The best walking poles help to improve balance on rough or uneven ground, and reduce strain on your legs, making climbing or descending hills noticeably easier. Along with the best travel backpacks and the best walking boots, walking poles can be essential pieces of hiking gear, helping you tackle a range of terrains.
To save you rambling through the myriad options on the market, I’ve been putting a variety of walking poles through their paces on countryside walks and hilly treks. My tests in the great outdoors involved paying attention to the feel of the handles, the weight of the poles, and whether the tips had a ‘basket’ to stop them from sinking into the ground.
Having racked up the kilometers, I personally prefer walking poles with cork handles (rather than those with rubber), as they’re comfortable and wick away sweat during hot weather. Take, for example, the handles on my top pick from Silva (£109.99, Amazon.co.uk). These poles were also the lightest on test, being made of carbon fibre, but if you’re after something more budget-freindly and don’t mind a little more weight, you can opt for aluminum poles – Vango’s ( £19.99, Amazon.co.uk) are ideal for easy hikes.
Keep reading for my full review of these walking poles and more.
Read more: Best men’s walking boots, tried and tested
The best walking poles for 2026 are:
- Best overall – Silva carbon trekking poles: £109.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best budget buy – Vango camino single pole: £19.99, Amazon.co.uk
- Best mountain poles – Les Batons d’Alain ski touring poles: £113.50, Snowleader.co.uk
- Best for beginners – Silva aluminium trekking poles: £48.90, Amazon.co.uk
How I tested
I tested each of these walking poles during countryside hikes in the Cotswolds and treks in the Cumbrian fells. I looked for a comfortable grip and ease of adjustability on varied terrain, including muddy trails and rocky surfaces. You can find out more about my full testing criteria at the end of my review.
Read more: Best women’s hiking boots, tested in rugged Cornwall
Silva carbon trekking poles
Best: Walking poles overall
Weight per pole: 200g
Length: 67-140cm
Pole material: Carbon
Handle material: Cork
Why we love it
- Good grips
- Lightweight
- Easy to adjust
Take note
- Expensive
Swedish brand Silva specialises in walking poles, head torches and compasses. The brand’s carbon poles ticked all the boxes during testing. They’re lightweight – in fact, they were the lightest on test, weighing just 200g per pole. However, they’re still strong, and I felt very confident while using these on my hikes.
They are easy to hold thanks to breathable cork and foam grips, and I had no rubbing or blisters while using these poles. They have good, intuitive flick locks (like those on camera tripods) for adjusting the height on the go, and fold to 67cm when you’re not using them. This pair may be on the pricy side but the poles impressed during testing, and I think they’re worth investing in if you’re someone who uses walking poles for trekking year-round.
Buy now £109.99, Amazon.co.uk
Vango camino single pole
Best: Budget walking poles
Weight per pole: 280g
Length: 67-135cm
Pole material: Aluminium
Handle material: Rubber
Why we love it
- Good weight
Take note
- Flimsier than premium models
Walking poles needn’t cost a fortune. Sold individually, Vango’s camino poles mean you can grab a great pair of poles for just £40. Fairly light at 280g, the pole folds down to a respectable 67cm for easy transport or for tying onto your backpack.
In general, this functional pole performed well on test, punching above its price point, but I reckon it’s a bit flimsy for tougher treks – you probably won’t take this up Mont Blanc. For weekends on relatively easy hiking trails or your first walking holiday, however, it’s a bargain.
Buy now £20, Amazon.co.uk
Black Diamond alpine carbon cork
Best: All-rounder walking poles
Weight per pole: 234g
Length: 61-130cm
Pole material: Aluminium
Handle material: Cork
Why we love it
- Great grip
- Good locks
- Multiple tips and baskets
Take note
- Expensive
These carbon classics from trekking specialist Black Diamond strike the perfect balance between weight and durability. The flick locks are quick and easy to use, and the ergonomic grips are made from cork, but there’s also a rubberised extension below for added grip on steep terrain, so you get the best of both materials.
The padded wrist strap feels secure, and the poles come with two basket sets, including one for deep snow, plus interchangeable carbide and rubber tips. Overall, although this pair will set you back more than £100, these poles are great all-rounders for keen hikers.
Buy now £103, Blacks.co.uk
Craghoppers venture T grip
Best: Walking pole for a T-shaped handle
Weight per pole: 270g
Length: 66-135cm
Pole material: Alumminium
Handle material: Rubber
Why we love it
- T-shaped handle
- Good stability
Take note
- On the heavier side
- Twist locks rather than flick locks
If you like the idea of a pole that can take a little more weight, this could be the one for you. This size-adjustable walking pole is designed to add stability while walking on pretty much any surface. The ergonomic T-shaped handle means it’s easier to grip and lean on than many other poles I tested, but don’t be fooled by the colour – it looks like cork, but it’s rubber and plastic. There are twist locks rather than flick locks (we tend to find the latter more secure) for adjusting height, but they feel reasonably solid. This pole works well as an individual walking aid, but you can also double up for trekking.
