Top 10 Best Trekking Poles in 2020 (Review + Buying Guide)

Many people say that trekking poles are unnecessary in adventures. You’ve probably even heard some people say that these tools are useless - a waste of money.  Don’t listen to those people! True adventurers will tell you that trekking poles are a lifetime investment that can come to your aid on any trail, whether it be smooth or rocky.

There are a lot of things to look out for when you buy a trekking pole, though. To help you find the right one, we’ve listed our top picks for the best trekking poles based on extensive research and screening. Keep reading to learn more about these products, and check out the buying guide at the end to determine which one should be your pick! 

Overview: Best Trekking Poles

Product Image

Product Name

Features

Price Range

Buy Now

Trailbuddy Trekking Poles pack

Made of a very lightweight aluminum

Suitable for kids as well

$$

TheFitLife Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Strongest Carbon Fiber

Long and extra grip

Quick-lock system

$$$

Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Adjustable Trekking Poles

Light Aluminum

Quality product in good pricing

Solid grip

$

Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Great at absorbing shocks

Faster movement design

Quick-lock technology

$$$

Koviti Trekking Poles

Aluminum-made

Foldable design

8 different trekking pole tips

$$

Bafx Products Adjustable Trekking Poles

An all-age solution

Pretty durable for its price

Different rubber tips for different weather conditions

$$

Naturehike Foldable Trekking Pole Poles

Can be folded to a very small size

Highest grade aluminum

Quick-lock with extendable option

$$

KingCamp Ultralight Trekking Pole Poles

Burn more calories

Reduces body pressure by increasing traction

Heavy-duty accessories for all conditions

$$

Alpine Summit Hiking/Trekking Pole Poles

Easy to change the tips

Easy to switch between heights

Due to carbon and aluminum mixed body, you can get a higher durability

$

Wrzbest Aluminum Alloy Trekking Poles

Wrist Straps can be adjusted manually

Aircraft aluminum body

Canes Crutch is adjustable

$$

Top 10 Best Trekking Poles (Review)

Best Overall

1. Trailbuddy Trekking Poles pack

This product will give you the proper sturdiness that you need when you go hiking. If you’re a football fan, then you must know Brandi Chastain. What you may or may not know is that Chastain is a huge fan of going on adventures. 


And guess what? She has approved of this product as the toughest trekking pack she ever owned. This is probably the only stamp of approval you need to understand this is a product you ought to buy!


When it comes to its features, this pole is actually lighter than carbon fiber and can withstand an immense amount of pressure. The whole product is made from aircraft aluminum, which is called 7075 series aluminum.


This makes this trekking pole lighter than the average aluminum, called 6061 series aluminum - the aluminum which is used to produce most of the trekking poles in the market.

Pros

  • 5 different individual tips to go through any kind of obstacles
  • Light as a feather - weighs only 9.7oz (0.61 Ibs)
  • Comes with moisture-wicking handle for sweaty hands

Cons

  • The locks are a bit tight, so it takes a bit of time to fold it and pack in the backpack.

Runner-up

2. TheFitLife Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

This is another trekking pole made out of carbon fiber, meaning that it is not only strong but also lightweight, weighing only 0.44 Lbs. This is an all-rounder trekking pole, which can come to your aid in hiking, walking, climbing mountains, or even camping. 


As this is stronger than most other trekking poles in the market, you can carry more weight in your backpack. For instance, if your weight is around 70-75kgs, then you can carry an additional 15-18 Kg in your backpack and still have these poles support your weight perfectly. These poles also come in pairs and are easy to hold for which your adventure will be comfortable. 


Now, let’s talk about its handle! The gripping foams are made from natural cork and Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) foam. These materials along with the curvy handles in the grip allow you to hold the handles more precisely. The strap can be adjusted so that you don’t lose it while you’re on a rough trail. The tips are made from tungsten, which adds to the protection in a balanced way. There are outside rubber protectors placed firmly with the tips too. 


Overall, there’s no compromise in terms of the quality of this trekking pole.   

Pros

  • Fully made from carbon fiber - no other mix of materials used.
  • Length meter allows you to adjust the length properly every time.
  • Comes with carrying bag that can carry all the accessories in one place

Cons

  • The rubber tips are slightly loose.

3. Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Adjustable Trekking Poles 

This trekking pole is a bit heavier than the last two trekking poles on this list. But that doesn’t mean it’s so heavy that you’ll face a very difficult time handling it or find it unusable. Essentially, it weighs around 10.4 Oz or 0.65 Lbs. You can barely feel the weight difference if you hold the previous stick and this stick into both of your hands. 


More importantly, it offers a lot of features that are still ahead of other trekking poles in the market. The aluminum used here is Aircraft grade aluminum, which can hold a significant amount of weight on it. 


