Trekking poles are helpful for walking, hiking, backpacking, trail running, and snowshoeing. Up scree hills, through river crossings, over mud and rough terrain, they keep you standing as you maneuver steep sections of the tracks by giving support and durability, while also lessening the force on your knees and bones. They’re also usable for split boarding, backcountry snowboarding, and can double as tent poles when required.
Here is the list of top 5 trekking poles. All the poles listed below have a fabulous balance of strength, comfort, weight, and worth.
Adjustable: Yes
Collapsed length: 25–27 inches
Locking mechanism: External Lever Lock
Weight (pair): 1 lb. 1.2 oz. – 1 lb. 2 oz.
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Trekking Poles are strong and reliable for all conditions. They’re the best choice for backpacking as they are suitable enough for long-distance transport, strong enough to manage extra weight and force, easily adaptable to a broad range of heights, and they’re handy enough to suit changing ground and year-round climates.
The ergonomic layout of the grips is amazingly comfortable. They vary from other trekking poles as they are angled at a 15-degree slant to provide you a more neutral position when holding them.
Weight per pair: 16.9 oz.
Type: Folding (lever lock)
Shaft material: Carbon
Grip: Foam
Well-rounded lightweight and packable design
Leki’s Micro Vario Carbon poles are a no-compromise choice for the lightweight crew. Weighing just over 1 pound for the set, they offer a full set of high-quality features into their small and foldable frame.
On the tracks, the Micro Vario’s pressure savings is outstanding, particularly over a long day. You do lose a little in terms of strength, but the carbon shafts are strong enough for passing glaciers and for leaning on during steep slopes.
Gossamer Gear LT5
Weight per pair: 10.6 oz.
Type: Telescoping (twist lock)
Shaft material: Carbon
Grip: Foam
Incredibly lightweight
Mix the lightweight with a simple, solid build and comfy foam handles, and you get the perfect trekking poles for long events where every ounce matters. These carbon fiber poles are registered at an incredibly low 10.6 ounces for the set, which keeps arm weakness to an absolute lowest.
The compromises for entirely lower weight are few. The twist-lock mechanism locks as securely as a lever device and never slips in use, even when you lean hard or fall while climbing sheer talus on the difficult Route.
Weight per pair: 21 oz.
Type: Folding
Shaft material: Aluminium
Grip: Cork/foam
The folding Halite from Mountainsmith is a less costly option for poles. You’ll see a big jump in weight with the aluminum and more cost-friendly form, but these poles still drop down to a competitively small dimension, ideal for holding inside your carry-on bags or daypack. And with cork holders and hiking cases, snow baskets, and rubber tips involved, they are a good value.
The extra wrist straps offer an unmatched level of support when joined with the cork and EVA handles. With flexible soft-touch webbing, the wrist bands feel so soft you just won’t believe they’re on your hand. Plus, they reduce hot spots and stress points for more miles and provide more comfort in any terrain.
Weight: 16 oz.
Minimum Length: 26 in.
Very versatile
Comfortable cork grips
The Cascade Mountain Tech Quick Lock gives features usually available only in much more costly options. These carbon poles weigh only 16 ounces, presenting a very friendly swing-weight. The soft cork grips spread low enough to easily choke up on the pole handle when climbing sheer hills. And, if you do choose to adjust these poles on the fly, the quick-lock balancing levers have a thumbscrew, which enables you to set the lever when you're out on a trek without tools.