The Best Trekking Poles of 2025

When heading outdoors, one piece of gear that stands out for its versatility and usefulness is trekking poles. These reliable tools offer stability, support, and balance, making them essential for hikers of all levels.

In 2025, trekking poles have seen some exciting upgrades, providing options for different needs. Whether you’re hiking rugged mountain trails or enjoying peaceful walks through forests, these poles are made to enhance your experience.

Modern trekking poles do more than just help with balance. They’re designed to reduce fatigue, prevent injuries, and improve hiking efficiency. With features like ergonomic grips, shock absorption, and adjustable lengths, they offer great comfort and performance on any terrain.

Whether you’re climbing steep hills, descending tricky slopes, or covering long distances, the right pair of trekking poles can make your adventure easier and more enjoyable. They help you explore further and face challenges with confidence.

Before your next hike, make sure you have the best trekking poles of 2025. You’ll be surprised at how much they can improve your hiking experience.

In A Hurry? Here Are Our Favorite Picks…

Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles

 

The Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are perfect for serious hikers and outdoor lovers. Designed for adventure, these poles offer a great mix of comfort, durability, and performance.

These trekking poles feature a cork grip with a soft-rubber extension, giving you excellent stability and control, even on tough trails. The Flick Lock Pro mechanism, made from lightweight aluminum, makes adjusting the poles easy and ensures they stay sturdy on rugged paths.

The 3-section carbon fiber shaft strikes a great balance between being durable and lightweight, making these poles ideal for long hikes. Known for their high-quality gear, Black Diamond delivers reliable performance, even in tough conditions.

While the poles are built to last, some users have noted that the bottom collars might occasionally have trouble keeping the poles securely collapsed, causing a little noise when stored. However, this minor issue doesn’t take away from the overall quality of the poles, making them a great choice for any serious adventurer.

Pros:

•  The cork grip and soft-rubber extension provide an excellent hold, improving stability and control on any trail.
•  The Flick Lock Pro mechanism is easy to adjust, letting you focus more on your hike and less on adjusting gear.
•  Made with a strong 100% carbon fiber shaft, these poles offer a perfect balance of durability and lightweight design, ensuring they’re dependable on all your hikes.

Cons:

•  Some users have had issues with the bottom collars not locking the poles securely, which can lead to some noise when stored.
•  These poles come with a higher price tag compared to other options on the market.

 

Montem Ultra Light Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles

If you’re looking for trekking poles that are both reliable and lightweight without costing a fortune, the Montem Ultra Light Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles are a great choice. Made from carbon fiber, these poles are tough yet incredibly light, giving you solid support without weighing you down.

Weighing just 7.6 ounces each, they’re easy on your back during hikes. The quick-lock mechanism makes it easy to adjust the poles, so you can easily change the height from 24” to 53” to fit your needs and the terrain.

These poles are also compact and travel-friendly, perfect for your adventures. Plus, they come with useful accessories like rubber tip protectors, pole connectors, and mud baskets, adding to their versatility.

Comfort is key, too, with padded straps that improve your grip and stability, reducing fatigue and the chances of dropping them.

Pros:

•  Made from carbon fiber, these poles are durable yet lightweight, offering a great balance of strength and ease.
•  The quick-lock system makes adjusting the height easy, fitting hikers of all sizes.
•  Their compact design and included accessories like rubber tip protectors and mud baskets make them great for travel and different terrains.

Cons:

•  Some users may find the padded straps uncomfortable on longer hikes, especially with extended use.
•  The grips are functional but could use more cushioning for added comfort on long treks.

 

MSR DynaLock Ascent Foldable Trekking Poles

The MSR DynaLock Ascent Foldable Trekking Poles are a popular choice for hikers and outdoor lovers who need reliable support on various terrains.

Made from kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber, these poles offer a great balance of strength and lightness, making them both durable and easy to carry.

One of their standout features is the three-piece design, which makes folding and unfolding them quick and easy, ideal for packing into smaller backpacks. The DynaLock mechanism lets you adjust the pole length without any tools, giving you flexible customization on the go.

Comfort is also a priority with lightweight EVA foam grips that feel great on long hikes, plus an extended lower grip for added flexibility on different terrains.

Although these poles are portable, some users may find their collapsed size a bit bulky. However, this is a small trade-off for their solid build and versatile design, making them a great choice for any hiking trip.

Pros:

•  Made from kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber, these poles are strong but light, offering dependable support without weighing you down.
•  The DynaLock mechanism makes adjusting the pole length easy and tool-free, allowing you to customize it on the move.
•  Lightweight EVA foam grips and an extended lower grip provide comfort and adaptability on all types of terrain.

Cons:

•  Some users may find the collapsed size a little bulky, making it less convenient for packing.

 

LEKI Khumbu Lite Aluminum Trekking Poles

LEKI’s Khumbu Lite Aluminum Trekking Poles are a great choice for outdoor lovers, offering a mix of durability and comfort.

Made from strong alloy, these poles are tough enough for challenging trails while staying light. Adjusting the length is easy with the Dual Speed Lock Plus mechanism, allowing you to quickly and securely change the length between 100 to 135 cm—no tools needed.

The Aergon Cor-Tec Grip is shaped to fit comfortably in your hand, helping reduce fatigue on long hikes. Plus, the Lock Security Strap 2.0 gives you a snug, secure fit without pinching.

These poles are designed to make your hike more enjoyable with their simple features. The lightweight build, easy adjusters, and comfortable straps make them a great option for smooth, hassle-free hikes.

However, some users may find the setup a bit tricky, especially if the instructions aren’t clear. But once you get used to it, the Khumbu Lite poles will be your reliable companion on the trail.

Pros:

•  Made from a durable alloy, these poles offer a great balance of strength and lightness.
•  The Dual Speed Lock Plus mechanism allows for easy and secure length adjustments.

Cons:

•  The instructions may be a little unclear, making the initial setup and adjustments harder for some.

 

Urban Poling Trekking Poles

The Urban Poles Series 300 by Urban Poling is a great choice for Nordic walking year-round. Made from high-quality aluminum, these poles offer the perfect mix of durability and lightness. They help activate your core muscles, which can boost calorie burn and reduce wrist strain.

The ergonomically designed CoreGrip improves your walking form, maximizing the fitness benefits. The adjustable height ensures they fit different users, and the collapsible design makes them easy to store and carry.

Users have praised how easy they are to adjust and how they improve physical performance. The poles also come with a secure lock, an ergonomic rubber grip, a carbide metal tip, and removable tips for various terrains, making them versatile and practical.

One downside is that the package doesn’t include a strap, which could have added extra stability and comfort.

Pros:

•  Lightweight aluminum construction offers durability and strength for year-round fitness.
•  The CoreGrip design enhances core engagement and reduces wrist strain, helping you burn more calories.
•  Adjustable height and foldable design provide convenience, fitting different users and being easy to store and transport.

Cons:

•  The lack of straps may affect stability and comfort during use.

Conclusion

The best hiking poles of 2025 combine innovation, durability, and practicality to enhance your outdoor adventures. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced hiker, these poles offer more than just stability on rough terrain.

Hiking poles help reduce strain on your joints and improve your posture and balance, making every hike more enjoyable. They can also assist with crossing streams, support your tent, and even double as selfie sticks for capturing beautiful views.

As you prepare for your next adventure, choose hiking poles that match your needs and style. The right poles will help you face any challenge in the great outdoors.

For tips on improving your backpacking skills, be sure to check out our detailed guide on essential backpacking skills.