9 Best Trekking Poles of 2026

The Makalu FX Carbon AS fits our angle most directly because it pairs a carbon folding pole with LEKI's DSS damping system. LEKI says the antishock reduces impact on joints by up to 40% and describes it as relieving stress on muscles, joints and ligaments, which is exactly what hikers worried about steep descents are after. The Aergon Air grip has a rubberized back that LEKI designed for grip and control going downhill, and a foam extension below it lets you choke down on climbs without shortening the pole. Length is set with the Speed Lock 2 Plus lever in a 110 to 130 cm range, or 100 to 120 cm for the shorter version, which also gets a smaller grip. The carbon shaft is listed at 9 oz. The catches are the $249.95 price, the narrow 20 cm adjustment window, and LEKI's instruction to use DSS tips with baskets.

The Alpine Carbon Cork is Black Diamond's 100% carbon fiber pole for four-season alpine terrain, and it ranks second because its adjustment suits the way knee-conscious hikers use poles. Common advice is to shorten poles on climbs and lengthen them on descents, and the redesigned FlickLock Pro lever, which Black Diamond says is lighter, more ergonomic and easier to use, makes that a quick change on the trail. The cork grip now has a soft touch top, and the Solution strap borrows from Black Diamond's harness design for a more secure fit, which matters when you lean on the straps going downhill. Black Diamond backs it with a 2-year warranty. It has no antishock system, so it relies on the carbon shaft and your technique to absorb impact. At $229.95 it costs the same as the folding LEKI Makalu FX Carbon, so the choice comes down to lever-lock telescoping poles versus a folding design.

The Makalu FX Carbon is the same folding carbon pole as our top pick without the DSS antishock, and it costs $20 less at $229.95. LEKI describes it as a foldable carbon version of the Makalu Lite. The Aergon Air grip uses hollow-core construction to stay light while giving a large supportive surface, and its rubberized back and inclined angle are meant for control and wrist support on descents. The foam extension gives a second grip position for steep climbs. Length is set with the Speed Lock 2 Plus lever between 110 and 130 cm, or 100 and 120 cm for the compact version, which has a smaller grip and was previously sold as the Cressida FX Carbon. The carbon shaft is listed at 9 oz. If knee strain is your main reason for buying poles, the extra $20 for the antishock model is the better spend; if packability matters most, this is the simpler pick.

The Ultra Strong Cork Anti-Shock is the low-cost route to a damped pole. Montem builds it from 7075 aluminum with cork grips and flick locks, and says the built-in anti-shock system reduces impact on your hands, wrists, elbows and shoulders. Montem does not publish a percentage, so it cannot be compared directly with LEKI's up to 40% figure. The telescoping shafts adjust from 24 to 53 inches, or 61 to 135 cm, the widest range on this list, which gives plenty of room to lengthen the poles for a descent. Montem lists the pair at 19.2 oz, heavier than the carbon options, and backs it with a lifetime guarantee. The package includes mud baskets, rubber tip protectors and pole clips, but snow baskets are sold separately. At $74.95 for a pair it costs less than a third of the LEKI antishock model, which is why it scores highest here on value.

The Trail Cork is Black Diamond's mid-price cork-grip pole. It uses UL-certified recycled aluminum shafts, a 100% natural cork grip and dual FlickLocks, which Black Diamond says give complete adjustability to suit the terrain. For hikers protecting their knees, two lever locks make it easy to set a longer length for descents and a shorter one for climbs without twisting sections. Snow baskets come in the box for shoulder season trails, and Black Diamond backs the pole with a 2-year warranty. There is no antishock system, and aluminum is heavier than carbon. At $129.95 it costs about half as much as the Alpine Carbon Cork and still gives you lever locks and cork, which is the main reason it ranks above the cheaper telescoping poles.

The Black Series FX Carbon is LEKI's cork-grip folding carbon pole. It folds into three sections that LEKI says measure less than 16 inches, which makes it the most packable pole on this list by published figure. The Aergon Air grip has a genuine cork surface, and the fully rubberized grip head and inclined angle are designed for control and wrist support on descents, which is where knee-conscious hikers lean on poles most. Length is set with the Speed Lock 2 Plus lever between 110 and 130 cm, and there is no shorter version. LEKI does not fit this model with an antishock system. When we checked, LEKI listed it at $199.95, down from $249.95, which puts it below the Makalu FX Carbon. At the regular price it is the same cost as the Makalu FX Carbon AS, which offers damping, so the sale is what makes it competitive.

The TrailBuddy Original is the cheapest way onto this list at $44.95 for a pair. The poles use 7075 aircraft-grade aluminum shafts, lever flip-locks and cork grips with EVA foam extensions, so you get the same basic setup as poles costing three times as much: adjustable length for descents and a lower grip for climbs. TrailBuddy says the poles adjust up to 54 inches and fit hikers from 4 ft to 6 ft 4 in. The box includes a carry bag, 2 mud baskets, 4 rubber tips and 2 snow baskets, and TrailBuddy uses threaded foot covers that it says will not slip off. The trade-offs are weight and bulk: each pole weighs 9.7 oz, the most here, and it collapses to 24.5 inches. There is no antishock system, so hikers buying mainly for knee relief may prefer the Montem anti-shock pair for $30 more.

The 3K Carbon Fiber Quick Lock is Cascade Mountain Tech's step-up carbon pole. Cascade says the woven 3K carbon fiber adds strength in both the vertical and horizontal direction, so the pole handles twisting and flexing better than a plain carbon tube. Each pole weighs 8 oz without rubber tips, and the quick locks adjust from 26 to 54 inches, a range wide enough to lengthen for descents. The grips are cork and the tips are tungsten carbide, and the box includes rubber boot tips, mud baskets, snow baskets and small rubber tips. Cascade sells replacement upper, middle and lower sections, so a bent section does not mean a new pair. There is no antishock, and the warranty is 1 year. Cascade's store redirected away from our location, so we could not verify the current US price on the product page and list it as pending.

The LT5 is the ultralight pick. Gossamer Gear lists it at 4.9 oz, or 139 g, per pole, about half the weight of the TrailBuddy Original, and every ounce saved on the hands adds up over a long day. The three-piece carbon poles collapse to 23.5 inches and use a twist-lock design. Gossamer Gear marks a tent graphic at 125 cm so you can lock the poles at the right height to pitch its ultralight shelters, which makes the LT5 a natural fit for hikers who carry a trekking pole tent. Rubber boots are included. For our knee-strain angle it ranks lower because twist locks take longer to adjust between climbs and descents than lever locks, and there is no antishock system. At $195 for a pair it is a specialist tool for weight-focused backpackers rather than the first pole to buy for sore knees.