If you’re into hiking, the best walking poles can help you to keep on rambling for longer across a wide range of terrains. For everyone from long-distance, multi-day walkers to hikers with a taste for hills and mountains, walking poles can help make progress feel less punishing.
As walking poles help to spread the load, they can ease the strain on your knees while you walk. They can also help with general stability, endurance and balance. Even if you don’t plan to use them all the time on every route, it’s handy to have a pair in your pack for tackling tough terrain or steep climbs.
When the ground beneath you gets tricky, walking poles can make wet and muddy terrain easier to manage, too, by providing extra support. Helping to reduce overall fatigue, having the best walking poles at your side will mean you can stay out on the trails for longer.
Here, I’ve rounded up some tried-and-tested options for all types of walkers, terrains and budgets.
Read more: Best women’s hiking boots, tried and tested
The best walking poles for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Treklite carbon walking poles: £60, Craghoppers.com
- Best budget buy – Forclaz hiking pole MT100 ergonomic, green: £12.99, Decathlon.co.uk
- Best lightweight design – Vango kesugi walking pole: £30, Vango.co.uk
- Best anti-shock design – Mountain Warehouse storr walking pole: £24.99, Mountainwarehouse.com
Read more: The best men’s walking boots, reviewed
Treklite carbon walking poles
Best: walking poles overall
Lock style: Clip
Length: Up to 135cm
Pole material: Carbon fibre pole
Grip material: EVA (foam rubber)
Individual pole weight: 185g
Why we love it
- Carbon fibre build
- Secure clip lock
- Lightweight
Take note
- No padding on wrist straps
Constructed with carbon fibre, these Treklite walking poles are lightweight, high-performance and well suited to a range of hikes. The best walking poles I tested, the EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate) foam handle felt really comfortable to grip when I tested it during a woodland walk. If, like me, you’re sensitive to vibration, you'll find carbon is better than aluminum at absorbing stress, too. Some people find carbon fibre stronger for pure downward force, but it is more susceptible to snapping (whereas aluminum is more likely to bend).
I like the security of the clip locks, which I found a doddle to adjust when setting out and during mid-hike adjustments. If you're someone who likes to adjust regularly for downhill and uphill sections, prioritise a pair like this, as I found the poles could be adjusted in seconds, rather than minutes.
They pack down to 63cm but if you’re after something more compact, check out the Trespass poles included in this roundup, as they fold down to just 43cm.
Buy now £60, Craghoppers.com
Forclaz hiking pole MT100 ergonomic
Best: budget walking poles
Lock style: Push-pin system
Length: 90cm-110cm
Pole material: Aluminium
Grip material: Polypropylene and styrene ethylene butadiene styrene
Individual pole weight: 240g
Why we love it
- Walking-stick-style grip
- Easy push-pin locking system
- Tough design for a range of terrains
- Budget-friendly
Take note
- Limited to preset heights
If you're after the best budget walking poles, rather than a pair, this simple, sturdy offering from Forclaz is a great option. Made of aluminium, they are great for rough terrain but it’s the ergonomic walking-cane-style grip that makes this a standout bit of kit. The walking poles have been designed to align with your arm and to spread effort more evenly, reducing wrist strain, which I found to be the case on my hike through the woods.
Adjustment comes by way of a very simple push-pin system. Simply push in the metal button and relocate it to preset holes between 90cm and 110cm. You get a satisfying click once in place (though it’s also subject to whistling noises in the wind, I noticed). However, it does mean you're limited to preset lengths. This was fine in my case, but not ideal if you want a totally bespoke height. Plus, 110cm is quite short for a maximum height. So if, like 99 per cent of the UK adult population, you’re taller than me, you might prefer something with a longer length. If that’s the case, check out the Silva poles, which extend to 140cm.
Buy now £12.99, Decathlon.co.uk
Trespass forus walking poles
Best: compact walking poles
Lock style: Clip lock
Length: Up to 135cm
Pole material: Aluminum
Grip material: EVA
Individual pole weight: Unspecified
Why we love it
- Very compact when folded
- Comfy padded strap
Take note
- Not the quickest for adjustments
If you're after a pair of seriously compact walking poles, look no further. These colourful poles from Trespass fold down to a barely there 43cm, and I found them to be perfect for stashing in my small pack.
Complete with a fluorescent design, these poles offer the stability of aluminium, which is perfect for rocky hikes. I found them to be a solid option while testing them on muddy forest routes.
