Top 10 Best Trekking Pole Brands On The Market For Hikers
Trekking poles are an essential part of a hiker’s gear. They provide stability and balance on any terrain, whether going uphill or downhill and can even support shelters during long hikes.
When it comes to choosing the best trekking poles for your kit, there are plenty of factors to consider: price, weight, length, adjustability, material, customizability, and durability all come to mind. Though the brand name is far from the most important factor, knowing the top trekking pole brands will surely help you in your search for your first or next set of poles.
With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to find what precisely would work best for your needs and wants. In this article, we’ll share our take on the top trekking pole brands to look out for.
Though obviously subjective and prone to biases, we’ve done our best to list out these brands based on the following metrics (in no particular order):
- Company reputation
- Variety of trekking poles
- Performance of the trekking poles
- Longevity of the trekking poles
- Company must currently be in operation
With all that being said, let’s list out the brands.
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The top 10 best trekking pole brands on the market
- Black Diamond
- Mountain Safety Research
- Leki
- REI Co-op
- Gossamer Gear
- Cascade Mountain Tech
- Pacerpole
- Mountainsmith
- Kelty
- Montem
Let’s get into each of these brands in greater detail and explain why they belong in the top 11 best trekking pole brands. I’ll share their country of origin, a bit of history, examples of high-end, popular and/or budget-friendly pole options, and a link to their official website.
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Black Diamond
Black Diamond has been a well-known and reputable company for years, producing some of the top gear for climbers and skiers worldwide. Their equipment is made by adventurers for adventurers, so you can trust that they know what the people want and work hard to deliver. Today, Black Diamond sets the standard for outdoor gear around the world.
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
These poles are exactly as their name describes. They are carbon shaft poles with soft-touch cork grips, FlickLock® Pro adjustable technology for easy on-the-go use and are built to withstand all-year-round alpine terrain. If you are seeking the best poles Black Diamond has on the market to date, then these are for you!
Most popular trekking pole option: Ergo Cork Trekking Poles
There are many reasons why these poles are the most popular trekking poles by Black Diamond. They are crafted to take on challenging backcountry terrains while continuing to support your joints. The grips are a 15° corrective angle handle made from cork, which helps absorb sweat, plus they feature additional rubber grips underneath for added security.
Budget-friendly trekking pole option: Distance Z Trekking Poles
These foldable, budget-friendly trekking poles have recently been updated to make them 30% stiffer than before to help improve joint support. They are lightweight, easy to use and come fixed in length. Be sure to check out Black Diamond’s size charts prior to purchasing to make sure you selected the correct size.
Black Diamond Equipment was founded by Peter Metcalf in 1989. Their headquarters are currently in Holladay, Utah, USA.
Official website: blackdiamondequipment.com
Mountain Safety Research
Mountain Safety Research (MSR) was founded in 1969 when lifelong mountaineer Larry Penberthy made it his quest to craft better-quality safety equipment for outdoor enthusiasts to take on the mountains. Since then, the MSR team has continued to use science and engineering to produce high-performance and durable gear, with safety being the number one priority. They believe that you will have better adventures knowing your equipment is trustworthy and reliable.
To this day, MSR is one of the most well-recognized gear companies on and off the trails, known for keeping folks safe.
Top-of-the-line & most popular trekking pole option: DynaLock Ascent Carbon Poles
Crafted for backcountry terrain, these lightweight, foldable Carbon fibre poles are built to handle all types of adventures. They feature EVA foam grips plus additional lower grips for extra grip support on precipitous terrains.
Budget-friendly trekking pole option: DynaLock Trail Backcountry Poles
These poles are superb for folks looking for poles on a budget that are dependable even in the snowy terrain. Whether you are a winter hiker, snowshoer or skier, these poles will do the trick! They are easily adjustable, made from aluminum and come with winter and summer baskets.
Mountain Safety Research was founded by Larry Penberthy in 1969. Its current headquarters are in Seattle, Washington, USA.
Official website: msrgear.com
Leki
Leki first began when founder Karl Lenhart decided to craft his own grips and baskets after being dissatisfied with others on the market. After great success with those, he expanded into entire ski poles and, later on, gloves.
Today, Leki is arguably one of the world’s leading companies when it comes to poles. They aim to craft gear that is comfortable and ergonomically sound to last long term and through any situation.
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: Leki Micro Vario Carbon AS
The Leki Micro Vario Carbon AS poles are top of the line for Leki for great reasons. They are lightweight, comfortable and collapse to 15 inches, making them easy to store and use. In addition, they feature Thermo foam grips that provide additional comfort and insulation in the colder months.
