Trekking poles are the most underrated piece of ultralight gear. Most hikers don’t use them until their knees start complaining. Smart hikers use them from day one.
Done right, poles reduce knee impact by up to 25% on descents, improve balance on rough terrain, double as tent poles for ultralight shelters, and make river crossings exponentially safer. At 8-14 oz a pair, they’re pure value.
Here’s what to carry.
Carbon vs Aluminum: The Real Trade-Off
Carbon fiber poles:
- 20-30% lighter than aluminum
- Stiffer — more direct power transfer
- Snap under sudden lateral stress (falls, getting wedged in rocks)
- More expensive
Aluminum poles:
- Heavier but more durable
- Bend rather than snap under sudden stress
- Better for rough, rocky, or technical terrain
- More affordable
Verdict: Carbon for long-distance hiking and smooth trails. Aluminum for technical terrain, scrambling, or anyone who’s hard on gear.
Collapsible vs Folding
Collapsible/telescoping: Twist-lock or lever-lock sections. Adjustable height — important for varying terrain. Slightly heavier mechanism.
Folding: Z-fold or similar design packs shorter, deploys faster. Usually fixed length or limited adjustment. Preferred by trail runners and fast-hikers.
For most backcountry use: collapsible with lever locks — adjustable and reliable.
Our Top Picks
| Poles | Weight | Material | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z | 8.4 oz/pair | Carbon | ~$180 | Ultralight/fast |
| Leki Micro Vario Carbon | 9.2 oz/pair | Carbon | ~$200 | All-around UL |
| Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork | 17.6 oz/pair | Aluminum | ~$100 | Best value |
| REI Co-op Flash Carbon | 12 oz/pair | Carbon | ~$130 | Budget carbon |
| Gossamer Gear LT5 | 7.6 oz/pair | Carbon | ~$175 | Lightest option |
1. Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z — Best Ultralight
Weight: 8.4 oz/pair | Price: ~$180 | Material: Carbon
At 8.4 oz for a pair, the Distance Carbon Z disappears in your hand. The Z-fold design deploys and collapses in seconds — clip them to your pack, they take up almost no space. The cork grip wicks sweat and shapes to your hand over time.
The trade-off is fixed length — these come in three sizes (S/M/L) rather than being continuously adjustable. Know your ideal pole length before ordering (generally: elbow at 90° when gripping the pole with tip on the ground).
For thru-hikers, trail runners, and anyone counting every ounce, these are the benchmark.
2. Leki Micro Vario Carbon — Best All-Around
Weight: 9.2 oz/pair | Price: ~$200 | Material: Carbon
Leki’s SpeedLock+ adjustment system is the best lever lock in the business — fast, secure, and easy to operate with gloves. The Micro Vario Carbon packs into a compact bundle, adjusts from 110-130cm, and uses Leki’s SLS (Super Lock System) tip for interchangeable baskets and tips.
The aergon thermo grip is comfortable for long days and works well in cold weather. Built quality is excellent — these will last years of hard use.
Best for: Backpackers who want adjustable length, premium build quality, and confidence in the locking mechanism.
3. Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork — Best Value
Weight: 17.6 oz/pair | Price: ~$100 | Material: Aluminum
Not the lightest option, but the Trail Ergo Cork is the best trekking pole for most hikers who don’t want to spend $180. Aluminum construction means they bend rather than snap, the ergonomic cork grip is excellent, and the flick-lock adjustment is reliable.
For weekend backpackers, newer hikers, or anyone who goes hard on terrain and doesn’t want to worry about snapping a carbon pole, this is the smart choice.
4. Gossamer Gear LT5 — Lightest Available
Weight: 7.6 oz/pair | Price: ~$175 | Material: Carbon
7.6 oz. For a pair of full-length trekking poles. GG pushes the weight limits here with thin-wall carbon tubing and minimal hardware. These are incredibly light and work great for their intended use: long-distance hiking on established trails.
They’re also more fragile than any other pole on this list. Not for scrambling, not for technical terrain, not if you use your poles for leverage on steep rock. But for trail hiking with a light pack, nothing lighter exists.
Check Price on Gossamer Gear →
Using Poles Correctly
Most people never learn proper pole technique. Here’s what matters:
Wrist strap: Thread up through the strap from below, then grip both strap and handle. Your wrist bears the load on downhills, not your grip. This prevents fatigue and allows a relaxed hand.
Height adjustment: Elbow at 90° on flat ground. Shorten slightly for uphills (more power), lengthen for downhills (less forward lean).
Planting: Poles plant slightly behind your leading foot on uphills, slightly forward on downhills. Opposite arm/opposite leg rhythm — same as walking naturally.
River crossings: One pole upstream for stability. Plant before you step. Never both poles at once.
Trekking Poles as Tent Poles
One of the most significant weight savings in ultralight backpacking is using your trekking poles to pitch your shelter — eliminating dedicated tent poles entirely.
The Zpacks Duplex, Tarptent Stratospire, Six Moon Designs Lunar Solo, and many other ultralight shelters are designed around standard 100-135cm poles. If you’re carrying poles anyway, this is free weight savings.
Bottom Line
Lightest and fastest: Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Best all-around: Leki Micro Vario Carbon Best value: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork Absolute minimum weight: Gossamer Gear LT5
Whatever you choose, use them. Every mile. Your knees will thank you at mile 10,000.
Pole well. Walk far.