What Are the 6 Best Trekking Poles for Hiking and Backpacking?

TAC9ER Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

We were impressed by the Ultralight Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles from TAC9ER, an up-and-coming brand dedicated to providing premium, high-performance survival gear. As the new kid on the block, these trekking poles are a revelation! And we can’t wait to tell you why.

These poles are the lightest among the bunch! At only 7.4 ounces per pole (or 14.8 ounces for the pair), these poles from TAC9ER can help you go the distance effortlessly with less weight.

We gotta say, the weight savings are evident, especially when on a long hiking trip. Our testers reported little to no arm fatigue with this pair. But aside from their weight, we were also pleasantly surprised by this newcomer’s durability and robustness. This is because the poles are made from the same high-quality materials used in the space program–carbon fiber and aircraft-grade aluminum.

Its ergonomic EVA foam handles are soft, sweat-absorbent, and contoured to the shape of the user’s hands, perfect for increasing endurance without fatigue.

The only minor issue we see with this pair is its lack of foam grip extensions. The nylon wrist straps also aren’t padded, but they are really easy to adjust.

This model features a tri-fold design, with the sections linked together by a tough, plastic-coated cable. Our testers didn’t have difficulty setting the poles up as it’s pretty straightforward: you simply attach the three sections together and secure them by pulling the button at the top.

The height can then be adjusted using the lever lock located in the handle part.

With a collapsed length of 36.8 cm, these poles can quickly be stowed in your duffel or strapped to the side of your trekking pack. However, as with most folding poles, their excellent packability also means you’ll have to compromise a bit on the adjustability. The usable size range is from 115 cm to 135cm, making this pair unsuitable for hikers shorter than 5’4”. It wasn't a significant disadvantage for our testers, though.

Another thing we absolutely love about this pair is that TAC9ER was very generous with the extra accessories. This model comes loaded with rubber tips, three interchangeable baskets, and a convenient carry bag with thick stitching. And oh, did we mention that this pair is backed by a 5-year no-questions-asked warranty? Quite a steal, right?

Our Verdict

For the overall quality and value you get with the TAC9ER Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles, they are definitely our overall #1 pick. We love the simple and practical design and the fact that they only weigh in at 14.8 ounces—the lightest in the group—which makes them the perfect choice if you’re saving the last gram.

This pair really impressed us because despite being ultralight and affordable, it didn’t skimp on durability nor on accessories. And so, at this price and quality, we think it represents unbeatable value, giving the Leki Micro Vario Ti Cor-Tec Trekking Poles (which feature a similar construction) a run for its money!

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork

Leading the lineup are the four-season Alpine Carbon Cork poles from Black Diamond. These poles top nearly all editorial reviews we have read online–and we think we now know why.

Everything about the Alpine Carbon Cork screams quality, from the grips to the tips. The poles come with cork handles that are soft enough for comfort but aren't too spongy. One of our testers reported that despite having sweaty hands, he could still get a good grip due to the cork handles wicking away moisture easily.

The poles also include right- and left-hand specific straps conveniently padded for extra comfort. For non-wrist strap wearers, you’ll be glad to know that these trekking poles feature ergonomic knobs on the top of the grips for better palming during downhill portions of your trek.

Just below the cork handles are non-slip EVA foam grip extensions. This is a welcome addition for those who like to move their grip up and down the pole and is especially useful during endless uphill grinds when hiking at higher altitudes.

The Alpine Carbon Cork’s three-section telescopic carbon fiber shafts are easy to adjust, thanks to Black Diamond’s dual FlickLock Pro system. These metal clamp locks are sturdy and secure, so much so that our testers often had a tough time flicking the locks open and close while on a hike. Our testers also appreciated the fact this model caters to hikers of different heights since the length can easily adjust from a minimum of 63 cm to a max of 130 cm.