However, I found the “Qiklock quick release system” isn't the quickest. It involves having to adjust the height section with a clip lock, then secure the bottom two sections in place by twisting. I’m not the most dextrous of walkers, so you may find this simpler than I did, but it definitely slowed me down when I adjusted mid-walk.
Nonetheless, I’d say this set of poles is ideal for walkers who don't use their poles all the time, and are looking for a pair that’s easy to stow in your pack for ‘just in case’ moments. If your regular routes are peppered with scrambles, gates and stiles, this pair of poles is a great choice.
Buy now £29.99, Trespass.com
Silva walking poles, aluminium
Best: walking poles for simple set-up
Lock style: One-point adjustment
Length: 105cm-140cm
Pole material: Aluminium
Grip material: Rubber
Individual pole weight: 227g
Why we love it
- Super comfortable wrist glove
- Simple to adjust
Take note
- Slightly heavier than some other options tested
Made with aluminium, these Silva walking poles are designed to take a bit of a beating. I found the grippy rubber handles and wrist gloves offered a significant step up in fit and comfort, compared with some traditional strap styles I tested. With these, you simply pop your hand through and adjust with Velcro to get the perfect fit, which I found comfortable and supportive for the duration of my hill-strewn hike.
I also really love how simple these poles are to set up. There's just one height adjustment point. Some people might prefer the option of a more bespoke fit, but it makes changing the height mid walk a two-second job. Plus, the set comes with snow baskets and rubber paws, should you like your terrain snowy or rocky.
Buy now £44.99, Amazon.co.uk
Vango kesugi walking poles
Best: lightweight walking poles
Lock style: Twist-lock
Pole material: Aluminium
Length: Up to 135cm
Grip material: EVA (foam rubber)
Individual pole weight: 175g
Why we love it
- Lightweight
- Simple to adjust
- Multi-grip handle for comfort
Take note
- Handles can feel sweaty during long walks
Weighing just 175g per pole, the kesugi is a seriously lightweight aluminium option ideal for hikers who want to save grams in a pack and not feel weighed down by their kit during long walks. These poles are also compact when packed down, making them easy to stash in a backpack.
When I tested the kesugi poles, the multi-grip EVA handle felt good in hand, and the padded strap didn't chafe. The pole extends at two points with a twist lock system that is quick to use, making mid-walk adjustments simple. There's also a rubber tip that you can remove to reveal a steel tip for extra purchase on tricky terrain.
If you like the light weight but would prefer carbon fibre, look to the Treklite pair instead.
Buy now £30, Vango.co.uk
Trekology trek-z cork tri-fold trekking poles
Best: walking poles with cork grips
Lock style: Flip
Length: 110cm -130cm
Pole material: Aluminium
Grip material: Cork
Individual pole weight: 330g
Why we love it
- Sweat-wicking cork grip
- Budget-friendly
- Made of aircraft-grade aluminium
Take note
- Learning curve when it comes to set-up
If you're prone to blisters, opt for a pair of poles with cork grips, such as this pair from Trekology. Cork naturally wicks sweat to keep your hands feeling drier and more comfortable, even on warm days. Some people find that cork will also eventually mould to their grip. When I tested these out, I found the grip to be comfy, though noted the wrist straps aren't padded.
Built out of tough aircraft-grade aluminium, these hiking poles are made for hardcore terrain and heavy use. They also come as a pair, making the price tag a bargain. Especially considering they come in a carry case with rubber tips, mud stops, snow baskets and rubber feet, ideal for a range of trails.
However, I was slow to get going on my walk with these, as I found them quite tricky to set up – they use a metal flip-lock clip, but you need to adjust the nut for tightness and then snap it into place. If you're looking for something simple and quick, I would pick a more straightforward lock system, such as the ones found on the Silva or Forclaz models.
Buy now £31.99, Amazon.co.uk
Regatta carbon walking pole pair
Best: entry-level carbon fibre walking poles
Lock style: Clip
Length: Up to 135cm
Pole material: Carbon fibre
Grip material: Soft‑grip foam with a hard plastic top
Individual pole weight: 185g
Why we love it
- Carbon fibre build
- Quick to adjust
Take note
- Plastic top of grip can feel awkward
Made from carbon fibre, these Regatta walking poles are tough and responsive, proving useful across a range of routes. They feel light in hand and I found the tungsten tips provided a dependable bite as I settled into my forest route.
