Whether you simply enjoy heading out into the countryside for a stroll (and a pub lunch) or you’re into Nordic walking (a low impact but intensive walking technique inspired by cross country skiers), the best walking poles can take your hikes to new heights.
It’s a common misconception that walking poles – also known as trekking or hiking poles – are just for older hikers and pro trekkers. In fact, they’re a handy addition to your hiking kit, regardless of age and ability level.
“Poles provide extra stability, help take strain off your joints and improve coordination, balance and functional mobility,” says Rebecca Birrane, head of walking experience at the Ramblers. “They can enhance posture, reduce fatigue and help you walk more efficiently.”
She points out that they can also do wonders for your fitness. “Using poles works your entire body, activates around 90% of your muscles and helps burn calories faster, so you’re getting a full-body workout from a simple hike.”
Which hiking poles are best?
To help you find your new hiking companion, our GHI experts and reader panel laced up their walking boots and put a range of styles from popular brands to the test. We’ve also included some of our editors’ personal favourites below (we love a weekend hike), so you’re bound to find your perfect match.
Here are the poles that will go the extra mile at a glance but keep scrolling for full reviews.
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Best for beginners
Decathlon Forclaz MT500 Walking Pole (Single)
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3
Best for portability
Mountain Warehouse Compact Walking Pole (Single)
Read more
4
5
6
Good for the whole family
Foxelli Carbon Fibre Walking Poles (Pair)
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7
Good for Nordic walking
Leki Instructor Lite Nordic Walking Pole (Pair)
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8
When to use hiking poles
There are no strict rules, but according to Birrane, it’s a good idea to whip your poles out when walking on rough, slippery terrain and uneven ground or when trekking with a heavy backpack. They can help keep you stable and reduce the risk of falling.
She adds that poles are particularly beneficial when walking uphill or downhill as they absorb shock and take pressure off your body. “On steep descents, they help take some of the weight from our knees, and on climbs, they allow the upper body to bear some of the burden, making the ascent feel less arduous,” she explains.
How to choose the right walking poles
Here, Birrane breaks down some of the key features to consider when choosing walking poles.
Weight: Heavier poles provide more stability and make your muscles work harder, but they could slow you down and add unnecessary weight to your backpack. Lightweight poles, on the other hand, are easier to use and transport.
Materials: Most poles are either made from aluminium or carbon fibre. Aluminium poles are stronger and more durable, but those made from carbon fibre tend to be lighter and stiffer. It’s worth trying both out to see which works best for you.
Portability: Ideally, you want a pair of poles you can fold away and stash in your rucksack with minimal fuss.
Length: It’s important to ensure your walking poles are the perfect length for you. You can go for a fixed pole at the right length or an adjustable option – just make sure your elbow is at a 90-degree angle when holding the pole by its hand grip.
Comfort: Check that the handles are ergonomically designed and comfortable to hold, even with sweaty palms and when wearing gloves. Wrist straps can also provide extra support.
Extra features: Do they have basket attachments to prevent your pole from sinking into the ground? Have they got built-in shock absorption for better joint protection? What about replaceable rubber tips for walking on tarmac?
How we test
Our panel put a range of walking poles through their paces across a mix of terrains and distances to see how they coped with casual strolls, hilly hikes and hardcore treks.
They considered a range of factors, including ease of use, adjustability, comfort and overall build quality. Back at the GHI, our in-house experts checked the specifications and made sure each product lived up to its claims.
Feedback was combined and overall scores were awarded – you’ll find our winners marked with the GHI Approved logo below, while the other buys have been chosen by our editors to offer more choice for every budget.
The best hiking poles for 2024
Score: 86/100
Our winning Regatta poles – which come as a pair – are “a total joy to use,” according to one happy tester, while another said: “They’re better than any hiking poles I've used before.”
Constructed from lightweight carbon fibre, our walkers found them a breeze to carry around all day. Yet they still proved surprisingly sturdy and supportive on a variety of terrains from grass to tarmac. “I’ve used them several times and they multitasked well,” said one panellist.
The three-piece telescopic design is easy to adjust to different heights, lock into place and collapse back down post-hike. The wide wrist straps felt secure, and the soft-grip handles were comfy even on long hikes. Just note, they’re made from plastic, so your palms may get a little hot and sweaty in warmer weather.
Key specifications
| Weight | 185g per pole |
|---|---|
| Materials | Carbon fibre |
| Length | 135cm |
Score: 85/100
The best walking poles don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, as this Forclaz design proves. Each pole is sold individually, but you can grab a pair for under £35.
Despite the budget price tag, this pole put in a solid performance on test, offering confidence-inspiring grip as our walkers stomped through muddy fields and clambered up coastal paths. “They made walking easier, and I felt much safer,” said one tester.
Though made from robust aluminium, the pole has a lightweight feel, and its compact design means you can pack it away neatly when not in use. It took a matter of moments to adjust the pole length, and the locking mechanism is strong and secure. The adjustable wrist straps felt soft and comfy, but the multi-grip handle was a tad plasticky and the foam handle wasn’t particularly plush.
On the plus side, we like that you can buy replacement parts online, instead of having to buy an entirely new pole. It also comes with a two-year warranty for total peace of mind.
