The Best Trekking Poles for Steep Terrain and Speedy Missions
Our testers put everything from budget aluminum poles to the fanciest carbon we could find through the wringer. These are our favorites.
Trekking Poles
Trekking poles, also known as hiking poles or walking sticks, increase hikers’ stability and balance on rough terrain. Find the best poles for your next trek with advice from Backpacker’s gear experts.
I Used to Judge Trekking Pole People. Now I Am One.
The equipment I didn't know I needed saved my long hike.
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Sponsored Content
The Right Poles: A Game Changer
With more than 40 options available for trail lovers, LEKI has a trekking pole for every occasion
Rei Co-op Flash Carbon
The best overall trekking poles of 2021.
Hilleberg Trekking Poles
The most durable trekking poles of 2021.
Trekology Trek-Z 2.0 Pole
The best value trekking poles of 2021.
G3 Pivot Trek
The trekking pole with best features of 2021.
Leki Cross Trail MCT 12 Vario Carbon
Best for speed
Kelty Upslope 2.0
Bargain trekking pole
Mountainsmith Andesite
Best value trekking poles
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork WR
Most versatile
The Best Trekking Poles for Backpackers
Improve your balance and save your knees with the best trekking poles on the market.
Helinox Passport TL Series
Lightest
Leki Micro Vario Ti COR-TEC DSS
Best shock absorption
REI Co-op Flash Carbon
Best telescoping
Black Diamond Distance Z
Bargain folding
Black Diamond Trail Back
Check out Chris "Wolverine" Hillier's author page.
Black Diamond Trail Pro Shock Trekking Poles
These trekking poles take the sting out of the most rugged trails.
Leki TourStick Vario Carbon
Splurge a bit on these trekking poles that combine carbon and aluminum for incredible durability.
Trekking Poles: Helinox Passport Tension Lock Adjustable
Improve your balance and save your knees.
Trekking Poles: Easton Hike Carbon 3
Improve your balance and save your knees.
Trekking Poles: Mountainsmith Glissade
Improve your balance and save your knees with this bargain set of trekking poles from Mountainsmith.
Trekking Poles: MSR Deploy TR3
Trekking poles from MSR you can adjust one-handed.
Trekking Poles: Leki Cristallo
If you can use a lighter you can adjust these trekking poles from Leki.
Easton Mountain Products Compact Carbon5
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Easton Mountain Products Ultralight Carbon 3
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Easton Mountain Products Hike Carbon 3
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Easton Mountain Products Backcountry AL3 Anti-Shock
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Easton Mountain Products Trail AL2
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Easton Mountain Products Trail AL3
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Easton Mountain Products Compact AL5
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
Easton Mountain Products Hike AL3
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Voyager
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Summit AS
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Carbonlite
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Lhasa Lite
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Lhasa Lite AS
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Carbon Ti
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Micro Stick Ti
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Micro Vario Ti
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Micro Stick Carbon
Check out Katie Herrel's author page.
LEKI USA Micro Vario Carbon
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Carbon 4
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Carbonlite AERGON XL
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Thermolite AERGON XL Antishock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Thermolite AERGON XL SpeedLock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Corklite AERGON SpeedLock AS
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Corklite AERGON SpeedLock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Cressida AERGON SpeedLock AS
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Cressida AERGON SpeedLock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Trail
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Eagle
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Vario XS SpeedLock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Sierra AS
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Wanderfreund AS
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Wanderfreund SpeedLock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Wanderfreund
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Super Micro
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
LEKI USA Photo Carbon SpeedLock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 S Adjustable Length Trekking Poles
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4 Adjustable Length Trekking Poles
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 3 Fixed Length Trekking Poles
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment First Strike
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Syncline
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Trail Back
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Women's Trail
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Trail Compact
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Trail
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Trail Ergo Cork
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Women's Trail Shock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Trail Shock Compact
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Trail Shock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Alpine Ergo Cork
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Alpine Carbon Solo
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Alpine Carbon Cork
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Contour Elliptic Shock Compact
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.
Black Diamond Equipment Contour Elliptic Shock
Get a grip - more comfortably - as you hike with these trekking poles from Leki.