I found the soft grip handle initially quite comfy, though the hard plastic top can feel awkward if you adjust your hand high on the pole, as I tended to do on the descents. The wrist straps offer extra support but aren't padded. Adjustment is easily managed by way of a clip lock that is speedy and feels suitably trustworthy in use.
Buy now £100, Regatta.com
Mountain Warehouse storr walking pole
Best: anti-shock walking pole
Lock style: Clip
Length: Up to 135cm
Pole material: Aluminium
Grip material: Plastic
Individual pole weight: 280g
Why we love it
- Spring-loaded for to absorb shock
- Padded wrist strap
Take note
- Hard plastic grip
Spring-loaded to absorb some of the shock, so your body doesn't have to, the Mountain Warehouse storr walking poles have been designed to help protect your muscles and joints. I loved this feature, and it comes at an affordable price point.
While out on treks, the aluminium pole offers decent durability, and I like the padded wrist strap, which provides comfortable support. However, the plasticky grip wasn’t the most comfortable, and I could well imagine it becoming a bit sweaty during summer hikes. If you prefer to walk with just one walking pole, the Storr is available to purchase individually, too.
Buy now £24.99, Mountainwarehouse.com
Helinox ridgeline LBB120
Best: premium walking poles
Lock style: Clip and push pin
Length: 102cm-120cm
Pole material: DAC aluminum alloy
Grip material: EVA foam
Individual pole weight: 227g
Why we love it
- Lightweight aluminum
- Tungsten carbide tips for traction
- Compact when folded down
Take note
- Pricey
If you’re after a pair of poles that seamlessly blend strength, low weight and portability, look no further. The ridgeline LBB120 is made of tough DAC aluminium alloy, which you can depend on when the going gets tough. They weigh in at 227g per pole and pack down to 51cm, making them ideal for stashing in your pack.
Everything about these poles screams quality, from their lightweight but reliable build when out tackling tree root-laden descents, to the simple yet robust clip lock and push-pin adjustment. I noticed the tungsten carbide tips provide solid bite in muddy conditions, and the lightly padded wrist strap and foam grip are comfortable in hand.
If you’re serious about tackling some more-challenging routes, and you want a pair of lightweight, compact poles that you can depend on, I’d recommend investing in these blue beauties.
Buy now £169.95, Helinox.co.uk
Your questions on walking poles answered
What are the best walking poles?
For a decent all-rounder, I love the Treklite carbon walking poles. Their carbon fibre build feels durable and the clip locks are straightforward to adjust mid-walk. They are a touch on the lengthy side when packed down, though. If that's a concern for you, pick the Trespass forus walking poles instead, which pack down to just 43cm, or treat yourself to the premium Helinox ridgeline LBB120, which pack down to 51cm.
If you want the lightweight feel but would prefer aluminium, check out the Vango kesugi walking poles, which weigh 10g less per pole than the Treklite best buy.
How I tested walking poles
I tested each walking pole out on the trails, across different types of terrain. During my tests, I assessed the poles against the following criteria.
What is the best material for walking poles?
Aluminium poles tend to be more affordable, durable and bend under lots of stress. Carbon fibre poles are usually significantly lighter, better at absorbing vibrations, and stiffer but prone to snapping under heavy loads. Prioritise aluminum if you frequent rocky routes, but go for carbon fibre if you value lightness across long distances.
Also look for grips made with cork or foam rather than plastic, as you’ll want something comfy to hold, while wicking away sweat during warm weather.
How to use walking poles
Typically used as a pair – with one in each hand – walking poles should work in rhythm with your steps. The key is to swing each one in sync with the opposite foot, giving you extra support and stability as you make your way along uneven ground.
You should be able to hold your elbow at a 90-degree angle when holding the pole by its hand grip, so either make sure you choose a fixed pole that’s the right length for your height or buy a fully adjustable pole. I prefer adjustable options – as well as getting a custom height, you can adjust the length on downhill stretches, which need a longer pole than uphill treks.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
The Independent's reviews are written by our experts, following real-world use. Cornwall-based writer Abby Driver has written extensively about health and fitness and, for IndyBest, has previously tried, tested and reviewed the best walking boots for women. Here, she has shared her honest verdict on walking poles after thorough hands-on testing.
I roadtripped the Scottish highlands and this is the only bag I took with me
