15 BEST Hiking Poles To Save Your Knees

Seeking out the best hiking poles? Experienced hikers have long known the advantages of bringing their trusty trekking poles while trekking through the wilderness. Nowadays, casual hikers, mountaineers, snowshoers, and even trail runners use these simple tools to improve their performance. This is because they help you set a better stride, falling into a rhythm that keeps you on course as the miles fly underfoot.

Hiking poles can also help improve your posture, reduce the impact on your joints – especially on those steep, loose-gravel descents – and even be used as a sturdy tent pole for those minimalist thru-hikes. Like all outdoor gear, there are many brands and specifications to dig through before finding the best poles suited to you. So, here’s some information to help you get started.

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The 15 Best Hiking Poles

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Black Diamond Trail Ergo

If you’re looking for high-quality trekking poles at a good value, look no further than the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Corks. Bearing the Black Diamond name, you will get a durable, functional hiking pole that can meet the trail’s basic needs.

These hiking poles feature a two-section telescoping design, flick locks, and cork handles that will absorb your sweat and keep you from slipping down the pole. Overall, it is one of the best standard trekking poles out there. Its downside is a slight bit of weight and the fact it is a telescoping pole.

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REI Co-op Flash Carbon

The REI Co-op Flash Carbon hiking poles are a great option for lightweight hikers who don’t stress out over their gear. Made from a carbon aluminum blend, these poles weigh only 14.8 ounces and collapse in three sections using the patented twisting PowerLock technology.

The ease of adjustability makes these poles a cut above the rest in their respective weight category. However, their lightweight nature does sacrifice some durability, but if you are a casual hiker, these poles will not let you down!

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Leki Micro Vario Carbon

If collapsibility is a key concern, you should check out the Leki Micro Vario Carbon trekking poles. Their folding design allows these poles to be broken down to a mere 15.5 inches, one of the smallest you can find.

They also feature a SpeedLock, which allows you to adjust the height with a slight dial twist. No accessories are needed! The cork and rubber grips are also fantastic ergonomic features that comfortably mold to your hand over time.

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Mountainsmith Halite

The Mountainsmith Halite is an affordable hiking pole option that still loads up on the extras. These foldable poles come with the much-loved cork grips, additional snow baskets, hiking baskets, and even rubber tips that can be put on or removed as needed.

At 21 ounces and with the aluminum, cost-friendly design, these may not be the sturdiest or lightest choice, but the added features, compact construction, and simple lever locks give them a worthy spot on the list.

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Gossamer Gear LT5

Ultralight backpackers, be aware – the Gossamer Gear LT5s are here! These amazing hiking poles take the cake at cutting weight, weighing 10.6 ounces. Gossamer has accomplished this amazing build by constructing the LT5s from reliable and lightweight carbon fiber and adding a simplistic twist lock system.

They also cut weight by adding comfy cork grips and removable straps. Naturally, at this weight, these simplistic trekking poles are not as durable as their heavy-duty aluminum counterparts, but they will get the job done without weighing down your pack. 

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Black Diamond Distance FLZ

These are the poles we use in the Canadian Rockies. We needed something that could easily slip in the backpack but was robust enough to handle a mixture of snow and heavy rock. These hiking poles stand out for their intense durability. These poles can stand up to a beating and not be worse for wear.

They can take a couple hundred pounds of weight without their stainless steel FlickLocks budging, and the carbon fiber construction trims some of the fat without losing durability. In general, this beast of a hiking pole displays all the high-end quality characteristics we expect from Black Diamond. We’ve seen reviews remark on them pulling apart, but after 20 ascents through snow, glaciers, heavy scree, and mud, we’ve experienced no problems.

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Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber

Premium poles that lack high-end prices are hard to find in the outdoor gear market. Luckily, Cascade Mountain made this possible by bringing us their Tech carbon fiber quick lock hiking poles.

These 16-ounce hiking poles come with either foam or cork grips, simple lever locks, and carbon fiber shafts at less than half the cost of their Black Diamond counterparts. They also added helpful accessories, such as rubber tips and two baskets for hiking in the mud and snow, giving you one of the best values.

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REI Co-op Traverse

Is snowshoeing or mountaineering your favorite outdoor adventure? Are you looking to find hiking poles that can take the torment with ease without being so heavy you want to throw them out in the first few miles? Enter the REI Co-op Traverse hiking poles.

These durable aluminum poles can stand up to any challenge mother nature offers. They have comfy cork grips, a fantastic external locking system, and they block out shock and vibration even on the harshest terrain. 

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Leki Micro Vario Ti Cor-Tec

These poles stand out for their folding design from a reliable brand name, Leki. They have some comfortable grips that are better than the similarly priced Black Diamond FLZ. However, they are a bit heavier and sacrifice a lot of strength. The added weight comes with the shock absorption system.

While some see this as a frivolous and sometimes aggravating addition, the Leki Micro Vario Ti Cor-Tec is here to change your mind. These poles are a great option outside their internal anti-shock system, but with this addition, your joints will let you know you made the right purchase.

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Black Diamond Trail Pro

Another great option if shock absorption is high on your list of additions is the Black Diamond Trail Pro. Here, Black Diamond has worked out the most common kinks found in shock absorption technology (bottoming out and unpredictable rebounds) and brought us a trusty pair of hiking poles that work great in various environments.

They feature the two-section telescoping as well as Black Diamond’s patented FlickLock Pro locking mechanism and sturdy aluminum shafts. A great pair of poles with or without shock absorption. 