At 16.8 ounces, this model isn’t exactly the lightest among the pack. But if you’re willing to deal with the extra couple of ounces, you’ll get a pair of poles that are noticeably tougher and more solid than the other carbon pole models on the market due to their slightly thicker carbon shaft diameter.

Perhaps the downside to this model is that it isn’t exactly packable compared to the other poles in this lineup. The price can also be quite intimidating for newbie hikers, but you get what you pay for. In this case, you get super durable poles with comfortable grips and reliable shafts, plus secure locking mechanisms. They also come with a pair of replaceable trekking and snow baskets.

Given the slightly steeper price, we think the poles should have come with rubber tips. Sharp carbide tips can potentially damage rocks and fragile plants—and backpacks, too!

Our Verdict

All in all, the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are an excellent choice for anyone looking for quality poles, given their outstanding comfort, durability, and overall usability. Black Diamond has been a staple in the backpacking community for a long time, which speaks a lot about the quality of these poles.

We can say for sure that these poles are a good pick when it comes to burly, all-weather terrain. But for lightweight, long-distance backpacking or thru-hiking, we believe that there are still other slightly lighter and more affordable options (that perform just as well) available, like the TAC9ER poles.

Leki Micro Vario Ti COR-TEC Trekking Poles

Leki is a German company that specializes in all things poles—trekking, cross-country, trail-running, Nordic, and ski. So, it’s no surprise why the Leki Micro Vario Ti COR-TEC Trekking Poles look and feel premium!

The Leki Micro Vario Ti COR-TEC Trekking Poles are Z-style poles featuring Leki’s Aergon CorTec grip (a combination of cork and rubber), a textured EVA foam padding just below the handle, and a bulbous egg-shaped top section great for palming.

While we appreciate both the EVA foam extensions and the top portion of the grip, we’re not big fans of Leki’s handle technology despite the rave reviews elsewhere, as we found them to be a bit too hard.

The wrist straps also aren't padded, and adjusting them wasn’t exactly a breeze. You have to forcefully pull the strap upwards to release the strap locking–something we had to discover on our own since there was no indication on the strap adjustment plastic locks.

But again, these are minor inconveniences that obviously won't matter to non-wrist strap wearers.

The design and locking mechanism of the Micro Vario Ti COR-TEC poles from Leki are similar to the TAC9ER trekking poles–you can assemble and disassemble them at lightning speed thanks to the push-button release mechanism and lever lock. They also pack well, with a collapsed size of 36 cm.

But perhaps the biggest downside to this pair is their weight. At 19 ounces, these aluminum poles are definitely on the heavier side, especially for the Z-pole category. This could be the tradeoff to their aluminum construction and cork handles.

While our testers determined that this pair holds up well to all kinds of beating, they also reported some arm fatigue after the hike due to the poles' weight. These poles might not be best for backpackers looking to keep weight to a minimum.

They also don't offer a great deal of length adjustability. Plus, with the high price point, you’d expect extras (such as rubber tips and different baskets) to be included. Unfortunately, these are sold separately.

Our Verdict

Overall, we think the Leki Micro Vario Ti COR-TEC Trekking Poles are a superb and well-designed pair with an exceptionally solid feel and look.

Ultimately, the high price, heavy aluminum design and additional weight, and the lack of extras kept us from making this set our overall pick. But if you want something that packs small and don’t mind the extra weight and price, these poles may be the ones for you.

Montem Ultra-Strong Trekking Poles

Up next is Montem’s Ultra-Strong Trekking Poles. It was a close fight between this and the Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles, but after considering a number of factors such as the price and ease of use, this pair from Montem eventually won out.

What we love most about the Montem Ultra-Strong Trekking Poles is their simplicity. These three-section telescoping poles are fairly practical and straightforward in their design, with their aluminum build, EVA foam handles, grip extension, and lever locks.

