Hiking Poles

Hiking poles are versatile tools that can significantly enhance your hiking experience, whether you’re on a one-hour stroll or a multi-day expedition. Poles take weight off your feet, ankles, knees, legs, and hips and let you carry some of it with your upper body. In short, they reduce strain on your lower body—particularly your joints—by distributing weight. This is especially beneficial when hiking downhill, or when carrying a heavy pack over long distances. Poles also improve balance and stability on uneven terrain, such as mud, sand, gravel, and scree. By engaging your upper body, they also increase endurance and help maintain momentum, which also helps you hike longer and carry heavier loads. The best hiking poles aren’t just used for hiking, either. Trail runners and snowshoers often use them, too!

Hiking poles have a lot of benefits. As noted above, they primarily reduce strain on your joints and lower body by distributing weight to your upper body. (For example, if you weigh 150 pounds and are carrying a 30-pound pack, then without poles, that’s 180 pounds on your knees and ankles. If you’re using hiking poles, the poles—via your arms and shoulders—will catch and absorb some of that weight, so it’s not all on your lower body.) Poles also improve balance and stability, reducing the risk of falls and stumbles on uneven, loose, slippery, or otherwise technical terrain. Hiking poles are particularly useful for hikers on downhill trails, or for those traveling long distances or carrying heavy loads, as well as anyone who may benefit from additional stability, such as the elderly. Most serious trekkers and backpackers will use hiking poles.

There aren’t really any drawbacks when it comes to the best hiking poles, but some hikers prefer not to use them in certain situations. For example, on a trail where you need to use your hands to scramble over rocks or navigate dense vegetation, hiking poles may get in the way. They also add weight to your overall gear, which may be a concern for ultralight hikers.

There are a few key factors to look for when choosing hiking poles. Adjustability is crucial because it allows you to modify the length for varying terrain and comfort. (Shorter poles work better going uphill, and longer poles work better going downhill.) Weight is another consideration, with lighter materials like carbon fiber reducing fatigue but costing more. Aluminum offers a more durable, budget-friendly option. Prioritize comfortable grips made from moisture-wicking materials like cork or foam, and ensure the poles have reliable locking mechanisms, such as flick locks, to prevent accidental collapses. Finally, explore additional features, like shock absorption for impact comfort and interchangeable baskets for different terrains.

The shafts of hiking poles are typically constructed from lightweight, durable materials, most commonly aluminum and carbon fiber. Aluminum poles, like our Solstice Hiking Poles, are more affordable and rugged, making them the popular choice for most hikers. Carbon fiber poles are lighter and offer better vibration dampening but come at a much higher price point. They’re also more vulnerable to breaking. In addition to the shaft material, hiking poles typically include cork or foam for the grips, and rubber or tungsten carbide for the tips to provide traction.

Choosing between cork and foam grips for your hiking poles depends largely on personal preference. Both are a great choice. Cork grips, known for their natural comfort, mold to your hand over time and excel at absorbing sweat. Foam grips are slightly more durable and provide excellent cushioning. While they may not conform to your hand as effectively as cork, they are lightweight and resistant to temperature changes. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your priorities and how the grip feels in your hand. The good news is that, here at retrospec, the choice is yours! Our Solstice Hiking Poles are available in both cork and foam grip options for the exact same price.

The best hiking poles come with different end attachments that allow you to adapt your poles to better suit different terrains and conditions, such as snow, rock, and dirt. Our Solstice Hiking Poles include four end attachments. Wide snow baskets are perfect for loose, soft snow. Slightly smaller mud baskets are ideal for soft mud or sand. Rubber caps are best for paved or hard-packed flat surfaces, and the carbide tips are ideal for gravel, dirt trails, or ice.

Wrist straps on hiking poles help you maintain a secure and comfortable grip, especially during challenging ascents or descents. By transferring some of the load to your wrists, the straps also reduce grip fatigue and allow for a more relaxed hold. They also prevent you from losing your poles if you happen to let go of them.

