The best trekking poles for hiking

A trekking pole might just be the most useful hillwalking tool at our disposal. David Lintern tests the best trekking poles on the market.

Trekking poles have long proved worthy as a support for aching limbs. In the UK, walking sticks were often hazel, which grows long and straight and was coppiced explicitly for the purpose.

However, the use of twin poles – an idea imported from alpine skiing – took longer to catch on. Even now, some still see their use as a sign of decrepitude. As ancient as I might be, I’m here to tell you that after navigation tools, boots and a waterproof, walking or a trekking pole might just be the most useful hillwalking tool at our disposal.

Words: David Lintern | Main Image: David Lintern

Why should you use a walking stick or trekking pole

Trekking poles help you balance, save energy and protect your joints. They reduce the chance of hip, back, knee or ankle injury. This is because, when in use we have at least two or three points of contact on the ground at any one time. Compared to walking without, when in motion we will be balanced on only a single foot. When carrying heavier or multi-day loads, I see them as essential, as the larger load is shared between lower and upper body.

Now consider the difference between a path in your local park and a remote mountain. As the terrain becomes more uneven, their practicality increases still further. When the trail runs out, poles can help support your whole body as you navigate the lumps and bumps. Then there’s bog to negotiate, and rivers to cross. Poles allow us to ‘feel out’ these slippery unknowns before we enter them, gain purchase and transfer weight carefully from one limb to the next.

The same goes for snow and ice, where poles provide extra security when post holing, crossing streams that are snow-covered, and probing for weaknesses in the snowpack to prevent losing an ankle or worse to the abyss. Should the worst result, and a limb needs to be ‘set’ in an accident, a pole makes for an excellent splint – particularly if you wrap gaffer tape around the stem for emergencies. And for lightweight tent or tarp users, they can even be used to hold up a shelter.

There’s nothing wrong with an old-fashioned walking stick. However modern trekking poles come in uniform pairs, are height adjustable and generally lightweight. They can be collapsed or folded away in transit, and have wrist straps.

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What makes a good trekking pole?

Materials – Most modern trekking poles are made from aluminium, which is reasonably environmentally friendly (around 75% of all aluminium is recycled) or, increasingly, carbon, which has a good strength-to-weight ratio. Shaft diameter as well as material will determine whether the pole is reliable in use and durable over the longer term.

Handle – Often made of foam or cork, these need to be grippy in all weathers and provide some insulation from the main pole shaft. Check that the grip will fit easily in your hand and that it extends some way down the upper shaft – it’s useful when contouring to quickly move your hand up and down the pole without altering its height.

Straps – Straps vary in design, from simple hoops that loop around the wrist to complex systems that are designed to improve leverage. Be cautious on very steep ground – breaks or sprains can result from being ‘tied in’ to poles in this way.

Locks – When not in use, trekking poles can be folded away or collapsed down to save space. The three most common connections are twist lock (a friction-based system), flick lock (hinge-based), or fold lock (by tension, which depends on the cord that runs down the length of the shaft internally). The latter often collapse smaller and more lightweight but are generally less durable and cannot be completely disassembled. The joints also allow the user to adjust the height of the pole. Check that the pole you purchase has enough height adjustment for your body height.

Baskets – Baskets stop the pole sinking into the ground. Some poles are supplied with two sets – a smaller trekking basket, and a much wider snow basket
for winter conditions.

Ferrule – The most common tip is a metal point, which provides excellent grip but can contribute to soil erosion in popular areas. Some poles are also supplied with a rubber foot that fits over the top of these points. which is fine for less technical terrain. When not in use, poles should always be transported on your pack with their points facing down. Mountain Rescue has plenty of grisly stories that show why.

Here are six of the best trekking poles for hiking