The best walking poles
Easier on the knees going down, steadier in the mud, and more miles in the legs.
Walking poles take some of the load off knees and hips, especially going downhill, and give you two extra points of balance on mud, scree and stepping stones. They’re not just for mountains: plenty of people use them for everyday country walks.
Telescopic poles slide down and are simple to adjust. Folding (Z-style) poles pack smaller but come in fixed height ranges.
What matters
- Lighter poles are less tiring over a long day; carbon is lightest.
- Flip-locks are quicker to adjust than twist-locks, especially in gloves.
- Folding poles pack smallest for travel.
- Rubber tips for pavements, baskets for mud and snow.
Best overall
#1 of 5
9.1/10
TheFitLife Telescopic Trekking Poles
£15–£40 Price range
Light, simple twist-lock poles that pack into a suitcase and come with every tip you might need, from rubber feet for pavements to snow baskets.
- Aluminium, 282g per pole
- Adjusts 65–130cm
- Twist-locks
- Shock-absorbing spring
- Tips and baskets included
What owners say: Good quality and value, sturdy and easy to adjust. Owners say they take the pressure off their knees on uneven paths.
Heads up: Some owners find the locks loosen with heavy use, so give them a firm twist before a steep descent.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: Split into three sections, they fit diagonally in most suitcases of 22 inches or more, which makes them handy for walking holidays. Use the rubber tips on pavements and the baskets on mud or snow, and set the height so your elbow sits at roughly a right angle on the flat.
Best for: Most walkers, from country lanes to walking holidays
- Shaft
- Aluminium
- Weight per pole
- 282g
- Height range
- 65–130cm
- Packs down to
- 54.5cm in 3 pieces
- Grip
- Rubber
- Locks
- Twist-lock
Best premium
#2 of 5
9.0/10
Foxelli Carbon Fibre Walking Poles
Over £40 Price range
Carbon fibre makes these the lightest here at around 215g a pole, and the natural cork grips shape themselves to the hand over time.
- Carbon fibre, about 215g per pole
- Natural cork grips
- Quick flip-locks
- Adjusts 61–137cm
- Padded wrist straps
What owners say: Light and sturdy, even on rough moorland, easy to adjust and comfortable. Owners say they ease the knees on the way down.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: The foam section below the cork grip is there for steep climbs: hold lower down going uphill rather than shortening the pole every time. Flip-locks are easy to work with cold or gloved hands, and the long maximum length suits taller walkers.
Best for: Keen hill walkers who count every gram
- Shaft
- Carbon fibre
- Weight per pole
- About 215g
- Height range
- 61–137cm
- Packs down to
- 61cm (24in)
- Grip
- Cork
- Locks
- Flip-lock
Best folding
#3 of 5
8.9/10
COVACURE Folding Walking Poles (pair)
£27.99 RRP
Z-style folding poles that shrink to 35cm, small enough to vanish inside a daypack between the steep bits.
- Folds to 35cm
- 7075 aluminium
- Adjusts 110–130cm
- EVA foam grips
- Snow, mud and rubber tips
What owners say: Sturdy on rough ground and fold up really small. Owners say they’re light, easy to put together and good value.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: Snap the three sections together and the flip-lock sets the height between 110 and 130cm, which suits most adults but not the very tall or short. Fold them into the pack for flat stretches and bring them out for descents, where they save the knees the most.
Best for: Travel and walks where poles are only needed some of the time
- Shaft
- 7075 aluminium
- Weight per pole
- About 280g
- Height range
- 110–130cm
- Packs down to
- 35cm (folds)
- Grip
- EVA foam
- Locks
- Folding, flip-lock
#4 of 5
8.8/10
Trekology TREK-Z Folding Walking Poles
£15–£40 Price range
Folding poles made in two sizes, so shorter and taller walkers both get a proper fit, with metal lock caps for rough ground.
- Folds to 38cm
- Two sizes: 100–120 or 115–135cm
- About 300g per pole
- EVA foam grips
- Carry bag included
What owners say: Excellent quality and value, light and easy to put together. Owners like that they fold small enough for a backpack.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: Choose the size by height: the 100–120cm pair suits walkers from 4ft 11in to 5ft 10in, the 115–135cm pair 5ft 5in to 6ft 5in. Mud stops help on soft ground, and the holder bag keeps the folded sections together in the car boot.
Best for: Very short or very tall walkers who want the right fit
- Shaft
- Aluminium
- Weight per pole
- 294–306g
- Height range
- 100–120 or 115–135cm
- Packs down to
- 38cm (folds)
- Grip
- EVA foam
- Locks
- Folding, flip-lock
Best budget
#5 of 5
8.7/10
Telescopic Walking Poles (2-pack)
£23.99 RRP
The simplest way to try walking poles: an adjustable pair with flip and twist locks and soft handles, for less than most.
- 2 poles
- Adjusts 60–135cm
- Flip and twist locks
- Shock absorbers
- Soft handles and wrist straps
What owners say: Good quality, handy and comfortable. Owners say they’re light, easy to adjust and even help with posture.
Heads up: Some owners find they wear with heavy use, so they suit gentle walks more than rough mountain days.
More detailsHide details
A closer look: Set the height so your forearm is level when the tip is on the ground, a little shorter for uphill and longer for downhill. The shock absorbers soften the jolt on hard paths, and the sections slide down and come apart for the car boot.
Best for: Trying poles for the first time, or gentle local walks
- Shaft
- Aluminium
- Weight per pole
- About 250g
- Height range
- 60–135cm
- Packs down to
- 60cm
- Grip
- Soft ergonomic handle
- Locks
- Flip and twist
How they compare
| Feature | #1TheFitLifeBest overall | #2Foxelli carbonBest premium | #3COVACURE foldingBest folding | #4Trekology TREK-Z | #52-pack telescopicBest budget |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Picked Rating | 9.1 | 9.0 | 8.9 | 8.8 | 8.7 |
| Price | ££ £15–£40 | £££ Over £40 | £27.99 RRP | ££ £15–£40 | £23.99 RRP |
| Shaft | Aluminium | Carbon fibre | 7075 aluminium | Aluminium | Aluminium |
| Weight per pole | 282g | About 215g | About 280g | 294–306g | About 250g |
| Height range | 65–130cm | 61–137cm | 110–130cm | 100–120 or 115–135cm | 60–135cm |
| Packs down to | 54.5cm in 3 pieces | 61cm (24in) | 35cm (folds) | 38cm (folds) | 60cm |
| Grip | Rubber | Cork | EVA foam | EVA foam | Soft ergonomic handle |
| Locks | Twist-lock | Flip-lock | Folding, flip-lock | Folding, flip-lock | Flip and twist |
| Best for | Most walkers, from country lanes to walking holidays | Keen hill walkers who count every gram | Travel and walks where poles are only needed some of the time | Very short or very tall walkers who want the right fit | Trying poles for the first time, or gentle local walks |
| Check price | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon | View on Amazon |
Swipe sideways to see all 5.
Photos are illustrative. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you. How we pick · How this works.