Rigid Trekking Poles

Recent Rigid Trekking Pole Reviews

Fizan Compact 3

Extremely lightweight with a remarkable ability to withstand sheer forces. I didn't expect to like these as much as I do, especially for the money. I'm constantly amazed at how much downward and side pressure they can withstand. I generally treat my gear pretty gingerly, but there are times that I've thrown a lot at these poles and they show no signs of any detriment. For the money, these are hard to beat. Should they fail at some point, they are cheap enough to buy again. Full review

Black Diamond Distance Plus FLZ

Great design; lousy black greasy powder. I bought these poles for a long walk across Spain where I needed to break down the poles every night when coming into the hostel. I have since used them on a second such trek, for a total of around 700 miles. I agree with everything about great design (fits easily in carry-on luggage), etc. The problem is that when you break them down, inevitably you pull just a little too hard, and the plastic plug pulls out of the tube. No problem, you just push it back… Full review

Black Diamond Distance Plus FLZ

The Black Diamond Distance Plus FLZ Trekking Poles are a well thought out design that is very easy to assemble and adjust, but it also is just as easy to break back down into a very compact package to stow away. As purchased, the Black Diamond Distance Plus FLZ Trekking Poles come with all the accessories needed for the poles to be used all four seasons and in environments that call for an aggressive carbide tip or protective rubber tip. The Black Diamond Distance Plus FLZ Trekking Poles are a good… Full review

Komperdell Kids' Peak Hunter

All the features and build of adult size. Bought these for my 7-year-old grandson to have gear just like Grandpa's. Features: XS Compact grip System strap Aluminum 7075-T6, 2-sections, Ø 16/14 mm Powerlock 2.0 mechanism Vario Trekking basket Steel tip Weight: 214 grams Extended usable length 120cm/ 76cm collapsed Replaceable steel tips and removable baskets I torture tested them the same way I did with my Komperdell Highlander Cork trekking poles. I locked them out at full length (120cm) and… Full review

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork

There are many brands and styles of trekking poles available out there, and picking out the best ones can be confusing, but my choice was an easy one, as I received these Black Diamond Ergo Cork Trail hiking poles as a gift. I am more than pleased with their performance and would recommend them. The cork handles are easy to grip, comfortable, to hold and the cork helps wick away moisture. One of the best features are the 'click-lock' levers that securely lock the poles in place at the desired length,… Full review

Black Diamond Distance Z

Lightweight, foldable trekking poles great for casual hikes, but can go the distance. Highly recommended. I purchased these Black Diamond Distance Z trekking poles for a specific purpose. I often travel to backpack and I wanted some poles that were compact enough to fit inside my backpack or bag. That meant that they had to fold to less than 20 inches. These poles fit the bill. The fit of these poles is determined when you buy them. The poles are non-adjustable so you should buy poles that will… Full review

Leki Cristallo

Solid adjustable trekking poles with excellent hand grips for challenging day hikes or demanding thru-hikes. Highly recommended. I highly recommend Leki trekking poles and the Cristallo model. The hand grip is super comfortable and tactile. I seldom grip the handle straight on. Rather I move my hands on top, under, and sometimes just use my index finger on the nose. The poles have clip adjustments, which are easy to use. The poles have the ability to tighten the clips with a screwdriver or coin,… Full review

Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles

Light and comfortable! This is an initial review with only one day, so if durability becomes problematic, I will update the review. I typically hate poles.  They have been an annoyance more than a help. Unfortunately, my knees disagree with that statement. I tried BD's Distance Carbon FLZ and disliked the grip, the fixed basket, and the tent pole folding mechanism. The BD Alpine Carbon Cork felt nice, but goes against my fear of heavy poles getting in the way of a nice hike.   The Gossamer LT5's… Full review

Montem Ultra Strong Trekking Poles

These Montem poles have shown that they may function well as a good, dependable choice of trekking poles for the economy-minded adventurer. The features on the poles make them easy to use in a variety of conditions. They may not be the lightest poles available, but their affordable price and durability make them suitable for most recreational hikers and walkers. When I was offered the chance to review these trekking poles, I readily agreed, looking forward to giving a good tough test to these economy… Full review