The Best Adjustable Trekking Poles For 2024

Jonathan Wilson By, Jonathan Wilson
Updated
Best Adjustable Trekking Poles
Best Adjustable Trekking Poles

The Rundown

1. Best Overall: TrailBuddy Trekking Poles

"TrailBuddy Trekking Poles combine robust construction with lightweight design, ensuring reliability and ease of use for any hiking adventure. Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium, these poles are built to endure the toughest terrains." Read Review

2. Best For The Price: Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles

"Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles offer exceptional quality and comfort for every hiking adventure. These poles are designed to withstand extreme conditions while providing a comfortable and secure grip." Read Review

3. Best Durable: TheFitLife Trekking Poles

"TheFitLife Trekking Poles are the perfect companion for all your outdoor adventures. Whether you're trekking through rugged terrain, hiking up a mountain, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll, these poles will provide you with the support and stability you need." Read Review

4. Best Adjustable: KINGGEAR Trekking Poles

"The KINGGEAR Trekking Poles are designed for outdoor enthusiasts who enjoy hiking, trekking, and backpacking. These poles feature an ergonomic and anti-sweat design, with a natural cork grip that customizes to your hand shape to reduce chafing." Read Review

5. Best Support: TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Trekking Poles

"The TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Trekking Poles offer exceptional support and durability for outdoor enthusiasts, combining ergonomic design with rugged construction. It's perfect for hikers seeking reliable and compact gear." Read Review

You might not think trekking poles are essential, but they can be game-changers on the trail. Unlike a simple walking stick, adjustable trekking poles offer customized support on varied terrain, from steep inclines to rocky descents. In recent years, these poles have evolved significantly. Lightweight materials, ergonomic grips, and advanced locking mechanisms are now standard features if you know where to look. Enhanced durability and compact designs mean they can fit easily in your pack, ready for any adventure.

However, the market is flooded with options. The choices can be overwhelming, from budget-friendly models to high-end poles with shock absorption. At Kris Van Assche, we will help you find the perfect pair. 

After nearly 17 hours of research, we think the best adjustable trekking poles is TrailBuddy Trekking Poles. Made from aircraft-grade 7075 aluminium, these poles offer superior strength compared to carbon fibre while being nearly 4 ounces lighter than typical trekking poles. Alternatively, if you're simply looking for another option, you may go with Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles. Explore with us right here.

Compare

TOP Choice #1 TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
Our Score:
9.8
TrailBuddy

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles are engineered to withstand the most rugged hiking conditions. Made from aircraft-grade 7075 aluminium, these poles offer superior strength compared to carbon fibre while being nearly 4 ounces lighter than typical trekking poles. Nonetheless, the cork handles may wear down over time with heavy use. However, they can be replaced, ensuring your poles remain in top condition.

The poles are highly adjustable, extending from a maximum height of 54 inches down to a compact 24.5 inches when collapsed, making them suitable for adults and children. The one-handed lever locks make height adjustments quick and effortless, far more convenient than the traditional two-handed twist locks. The threaded pole tips also ensure the included accessories stay securely attached, even in challenging conditions like snow or mud.

TrailBuddy Trekking Poles are perfect for avid hikers and outdoor enthusiasts who demand reliable and lightweight gear. Whether you're tackling steep inclines or traversing muddy paths, these poles provide the support and comfort needed for a variety of conditions. 

TOP Choice #2 Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles
Our Score:
9.6
Cascade Mountain Tech

Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles are crafted from aircraft-grade 6061 aluminium, ensuring durability in both extreme heat and cold. The rubber grip tops add an extra comfort layer compared to the hard plastic grips found on standard poles. Its quick-lock mechanism allows for easy adjustment of the poles from 26 to 54 inches, enabling seamless transitions without interrupting your stride. The ergonomically designed cork grip reduces vibrations from rough terrain, and the extended EVA down grip provides additional hand placement options, making steep inclines more manageable.

Equipped with tungsten carbide tips, these poles are suitable for year-round hiking. The included snow and mud baskets, boots, and tip covers are made from durable rubber, ensuring longevity and reliability across all terrains. A minor con is that the rubber grips can become slippery when wet. Wearing gloves or using grip-enhancing products can mitigate this issue.

Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles are ideal for hikers seeking high-quality, versatile poles that can handle a wide range of conditions. From casual day hikes to challenging overnight treks, these poles are a dependable companion.

