Best Trekking Poles for Hiking and Backpacking 2023

The BD Ergo Cork (also available in women’s sizes) earns our vote as the best poles out there. While other options can be lighter and more compact, we believe these will be the best match for the majority of hiker’s and backpacker’s needs.

The Ergo Cork are made with an aluminum shaft, natural cork grips, and interchangeable carbide tips, and have a reliable, easy-to-use, flick-lock locking system.

The aluminum shaft makes these telescoping poles among the sturdiest and most durable on our list, while the offset cork grips provide incredibly comfortable, chafe-free handling, even when you have sweaty hands. We also love the handles’ offset, ergonomic shape, which we felt removed any strain from our wrists and placed our arms in a more natural position.

The Ergo use a simple, dual flick-lock system that makes it a piece of cake to adjust length, even while you’re on the move or doing it with only one hand. Their only real shortcoming is that they measure a fairly long 27 inches when fully collapsed, so you may have to stow them on the outside of your pack when not in use.

The Leki Makalu have been around for decades and in that time gained almost legendary status. The reasons for this are simple: they’re user-friendly, as comfortable as they come, and are built to take a serious beating and bashing, coming out none the worse on the other side.

Like the BD Ergo Cork, the Makalu aren’t the most compact or lightest trekking poles out there, measuring 26.3 inches when collapsed and weighing a fairly hefty 17.1 ounces. While this means they’re not the most suitable for fast-and-light adventurers, their heft and bulk is a large part of what makes them ideal for just about everyone else.

Previous versions of the Makalu have used various locking mechanisms, but this iteration’s SpeedLock Plus locking system makes them more practical and reliable than ever before. The clasps are burlier than those on other models on our list, feel more secure, and are easy to operate even when you’re wearing thick gloves.

The new version of the Makalu trekking pole also features a more ergonomic grip that soaks up sweat and provides all-day comfort.

The contest for the best women’s trekking pole was more clear-cut than the tussle for best overall, with the awesome Leki Micro Vario Carbon standing head and shoulders above the competition.

These carbon fiber trekking poles score highly in every metric. They’re lightweight, comfortable, relatively durable, highly shock-absorbent, and comfortable to grip.

The Mirco Vario are constructed with a combo of high-modulus (stiffer) carbon with aluminum reinforcements at the ends of each pole segment, normally points of weakness. Their foam grips are comfortable to hold and soak up sweat quickly, but are unlikely to last as long as cork or rubber alternatives.

The Micro Vario weigh just 16 ounces and measure just 14.9 inches when folded, so they’re ideal for summit pushes or backpacking trips where you don’t anticipate using them all of the time.

There aren’t any real downsides to the Micro Vario barring their kinda exorbitant price tag, though it’s worth mentioning that their range of adjustment (7.8 inches) is quite limited compared to other models.

The BD Distance FLZ are a great pick for female hikers who want a more durable female-specific pole for longer-distance hiking and backpacking.

These aluminum poles don’t offer nearly the same degree of shock absorption as the Leki Micro Vario but excel in pretty much every other way.

The aluminum construction makes the FLZ a little heavier (16 oz.) but also hardy enough for long-distance, multi-day (or week/month) backpacking in rough terrain. Their folding design also makes them suitable for peak bagging or traveling in terrain where poles aren’t needed, while their one-piece flick locks means on-the-go adjustments are easy.

We found the EVA foam grips on the FLZ super comfortable, and greatly appreciated the non-slip foam mini-grip extensions, which are particularly useful when you need to grip down on short or unexpected steep portions of trail. On the downside, we can’t see the grips lasting too long or maintaining their cushiness in the longer term.

If you’re an occasional hiker looking for a simple, hard-wearing, robust, low-cost trekking pole, you really can’t go wrong with the Mountainsmith Dolomite OLS.

Weighing in at 20 ounces per pair, the Dolomite OLS aren’t going to win any prizes for their feathery lightness. They’re also not the most compact, measuring 24 inches when collapsed. Other than that, however, they’re great poles at a fantastic price.

Like all aluminum trekking poles, the Dolomite OLS are better cut out for rugged terrain than their carbon fiber counterparts. And unlike some of the pricier carbon models on our list, the Dolomite OLS are sold in singles, so they’re cheaper to replace in the event of breakage.

