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Rigid Trekking Poles

Need help getting started with trekking poles? Read: Trekking Poles: To Use or Not, Trekking Poles: Parts Explained, Trekking Poles: Selecting a Pair, and Trekking Poles: Fit, Maintenance, and Tips.

The best rigid trekking poles, reviewed and curated by the Trailspace community. The latest review was added on May 7, 2023. Stores' prices and availability are updated daily.

user rating: 4.5 of 5 (13)
Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork
$140
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (8)
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork
$150 - $199
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (8)
Black Diamond Distance Z
$90 - $139
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (7)
Black Diamond Trail
$84 - $119
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Leki Makalu FX Carbon
$172 - $229
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z
$85 - $189
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Leki Micro Vario Cor-Tec TA
$140
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
MSR DynaLock Explore Backcountry Poles
$88 - $109
user rating: 4 of 5 (6)
Black Diamond Trail Back
$70 - $74
user rating: 4 of 5 (4)
Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles Cork Grip
$65
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Cascade Mountain Tech 3K Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles Cork Grip
$55
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Black Diamond Alpine FLZ
$127 - $159
user rating: 3.5 of 5 (3)
Black Diamond Distance Carbon FLZ
$157 - $209
user rating: 2.5 of 5 (1)
REI Flash Carbon Trekking Poles
$111
user rating: 2 of 5 (2)
Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles
$70
Leki Makalu Lite
$105 - $139
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (5)
Pacerpole 3-Section Alloy
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (3)
Leki Corklite
$140 MSRP
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (3)
Komperdell Wild Rambler
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (3)
Black Diamond Ultra Mountain Carbon
$170 MSRP
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (2)
Masters Kompressor 145
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
PaceMaker Expedition
$60 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
$130 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Leki Micro Vario Carbon
$200 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
American Trekking Pole Green Hiker Cork Grip Poles
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles
$195 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Helinox Causeway Groove Lock
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 3
$130 MSRP
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
Black Diamond Alpine Ergo Cork
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
REI Carbon Composite Power Lock Trekking Poles
user rating: 5 of 5 (1)
MSR Surelock UL-3
user rating: 4 of 5 (8)
Black Diamond Ultra Distance
$150 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (6)
Gossamer Gear Lightrek 4
user rating: 4 of 5 (5)
Black Diamond Distance FL
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Leki MCT 12 Vario Carbon
$250 MSRP
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Leki Micro Vario Carbon Max
$200 MSRP
user rating: 4.5 of 5 (1)
Leki Corklite Aergon Speedlock
$140 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (2)
Black Diamond Distance Plus FLZ
$150 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (2)
Fizan Compact 3
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Leki Micro Tour Stick Vario
$200 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Eddie Bauer Hiking Pole
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Leki Micro Stick
$149 MSRP
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Tubbs 2-Part Snowshoe Poles
user rating: 4 of 5 (1)
Fizan Compact Ultralite
user rating: 3 of 5 (2)
Komperdell Carbon Ultralite Compact
$240 MSRP
Tubbs 3-Part Snowshoe Poles
STABIL Stride
$48 MSRP
Leki Instructor Lite SL2
$150 MSRP

Recent Rigid Trekking Pole Reviews

rated 4 of 5 stars
Cascade Mountain Tech 3K Carbon Fiber Quick Lock Trekking Poles Cork Grip

The best of the inexpensive pole lineup from Cascade Mountain Tech. Many years ago, while in the North Cascades, I sprained my ankle. It was 7 steep miles back to the car. My wife had trekking poles and loaned them to me so I could "crutch" down the mountain. With the help of the poles, I survived and have been using poles ever since. I have pairs from Komperdell, Leki, Black Diamond, and three different versions from Cascade Moutain Tech: the aluminum, standard carbon fiber (CF), and the 3k carbon… Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
Leki Makalu FX Carbon

  Great poles for the mountains Trekking poles have come a long way since the days of using old ski poles. I’ll admit that I resisted them for a long time, just assuming that they were nothing but extra weight and expense. While I seldom use them on easy, family hikes, I find them indispensable on climbing approaches and mountain hiking.  While these poles aren't cheap, Leki has addressed the problem of weight and stowability all while making some fantastic poles with the Makalu FX Carbon poles. Full review

rated 5 of 5 stars
MSR DynaLock Explore Backcountry Poles

Very good, three-section aluminum trekking poles for trekking and year-round mountaineering. Sturdy and relatively light, feel dependable, and delivered with multiple baskets. Great price tag and the cost/quality ratio. 550g / 1 lbs 4 oz | Open, Max: 140 cm / 55 in | Collapsed 62.2 cm / 24.5 in I was looking for a trekking pole to cover my needs for at least three-season use, and I generally accept something a little heavier to gain durability (and dependability). After some research I went with… Full review

rated 0.5 of 5 stars
Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles

Montem appears to be a fraudulent business operating out of a guy's apartment in New York City. Check out their address as listed on their website (20 Avenue A, New York, NY 10009) on Google maps and decide for yourself if this is where you want to spend your money. I ordered two pairs of these poles directly from Montem. They were in stock and were guaranteed to be delivered in 7-10 days. 21 days later, even though the poles are still "in stock," the poles have not even been put in a shipping box,… Full review

rated 2 of 5 stars
Black Diamond Ultra Distance

Where is the "stop/lock" button?!? My set doesn't have this. I've gone to REI (purchase place) twice about this; agents clueless. Web query doesn't help at all. Purchased ~3 yrs ago and used greatly—but in squishy surface, the trek pole unhinges and you have a floppy thing in your hands, not a trek pole. There is no stop/lock button or any other feature to secure the pole when opened. Full review

rated 2 of 5 stars
Pacerpole 3-Section Alloy

Broke within 9 months—doesn't store well. I ordered these for my boyfriend last Christmas and he loved them up until they broke this past month. The pieces got stuck together and we can no longer extend the poles. We contacted the owner and tried to troubleshoot but nothing worked. We asked for a warranty but there isn't any. The owner asked us to buy new pieces instead. I wanted to support small businesses, but for the price, it feels like we wasted a great deal instead of just going to REI and… Full review

rated 4 of 5 stars
Komperdell Wild Rambler

I have used this pole to keep me walking with my group. I am an older walker so need it to get me up the inclines. I only use it for bush walks and am very pleased to have it. Using this hiking staff has made it possible for me to continue walking with my walking group. The body is willing, but the legs are beginning to complain. Thanks to this product I am still out there doing it. Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Leki Vario XS

Leki's Vario XS four-season poles are designed for kids, but are fully functional on trail or in the snow. Adults or children who use poles in the 80-110 cm (31-43") range will find these two-piece poles are easy to adjust both for length and strap position. Leki's HTS 5.5 aluminum balances strength and weight, making the Vario XS a four-season pole that can adjust for growing children.   Leki Vario XS  The Vario XS replaced the Leki Vario Jr. SpeedLock and, while aimed at younger hikers and skiers,… Full review

rated 4.5 of 5 stars
Leki MCT 12 Vario Carbon

An ultralight, adjustable length, hybrid folding-telescopic, all-carbon pole for trail running or power hiking on good trails. Quick and reliable locking mechanisms for deployment and length adjustment. Full-wrap straps with well-designed quick-release for shifting gears on the move or freeing up hands for photo stops etc. Small diameter baskets and light construction limit best use to firm surfaces—no snow or deep mud, please. First look  The first word that comes to mind in describing the Leki… Full review