Key specifications
| Weight | 240g per pole |
|---|---|
| Material | Aluminum |
| Length | 105-130cm |
Score: 83/100
If you’re off on a walking holiday and portability is a priority, consider this aptly named Mountain Warehouse pole. It’s lightweight and collapses down to a compact size, so you can pop it in your suitcase or hiking backpack without any issues.
The telescopic pole also scored highly for adjustability – even the smaller testers among our panel were able to find their desired height – and it felt well-made, with ergonomic handles, comfy, supportive wrist straps and a durable tungsten tip for traction on hard surfaces. According to testers, it can handle all types of tricky terrain from boggy fields to rocky coastal paths.
We would have preferred more detailed set-up and usage instructions, but that was our only quibble. “It’s a great product overall and is exactly want you want in a hiking pole,” declared one tester.
Key specifications
| Weight | 235g per pole |
|---|---|
| Materials | Aluminium |
| Length | 56 -121cm |
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Score: 79/100
Another Mountain Warehouse design, and there’s lots to love about this great value buy, which will set you back less than £25 for a pack of two. “I loved using this product and would recommend it to friends,” one tester told us.
The poles come with a range of different tips to suit all surfaces, including grass, gravel, sand and rocks, along with plastic mud baskets and a nifty carry pouch. Sure enough, testers confirmed they did an excellent job on different terrain, saying they felt comfortable and supportive.
The length is adjustable, with a telescopic mechanism for easy changes, and they were light enough to carry while trekking and easy to collapse down. Like the other Mountain Warehouse poles above, we were just a tad disappointed by the lack of instructions.
Key specifications
| Weight | 295g per pole |
|---|---|
| Materials | Aluminium |
| Length | 64 –135cm |
Score: 78/100
We’re big fans of Vango’s tents here at Good Housekeeping, so it’s hardly surprising we loved the brand’s walking pole, too. All our testers said they would recommend it, with one commenting, “It gave me confidence and I would choose it over my usual poles.”
Panel members appreciated the anti-shock foam handle, which proved comfortable to grip, and noticeably took some stress off their joints when hiking. They also rated the robust aluminium build, saying the pole felt sturdy when walking uphill.
What’s more, the adjustment mechanisms were a cinch to use and tighten, and though a touch heavier than the other options in this round-up, testers said they didn’t feel weighed down while walking. In fact, one tester said: “The lightness when carrying them was outstanding!”
We would have appreciated a step-by-step set-up tutorial but as with many of the poles we tested, instructions were lacking.
Key specifications
| Weight | 280g per pole |
|---|---|
| Materials | Aluminium |
| Length | 67 –135cm |
Editors’ picks
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These all-carbon telescopic sticks are ultra lightweight, allowing you to move quicker while exerting less energy. Quick-lock technology means you can make speedy adjustments on the move and the sturdy lock is designed to keep them firmly in place. They’re also retractable from 61cm to 140cm, making them suitable for hikers of all heights.
Anti-slip cork handles and EVA foam sleeves provide comfort and stability, while padded, adjustable wrist straps reduce the risk of dropping your poles. They come with a neat carry case and a full set of accessories including tips and baskets to suit all your activities.
Key specifications
| Weight | 198g per pole |
|---|---|
| Materials | Carbon fibre |
| Length | 61 –140cm |
Want to get into Nordic walking? These lightweight poles from popular German outdoors brand Leki have been specially designed for the job.
One stand-out feature is the unique ‘Trigger Shark’ system, featuring a breathable mesh strap, which ensures the poles are in the perfect position in your hand. They also have a portable two-part design – the upper section is made from hardy aluminum and the bottom half is constructed from lightweight carbon – and there’s a speedy adjustment system you can use to easily extend or shorten the poles mid-walk.
Key specifications
| Weight | 194g per pole |
|---|---|
| Materials | Aluminium |
| Length | 100 – 125cm |
Another all-carbon option, this Leki pair may but pricey but they’re brimming with impressive features.
Thanks to the four-part folding design, the Leki Black Series poles collapse down to just 40cm and can be shoved into your daypack (they also come with a folding carry case). The sections lock together easily, and the moisture-wicking cork handles help you maintain a strong grip, even when going downhill.
As you’d expect for the price, they also feature comfortable wrist straps to prevent your poles from slipping down the side of a hill.
Key specifications
| Weight | 228g per pole |
|---|---|
| Materials | Carbon fibre |
| Length | 110 – 130cm |
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The verdict on walking poles
Our winning Regatta Carbon Walking Poles will do the job nicely for all your hiking endeavours and they're great value for money, too.
New to hiking and don't fancy splashing out on technical kit? Try the Forclaz MT500 poles, which took second place in our round-up.
With a variety of tips and a carry case included, Mountain Warehouse's Hiker Poles come out on top for versatility.
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute?
At the GHI, we test thousands of products every year to find the very best on the market. We put each and every product through rigorous testing, both in real-world and lab conditions, to provide unbiased reviews you can trust.
Kim Hawley is the health and wellness tester for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she oversees testing for a range of health and wellness products, including hiking poles.
She has over 30 years' experience in the fitness industry, with a level 4 personal training qualification and a nutrition qualification. She also spent over 20 years working in leading health clubs across the UK.
Priyankaa Joshi
Priyankaa is our senior health and wellness writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges.
She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more.
Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Tested byKim Hawley
Health and Fitness Tester
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