At first glance, you’d think that the Montem handles are made of cork, but they actually use EVA foam designed to mimic the look of cork. Though we think this can be slightly misleading, this isn’t exactly a deal breaker for us because EVA foam is an excellent material. In addition, our testers appreciate the textured foam grip extensions, useful for climbing steep terrain, as well as the padded wrist straps for comfort.

Just like the Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork, adjusting the length of the Montem poles is easy, thanks to their lever locks. However, Montem’s locking mechanism pales in comparison to Black Diamond’s FlickLock Pro. We found that the flick locks, which are made of plastic and can be prone to breakage, needed to be tightened a bit to keep the pole sections secure and keep them from rattling. We were wary of tightening them too much as this might make the locks snap.

This pair is also easy to store and adjust, with a minimum length of 60.9 cm to a maximum length of 135 cm.

But at 19.2 ounces, Montem Ultra-Strong Trekking Poles are no doubt on the heavy side. The aluminum construction significantly increases their weight, which might be an issue for ultralight hikers.

And while common belief suggests that the heavier the pole, the more durable it is, this might not be the case for Montem. Several reviews online mentioned the poles breaking easily. This, however, didn’t happen during our testing.

Our Verdict

For entry-level poles, and at only $49.99, the Montem Ultra-Strong Trekking Poles are a good option. While this pair didn’t really impress us and failed to tick off some of our requirements, such as durability and weight, it's still suitable for light use and moderate hikes.

Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

Next, we have the Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles. This pair is similar to the Montem Ultra-Strong Trekking Poles in that they are relatively inexpensive and feature a three-section telescoping design, but that’s probably where the similarity ends.

These trekking poles from Hiker Hunger are lightweight, at only 15.2 ounces per pair, thanks to their carbon fiber construction. They also come with cork handles and foam grip extensions for a premium look, similar to some of the more established brands in the industry. However, the nylon wrist straps that come with the poles don’t feel very comfortable.

Another model we can compare the Hiker Hunger poles to is TAC9ER's. Both are lightweight, made from the same pole material, and are at the same price point. The difference, however, is that this pair from Hiker Hunger feels more delicate than TAC9ER’s. Despite its cork handles, Hiker Hunger poles feel a bit flimsy in hand. The thin nature of the carbon fiber weave used to construct the poles may give the pair a light-as-a-feather feel; however, it doesn’t inspire confidence in the users.

And while these poles offer a wide range of adjustability—from 60.9 cm to 137 cm—we’re not big fans of their locking mechanisms. The flick locks are made of plastic and don’t feel as strong and reliable as the metal locks from brands like Black Diamond.

Nevertheless, the interchangeable tips that come with this pair are a nice bonus and add to its versatility.

Our Verdict

All in all, these Hiker Hunger carbon fiber poles are a decent pick given their low price. But durability and longevity may not be these poles’ strongest suits. If you want lightweight, durable, and packable carbon fiber poles at the same price, you’d be better off with the TAC9ER Trekking Poles.

BAFX Products Anti-Shock Trekking Poles

At 24 ounces, BAFX Products Anti-Shock poles can't be categorized as lightweight poles. We already knew this from the get-go; still, we included it in our list primarily because they're the bestselling trekking poles on Amazon.

So what’s up with these poles? Well, they’re the cheapest in this lineup, priced only at $21.99 per pair. They’re also the most classic-looking pair with their rubber handles, twist locks, and burly aluminum shafts.

As for the performance, don’t expect much from these poles. While the aluminum shafts are quite solid and seem to hold up well to rough treatment, we’re not very confident with their twist locks as they're prone to slipping and are hard to adjust on the fly.

Perhaps the only consolation is that you get built-in springs to reduce vibration, as well as mud baskets and two sets of rubber tip covers.

Our Verdict

Overall, the BAFX Products Anti-Shock trekking poles have more cons than pros. In other words, you truly get what you pay for. These poles are too basic and flimsy for most uses.

While they might be a decent pair for occasional hikers, we think it’s worth spending a bit more on other budget options on this list, like the Montem Ultralight Trekking Poles.