TOP Choice #3 TheFitLife Trekking Poles
Our Score:
9.5
TheFitLife

TheFitLife Trekking Poles have a shock-absorbing design, made from high-quality 6-series aluminum. The extra-long EVA foam handles, equipped with straps, provide superior comfort and moisture absorption, ensuring a firm grip even during strenuous activities. These trekking poles are built to last, utilizing robust 6-series aluminium that balances strength and weight effectively. Their extendable design, featuring a quick lock system, allows for easy adjustment between 26 inches and 53 inches, catering to users of all ages and sizes. 

Satisfying your thirst for adventure, TheFitLife Trekking Poles come with a complete set of rubber accessories and a carrying bag, making them perfect for trekking, hiking, Nordic walking, and backpacking. Nevertheless, some might find the locking mechanism slightly tricky initially, but with a bit of practice, it becomes effortless.

TheFitLife Trekking Poles are perfect for outdoor enthusiasts who seek reliable and comfortable support on their adventures. If you value durability, portability, and high performance, these trekking poles are a great addition to your gear.

4 KINGGEAR Trekking Poles
Our Score:
9.3
KINGGEAR

KINGGEAR Trekking Poles feature a shaft made from durable aviation-grade 7075 aluminium, offering a lighter and stronger alternative to typical 6061 aluminium and carbon fibre. The poles are easily adjustable and collapsible with a quick flip lock, extending from 25.5 inches to 54 inches, accommodating the whole family. The quick lock system is also user-friendly, allowing you to secure the poles in seconds.

Its ergonomic design includes a natural cork grip that is anti-sweat and conforms to your hand, reducing chafing and enhancing comfort. Additionally, the EVA foam lower grip absorbs moisture, while the adjustable wristband prevents slipping. A variety of hiking accessories, such as snow baskets, mud baskets, and tough rubber tips, ensure these poles are ready for any terrain. Although some might find the cork grip less comfortable initially, it gradually moulds to your hand, providing a custom fit over time.

Suitable for all family members, these poles are perfect for hiking, trekking, and camping. The variety of accessories makes them versatile for different terrains, from rocky paths to snowy trails. 

5 TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Trekking Poles
Our Score:
9.1
TREKOLOGY

The TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Trekking Poles provide excellent support and comfort for outdoor adventures. Designed with a cork-texture grip, these poles wick away sweat, ensuring a firm hold even in muddy conditions. The EVA foam shafts offer a robust grip on all terrains. Crafted from aircraft-grade aluminium, they withstand rough terrains and heavy loads, surpassing carbon fibre poles in durability. Enhanced joints with metal caps add extra security, making them resilient under pressure and impact.

Thanks to their retractable tri-fold design, the Trek-Z poles collapse to a compact 15 inches, fitting effortlessly into backpacks or luggage. Ideal for seniors, these poles help build strength and muscle during errands or leisure activities. The flip lock technology also allows quick and easy adjustment, ensuring a secure fit with a metal stopper. 

The TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Trekking Poles are perfect for avid hikers and outdoor adventurers who value durability and compact gear. The poles may feel slightly heavy for some. However, this weight contributes to their exceptional durability and stability, making them reliable in challenging terrains.

6 Aihoye Trekking Poles
Our Score:
8.9
Aihoye

Aihoye Trekking Poles have a high-quality aviation aluminium construction, making them both sturdy and lightweight at just 10.3 ounces each. The retractable design allows for easy adjustment from 25 to 52 inches, accommodating men, women, and children on hiking trips. The anti-shock technology reduces strain on hands and wrists, which benefits those with weak joints or prior injuries. 

The ergonomic plastic handle grip offers a non-slip, comfortable hold, while the secondary foam handle absorbs moisture from sweaty hands. Durable and adjustable straps ensure a snug fit. The package includes 10 replacement tips—trekking pole rubber tips, boot tips, snow baskets, and mud baskets—suitable for all terrains, whether concrete, dirt, rocky, muddy, or snowy paths.

Aihoye Trekking Poles are ideal for hikers of all ages and skill levels, from casual walkers to serious backpackers. Unfortunately, the retractable adjustment mechanism might occasionally loosen during extended use, requiring periodic tightening. Despite this, these poles are perfect for anyone looking to enhance their hiking experience.

7 A ALAFEN Trekking Pole
Our Score:
8.8
A ALAFEN

Experience superior comfort with the A ALAFEN Trekking Pole, featuring an EVA foam handle and wrist strap designed for sweat absorption and skid resistance. Its ergonomic design ensures long-term comfort, whether on short hikes or extended treks. This trekking pole boasts an ultralight shaft made from aircraft-grade 7075 aluminium alloy, renowned for its sturdiness and resistance to deformation.

