The Best Trekking Poles

Trekking poles do more than give you something to hold. They take a real load off your knees on descents, add stability on loose or wet terrain and stream crossings, and help you power up climbs by engaging your arms. On a long or steep hike, they can be the difference between arriving tired and arriving wrecked.

The main trade-offs are material (aluminum vs. carbon), how they collapse, and grip comfort. Here are five we’d buy, from a rugged everyday pair to an ultralight foldable.

How we picked

We weighed durability, weight, locking mechanism (external lever locks are the most secure), grip comfort (cork and foam beat plastic), and packed size, drawing on extensive third-party testing. We included aluminum and carbon options across a wide range of budgets.

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Best overall

1. Black Diamond Trail Trekking Poles

Best for: most hikers who want durable, dependable, adjustable poles.

The Black Diamond Trail is the benchmark trekking pole: tough aluminum shafts, secure and glove-friendly FlickLock adjustment, comfortable foam grips, and a weight that won’t wear you out. It handles everything from casual day hikes to backpacking, and it’s built to last for years. The pick for most people.

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Best value

2. Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Trekking Poles

Best for: reliable poles for around $30.

Cascade Mountain Tech’s aluminum poles are wildly popular for one reason: they deliver most of what premium poles do for a fraction of the price. Adjustable, reasonably light, with comfortable grips and included tip accessories, they’re the smart budget entry into trekking poles.

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Best carbon (lightweight value)

3. Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Best for: cutting weight without paying premium-brand prices.

If you want lighter poles without spending a lot, Cascade’s carbon fiber version trims weight off the aluminum pair while keeping the same easy adjustment and comfortable grips. It’s the value way to go carbon — noticeably lighter in the hand over a long day.

Keep in mind: carbon is lighter but can crack if severely stressed or pinched between rocks, where aluminum tends to bend instead — worth considering for rough, rocky terrain.

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Best ultralight foldable

4. Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles

Best for: backpackers, trail runners, and anyone tight on pack space.

The Distance Z collapses in a tent-pole-style Z-fold down to a tiny packed length, and it’s featherlight — perfect for strapping to a running vest or stowing in a daypack when you don’t need it. For fast-and-light travel, nothing packs away this neatly.

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Best from a specialist

5. LEKI Khumbu Lite Trekking Poles

Best for: hikers who want a trusted pole brand’s comfort and locking.

LEKI is a name serious hikers trust, and the Khumbu Lite delivers with a secure speed-lock adjustment, a comfortable grip with an extended lower section for grabbing on quick terrain changes, and durable aluminum construction. A refined, dependable pick from a category specialist.

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What to look for

Material. Aluminum is durable and affordable, and bends rather than snaps under stress. Carbon is lighter but can crack — great for smooth trails, riskier on sharp rocks.

Locking mechanism. External lever locks (FlickLock or speed-lock style) are the most secure and easiest to adjust with gloves; twist locks can slip over time.

Grip. Cork molds to your hand and wicks sweat; foam is soft and light; rubber is fine for cold but can blister in heat. Extended grips help on steep, changing terrain.

Adjustability & packing. Telescoping poles adjust across a wide height range; folding Z-poles pack smaller but adjust less. Match to your height and how you’ll carry them.

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The bottom line

For most hikers, the Black Diamond Trail is the durable, do-it-all pick. Save big with the Cascade aluminum poles (or their carbon version to cut weight), go ultralight with the Black Diamond Distance Z, or choose the LEKI Khumbu Lite for specialist comfort.

Check the current price before you buy.