Not only that, the grip of this pole is also very neat. It can absorb a lot of moisture and can reduce hand wicking at a significant level. Each step you take with this trekking pole gives you more confidence for a better adventure! It also reduces the stick vibration in the cork grip. The height can also be adjusted according to your desired needs; you can switch the height between 26” and 54”. 

Pros

  • Comes with 4 different types of tips, including boot, mud, snow, and rubber.
  • High abrasion-resistant EVA grip
  • Thumbscrew, lock tab and other tighten screws are lab tested for longer use

Cons

  • The straps are not very long-lasting, but you can get a replacement from their official shop.

4. Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

This trekking pole is also known as a Nordic walking pole or hiking stick. Like the Fitlife pole, this one is also fully made from carbon fiber. It’s lightweight but slightly heavier than Fitlife, weighing 7.6 oz. or 0.47 Lbs. Again, these are just numbers; you experience the real weight when you hold it in your hand. 


One particular benefit of carbon fiber is, it can absorb shock very well, which enables this pole to be quite durable and sturdy even after it is used on rough terrain or rocky trails. We recommend that, if someone’s age range is around 40-50, they should use carbon fiber trekking poles, as these will suit their needs better than most other trekking poles. But that doesn’t mean that people outside of this age range won’t benefit from having this pole!

Pros

  • According to Foxelli, this trekking pole helps you burn 20% more calories than other trekking poles
  • Increase traction while climbing steep or high hills
  • One of the best constructed trekking poles in the market.

Cons

  • The cork handles may feel a bit loose, although it’s still sealed tight.

5. Koviti Trekking Poles

If you’re looking for a trekking pole that can fit in all of your carrying bags, then this is the right trekking pole for you. The main plus point of this trekking pole is its foldable design.  Both of the trekking sticks can be folded and put inside a medium-sized briefcase or backpack. They can be collapsed easily and reduced to a size of only 33.7 cm - barely the size of a ruler that we used to use in our school days!


When it comes to the design, some users think that these weigh more than most other trekking poles. In reality, yes, they do weigh more than the first two trekking poles, but the additional weight is rather negligible.


This trekking pole uses 7075 series aluminum alloy for its construction, which contains zinc primarily. This series of aluminum is famous for holding heavy pressure and can withstand heavy impact. The pole also comes with an EVA material equipped handle with an ergonomic design. This allows you to enjoy a sweat-free adventure.

Pros

  • Innovative foldable design - can be carried to any bag
  • Weighs only 9 oz - lighter than many trekking poles in the market
  • Great customer service, which also comes with a full refund policy

Cons

  • Setting up the foldable design takes a bit of time.

6. Bafx Products Adjustable Trekking Poles

How about we talk about a trekking pole that has a built-in shock absorber? Cool, right? This pole essentially has an inbuilt spring that can absorb the shock of every step you take. This can be especially helpful for beginner hikers.


What else does it offer? Well, it offers a lot. Starting with lightweight aluminum and a wide extra padded wrist strip, you can get the best trekking pole features from this product. 

   

It comes with three different tips for different types of terrains. For instance, if you’re on a muddy trail while you’re passing through a jungle where there are big lakes or rivers around, you can use the mud tips. For sandy places or icy snow days, you can use the carbide tips. Finally, for plain surfaces, like large or smooth rocks, paved paths, or sidewalks, you can use the rubber tips. 


This trekking pole is a great choice for endless adventures and outdoor activities.  We would highly recommend this trekking pole to handicapped people or the people who have knee problems as well. 

Pros

  • Ideal trekking pole for all heights
  • Built-in Shock absorbing spring for better stability
  • Multiple space parts and accessories that come with the box.

Cons

  • Not easy to set up.

7. Naturehike Foldable Trekking Pole Poles

We added a lot of foldable trekking poles on this list because they’re just so easy to carry! No matter how good a trekking pole is, if you can’t carry it to the place you’re going, then there’s no use having a pole. This trekking pole doesn’t stop at providing folding convenience, though; it claims to provide 100% satisfaction by any means. Yes, we know these 100% satisfaction ads are all over the internet, but this trekking pole has 5 subsection collapsible designs. Cool enough? No? Well, this pole can be folded to less than 13”; you can literally carry it in a fanny pack!


One more thing you should know about this product is that you’re actually getting this carbon fiber trekking pole for 20 bucks cheaper than the average product of the same design! Although this pole is made of 7075 series aluminum, the manufacturer still somehow managed to keep the weight of the trekking pole within 10.9 oz. According to their claim, this trekking pole can carry 100kgs of weight without any fear of breaking.  


The handle and grips are also made from EVA anti-slip material, which can give you immense comfort when you hold it in your hand.  Our recommendation would be that, if you’re on a tight budget and want to get something that offers the same quality as the top-notch products in the market, then there is no better option than to go for this trekking pole!

