BEST TREKKING POLES OF 2019

Serious hikers have known the great benefits of trekking poles for decades. In addition to providing stability when transporting a heavy load or moving over technical terrain, trekking poles have distinct advantages even on easy trails. They are excellent for setting a pace when long distances are covered and significantly reduce the load and impact on the hips, knees, and ankles when descending. As with most hiking and backpacking equipment, the balance between weight and durability is the most common consideration. Recent advances in design, such as the folding trekking pole, have brought the total weight of some models to less than a pound, but these optimized options are not for everyone. For more information, see our comparison chart and buying tips. Below are our best selections of trekking poles of 2019.

Best Overall Trekking Pole

1. Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork ($130)

Weight per pair: 18 oz.
Type: Telescoping (lever lock)
Shaft material: Aluminum
Grip: Cork
What we like: Solid construction, comfortable feel, and good price.
What we don’t: A little heavy and long collapsed length.

The carbon fiber and folding designs that attract all the attention in the trekking poles market are impressive innovations, but for hikers who only want a pair of reliable sticks at a good price, we recommend the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork. With $ 130, they are a solid value and come with very few commitments. In fact, the all-aluminum construction is only one ounce heavier than the premium Leki Micro Vario below, but it is still quite sturdy for most land, rock and snow trips. The Trail also features comfortable and ergonomic Black Diamond cork grips and reliable FlickLock length adjusters.

What are the disadvantages of the Ergo Trail? For travelers, climbers or those who prioritize collapsibility, the minimum length of 27 inches can be a problem. It should not get in the way when it is attached to the outside of a package, but it is a couple of inches longer than many other 3-section designs (and cannot approach a real folding post). As for disadvantages, that is quite insignificant for most people, and the Ergo Cork Trail stands out as our favorite trekking pole.

A Close Second (With a Folding Design)

2. Leki Micro Vario Carbon ($200)

Weight per pair: 16.9 oz.
Type: Folding (lever lock)
Shaft material: Carbon
Grip: Foam
What we like: Well-rounded lightweight and packable design.
What we don’t: Very pricey.

A close second (with a folding design) Leki Micro Vario carbon posts are a no-compromise option for the light crowd. With a weight of just over 1 pound for the pair, they manage to squeeze a complete set of high-quality features in their compact and foldable construction. Unlike many competitors, you get almost 8 inches of fit with a Leki's SpeedLock 2 system, and we have discovered that the posts are among the easiest to use both to fold and set up (we can do both without having to take a break while walk).

Along the way, the weight saving of the Micro Vario is remarkable, particularly for a long day. It sacrifices a bit in terms of durability, but carbon axes have been strong enough to cross glaciers, leaning on steep descents and as the structure of a shelter supported by a trekking pole. We prefer cork handles to foam, but these are the prettiest and most comfortable foam handles we have used, and the choke extensions are ideal for prolonged climbing. Leki also offers the Micro Vario Carbon in an even more expensive $ 230 AS version, which includes a low profile crash system for added comfort on the road.