Top 9 Best Trekking Poles

Looking for Trekking Poles? We have made a list from the very best choice. Go ahead and find out their features.

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Trekking poles are essential equipment for hikers and backpackers to help provide stability, balance, and support while trekking through varying terrain. They are typically made of lightweight materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber, and feature adjustable lengths and wrist straps for comfort and customization. Trekking poles can help reduce strain on the knees and legs by transferring some of the weight to the upper body, making long hikes or steep ascents and descents more manageable. They can also be used to probe uncertain terrain, test the depth of streams or snow, and provide extra stability on slippery or uneven surfaces. When choosing trekking poles, it's important to consider factors such as weight, durability, grip comfort, and collapsibility for easy transport. Many hikers prefer using a pair of trekking poles for added stability and balance, while others may opt for a single pole for support on one side of the body. Regardless of preference, trekking poles can be a valuable tool for enhancing your outdoor adventures.
  • GearJunkie
    GearJunkie

    GearJunkie - Outdoor gear reviews and news.

    Outdoor Gear

    Reviews

  • GearInstitute.com
    GearInstitute.com

    GearInstitute.com - Gear reviews for outdoor adventurers.

    Product Reviews

    Gear Guides

  • REI Trekking Poles
    REI Trekking Poles

    REI Trekking Poles

  • Advertisement

  • Outdoor Gear Lab
    Outdoor Gear Lab

    Outdoor Gear Lab - Outdoor gear reviews and advice.

    Outdoor Reviews

    Gear Ratings

  • SectionHiker.com
    SectionHiker.com

    SectionHiker.com - Sectionhiker.com is a hiking resource.

  • Trailspace
    Trailspace

    Trailspace - A community for outdoor enthusiasts.

    Hiking Reviews

    Gear Reviews

  • Backpacker Magazine
    Backpacker Magazine

    Backpacker Magazine - Backpacking community for travel advice.

  • Switchback Travel
    Switchback Travel

    Switchback Travel - Switchbacktravel.com is an adventure travel resource.

    Travel Reviews

    Trip Planning

  • TheTrek.co
    TheTrek.co

    TheTrek.co - A travel planning platform for adventurers.

Top 10 Sites for the Trekking Poles

1.

GearJunkie

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GearJunkie is a leading website that focuses on outdoor and active lifestyles, providing breaking news, product reviews, and buying guides. It was founded in 2002 as a newspaper column and has since grown into one of the most respected online outlets in the outdoor industry. With offices in Denver, Minneapolis, and Los Angeles, GearJunkie's team of journalists, writers, and video producers share stories of adventure and the gear that makes it possible. The website covers a wide range of topics, including mountain biking, bikepacking, road racing, winter fat biking, urban commuting, and e-bikes. Their primary goal is to help readers find the right products for their outdoor pursuits through buyer's guides and gear reviews. GearJunkie also offers tips on how to write a gear review and plans to launch a section with reader-generated gear reviews. Additionally, they provide information on where to buy used outdoor gear, featuring platforms like Geartrade.

Pros

  • pros Quality Gear Reviews
  • pros Expert Advice
  • pros Variety of Products

Cons

  • consPricey items
  • consLimited selection

2.

GearInstitute.com

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Gear Institute is a network of the best outdoor gear testers in America, dedicated to providing credible, objective, and transparent gear reviews to help outdoor enthusiasts buy the best outdoor gear for them. The website was founded in 2012 with the goal of creating a better tool to help people find the best outdoor gear. Gear Institute's team of experts extensively field-test a wide array of hiking and camping gear, from urban day hikes to long-term expeditions, and rate the best products based on objective criteria. The website also offers a clear and simple way for consumers to directly compare the performance of outdoor gear products through their Gear Institute Rating. Sustainability has become a major focus within the outdoor industry, and many companies now sell used items to encourage recycling of gear. Gear Institute recommends several used gear sites, including Patagonia Worn Wear, The North Face Renewed, and Arc’teryx Used Gear, as well as crowd-sourced platforms like Geartrade and Mountain Equipment Co-op’s Gear Swap.

Pros

  • pros Comprehensive reviews
  • pros Expert advice
  • pros Trustworthy ratings

Cons

  • consNo physical store
  • consLacks reviews
  • consLimited selection

3.

REI Trekking Poles

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Trekking poles at rei.com are essential hiking accessories designed to provide stability and support while traversing challenging terrains. These poles are made from lightweight materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber, ensuring durability and ease of use. They feature adjustable lengths, ergonomic grips, and wrist straps for enhanced comfort and control. REI, an outdoor retail company, offers a wide range of trekking poles from various brands, catering to hikers of all skill levels. With a commitment to providing high-quality outdoor gear, REI strives to empower individuals to explore and enjoy nature while promoting sustainability and environmental stewardship.

4.

