In this post, we share all the advice you need to choose your hiking poles wisely, so you can get the most out of every mountain outing.
To get the most out of your alpine or mountain outings safely, using hiking poles is strongly recommended. They give the hiker greater balance and stability, and therefore safety, and allow them to maintain better posture, tire less quickly, build greater endurance and therefore perform better. But none of this is possible unless the poles chosen are suited to hiking and to the hiker who will use them.
What material should you choose for your poles? Which grip should you go for? How do you choose the locking or storage system? In the paragraphs that follow, we try to guide you in choosing your next hiking poles.
The sections of hiking poles
Unlike Nordic walking, in hiking it is better to use adjustable multi-section poles. While Nordic walking is most often practised on flat, undemanding terrain, in hiking the gradients and terrain types can change over the course of a single outing. That is why you will not always need your poles, and will regularly need to adjust their height. There are two main storage systems for hiking poles, each divided into two categories.
- Telescopic poles: usually made up of two or three sections that slide into one another. When folded, the sections nest completely inside each other; to deploy the poles, simply slide them out to the desired length, then twist or clip them together. They are always adjustable, but the locking system can be one of two types:
- Twist-lock telescopic poles: the hiker must twist the sections together once the desired length is reached; to fold them, simply unscrew them. This is the oldest, most common and most affordable system. However, the length can suddenly slip during use, which is startling and potentially dangerous. If the hiker tightens the poles too firmly to prevent this, they can be very difficult to unscrew — which also causes problems. In short, the twist-lock system is best suited to casual Sunday hikers who stick to easy terrain or gentle walks.
- Clip-lock telescopic poles: the hiker slides the sections together and clips them at the desired length. The lock is efficient, quick and secure. This is a more modern and more reliable system — a clear improvement over its predecessor. It is slightly more expensive but highly recommended for hikers who want a telescopic storage system, who go out regularly and who put significant load on their poles.
- Folding or collapsible poles: generally made up of at least three sections, they do not slide into one another — instead, they detach from each other and fold away using a Z-fold system, then lock together once deployed. They are connected by a reinforced cord that holds them together when separated. This system is much faster than telescopic poles. Collapsible poles are also easier to fold and deploy — they are more manageable, often lighter, more resistant and less bulky when folded (especially when made up of more than three sections). Note that there are two types, and the difference matters.
- Non-adjustable folding poles: there are folding poles with a fixed length, which are best suited to hikes on flat, easy terrain with little elevation change. We won't pretend that investing in this type of pole for this kind of outing is ideal.
- Adjustable folding poles: they combine all the advantages of retractable poles without the drawbacks. They are sturdy, lightweight, compact, easy to handle and simple to use.
Upper construction
For hiking poles, the choice of material comes down mainly to two options: carbon and aluminium. Both are excellent — here is a quick look at what sets them apart.
- Aluminium hiking poles: the most common and most affordable choice. They are sturdy, durable, lightweight and versatile, as they also work very well for ski touring or snowshoeing.
- Carbon hiking poles: made from a composite of fibreglass and carbon at varying percentages, they are ultra-light and offer one advantage that aluminium poles do not: they absorb vibrations, which protects your joints. They are, however, slightly more fragile and more expensive.
The wrist straps
For hiking, simple wrist straps that loop around the wrist are sufficient, as the hiker does not need to release the poles as in Nordic walking, for example. There are standard straps, made from a simple adjustable webbing, and padded straps for added comfort. More ergonomic, they are preferable for long hikes as they reduce the risk of irritation or even blisters.
The grips
For hiking poles, you have a choice of four grip types:
- Plastic grips: their only advantage is that they are affordable. Plastic causes sweating, so your hold will be poor, and it is a rigid material that lacks comfort. That said, they are lightweight and can work well for short, occasional hikes.
- Rubber grips: slightly more comfortable than plastic grips, they are suitable for longer hikes. Bear in mind that while the purchase price is low, they are not durable and will deteriorate quickly if exposed to sunlight or low temperatures.
- Foam grips: ultra-light and comfortable, they absorb moisture well but tend to degrade over time.
- Cork grips: slightly heavier than foam grips, they remain lightweight, are more durable (as befits a noble material) and offer good moisture-wicking properties, helping to keep hands dry. They also have the added benefit of absorbing vibrations.
The tips
The connection between your poles and the ground, the choice of tip is very important but also relatively straightforward. You will most likely only have to choose between classic steel tips and tungsten carbide tips. The former are less durable than the latter and will wear down much faster. That is why, where possible, we recommend choosing tungsten tips. More durable, they will offer better grip on the ground for longer compared to their steel counterparts, which more than justifies their higher price.
Tip protectors and baskets
You can always carry and attach a removable tip protector to your tips depending on the terrain. On asphalt, for example, they reduce the noise and impact between the tip and the tarmac, while also protecting the tip itself. The baskets are also interchangeable — if you plan to go out on snowy terrain, you will need to swap your "summer baskets" for wider ones, known as "winter baskets".
