Carbon or aluminium? Folding or telescopic? This guide covers what actually matters when choosing trekking poles for hiking, backpacking, and trail running.
Trekking poles reduce load on the knees, improve balance on rough ground, and can even pitch certain shelters. The range of options is wide, though. This guide covers the key decisions so you buy a pair that suits how you walk.
- Do you need trekking poles?
- Carbon or aluminium?
- Folding or telescopic?
- How to find the right length
- Grips, straps, and tips
- Can trekking poles pitch a tent?
- Alpkit trekking poles
Do you need trekking poles?
Poles reduce the load on the knees on long descents, improve balance on boggy or uneven ground, and give a useful push on steep climbs. The trade-off is simple: your hands are occupied, so you carry them even when the ground is easy.
For gentle day walks on good paths, they are optional. For multi-day backpacking with a heavy pack, or any route with sustained ascent and descent, they earn their place quickly.
Carbon or aluminium?
Carbon poles are lighter and stiffer. They transmit less vibration through the grip on hard ground. They also cost more, and they can snap if the pole is forced sideways under heavy load, such as in a fall on to the pole.
Aluminium poles are heavier but more forgiving. They will bend rather than break, which matters if you hike off-trail regularly or are hard on kit. They are also cheaper.
For most walkers on marked trails, carbon is the right choice. All Alpkit trekking poles are carbon.
Folding or telescopic?
This is the main design decision.
Telescopic poles use a clamp mechanism to lock the inner pole at any point within a length range. The Snaplock system, used on the Carbonlong Backpacker, is a hinged cam that locks firmly and adjusts quickly. You get precise length control, which makes it easy to shorten the poles for ascents and lengthen them for descents. Packed down, they sit at around 67cm and strap to the outside of a pack.
Folding poles break into short sections joined by an internal wire. Unfold them, the sections click into place and lock under tension. Compact when stowed, often under 40cm, they fit inside most packs and deploy faster. The upper section usually has a small adjustment range, but you cannot vary the length as precisely as with a telescopic pole.
Choose telescopic if you regularly adjust pole length on the hill. Choose folding if pack size and deployment speed matter more to you.
How to find the right length
The standard method: stand upright, hold the pole with the tip on the ground beside your foot. Your elbow should sit at roughly 90 degrees, with your forearm parallel to the ground.
A rough guide by height:
- Under 5'5" (165cm): 100–110cm poles
- 5'5" to 6' (165–183cm): 110–120cm poles
- Over 6' (183cm): 120–130cm poles
On steep ascents, shorten the poles a few centimetres. On descents, lengthen them. If you use folding poles with limited adjustment, set them for your most-used terrain and live with the compromise on steeper ground.
Once you have the right length dialled in, read our guide on how to use your walking poles to get the most from them on the hill.
Grips, straps, and tips
Grips: Cork grips are comfortable for long days and absorb sweat. EVA foam grips are softer and work well in wet or cold conditions. Either works for most hiking. Cork is a reasonable pick for warm weather and full-day outings; foam for shoulder-season or wetter climates.
Straps: Worth spending time on. Thread your hand up through the loop before gripping the handle. The strap should support the weight of your hand so your grip stays relaxed. A correctly adjusted strap makes a noticeable difference to arm fatigue on long days.
Tips: Tungsten carbide tips are standard. They grip well on rock, tarmac, and firm soil. Replace them when they start to round off. Two basket sizes cover most conditions: small summer baskets stop the tip sinking into soft ground; larger snow baskets give more purchase in soft snow or mud.
Pitching a tent with walking poles
Certain lightweight shelters use your trekking poles as the main structure instead of carrying separate tent poles. The Alpkit Polestar is designed exactly this way. You bring the poles; the tent brings nothing but fabric and pegs. This saves significant weight on multi-day trips where every gram matters.
If this appeals, check the shelter's required pitch height and confirm your poles can reach it. Telescopic poles are more flexible here, as you can fine-tune the height. Most folding poles will also work; just verify the minimum extended length covers what the shelter needs.
Alpkit trekking poles
Alpkit poles use either lightweight carbon or tough Duralumin alloy shafts. The range covers three design approaches.
Nanolite Pole Twins
Folding carbon poles using the Quickwire system: sections connected by an internal wire that tensions when unfolded and locks under load. Lightweight and compact when stowed. A solid all-round choice for day hiking and multi-day backpacking where pack space is limited.
Carbonlong Backpacker Twins
Telescopic carbon poles with a Snaplock cam mechanism. Full-range continuous length adjustment across a generous span. Well suited to long backpacking routes where you want to adapt pole length to the terrain throughout the day.
Carbon Marathon Ultra Twins
Ultralight folding carbon poles built to pack as small as possible. Designed for trail running, fastpacking, and travel where the stowed size matters as much as the weight. Deploy fast, stow faster.
Browse the full range of Alpkit walking poles →
Frequently asked questions about choosing trekking poles
What is the difference between carbon and aluminium trekking poles?
Carbon poles are lighter and stiffer, with better vibration damping. They can snap under heavy sideways force, for example in a fall directly on to the pole. Aluminium poles are heavier but will bend rather than break, making them more durable in rough use. For most hikers on marked trails, carbon is the better choice. For off-trail use or anyone hard on their kit, aluminium is more forgiving.
What is the difference between folding and telescopic trekking poles?
Telescopic poles use a clamp mechanism to lock at any length within a range, giving precise adjustment. They pack to around 65cm. Folding poles break into short sections joined by an internal wire and are more compact when stowed, often under 40cm, but offer less length adjustment. Choose telescopic for frequent on-hill length changes. Choose folding if pack size and deployment speed matter more.
How do I choose the right trekking pole length?
Hold the pole with the tip on the ground beside your foot. Your elbow should be at roughly 90 degrees. As a rough guide: under 5'5" suits 100–110cm poles; 5'5" to 6' suits 110–120cm; over 6' suits 120–130cm. Shorten slightly on steep ascents, lengthen on descents.
Do I need trekking poles for hiking?
Poles reduce knee strain on descents, improve balance on rough or boggy ground, and help push on climbs. For gentle day walks they are optional. For multi-day backpacking with a heavy pack, or routes with significant ascent and descent, they are worth carrying.
Can trekking poles be used to pitch a tent?
Yes. Certain shelters, including the Alpkit Polestar, are designed to use your trekking poles as the main structure. This removes the need for separate tent poles and saves significant weight on multi-day trips. Check the shelter's required pitch height against your poles' extended length before buying.
Are lightweight trekking poles worth it?
Yes, for most walkers. Poles are held in your hands, so weight is felt more directly than pack weight. A lightweight carbon pair can weigh under 500g for the set. Over a long day or multi-day trip, that matters. The trade-off is that the lightest poles cost more and are less forgiving under heavy or sideways loads.