Buying guide for Best hiking poles
Hiking gets you out into the great outdoors, as well as being a good workout. Whether you choose to take on the mountain or the forest, hiking, or trekking, poles can help you navigate and balance over a variety of terrains, such as inclines, water crossings, and rocks, as well as safely navigate snow and slippery footing conditions.
An added bonus is that the additional movement helps create an all-body workout using arms, back, and shoulders, resulting in a more intense Nordic-style exercise. Since the poles help with balance, they can also help ease the strain on knees and the back, especially if you are also carrying a backpack.
Hiking poles should be strong enough to lean on for support yet light enough to enable you to walk with them for long periods without tiring. Many hiking poles fold or collapse onto themselves, creating a smaller size that’s easy to transport when not in use.
We’ve looked at a wide range, so check for features that suit your needs, like rubber tips, backpack attachment straps, and snow discs.
One of the first things we look at when determining which hiking poles are best is how much they weigh, as this impacts the user experience.
We look at hiking poles with various grip materials including cork, rubber, and foam. With a number of grip choices available, potential buyers are more likely to find a pair that fits their needs.
When looking for effective hiking poles, we include both folding and telescoping models that collapse for easy storage on our research list.
Sturdiness and price are often related. When scrutinizing hiking poles, we determine if the cost matches the value.
Adjustability matters. We find out how length-adjustable various poles are when searching for the best hiking poles.
We carefully note the angle of each hiking pole handle. This allows readers to find one that properly supports them over steep and harsh terrain.
In our search for the best trekking poles, products with advanced features capture our attention. For example, we appreciate poles with shock absorbers that lessen the impact on your arms.
We often give high marks to hiking poles with removable tips. On these poles, the tips can be removed and replaced with terrain-specific tips for snow or mud.
Durability and reliability are important when it comes to hiking poles. We put a high premium on products with these two features.
Before recommending a pair of hiking poles, we find out the type of terrain for which they are best suited.
What are hiking poles made of?
Two of the most vital parts of a hiking pole’s anatomy are the shaft and the grip. The shaft is the length of the pole, and the grip is the part where you place your hands. When selecting new hiking poles, you’ll want to pay attention to the materials with which the shaft and grip are made.
Hiking pole shaft materials
The material with which a hiking pole’s shaft is made affects the pole’s overall weight, durability under stress, and cost.
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Aluminum: Hiking poles with aluminum shafts tend to cost less than poles made of other materials. What’s more, they’re revered for their durability. That said, aluminum poles tend to weigh more than other options.
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Composite: A hiking pole shaft made of composite material consists either partially or entirely of carbon fiber. Carbon hiking poles tend to cost more than aluminum poles, and they weigh less. Those who hike in extremely tough conditions should be advised that a carbon fiber pole could splinter or break under extreme stress.
Hiking pole grip materials
You should pay particular attention to the grip material on your hiking pole. After all, your hands will be in constant contact with the grip while using the hiking poles. Poor grip material can lead to discomfort, hand fatigue, or injury.
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Cork: Hand grips made of cork conform to the shape of your hand better than other materials. And cork resists moisture, so the sweat from your hands won’t seep into the material. As such, cork hand grips work well in hot weather.
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Foam: Foam is the softest possible hand grip material. However, it’s not as durable as other materials, and it may absorb sweat from your hands, which some people do not like.
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Rubber: Rubber hand grips work well in cold weather, as rubber resists temperature changes better than other materials. It also absorbs shock as the poles strike the ground. Notably, because rubber almost sticks to the hand, you may develop blisters when using rubber hand grips in warm, humid weather.
When shopping for hiking poles, you should also pay attention to the diameter and size of the hand grips. If you have small hands, for example, a child’s or woman’s hiking pole may fit your hand better than a unisex pole.
Expert TIp
The proper height for a hiking pole is one that allows your elbow to sit at a right angle while holding the hiking pole’s grips.
BestReviews Fitness Expert
Special hiking pole features
Some hiking poles include more than just a shaft and grip. Manufacturers may add features that make the trek easier or give the pole additional capabilities.
