There are many times when hiking, walking through small streams, up steep rocks, and down narrow trails can be precarious and difficult.
Luckily, hiking poles have been created to give avid hikers something to tightly hang on and prevent falls or other injuries.
Since hiking poles are not common shopping items for the novice hiker, we have found the best hiking poles to help you select the ones that will best suit your hiking needs!
Top 5 Best Hiking Poles – Editor’s Pick
You can use this handy chart to compare the editor’s top picks and quickly select and make one of them your own.
Product Name |
Style |
Color |
Get It AT |
| Alpine Summit Carbon Fiber Hiking Poles | Carbon Fiber | Black | |
| Montem Ultra Strong Hiking Poles | Aluminum | Matte Black | |
| High Trek Premium Ultralight Trekking Poles | Aluminum | Sky Blue | |
| TrailBuddy Hiking Poles | Aluminum | Beetle Red | |
| Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber Hiking Poles | Carbon Fiber | Black |
9. Cascade Mountain Tech Trail Hiking Poles
Ideal for: Experienced hikers
These are the best hiking poles for hiking along difficult trails that require steep climbs and treacherous moving.
The poles are made of durable aluminum that is aircraft grade.
They extend from 25.75 inches to a length of 54 inches for a better option for more people.
The tips are made from durable tungsten carbide and rubber so that your poles won’t slip out from under you even in snow or water.
Pros:
- Lightweight construction
- Sturdy design
- Ideal for use on difficult trails
Cons:
- Difficult to adjust
- Not easy to lock
Recommended: Get yourself a sturdy pair of hiking boots to support you in your adventures.
8. BAFX Anti-Shock Hiking Trail Poles
Ideal for: Experienced and novice hikers
Anti-shock and comfortable design, these are the best hiking poles for both advanced and novice hikers who want to try out new trails.
This set includes padded wrist straps for better grip and better comfort while out on the trails.
The tips on these poles are made from carbide, and the set even comes with four rubber tips so you can exchange them whenever you need to.
They are perfect for hiking on difficult or even easier trails.
They extend from 26.5 inches to 53 inches in total.
Pros:
- Handles are comfortable
- Durable construction
- Great price point
- Customer service is excellent
Cons:
- The locking mechanism is difficult to use
- Might require extra tips if used a lot
7. Denazo Outdoors Anti-Shock Hiking Poles
Ideal for: Novice hikers
These hiking poles have been tried and tested by professionals to ensure that you are getting the best hiking poles.
They are made from a lightweight duralumin alloy that twists and collapses for better traveling.
If you are a novice hiker, these hiking poles are great for you since they come with graphite tips that are durable enough to last through several hiking trips.
The cork handles on the poles are made for added comfort during long hiking trips.
Pros:
- Can remove tips
- Supportive design
- Anti-shock features
- Lightweight construction
Cons:
- Indoor tips fall off easily
- Locking mechanism tends to break
Suggested: Choosing a good pair of hiking pants is just as important as choosing a good pair of poles.
6. Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Quick Lock Trekking Poles
Ideal for: Novice and experienced hikers
The grip on these hiking poles is comfortable enough for you to grip onto them all day long during your hiking trip.
They are also non-slip so you can be confident in your walking.
There are adjustable shafts for ultralight and rugged options.
The tips that come with these poles can be interchanged between the rubber and the baskets, making these the best trekking poles for both easy trails and difficult terrain.
These poles have a quick locking feature so you can easily adjust the height.
Pros:
- Supportive construction
- Easy to use locking mechanism
- Easy to adjust
- Great price point
Cons:
- Tends to collapse and need readjustments easily
- Metal is softer than other models
5. Alpine Summit Carbon Fiber Hiking Poles
Ideal for: Novice and experienced hikers
This is one of the best hiking poles for both advanced and novice hikers.
It is made from a lightweight carbon fiber material that is only 7.4 ounces on each pole.
They are strong as well, working to provide you with extra traction no matter the terrain.
You can hike further and longer with these poles as well since they come with comfortable cork grips that wick away the moisture from hiking.
You can collapse the poles when you aren’t using them to save space as well.
Pros:
- Lightweight construction
- Made from high-quality material
- Sturdy design
- Customer Service is great
Cons:
- Have limited trials
- Carrying bag is not resistant
Recommended: Hiking shoes, don’t forget about them!
4. Montem Ultra Strong Hiking Poles
Ideal for: Novice hikers
This ultralight pole set is made from aircraft aluminum, making it strong and durable as well as light.
These are the best hiking poles with special nylon straps that you can use to keep your poles strapped to your wrists.
You won’t have to worry about these collapsing out from under you either since these are made with adjustable bolts from 24 inches to 53 inches high.
Pros:
- Lightweight materials
- Rugged design
- Sturdy
- Adjustable height
Cons:
- Does not include spare tips
- Protecting straps do not have to pad
3. High Trek Premium Ultralight Trekking Poles
Ideal for: Experienced and novice hikers
These incredible hiking poles are great for all kinds of hikers.
Along with the sturdy poles, this company offers a great accessory kit to make your hiking trip adventurous.
It comes with tungsten carbide tips, snow baskets, and even a carrying case so you can store your poles away when not in use.
These poles are adjustable, and their anti-shock system has been improved to be more reliable than previous models.
Pros:
- Lightweight materials
- Easy to adjust
- Comes with multiple tips
- Wrist straps are comfortable
Cons:
- Not as easy to store as other models
- Accessories sell separately
2. TrailBuddy Hiking Poles
Ideal for: Experienced hikers
Since these hiking poles don’t have a twisting lock, they are easier to adjust than other models.
They are a lightweight aluminum 7075 which is perfect for those who hike for long distances.
These poles are made for better impacts, which is great for rough terrain.
They come in multiple color options, and the cork handles are great for comfort and grip.
They wick away moisture and don’t chafe the skin.
Pros:
- Multiple color options
- Portable design
- Durable construction
- Easy to adjust
Cons:
- Pole feet tend to fall off easily
- Poles tend to collapse easily
1. Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber Hiking Poles
Ideal for: Experienced and novice hikers
These collapsible poles are easy to store away when they aren’t in use.
They are made from a lightweight carbon fiber material that has an anti-shocking feature, therefore, these hiking poles are going to last quite awhile.
The grips on these poles are made from an ergonomic cork material that wicks away unwanted moisture and conforms to your hand shape for better grip.
The company even sends a non-slip foam grip extensions under the cork for a stronger and more comfortable grip.
Pros:
- Great price point
- Durable material
- Comfortable cork and foam grip
- Easy to use
Cons:
- Poles need readjusting often
- Poles tend to collapse easily
Conclusion
Before your next hiking excursion, you should invest in hiking poles to help you move along safely on those difficult hiking trails.
You can use our list of the best hiking poles to help you find the one that fits your style, your needs, and your hiking abilities.
We have a little something for everyone, let us know if you have used any of these hiking poles in a comment below!
Recommended Read: The Ultimate Hiking Items Checklist PDF