In this guide, we share the advice you need to choose the right hiking poles and get the most out of your mountain outings.
Hiking poles are strongly recommended to help you get the most out of alpine and mountain outings safely. They give you more balance and stability, and therefore greater safety. They also help you maintain better posture, tire less quickly, build endurance and improve your performance. But these benefits depend on choosing poles suited to hiking and to the person using them.
Which material should you choose for your poles? Which grip is best? How do you choose a locking or folding system? The following sections will help you choose your next hiking poles.
Hiking pole sections
Unlike Nordic walking, hiking is best done with adjustable multi-section poles. Nordic walking usually takes place on relatively flat, even ground, whereas the terrain can change throughout a hike. You won’t need your poles all the time, and you’ll regularly need to adjust their length. There are two main ways hiking poles collapse for storage, each with two variants.
- Telescopic poles: usually made up of two or three sections that slide inside one another. When collapsed, the sections nest together. To extend the poles, slide them out to the desired length, then secure them with a twist or clip lock. Their length is always adjustable, but there are two types of locking system:
- Telescopic poles with twist locks: twist the sections to secure them at the desired length, then untwist them to collapse the poles. This is the oldest, most common and most economical system. However, the length can sometimes change suddenly during use, which can be startling or even dangerous. Tightening the sections too firmly to prevent this can make them very difficult to loosen. Twist locks are therefore better suited to occasional hikers on easy terrain or gentle walks.
- Telescopic poles with clip locks: slide the sections to the desired length, then lock the clips. This makes adjustment quick, secure and reliable. It’s a more modern system than the twist lock, and one we’d choose without hesitation. It costs slightly more, but we strongly recommend it if you hike regularly, put a lot of weight through your poles and want a telescopic design.
- Folding or sectional poles: generally made up of at least three sections, these don’t slide inside one another. Instead, the sections separate and fold into a Z-fold for storage, then slot together when deployed. A reinforced cord connects the sections and keeps them together when separated. This system is much quicker than telescopic poles, and the poles are easier to fold and deploy. They’re therefore easier to handle, often lighter and stronger, and take up less space when folded — especially if they have more than three sections. There are two types, and the difference matters.
- Non-adjustable folding poles: these poles fold down but cannot be adjusted for length. They’re mainly suited to hikes on easy, flat terrain without major changes in elevation. That said, investing in poles for this type of hike may not be worthwhile.
- Adjustable folding poles: they offer all the advantages of collapsible poles without the drawbacks. They’re strong, lightweight, compact, easy to handle and simple to use.
Shaft construction
For hiking poles, the main choice of material is between carbon and aluminium. Both are excellent options. Here’s a quick look at what sets them apart.
- Aluminium hiking poles: the most common and economical choice. They’re strong, durable, lightweight and versatile enough for ski touring and snowshoeing too.
- Carbon hiking poles: made from a blend of fibreglass and varying proportions of carbon fibre, they’re ultralight. They also have an advantage over aluminium poles: they absorb vibrations, reducing strain on your joints. However, they’re slightly more fragile and more expensive.
Straps
For hiking, simple wrist straps are enough: unlike in Nordic walking, you don’t need to release your poles with each stride. You can choose standard straps made from adjustable webbing or padded straps for extra comfort. The more ergonomic padded option is better for long hikes, as it reduces the risk of irritation and blisters.
Pole grips
There are four types of grip to choose from for hiking poles:
- Plastic grips: their main advantage is their low price. Plastic makes your hands sweat, reducing grip, and its rigidity makes it less comfortable. Still, plastic grips are lightweight and can be suitable for short, occasional hikes.
- Rubber grips: slightly more comfortable than plastic grips, they’re suitable for longer hikes. But while they’re inexpensive, they aren’t durable and can deteriorate quickly when exposed to sunlight or low temperatures.
- Foam grips: ultralight and comfortable, they absorb sweat well but tend to deteriorate over time.
- Cork grips: only slightly heavier than foam grips, they remain lightweight and are more durable thanks to cork’s natural properties. They also help wick away sweat to keep your hands dry and absorb vibrations.
Tips
The tips connect your poles to the ground, so choosing the right ones matters — but it’s fairly straightforward. You’ll probably be choosing between standard steel tips and tungsten carbide tips. Steel tips are less durable and wear down much faster. That’s why we recommend tungsten tips wherever possible. They last longer and provide better grip for longer than steel tips, more than justifying the higher price.
Tip covers and baskets
You can carry removable tip covers and fit them when the terrain calls for it. On tarmac, for example, they reduce the noise and impact of the tips striking the ground while protecting the tips themselves. Baskets are interchangeable too. If you head out on snow, you’ll need to replace your “summer baskets” with wider “winter baskets”.