Buy now £25, Craghoppers.com
Silva aluminium trekking poles
Best: Walking poles for beginners
Weight per pole: 232g
Length: 67-140cm
Pole material: Aluminium
Handle material: Cork
Why we love it
- Lovely cork grip
- Good locks
- Generous length
Take note
- Not carbon
A good choice for your first pair of trekking poles, these tick a lot of boxes at a relatively affordable price point – they’re made from lightweight but sturdy aluminium, are adjustable (with good flick locks) and come with snow baskets for winter mountain conditions. The cork handles are breathable and comfy, and a generous 140cm of height will suit taller trekkers. They also fold down to a respectable 67cm for easy storage.
Buy now £48.9, Amazon.co.uk
Black Diamond trail walking poles
Best: Aluminium walking poles
Weight per pole: 305g
Length: 64-140cm
Pole material: Aluminium
Handle material: Rubber
Why we love it
- Comfortable grips
- Good flick locks
Take note
- On the heavier side
Fancy buying your first pair of walking poles but not sure where to start? These fuss-free, sturdy poles excelled on countryside trails and hilly terrain. Comfortable rubber grips with a ribbed pattern are easy to grab and feel good to hold, even during all-day hikes.
Meanwhile, well-made flick locks make it quick and easy to fold up these poles on the go, and an acceptable weight of 305g per pole makes this pair a good choice for beginner hikers tackling their first mountain paths.
Buy now £95, Gooutdoors.co.uk
Leki Cressida FX carbon
Best: Walking poles for women
Weight per pole: 245g
Length: 100-120cm
Pole material: Carbon
Handle material: Rubber
Why we love it
- Carbon design
- Easy to adjust
Take note
- Expensive
Some might scoff at hiking poles marketed for women, but shorter women may prefer a lightweight design tailored to their height and handspan rather than a unisex model.
Leki’s Cressida trekking poles are fully adjustable, while the carbon shaft feels rugged and stable on all terrains but without much added weight. Each pole is just 245g, so, this is a good choice for less-able hikers who don’t want to feel weighed down.
The clips are quick and easy to lock and unlock, enabling you to get the right length for you, while the breathable strap and comfortable cork grip (designed for smaller hands) keep palms cool even during hot weather. However, the big downside is the hefty price tag.
Buy now £157, Amazon.co.uk
Les Batons d’Alain azur
Best: Mountain walking poles
Weight per pole: 225g
Length: 115cm, 125cm or 135cm
Pole material: Aluminum
Handle material: Rubber
Why we love it
- Innovative grip
- Suitable for skiing
Take note
- Can’t be folded
These are brightly-hued, fixed hiking and skiing poles designed and made by mountain guide Alain Desez in the foothills of Mont Blanc. These poles have a sturdy aluminium main body and a long, padded foam grip that enables the hiker to hold the pole at different heights.
Sounds like a simple idea, but when you’re hiking on rocky, mountainous ground, these poles let you adjust your grip on the fly, which saves time compared to fiddly adjustable options. The downside is you can’t store them in a backpack like you can with other options included in my lineup, so it might be hard to pack them for a walking holiday.
Buy now £113.5, Snowleader.co.uk
Your questions about walking poles answered
What are the best walking poles?
In the end, Silva’s carbon poles came out on top during testing, thanks to their tough yet lightweight composition, breathable grips and adjustable design. If you’re a keen year-round hiker, these poles are worth the investment. Black Diamond’s comfy cork alpine carbon poles are also great all-rounders for trekking. Tackling mountain terrain in all seasons? Les Batons d’Alain offer an innovative design for height adjustments on the fly. If you’re looking for something a little more budget-friendly, the Vango camino costs just £20 per pole (though it is a little flimsier than other options I tested).
How I tested walking poles
During the testing process, I considered the following criteria.
What is the best material for walking poles?
There are several different pole materials. Carbon is a wonder material for trekking poles, as it’s strong but lightweight, while aluminium is a tad cheaper. 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
Sian Lewis is an award-winning travel and outdoors journalist who has written for IndyBest since 2020. Sian has previously brought readers her verdict on the best camping and hiking gear, from walking boots to sleeping bags and more. In her reviews, she offers her honest opinions and will only recommend products she believes are worth your money.
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