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Montem Ultra Strong

If hiking poles are last on your list of must-haves and you’re simply looking for something that will get the job done at a budget-friendly price, consider the Montem Ultra Strong. These durable, compact poles can stand up to some serious battering and still make it through unscathed. It’s your usual Amazon cheap gear at a price that’s tough to complain about for hobbyists or entry-level.

They are on the heavier end, weighing approximately 19.2 ounces, but that’s the sacrifice made when utilizing more budget-friendly materials. These poles would be perfect for beginner hikers who want to test their legs and poles on moderately rugged terrain.

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Leki Makalu Lite Cor-Tec

Leki has long been known for the fantastic design of its custom cork grips that give you maximum comfort on the trail. The Makalu Lite Cor-Tec hiking poles are no exception.

With an additional slight forward tilt, they feel natural on your hands and your posture. They have an impressive SpeedLock Plus mechanism that allows for quick adjustments without a screwdriver, and the sturdy aluminum shafts come at a surprising weight of only 17.4 ounces.

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Ultimate Direction FK Hiking Poles

If you’re looking for dependable and sturdy hiking poles for those long day hikes, you may want to consider Ultimate Direction’s FK hiking poles. First, these are not collapsible, which is usually a deal-breaker for many – but hear us out!

This pair of hiking poles has a larger 20 mm diameter shaft that increases the stiffness and overall strength of the poles. There are no moving parts to break, no funky mechanisms to deal with, and no weather adherence needed. Just solid poles to get you from point A to point B.

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Kelty Upslope 2.0

If you are just getting started and unsure whether you are a hiking pole type, you may want to test it out with the Kelty Upslope 2.0s. These sturdy standard hiking poles won’t break the bank or your heart if lost or broken. While you won’t want these poles for your next mountain expedition, they are great for casual use.

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What Design to Look For in Hiking Poles?

Three main designs currently dominate the hiking pole industry. Each has its advantages and disadvantages specific to the terrain and application of use. That’s why it’s essential to understand what each design means and where they are predominantly helpful before heading to your local outdoor retailer. 

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Two Section Telescoping

This type of hiking pole can be broken down into two sections, hence the name. While they pack down the least, they have distinct advantages over their competitors. These hiking poles are going to be the most rugged and durable.

They were specifically designed for skiers, snowshoers, and thru-hikers who are good at beating up on their gear. All this strength also means more materials, which, of course, means more weight. 

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Three Section Telescoping

Chances are, if you’ve been hiking, you’ve seen three-section telescoping hiking poles. They are the most common trail poles due to their packability, versatility, and added features. While not quite as durable as the two-section hiking poles, they tend to be inherently lighter and will do the job for most backpackers.

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Folding or Z Style

These little guys are fairly new to the hiking pole game but have become a quick favorite for ultralight minimalist hikers and climbers. This is because they are lighter and more compact than any other currently available design.

However, their simplicity does have a downfall when it comes to durability. They also reduce added features and are about 7-9 inches shorter than telescoping poles. 

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Hiking Pole Features

Surprisingly, there are a lot of features that outdoor manufacturers have added to these simple devices over the years. Some are necessary, while others are just a matter of preference. Here are some things you’re likely to run into while hunting for the best hiking poles. 

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Shock Absorption

This is an awesome feature, especially for those needing extra knee relief. Shock absorption comes in the way of small internal springs to take on the extra exertion as you walk downhill, and they can be turned off and on as needed. 

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Adjustability

Adjustability is a feature that helps you get the perfect height for your frame and gives you the ideal 90-degree bend in your elbow as you head up and downhill. Generally speaking, most adjustable hiking poles range from 24-55 inches. 

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Locks

There are two types of lockdowns for adjustable hiking poles – flick or twist. This is a bit of a Hatfield and McCoy’s rivalry and boils down to personal preference. Flick locks require a small screwdriver to adjust the height and are best used in colder climates where your poles may contract. Twist locks can be adjusted without tools but tend to slip in freezing temperatures. 

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Tips

Most hiking pole tips are made from carbide steel, which gives you a secure grip on wet surfaces and loose dirt. However, you can also opt for added rubber, which will provide a quieter gait and cause less damage to the trail.

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Extended Handle

If you will spend much time climbing elevation an extended handle is a nice feature to seek out. It allows you to grip the pole lower when straddling a rock, making large steps, or climbing a steep hill. On the average mountain scramble, I grab all parts of my pole. Of course, all of this depends on the intended use of the poles.

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Hiking Pole Tips

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The Pole Stays Downhill

We use hiking poles for mountaineering and scrambling, where they are lifelines. When you’re walking a ridge, managing switchbacks, or crossing glaciers, we opt for one pole. If you use one pole on mountain slopes, it’s best to have the pole in your downhill hand and an ice axe in your uphill hand, if needed, for self-arrest. Even if there is no ice axe, a free uphill hand allows you to grip rocks or catch yourself in a fall. Keep that hiking pole downhill!

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No Wrist Straps

Wrist straps are a great feature to have on long easy winding trails, but they can quickly become dangerous on uneven terrain. If you’re managing rooty terrain or rough rocks do not use the wrist straps. It’s easy to take a fall and if the poles catch a rock or root you’ll end up with a broken wrist. I never use my staps out of habit, but everyone is different.

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Two Vs One

As I talked earlier, not every hike requires two poles. I prefer one pole to have a free hand on short hikes, mountain climbs, and scrambles. In comparison, two poles are great for an extended distance with weight. Every trip and objective is different, but a great idea is one pole for days trips and two for multiday trips. If you’re on a long thru-hike, you’ll want the comfort of two poles.