Trekking poles are one of the simplest upgrades a walker can make. Used well, they take a meaningful share of the load off your knees on descents, add extra points of contact on rough ground, and help you keep a steady rhythm on long climbs. Used badly, they are just extra weight. This guide covers how to choose the right pair and get the most out of them.
Getting the length right
Pole length matters more than any other feature. As a starting point, hold a pole with the tip on the ground: your elbow should bend at roughly a right angle. Most adjustable poles suit the majority of walkers, and adjustability is worth having: lengthen the poles for descents to take more weight through your arms, and shorten them for steep climbs.
Locks: lever versus twist
Poles lock their sections in two main ways. Lever locks use an external lever to clamp the sections; they are quick to adjust, easy to use with gloves, and their tension can usually be fine-tuned. Twist locks tighten internally when you rotate the sections; they are lighter and sleeker but can slip, especially in cold or wet conditions, and are fiddlier with gloves on. For most trekkers, lever locks are the more reliable choice, particularly on multi-day trips where a slipping pole is a real nuisance.
Materials, grips and baskets
Aluminium poles are affordable, durable and slightly heavier; carbon fibre poles are lighter and dampen vibration well but cost more and can crack under sharp impacts. Cork grips mould to your hands over time and stay comfortable when sweaty, while foam grips are soft and light. Baskets, the small discs above the tip, stop poles sinking: small baskets suit summer trails, while larger snow baskets are essential for snow and soft bog. Most poles come with removable rubber feet for hard surfaces.
Tips and technique
Carbide tips grip rock and ice far better than rubber, so save the rubber feet for roads and paved paths. On the trail, plant the poles slightly ahead and push back as you step, keeping your arms relaxed; the straps should take the weight, so thread your hands up through them and grip lightly. On descents, lengthen the poles and plant them ahead to brake your momentum. Rinse off grit after muddy trips, dry sections before storage and check lock tension periodically. A well-chosen pair, used with relaxed technique, will quietly transform your mountain days.
Choose adjustable poles with reliable lever locks, set the length to your body, match baskets to the season and learn the relaxed rhythm of planting and pushing. Your knees will notice the difference on the first long descent.
Arjun Mehta is the pen name behind Mountains Bliss — practical mountain-travel guides with routes, costs, seasons and safety notes, researched from real trekker discussions and cross-checked before publishing. No sponsored posts, ever.
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