Most popular trekking pole option: Leki Micro Vario Cor-Tec TA
The Leki Micro Vario Cor-Tec AT poles are popular due to their durability, comfort, and ease of use. Its SpeedLock locking mechanism allows for quick, on-the-trail adjustments while the grips are crafted from 80% cork with a foam extension on the top, providing unmatched grip comfort.
Budget-friendly trekking pole option: Leki Makalu Lite Cor-Tec
These poles are made with comfort in mind. They are thin, incredibly lightweight and feature natural cork grips. Not to mention, they are equipped with SpeedLock, which allows for quick on-the-go length adjustments.
Leki was founded by Karl Lenhart in 1948. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Kirchheim Unter Teck, Germany.
Official website: leki.com
REI Co-op
For over 80 years, REI has provided affordable yet high-quality, performance-ready and sustainable gear and apparel worldwide to outdoor adventurers. What started as a quest for 23 climbers to begin crafting their own reasonably priced equipment to get more people outdoors has now turned into a well-known brand that not only sells their own gear but also other high-end brands.
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: Flash Carbon Compact Trekking Poles
The Flash Carbon Compact Trekking Poles are incredibly lightweight, reliable and durable. Made with a carbon shaft and foam grips, these poles are made to last even in the most challenging terrains and challenges.
Most popular trekking pole option: Traverse Trekking Poles
REI’s award-winning trekking poles are crafted with locking lever mechanisms, cork grips, and a three-piece telescopic shaft. They handle well on most terrains and are excellent for regular hikers and backpackers. However, these poles are a bit heavier than others on the market and not as compatible, making them not ideal for trail runners, long-distance hikes or those seeking lightweight poles.
Budget-friendly trekking pole option: Trailbreak Trekking Poles
The Trailbreak Trekking Poles are great budget-friendly poles that offer a basic design, quality aluminum shaft and adjustable locking mechanisms. These are superb for beginner hikers and light trails. However, it should be noted that they may not be suited for challenging and rough terrains.
Rei Co-op was founded by Lloyd & Mary Anderson in 1938, and the current headquarters is in Kent, Washington, USA.
Official website: rei.com
Gossamer Gear
Formally known as GVP Gear, Gossamer Gear is an eminent name in the outdoor gear world. What started off as just Glen Van Peski on a quest to craft a lightweight backpacking pack has now turned into a wide array of outdoor gear for all types of adventures.
With gear made to be both high-quality and lightweight, they aim to reduce the weight of gear on backpackers so they can make the most out of their endeavours. Hence, their motto is “Take less. Do more.”
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: LT5 Carbon Trekking Poles
The LT5 Carbon poles are impeccable poles that not only showcase strength and durability but are also extremely lightweight. Because of their stability, they make for an excellent lightweight shelter setup option, which means less weight on your back when you adventure. These poles are a superb choice for overnight ventures and people seeking out durable poles that won’t weigh them down.
Gossamer Gear was founded by Glen Van Peski in 1998. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Austin, Texas, USA.
Official website: gossamergear.com
Cascade Mountain Tech
Cascade Mountain Tech built its company on the notion of crafting lightweight, durable and affordable trekking poles. Since accomplishing this, they have expanded from only trekking poles to other gear to help make getting outdoors affordable, comfortable and accessible.
As a bonus, almost all pairs of Cascade Mountain Poles come with a carrying bag and additional tips, including snow baskets, boot tips, mud baskets and rubber feet.
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fibre Poles
These poles are arguably one of the best “affordable” carbon fibre poles on the market. Since they are made from carbon fibre, they are incredibly lightweight, sturdy and feature cork grips. These are great for those looking for quality carbon fibre poles that will not slow them down on the trails.
Most popular trekking pole option: Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Poles
There is no doubt why these are Cascade Mountain Tech’s most popular trekking poles. They are highly durable, lightweight, compactable and affordable. In fact, these are the poles we use on the trails! They come with either cork or Eva foam grips, and the shafts are made from aluminum.
Budget-friendly trekking pole option: Cascade Mountain Tech Twist Locks
These are superb poles for hikers wanting to test out an inexpensive pole before committing to a price pair. They are perfect for beginners and light trails, featuring a twist-lock mechanism to quickly adjust the length while remaining under a pound in weight.
Cascade Mountain Tech was founded by Rock Wood in 2010. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Preston, Washington, USA.
Official website: cascademountaintech.com
Pacerpole
Pacerpole is a remarkable brand that designed poles to help improve everyday postures for better breathing, performance and endurance. They pride themselves on being more than just poles. Their hiking poles are designed with the “best you” in mind, helping people improve posture and change the mechanics of their walk.
