Hiking can be strenuous, so many people use hiking poles for this reason. Hiking poles help you move over rough terrain while helping you balance and stay upright; plus, they come with many other benefits.
However, finding suitable hiking poles is easier said than done. One reason is that dozens of camping and hiking gear brands sell this equipment, and each brand has a wide selection.
Choosing the best hiking poles for you can be a challenge. However, this article looks at the best hiking pole brands and briefly describes each. Whether you want high-end, high-priced hiking poles, or something more affordable, our list should have something for everybody.
Best Hiking Pole Brands
Here are the most popular and trusted hiking pole brands, starting with the number one option.
1. Black Diamond
Black Diamond has been at the forefront of the hiking pole world for many years. This is a well-known brand for producing high-end ski and hiking poles. This brand is headed by adventurers.
Their equipment is designed by people who have adventured firsthand, which means they know what customers want from their hiking poles and other gear. Black Diamond is the gold standard of the hiking world. The Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are one of this brand’s most popular pairs of hiking poles.
These are very lightweight hiking poles made of durable carbon fiber, with soft yet durable cork handles. They also have a flick lock adjustment system so you can adjust them to the precise length needed.
2. Leki
Another popular brand in the hiking pole world is Leki, founded by Karl Lenhart. Lenhard began creating his own hiking pole baskets and grips because he wasn’t satisfied with what the market had to offer. Then, he began making ski poles and gloves for skiing and hiking.
Leki is one of the world’s largest, most trusted, and reputable companies for hiking and skiing poles. One of their main benefits is that they are designed to be comfortable, ergonomically correct, and easy to use. However, they are also built of durable materials and designed to withstand even the toughest challenges.
One of the most popular products from the Leki brand is the Micro Vario Carbon AS poles. These poles can collapse to just 15 inches, making them very portable. They’re also very lightweight, but the carbon fiber construction makes them durable. On that note, the Thermofoam® grips provide comfort and heat retention for cold weather.
3. Mountain Safety Research
Mountain Safety Research is one of the oldest companies producing high-end hiking gear. Larry Penberthy was a mountaineer, hiker, and adventurer, and in 1969 he wanted to give something back to the community, which is why he started this company.
In addition, Mountain Safety Research heavily focuses on research and development, high-quality engineering, and science to create some of the best hiking gear. As the name implies, safety is the top priority of this brand, with ergonomic comfort and durability not far behind. As a result, this is one of the most popular brands of hiking poles.
The DynaLock Ascent Carbon Poles are among this brand’s top sellers. A user-friendly locking system makes the poles’ length easy to adjust. In addition, the carbon fiber construction keeps them lightweight and durable.
4. Gossamer Gear
Gossamer Gear is another popular and trusted hiking gear brand. It was founded by adventurer Glen Van Peski and was formerly known as GVP Gear. Peski wanted a lightweight and durable pack for backpacking. This quickly grew into a full-fledged adventure brand that produces a wide array of equipment.
Gossamer Gear aims to produce lightweight and comfortable gear that won’t weigh you down on your adventures. However, build quality is also heavily focused on, which results in light and durable products. Their motto is, “Take Less, Do More,” which is quite fitting.
The LT5 Carbon Trekking Poles are among the most popular products from this brand. They’re made with carbon fiber, so they are very lightweight yet also feature superior durability. They can collapse into a compact package, and the secure locking mechanism makes them easy to adjust for size. In addition, the cork handles are durable and comfortable.
5. REI CO-OP
REI Co-op has supplied hikers and adventurers with high-quality gear for over 80 years. One of this brand’s goals is to produce sustainable hiking gear that everyone can afford. In addition, they want to provide high-end equipment for reasonable prices so that anybody who wants to hike can do so without breaking the bank. Therefore, although their products are reasonably priced, they are designed to last.
One of the brand’s most popular products is the Flash Carbon Compact Trekking Poles. They are some of the lightest and most durable hiking poles, with a carbon fiber shaft and foam handles for comfort. These poles can be used over even the roughest terrain.
Conclusion
That’s our list of the best hiking pole and gear brands. When purchasing hiking poles, consider the size, weight, material, and type of collapsing or retracting feature. Pay attention to these features, and you should wind up with the best hiking poles.