10 Best Trekking Poles In 2021

Simple but functional design of the REI Co-op Flash Carbon poles makes them the best hiking sticks if you’re after easy adjustability and good performance on all types of terrain. Another advantage of these poles is that the color combination looks great and makes you stand out on the trail.

Length and Adjustability

Consisting of three separate sections with PowerLock lever locks, the REI trekking poles can be easily adjusted. The length can be set and locked anywhere between 41 and 55 inches, so every adult backpacker can make it ideal for themselves.

Shaft Design and Material

Made from carbon fiber, the shaft of the REI Flash trekking poles is incredibly lightweight. A set of poles weighs only 14.8 ounces which is very impressive. They won’t cause arm fatigue after using them all day, and won’t add to much weight to your backpack when you’re not using them.

Grip Design and Material

The moisture-wicking and breathable EVA foam grip guarantee top-level comfort even on warm summer days. In addition to eliminating sweat, the grips also provide ergonomic comfort and keep the poles secure in your hands. Of course, each REI trekking pole also comes with an adjustable wrist strap for additional security.

Baskets and Tips

To boost the performance on the trail, these REI hiking poles are fitted with special trekking baskets that prevent them from sinking too deep. On top of this, the tips are made from tough tungsten carbide and work great on any type of terrain.

The BAFX trekking poles feature an easily-adjustable twist lock system and a length that ranges from 26.5 to over 53 inches. Because of this, the Bafx pole is the best hiking pole for very short and very tall trekkers. Unlike most other models we’ve featured, they come with a twist lock that some hikers find even more convenient.

Length and Adjustability

As we’ve pointed out, the Bafx set offers a very high degree of adjustability. The twist lock poles are very easy to use and allow you to adjust the length on the go. While the downside of this lock type is that it can loosen on its own, hikers claim that these are very secure.

Shaft Design and Material

The body of the Bafx walking sticks for hiking is made from strong aluminum that can withstand harsh and frequent use. It’s much tougher than carbon fiber so it’s a great choice for people who go heavy on their equipment.

Grip Design and Material

To make holding the poles easier and more comfortable, the grips are made from high-quality cork. The Bafx model also features a textured foam extension underneath, as well as an easily-adjustable wrist strap.

Baskets and Tips

If you’re a person who puts an accent on comfort while trekking, TheFitLife Nordic poles are some of the best trekking poles that you’ll come across. They feature a unique anti-shock system that makes walking on hard terrain much more enjoyable. Combine this with a great price and you get fantastic budget trekking poles.

Length and Adjustability

The length of these poles is easily adjustable and can be set between 25.6 and 53.1 inches. They feature a twist lock which works really well, especially on uphill and downhill hikes when you need to adapt quickly.

Shaft Design and Material

The shaft of these poles is made from aluminum which means they aren’t among the lightest ones you can get (around 9.5 ounces per pole). However, they are still very handy to use and you can get them in five different great-looking colors.

Grip Design and Material

Made from rubber, the grip of TheFitLife Nordic aluminum poles is very secure in your hand. It feels nice to the touch too, but might become uncomfortable in warmer weather. Because of this, the pole also features a moisture-wicking EVA foam grip extension.

Baskets and Tips

For optimal performance on any surface, TheFitLife Nordic comes with a rich accessory bundle. The default tips are made from carbon fiber, but you’ll also get two sets of rubber tips as well as rubber booties for concrete. In addition, the set also includes a carry bag and two pairs of baskets (for mud and snow).

Made from rugged aluminum with reinforced joints, the Black Diamond Distance FLZ women’s trekking poles are some of the most durable poles on the market. In addition to this, they are also incredibly comfortable and well-balanced. If you plan on going on rough trails or mountainous terrain, these are the poles for you.

Length and Adjustability

Unlike most other models we’ve talked about, the Black Diamond Distance FLZ offers a lower degree of adjustability. This is done to improve the structural strength of the pole and eliminate any weak spots. The length can be set between 41.3 and 49.2 inches which will still be good enough for all average-sized hikers.