A big distinctive feature is their unique handgrip design. Made without suspended straps, these grips are meant to integrate with your hand, reducing wrist fatigue, increasing comfort and helping to redirect power efficiently. These poles are genuinely one of a kind.
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: 3-Section Carbon Fibre Pacerpoles Twist Lock
Relatively lightweight and incredibly durable, the 3-section Carbon Fibre poles are built to last. These poles are superb for maintaining proper posture, thus allowing for optimal breathing and comfort on all terrain types.
Most popular and budget-friendly trekking pole option: 3-Section Pacerpoles Alloy Twist Lock
Similar to the Carbon 3-Section Pacerpoles, the Alloy 3-Section poles feature the same handgrip and twist-lock system. The main differences are the shaft materials and that the Alloy poles are a bit longer.
The Alloy and Carbon poles are also available in a dual lock and feature a mesh bag, rubber feet and 4cm diameter baskets.
Pacerpole was founded by Heather Rhodes in 2001. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Windermere, United Kingdom.
Official website: pacerpole.com
Mountainsmith
For over 40+ years, outdoor adventurers have trusted the quality and functionality of Mountainsmith gear. From the beginning, they committed to crafting the best quality equipment for adventurers that would not only last any backcountry adventure but also a lifetime.
Founded in the Rockies, they are no strangers to the rigorous terrain and the quality of gear needed. If you are looking for quality gear made for the toughest of challenges that provide comfort and support, look no further than Mountainsmith.
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: Andesite Trekking Poles
It is no surprise why the Andesite Trekking Poles are the top pick for Mountainsmith poles. These are their most durable yet lightweight poles to date! If you are searching for trekking poles that will last long durations and rugged terrains, these are for you.
Most popular trekking pole option: Carbonlite Pro
Known for their lightweight feel, cork grips and unmatched comfort, these poles are perfect for avid outdoor folks. The support, comfort and durability of the Carbonlite Pro poles will keep you going for miles.
Budget-friendly trekking pole option: Dolomite 7075 OLS
This telescoping, cork-handle trekking pole is a great budget-friendly option. Do not let the reasonable price dissuade you. The Dolomite pole has impeccable durability, is lightweight and easy to adjust.
Mountainsmith was founded by Patrick Smith in 1979. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Golden, Colorado, USA.
Official website: mountainsmith.com
Kelty
Kelty is a fun, exciting brand that aims to make getting outdoors accessible and enjoyable for the whole family. Their gear is built to last, leaving you with no stress and no excuse not to get outside and explore.
Kelty also holds great pride in making products that will not have a negative impact on the environment. All gear is PFC-Free to help reduce harmful chemicals, while any down-filled products are also 100% ethically sourced. By supporting Kelty, you will be getting high-quality gear built to last and have peace of mind knowing this company aims to help keep the great outdoors chemical-free.
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: Range 2.0
Available as a single or pair, the Range 2.0 trekking poles are a superb option for those looking for reliability and durability. They are made from aluminum alloy and feature cork and EVA foam grip for enhanced comfort and adjustability.
Most popular trekking pole option: Upslope 2.0
These poles are incredibly compatible, making it so they will not take up much room in your pack when not in use. In addition, they are compatible with snow baskets, ensuring you can use them all year round.
Budget-friendly trekking pole option: Strider Hiking Staff
Made to last and withstand adventures, the Strider hiking staff is constructed from aluminum and features an EVA compression foam grip. It also comes either singular or in a pair.
Kelty was founded by Asher Kelty in 1952. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in Boulder, Colorado, USA.
Official website: kelty.com
Montem
What started as two hikers seeking to design the best trekking poles for their fellow hikers eventually turned into a quest to create durable, long-lasting and affordable gear of all types for outdoor adventurers.
Today, Montem offers a range of gear that has been tested by local hikers and outdoor enthusiasts alike before hitting the market. You can be sure that Montem knows what they are doing when it comes to trekking poles.
Top-of-the-line trekking pole option: Ultra Light Carbon Fibre
These trekking poles are perfect for those seeking out lightweight yet strong poles to take on the toughest terrains. Made from 100% carbon fibre, the Ultra Light Carbon Fibre poles are crafted to last and are kind to your joints with their natural anti-shock feature.
Most popular & budget-friendly trekking pole option: Ultra Strong
One of Montem’s best-selling trekking poles just so happens to also be rated the best affordable carbon pole by Backpacker Magazine. Built to last with its impeccable durability, the Ultra Strong trekking poles are perfect for your outdoor adventures.
Montem was founded by Joseph Passalacqua and Raymond in 2016. Currently, the company’s headquarters are in New York City, USA.
Official website: montemlife.com
