut weight. Surprisingly, the Flash Carbon poles do not have replaceable carbide tips or a grip extension.

How to Choose Trekking Poles

MATERIALS

Carbon fiber and aluminum are the two materials that make up the majority of trekking poles. Carbon fiber is an excellent choice for those who prioritize weight, but it is typically not as durable. This material does not bend, so a large amount of weight will cause the pole to snap. 

Aluminum poles tend to weigh more than carbon fiber but have better durability. They have more give and will bend some before breaking. Some poles have shafts made up of both materials in different sections for those looking for the best of both.

PRICE

Poles can get spendy! Some price tags reflect more value, comfort, and versatility. Usually, cork handles and carbon fiber shafts are the culprits for a high price tag. 

Sometimes, spending a little bit more for a set of poles that will last a long time might be worth it, as the cost will be more economical in the long run. There is nothing wrong with choosing a cheap pair of poles; however, they may come with some tradeoffs in terms of weight, durability, and packability.

WEIGHT

Even though trekking poles are not typically counted towards a backpack’s base weight, the ounces still add up when your arms are doing thousands of lifts throughout a trip.

Weight becomes more of a consideration if trails require you to stash them on your pack. For day hikers or use in winter, a heavier/more sturdy pole may be a better option.

DURABILITY

The more challenging the terrain, the more critical durability is. When crossing streams, snowfields, or bushwhacking off trail, the pole is more likely to come under high stress. This is where aluminum really shines over carbon fiber: it will bend to take the impact of a sudden fall or quick change in direction.

Cheap poles will bend and it can be a big bummer. Sometimes they won’t telescope and nest in the larger shaft or slide into their adjacent pole if it deforms enough.

POLE DESIGN

Telescoping

The most common style of trekking pole, telescoping poles, consists of two to three poles nested together. A locking mechanism keeps them in place when packed down or extended, allowing for incredible flexibility when choosing the pole’s length.

Folding

This style folds down very small, is lightweight, and has thinner shafts, making them great for activities where they are stowed away frequently, such as trail running. Most have a fixed length, but some include a telescoping section to increase adjustability.

Fixed

Fixed poles, mostly used by downhill skiers, do not have any built-in adjustability. Instead, they consist of one long pole that cannot be broken down or collapsed. These poles are not typically well suited for hiking or backpacking, as better options are available that are easier to stow away.

LOCKING SYSTEMS

The two most common locking systems are flick and twist locks. Flick locks feature an external locking mechanism that can be easily adjusted for optimal use.

Twist locks have an internal system with a small bracket that expands when activated. Flick locks are more reliable and adjustable, whereas twist locks are more streamlined but take longer to set up.

GRIPS

Grip material can significantly impact comfort, blisters, cleanliness, weight, and durability. We recommend choosing a cork grip for its comfortable hold, ability to minimize dirty hands, and durability. If weight or price is a bigger priority, foam might be the way to go.

STRAPS

Straps can help increase stability and prevent the pole from being lost if it is dropped on a slope. They also help relieve hand fatigue from all the gripping.

The most efficient way to use the wrist straps is to place the hand through the strap from below and then grab the pole. Some poles have thicker padding on the wrist straps to avoid chaffing or discomfort. Others are no-frills affairs with rudimentary webbing, but these don’t usually feel very good at the end of a long day. Most poles also feature a cinch system to adjust the strap length.

BASKETS

Round, plastic baskets at the end of the pole are a great feature to prevent plunging them into snow, mud, or sand. Most poles include at least one small summer basket, and some include a second, larger basket for winter use. Poles typically have threading just above the tip, making it relatively easy to replace or exchange the baskets.

TIPS

Pole tips typically consist of a plastic body that holds a carbide tip, enhancing stability and traction. This tip is durable but can wear down over time as it comes into contact with rocks. Fortunately, they can usually be replaced by pulling out either the carbide tip or the entire plastic body and inserting a new tip from the manufacturer.

SHOCK ABSORBERS

Shock absorbers are small, spring-like mechanisms near the pole’s tip that help absorb some of the impact of striking the ground. Shock absorbers are a personal preference, though we tend to avoid them. For one, the moving internal parts can be prone to breaking down and challenging to fix. They also reduce some of the stability benefits of poles in rugged terrain and can become squeaky, which is annoying at the end of a long day.

ADJUSTMENTS

Regardless of the pole design, the arm should be bent at 90° while holding the poles vertically when standing still on flat ground. This helps reduce the chance of injury and maximizes efficiency. Shortening the poles 5 to 10 cm when hiking uphill may help provide better traction and planting. On descents, lengthening the poles can increase stability and footing.

GENDER SPECIFIC POLES

While there are a few gender-specific poles on the market, most of the difference is in color options and pole length. The majority of trekking poles are unisex, and our recommendation is to choose the pole that feels best on the trail.

Conclusion

There is a wide variety of trekking poles on the market. Some are designed to save as much weight as possible, others take a well-rounded approach, and still others focus on providing the most competitive price. We hope this guide has provided you with all the information needed to choose the best trekking pole for your needs.