Here are some of the “extra” features you might see on some hiking poles for sale.
Camera mount
Some hiking poles include a screw through which you can attach a camera to the pole. This allows you to use the pole like a monopod and have the camera ready to shoot while you’re hiking.
Compass
You may find a hiking pole with a small compass built into the handle. Such compasses won’t be the most accurate models on the market, but they may help you find your bearings in a pinch.
Locking mechanisms
You’ll use a pole’s locking mechanism to ensure the sections don’t collapse when they’re supporting your weight. You can flip a lever lock or twist a ring to lock the pole’s sections in place.
Shock absorption
For a more comfortable hike, look for a pole that includes shock-absorption technology. These poles have springs built right into the pole.
Shock-absorbing springs work best for downhill hiking.
With some hiking poles, you can disable the springs when hiking uphill or on flat ground.
Expert TIp
Gripping the poles too tightly can cause elbow pain. Place your hands through the strap while gripping the pole to add more stability and a more comfortable grip.
BestReviews Fitness Expert
Adjustable-length vs. fixed-length hiking poles
Many hiking poles sold today include the ability to adjust the length of the pole easily. These are adjustable-length hiking poles. The sections of an adjustable-length hiking pole collapse into each other, much like a telescope. Having this type of pole works well for many reasons.
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Easy transport: When hiking in areas where you don’t need the poles, an adjustable-length pole can be collapsed down to its minimum length and strapped to a backpack, making it easy to carry.
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Uphill and downhill assistance: When hiking in terrain that features long uphill or downhill sections, an adjustable-length pole eases the trek. Just make the pole a little shorter on uphill sections and longer on downhill sections.
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Multiple users: If more than one person will be using the hiking poles, you’ll definitely want adjustable-length poles. This way, each person will be able to adjust the poles to a height that meets his or her needs.
Some people prefer fixed-length hiking poles. These generally weigh less than adjustable poles.
However, potential buyers should realize that fixed-length poles work best when you’re hiking primarily on flat terrain.
Expert Tip
On steep uphill ascents, shorten the poles slightly. This way, you won't need to reach as far to get a good hold on the trail in front of you. On steep downhills, lengthen the poles for stability, and make sure to place them only slightly in front of you.
BestReviews Fitness Expert
Tips
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To find the best hiking pole length for you, look for one that’s adjustable within 20 to 24 inches shorter than you are. So if you’re 6 feet tall, look for a pole that can be set between 52 and 48 inches in length.
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Carbon fiber composite hiking poles tend to weigh less than aluminum poles.
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Many hiking pole designs contain wrist straps specific to the left or right hand. The padding on the grip lines up with the proper hand when you use the matching wrist strap.
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Use rubber protectors on the tips of the hiking poles to protect the carbide or steel tips. They will last longer this way.
FAQ
Q. How do I know which height is most comfortable for my hiking pole?
A. Before setting the pole length on an adjustable hiking pole, stand as you normally would with the pole tip on the ground. Leave your upper arm at your side, and bend your elbow at 90 degrees. The position of your hand should correspond to the position of the hand grip on the hiking pole. Next, set the length of the pole. You’ll want to set it so that you can hold the grip comfortably in this arm position.
Q. Is a special technique required for using hiking poles?
A. The pole in your right hand should strike the ground at the same time as your left foot. Other than that, you should try to walk as naturally as possible when using hiking poles. Don’t change your stride to accommodate the poles.
Q. How do I clean a hiking pole?
A. You should wipe down the surface of your hiking poles after each use. After a few uses, especially in rough conditions with a lot of dust or moisture, you’ll want to clean the joints with a damp rag. The poles should pull apart slightly to allow you to clean the joints. After this task is complete, dry the areas with a clean rag.
If you see rust stains on any of the clamps or locking mechanisms, spray WD40 on a rag and clean the areas. When not in use, store your hiking poles in a dry place. Follow any additional manufacturer’s instructions for keeping your hiking poles clean.