Pros

  • Supports extra weight within an aluminum-made body
  • Can be disassembled down to a size of only around 12 inches
  • Built-in mud basket to get rid of mud in the tip

Cons

  • The elastic part that helps to disassemble the pole isn’t the best.

8. KingCamp Ultralight Trekking Pole Poles

This one has a different material build than the previous trekking poles on this list. The manufacturers of this pole didn’t use fully carbon fiber; instead, they used carbon fiber that has a 50% corrosion resistance. The benefit here is that it reduces the weight of this product considerably just as a carbon fiber pole would. 


The length of this product can be adjusted from 68 cm (which is 27 inches) to 135 cm (which is 53 inches). This is a great trekking pole for plain surfaces, like that in jungles. Not just that, it also weighs only 7.84 oz. which is great for use on the go.     


The straps of this pole are designed with anti-slip human engineering. The EVA grip provides full control to the user and gives them a lightweight feel of the non-slippery grip. The strap also has abrasive resistance that can protect your hand from any kind of damages and can allocate proper pressure. 


The strap and the grip can consequently keep your hand cool so that you can keep the trekking pole in your hand for longer periods comfortably. The rubber buckets are also well attached to the trekking sticks so that you don’t have to worry about losing them every now and then. 

Pros

  • Telescopic length adjusting technology
  • Lab-tested anti-slip gripping technology for an all-weather grip solution
  • Has its own king camp club where you can join to go for adventures with different people.

Cons

  • Can be difficult to set up.

9. Alpine Summit Hiking/Trekking Pole Poles

This trekking pole is the best for mountain climbing or going through icy weather conditions. Alpine says that their trekking pole is the secret of every professional hiker, and their entire trekking pole line has mountain hiking inspired design. 


It comes in 8 different colors, which is the highest among all other trekking poles on this list. An interesting thing about this particular pole is that this trekking pole has a mix of carbon fiber and aluminum body, which makes it one of the strongest bodies compared to other poles in the market.


Besides, unlike other poles that come with quick locks, this product comes with a lever lock technology. 

Pros

  • Grip Sweat absorbing technology that keeps foul odors away
  • Height can be adjusted quickly and effortlessly with the twist lever lock
  • Comes with great mountain climbing tips.

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with any springs or shock absorbers.

10. Wrzbest Aluminum Alloy Trekking Poles

According to Wrzbest, they made this trekking pole out of aviation grade aluminum. Because of this, they’re extremely durable and weigh less than one pound. We included this trekking pole because this is one of the best trekking poles you can get within an affordable price range in the current market. 


Its ergonomic handle will reduce the pressure on your knees. Like most other trekking poles on this list, this one provides a quick lock solution and can be folded to keep inside your backpack. It also includes a tip kit inside the box so that you can use any of the tips according to your need.  

Pros

  • Provides 30 days money back guarantee, so you can get one without any tension.
  • Includes carbide tungsten tips.
  • Maximum height can go up to 110 cm, which is ideal for tall people.

Cons

  • Doesn’t come with as many accessories for its price

Trekking Poles Buying Guide

Before buying any product, especially when it's a hiking tool like trekking poles, you need to be aware of some factors that can help you to get the best trekking pole from the market. Some of these factors are:

Built Material

This is the most important aspect, as the entire performance of a trekking pole depends on the material it is made out of. Typically, trekking poles are made of either carbon fiber or aluminum. Sometimes, they’re made from the mix of both. We highly recommend that you go for carbon fiber built ones as they last longer.

Length

You should look out for the length of the pole and determine whether it is adjustable, because not all the trekking poles are made of the same height. If you’re tall, go for the trekking pole that can be extended to over 100 cm. 

Grip

This is also an important factor as you need to keep your hand on the handle for extended periods of time when you’re out hiking. Usually, holding grips of poles are made from EVA foam and corks. They may come in other materials as well. If you go for the more premium trekking poles, you’ll get better comfort in handling the sticks. 

Tips

Most of the trekking poles in the market come with a minimum of 2 tips and a maximum of 10 tips; in some cases, even more. These tips are useful for use in different weather conditions. If you’re an adventurer who likes to climb high mountains or hike through snowy trails, we would suggest buying trekking poles that provide up to 8 tips. Besides that,  don’t forget to ask for extras if the tips are sold separately; you never know when it can come handy in case of emergencies. 

Bottom Line

If you like going on hikes, and if adventures are your thing, then you should definitely get a trekking pole; it can totally help a lot. You probably won’t realize how much comfort and convenience you’re missing out on until you’ve taken one of these sticks on a hike with you. Without trekking poles, you’re only going to end up with back pains and an unstable body balance.

That’s why we’ve done our research to make a curated list of the best trekking poles in the market. No matter which product you go for, you won’t be disappointed, and you’ll be able to get a good use out of it for a long period of time. So, take your pick right away! What are you waiting for?

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