The quick lock system allows for easy adjustment of the pole’s length from 43.3" to 49", ensuring you can find the perfect height with the built-in measuring scale. Safety is paramount, with a tungsten steel rod tip under the rubber footing for enhanced abrasion resistance. Although it offers impressive durability, the pole can feel slightly cumbersome during steep climbs. However, its robust build provides the reliability needed for challenging trails.

For those who value comfort and stability on their hiking adventures, the A ALAFEN Trekking Pole is an excellent choice. Ideal for trekkers who need a dependable, adjustable pole that won't compromise on comfort, it's perfect for both novice hikers and seasoned adventurers.

8 Covacure Trekking Poles
Our Score:
8.7
Covacure

The Covacure Trekking Poles feature an upgraded tri-fold design, allowing you to easily adjust the length from 43" to 51", ensuring a comfortable fit for any height. When not in use, they fold down to less than 14", making them incredibly convenient to store in backpacks or luggage. These poles, which are made of aircraft-grade 7075 aluminium, are incredibly light but robust, offering superior resistance to pressure and impacts.

The aluminium construction also includes a corrosion-resistant coating, enhancing longevity. Plus, its ergonomic design features an EVA foam handle that absorbs sweat and provides skid resistance, complemented by adjustable wrist straps to reduce hand strain. Although the installation process may require a bit of practice, the included instructional video simplifies this task.

The Covacure Trekking Poles are useful for individuals looking for customizable, long-lasting trekking poles. Their compact shape and sturdy construction make them appropriate for a wide range of terrains and hiking adventures.

9 HUGSEE Trekking Poles
Our Score:
8.5
HUGSEE

HUGSEE Trekking Poles feature an upgraded thickened and strengthened design with a 3.35mm load-bearing connection joint, making them exceptionally strong and durable. The poles' aircraft-grade aluminium alloy construction provides impressive resistance to pressure and corrosion, ensuring longevity. Their collapsible tri-fold design allows them to fold down to a portable 13.9 inches, fitting conveniently into hiking backpacks or luggage.

The ergonomic EVA foam grip, extended by 3.93 inches, absorbs sweat and offers various hand positions, while the adjustable wrist strap prevents accidental drops. These poles are versatile and equipped with essential tips and accessories for all terrains and conditions. The only downside is that the poles are not very suitable for individuals under 5'6".

HUGSEE Trekking Poles are ideal for hikers seeking durability and comfort on diverse terrains. If you value strong, long-lasting trekking poles that adapt to various conditions, these poles are an excellent choice. Perfect for tackling mountains, flat roads, or snowy trails, HUGSEE Trekking Poles ensure a secure and enjoyable hiking experience

10 TREKOLOGY SE Trekking Poles
Our Score:
8.3
TREKOLOGY

TREKOLOGY SE Trekking Poles are essential for serious hikers, providing balance support and weighing only 10.5 oz each. Their collapsible design allows them to fold to 38cm, easily fitting into backpacks or luggage. The poles are adjustable from 43.5" to 52" with a proprietary metal flip lock, suitable for individuals between 5'2" and 6'5".

Made from aero-grade aluminium alloy, they offer reliable support and stability. Besides, the sweat-absorbing EVA foam grip ensures comfort on any terrain, making them perfect for various activities like hill walking, backpacking, and nordic walking. These poles help prevent knee injuries and fatigue, particularly on steep inclines or downhill. One minor issue is that the metal flip lock might require occasional tightening to maintain the desired height.

TREKOLOGY SE Trekking Poles are perfect for hikers of all levels who need lightweight, collapsible poles that provide excellent support and stability. These poles will enhance your outdoor experience, offering reliable assistance on uneven or slippery terrain.

What to Look For in a best adjustable trekking poles?

You may have some trouble making a purchase if you don't research it thoroughly. You are expected to invest time and focus on best adjustable trekking poles before investing in them. Usually, it will take you a long time to research a favorite product. But rest assured, we are here to assist you with your best adjustable trekking poles issue, no matter what time of day or night.

Although choosing a product is complicated, it will be more accessible and more available to everyone with today's information technology network. You are now given available sources of information such as famous websites, sale forums, or even customer's feedback. It can be said that information from these sources about best adjustable trekking poles will be beneficial to you.

So now you are expected to focus on needed criteria about best adjustable trekking poles. All of them will come with your investment. 

Anti-shock Systems

If you have issues with your arms or walk on hard surfaces often, it might be beneficial to consider purchasing walking poles with shock-absorbing features. These poles are designed with anti-shock systems in the shaft to soften the impact when they come into contact with solid ground. This helps reduce strain on your joints and provides extra comfort while walking.