While the cork and EVA foam grip isn’t as comfy to hold as others on our list, it’s also not uncomfortable and is durable where durability is most needed. The foam extension to the grip also lets you tackle short ascents without having to adjust the length.

When length adjustments are called for, the outerlock system (OLS) makes life easy, even when you’re doing them one-handed. Our only slight complaint is that the levers are a little too small to operate when wearing thicker gloves.

Like the Mountainsmith Dolomite OLS, the REI Trailbreak is a simple, no-nonsense kinda trekking pole that offers outstanding value for money.

While a little more expensive than the Dolomite OLS, the Trailbreak weigh 3 ounces less per pair, so are a little more versatile. This weight reduction means they’ll be a little lighter in your hands while hiking and not too much of a burden if you need to throw them in or on your pack for scrambles. At 25 inches, however, their collapsed size is a little on the long side.

The all-aluminum construction of the Trailbreak makes them as durable as any other model on our list. The foam grips also appear reasonably durable and felt nicely breathable and comfortable during testing. We’re also fans of the wrist loops, which have a little bit of stretch and are soft enough to prevent chafing.

Finally, the Trailbreak are one of only three models on our list that cater to the needs (or height, rather) of exceptionally tall hikers, measuring 55 inches when fully extended.

If you’re a dyed-in-the-wool ounce-counter looking to shave off all the weight you can, the minimalist BD Distance Carbon Z are well worth considering.

These ultralight poles weigh just 11.1 ounces per pair, making them not much heavier than similarly sized tent poles! This, combined with their 14-inch collapsed length, also makes them absolutely ideal for summit hikes and scrambles when you need to stow them inside your pack.

The handle on the Distance Carbon Z is made from a lightweight and breathable EVA foam. While this isn’t the most durable, it’s comfortable to handle, even with sweaty hands, and its furrowed design lets a little airflow into the palms of your hands. This is particularly noticeable and welcomed on a hot and humid day!

The Distance Carbon Z, however, has a few shortcomings that will make them less desirable – or plain unsuitable – for numerous users.

First of all, this is a fixed-length pole, meaning there’s no adjustability for different angles of slope – okay when you’re hiking downhill, maybe, but not ideal on the way up or in varied terrain.

Secondly, their thin diameter and all-carbon construction makes them more liable to break if snagged between rocks.

All in all, these can be either a great or poor choice depending on the end use. If you’re a regular hiker or backpacker, there are better options out there. If you’re a trail runner, fastpacker, or otherwise averse to carrying too much weight, they’re an option well worth considering.

What makes one trekking pole more comfortable than another? Three things will play a role: the material of the grip, the grip’s ergonomics, and their ability to absorb shock. In all of these respects, the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork (click here for women’s version) are a standout.

These telescopic hiking poles are made with a carbon fiber shaft and an ergonomic cork grip with soft rubber grip extensions that allow you to grip down the pole on short inclines. The cork has a little “give”, so feels comfortable in your hand all day, and the carbon construction provides significantly more shock absorption than aluminum.

The Alpine CC collapse down to 24 inches and weight 17.1 ounces, so are comparable to the Leki Makalu and BD Ergo Cork for weight but are more compact (by 3 inches). However, they cost significantly more, so we’d only really recommend you choose these over the Makalu or Ergo if portability is a top priority.

A pair of BD Alpine are also available in a folding version that is far lighter and more compact.

REI’s Flash Carbon poles are among the most affordable, lightweight carbon models on the market, so are a good choice for anyone who wants top-end performance without a top-end price tag.

The Flash Carbon weigh just 13.6 ounces, so are among the lightest options on our list. Despite this, they’re reasonably tough and boast a high-quality build that’s on a par with pricier competitors.

The FC are made with a combo of carbon fiber and aluminum, so are a fraction tougher than all-carbon models. The foam grips aren’t as comfortable or durable as cork but you’ll be hard-pressed to find anything better at this weight.

Compared to our list’s other pair of ultralights, the BD Distance Carbon Z, the Flash Carbon are a few ounces heavier and, at 25 inches collapsed, aren’t nearly as packable. However, they’re also a little sturdier, cheaper, and can be adjusted from 55 to 41 inches, making them a far more versatile option.