To determine the correct hiking pole size for your height, a general rule of thumb is to stand on a flat surface with your hiking shoes on and your arms relaxed at your sides. With the pole perfectly vertical in front of you, you should be able to hold the pole's grip with your arm bent at a 90-degree angle. (While this is the ideal length for traveling on flat ground, on steep climbs or descents, having a slightly shorter or longer pole may be more comfortable.) Our Solstice Hiking Poles feature a 10-inch adjustment range, from 43 to 53 inches, so they can comfortably support a variety of user heights and inclines. These poles can also collapse to just 25.6 inches, so they’re easily stowed in a pack when not in use!

The weight of hiking poles varies depending on the materials. A single pole may weigh anywhere from 6 to 20 ounces. As noted above, carbon fiber is generally lighter but less durable (and more expensive). Each of our aluminum Solstice Hiking Poles weighs 11.3 ounces (320g), and a pair weighs 22.6 ounces (640g).

Hiking pole prices vary based on materials, features, and brand. The good news is that they don’t need to be expensive. Aluminum poles like our Solstice Hiking Poles are extremely reliable and only $24.99. (For comparison, premium carbon fiber poles can exceed $150 or even $200.) The features found in the best hiking poles—cork or foam grips, multiple end attachments, telescoping frames, and carbide tips—are usually similar regardless of price. The primary benefit of more expensive (carbon fiber) hiking poles is their reduced weight, which may benefit long-distance, ultralight trekkers, but most hikers will not be significantly impacted.

While some hikers prefer using a single pole, most use two poles, which is generally what experts recommend. Two poles provide greater stability and balance, especially on uneven terrain, and distribute weight more evenly to reduce strain on your joints. They also engage both arms, promoting a more balanced and symmetrical gait. A single pole, or “hiking staff,” can be useful for additional support in certain situations where it’s ideal to have a single hand free to catch yourself, such as when crossing a stream or scrambling up rocks. One pole can also be a fine choice if hiking on flat, solid ground for short distances. Ultimately, the choice between one and two poles depends on personal preference, hiking style, and terrain.

It depends on the poles! Most hiking poles are interchangeable, meaning there is no dedicated “right” or “left” pole, but some brands incorporate angled grips, padding, or contoured straps intended to provide a more ergonomic fit for each hand. In these cases, the poles will be marked to indicate the correct hand.

Not really. The difference is mainly semantic, and most brands use the terms “hiking poles” and “trekking poles” interchangeably. The primary difference is that “hiking” is primarily a North American term (U.S. and Canada), while in the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Australia, and other English-speaking countries, “trekking” is more popular. Beyond this regional difference, “trekking” typically carries a connotation of longer, more rugged hikes—often entailing multiple days—compared to hiking, but the two terms essentially mean the same thing. The most important factor isn’t what your poles are called but choosing poles that meet your specific needs and preferences!

Walking with hiking poles involves a few key techniques. First, adjust the pole length so your elbows maintain a roughly 90-degree angle when the pole is planted vertically. As you hike, maintain a relaxed grip with slightly bent elbows and a natural stride. Plant the pole opposite your forward foot, creating a rhythmic counterbalance. (Left foot forward, right pole forward. Right foot, left pole. Left foot, right pole. And so on.) Angle the poles slightly forward for maximum propulsion and shock absorption. Remember to engage your core and upper body for optimal posture and power. Using poles may feel unwieldy at first, but with practice, you'll find a natural rhythm and enjoy the full benefits of hiking poles!

Hiking poles are particularly useful for older hikers, offering increased stability and reducing strain on joints. The added support improves balance and lessens the impact on knees, ankles, and hips, which is especially helpful for those with arthritis or joint pain. While it may take some practice to get used to them, the added safety and comfort make hiking poles a worthwhile consideration for seniors.

Trekking poles are useful for children participating in specific outdoor activities, like snowshoeing, but on basic hikes, most children will do better without poles. Children are naturally lighter and more agile, with lower impact forces and greater flexibility. They tend to recover quickly, adapt well to uneven terrain, and won’t usually be carrying heavy loads. In many cases, the added weight and coordination required to use hiking poles can actually hinder a child’s natural movement and agility! While hiking poles can be helpful for longer trails, steep inclines, or kids with balance challenges, most children will prefer the freedom of hiking unencumbered.