Pole Tips

Although small, the tip of your pole is considered to be crucial. While steel tips are commonly used in entry-level poles and are sufficient for most situations, they may not be very durable on rocky terrain or hard surfaces. To increase the lifespan of steel tips, rubber bungs can be added, but for long-lasting durability on any surface, tungsten tips are recommended. Tungsten tips are typically found on higher-end poles and have a dark grey, matte finish, distinguishing them from the shiny silver or gold appearance of steel tips.

Design Configuration

Many trekking poles are able to be collapsed and are available in three different designs: three-section telescoping, folding, and combination styles. The design mainly determines how the pole extends to create a sturdy pole. Generally, telescoping poles are strong and can be adjusted, folding poles are lightweight and compact when collapsed, and combination poles offer a mix of attributes. Each design has its own unique benefits and drawbacks.

Shafts

Most shafts are typically constructed from aluminum, which is an ideal material due to its lightweight nature and resistance to bending. Even experienced hikers favor aluminum poles, though they may opt for more costly models made from higher grades of aluminum. Another popular option is carbon fiber, which offers a lightweight and durable choice for sturdy walking poles, particularly useful for carrying heavy loads across rugged terrain.

Packed Size

Some users prioritize packability more than others. If you plan on using your poles consistently throughout your trip and won't need to pack them in luggage, packability may not be a major concern. However, climbers, mountaineers, and backpackers who may encounter challenging terrain require poles that can be easily carried on or inside their pack. For these users, as well as those looking to save space in luggage, collapsible poles that can be shortened are preferred.

Grips & Hand Loops

Standard walking poles typically come with rubber hand grips, which are preferred for their non-slip, durable, and soft properties.er poles may have hard plastic handles that offer little grip or comfort. Higher-end poles often feature high-density EVA foam grips, which are lighter and offer better moisture management. Cork hand grips, found on top-tier poles, are comparable in weight and durability to EVA foam but provide the best moisture management for maximum comfort during long walks. Hand loops, which help maintain grip on the poles, are best with extra padding to prevent skin irritation that can occur with basic nylon straps.

Locking Mechanisms

The twist-lock mechanism has been a reliable choice for walkers over time. The advantages of the clip-lock system are mainly noticeable during packing and adjusting, rather than while walking.

While traditional twist-lock poles are sufficient for most people, those who have difficulty with grip or frequently need to adjust pole length may find the clip-lock system more beneficial. The type of terrain and changes in gradient will dictate how often pole length adjustments are needed, making clip-lock poles a good option for hillside hikes.

FAQs

How do I adjust the height of the trekking poles?

Most adjustable trekking poles have a mechanism that allows you to extend or shorten the poles to your desired height. Simply loosen the locking mechanism, slide the pole to the desired height, and tighten the lock to secure it in place.

Are adjustable trekking poles suitable for all heights?

Yes, adjustable trekking poles are designed to accommodate a wide range of heights. They can be adjusted to suit users of varying heights, making them versatile and adaptable for different individuals.

Can I use adjustable trekking poles for hiking on different terrains?

Yes, adjustable trekking poles are versatile and can be used on a variety of terrains, including rocky trails, muddy paths, and steep inclines. The adjustable height feature allows you to customize the poles to your preferred length for optimal stability and support.

Are adjustable trekking poles durable and long-lasting?

Most adjustable trekking poles are made from high-quality materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber, which are known for their durability and strength. With proper care and maintenance, adjustable trekking poles can last for many years of hiking and outdoor adventures.

How do I know if I need adjustable trekking poles?

Adjustable trekking poles are beneficial for hikers of all skill levels, but they are especially useful for individuals who hike on rough or uneven terrain, carry heavy backpacks, or have knee or joint issues. The adjustable feature allows you to customize the poles to your specific needs and preferences.


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About Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson

Jonathan Wilson is a former pro football player and tech reporter who now serves as the editor of Kris Van Assche's website. He is a dedicated fitness enthusiast who splits his workout time between strength and conditioning training, martial arts and running.

Jonathan's athletic career began in college, where he was a star running back. He went on to play professionally for several years before injuries forced him to retire. Afterward, Jonathan transitioned into a career in tech reporting, where he quickly made a name for himself as a knowledgeable and insightful commentator on the industry.

In addition to his work with our website, Jonathan remains active in the world of sports. He regularly competes in martial arts tournaments and running events, and he is always looking for new ways to challenge himself physically. Jonathan is an inspiration to many people, and he is proof that it is never too late to pursue your passions.

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