Shaft Design and Material

The shaft of the Black Diamond Distance FLZ pole is made from a strong aluminum alloy. It’s almost impossible to break, and won’t dent or bend even if you hit it on trees and rocks. Instead of telescoping sections, this pole uses a foldable design and has a flick lock system to adjust the length.

Grip Design and Material

The grooved grip of the Distance FLZ folding poles sits incredibly well in the hand. The foam is very comfortable to hold, and its anatomic shape and padded wrist straps prevent the pole from slipping out of your hand. The pole also features a short grip extension under it which is very useful when you come across uneven terrain.

Ergonomic, adjustable, and incredibly lightweight, the Black Diamond Alpine walking hiking sticks are one of the best all-around models that you’ll come across. They work great on both dry and wet ground, and you can even equip them with snow baskets and use them for skiing.

Length and Adjustability

When talking about the length, the Black Diamond Alpine is pretty standard – it can be adjusted between 24 and 51 inches to support hikers of different heights. It consists of three 24-inch sections that slide into each other and features aluminum FlickLock Pro locking mechanism for easily tuning the length.

Shaft Design and Material

To make the pole as light as possible, Black Diamond makes the Alpine from high-quality carbon fiber. A set of poles weighs only 17 ounces so hikers can easily use them all day without their arms getting tired.

Grip Design and Material

For maximum comfort and support, the grips on the Black Diamond Alpine poles are made from premium cork. Of course, as you would expect from a high-quality model, it also features rubber grip extensions that allow you to hold the poles any way you want.

Baskets and Tips

Unlike most other poles on this list, the Black Diamond Alpine doesn’t include a set of tips and baskets (you need to buy them separately). However, the default carbide Tech Tips are really well made and provide good support regardless of the terrain.

The thing that separates the Foxelli trekking poles from the rest is their incredibly lightweight construction. At only 7.6 ounces per pair, these are the lightest poles that you’ll come across. Despite the low weight, they are ultra strong too – they can easily support even larger and heavier trekkers.

Length and Adjustability

When completely extended, the length of these lightweight hiking poles reaches 55 inches which will be enough even if you’re tall. On the other hand, it can be collapsed down to 24 inches so even kids and youth can use it. The poles feature a telescoping design with flip-lock levers so adjusting them won’t be a problem. 

Shaft Design and Material

As the title suggests, the shaft of the Foxelli trekking poles is made from lightweight carbon fiber. It’s impressively light even by carbon fiber standards, which is why it's perfect for people who are mindful of every ounce and want to keep the weight of their gear as low as possible.

Grip Design and Material

The main grip material of the Foxelli pole is high-quality cork. It feels great in your hand and its unique design will even mold to your hand the more you use it. In addition, the pole also comes with a grip extension that is made from EVA foam.

With its extended foam grip and exceptional stability, the Cascade Mountain Tech carbon fibre trekking pole is an ideal option for beginners who are just starting to trek. Its length is easy to adjust and, with a weight of only 8.3 ounces per pole, it’s going to be very comfortable to use on long journeys.

Length and Adjustability

The length of the Cascade Mountain Tech poles can be set anywhere between 26 and 54 inches. The poles feature a telescoping design and have lever locks so it’s incredibly easy to find the length that suits you most when walking. In addition, you can also completely disassemble it when packing and reduce the size to only 21 inches.

Shaft Design and Material

For maximum weight reduction, the shaft of the Cascade Mountain pole is made from carbon fiber. As we’ve pointed out, it weighs just over 8 ounces (with baskets on). As a bonus, hikers claim that it’s very durable too and withstands quite a few bumps and hits.

Grip Design and Material

The hand grips of these poles are made from ergonomically-shaped EVA foam that feels incredible. As we’ve mentioned, the pole also features a grip extension made from the same material and gives you additional versatility when going uphill and downhill.

Baskets and Tips