Outdoor Gear Lab

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OutdoorGearLab is a website that provides honest and objective reviews of outdoor gear products. The website's experts test thousands of products each year using thoughtful test plans that bring out key performance differences between competing products. To ensure complete independence, they buy all the products they test themselves, and there are no cherry-picked units sent by manufacturers, no sponsored content, and no ads. The website's mission is to help people make informed decisions when purchasing outdoor gear products. They provide reviews and comparisons of products in various categories, including hiking, camping, climbing, and paddling.

Pros

  • pros Informative
  • pros Comprehensive
  • pros Trustworthy

Cons

  • consPricey items
  • consLimited selection

5.

SectionHiker.com

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SectionHiker.com is a website that provides backpacking gear guides, hiking gear reviews, FAQs, and hiking trip reports. The website is a trusted source for information on hiking and backpacking for both beginners and experts. The site also features articles on solo hiking and backpacking, which can be a great way to meet other hikers and have conversations along the trail. Additionally, SectionHiker.com provides information on outdoor recreation infrastructure and conditions for those planning to hike, bike, camp, paddle, boat, hunt, fish, horseback ride, and more. The site is a great resource for those who are interested in section hiking, which involves hiking a long trail in smaller sections as opposed to one long continuous hike. Overall, SectionHiker.com is a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in hiking and backpacking.

6.

Trailspace

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Trailspace.com is a website that provides independent outdoor gear reviews by real hikers, backpackers, climbers, paddlers, and backcountry skiers. The website offers reviews, ratings, and price comparisons on essential equipment for outdoor adventures, such as protection, rope, cord, webbing, carabiners, quickdraws, belay/rappel devices, boots, shoes, tents, and backpacks. The website also features a list of the top 25 gear reviewers of 2022, who collectively shared 210 gear reviews and received special-edition Deuce of Spades 2 trowels and Trailspace hats or neck gaiters as a thank-you. Trailspace.com is a valuable resource for outdoor enthusiasts who want to make informed decisions about the gear they need for their adventures.

Pros

  • pros Outdoor Community
  • pros Reviews
  • pros Resources

Cons

  • consLacks features
  • consLimited content
  • consOutdated design

7.

Backpacker Magazine

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Backpacker Magazine is an expert source for all things backpacking, including trail guides, gear reviews, backcountry skills, and more. The magazine covers hiking as well as other human-powered modes of travel, such as canoeing, kayaking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing. Backpacker.com also offers resources for planning backpacking trips, including GPS, topo maps, street maps, and aerial photography. The website features a collection of hiking trails and backpacking routes, including the 50 best hikes in the US. Additionally, Backpacker.com publishes a summer gear guide in partnership with other magazines. Freelance authors can submit query emails for features, departments, and web stories, and approximately 50% of the magazine's features and more than half of its departments and web stories are written by freelancers. Travel bloggers and content creators can also work with Backpacker.com for hotel and restaurant reviews, attraction and tour reviews, product and service reviews, press and fam trips, and social media promotion.

Pros

  • pros Affordable travel deals
  • pros Variety of locations
  • pros Easy to use

8.

Switchback Travel

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Switchback Travel is a website that provides outdoor gear reviews, buyer's guides, and articles on various outdoor activities such as hiking, backpacking, camping, skiing, climbing, and mountain biking. The website aims to provide unbiased and honest recommendations of the best equipment and clothing on the market for all skill and ability levels. In addition to outdoor gear reviews, Switchback Travel also offers articles on road trips and scenic drives across the United States.

Pros

  • pros Affordable prices
  • pros Variety of trips
  • pros Expert advice

9.

TheTrek.co

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The Trek is a website dedicated to all things long-distance backpacking, with a focus on the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and everything in between. The business revolves around providing information, resources, and insights for hikers and backpackers who are interested in thru-hiking these iconic trails. The website features articles, guides, gear reviews, and personal stories from current thru-hikers, offering a platform for sharing experiences and knowledge. The Trek covers various aspects of thru-hiking, including gear recommendations such as rain jackets and sleeping bags, as well as backpack reviews. It serves as a valuable resource for those planning or dreaming of embarking on a long-distance backpacking adventure.

Frequently Asked Questions About Trekking Poles

less What are the benefits of using trekking poles?

Trekking poles provide stability and balance while walking on uneven terrain, reducing the risk of falls and injuries. They also help to reduce the impact on the knees and joints, making it easier to walk uphill and downhill. Additionally, trekking poles can be used to test the depth of water or mud, and can be used to help set up a tent or tarp. They can also be used to ward off animals or to signal for help in an emergency.

less What is the best way to adjust the length of trekking poles?

The best way to adjust the length of trekking poles is to loosen the locking mechanism, adjust the pole to the desired length, and then tighten the locking mechanism. Make sure to adjust the poles to the correct length for your height, as this will help you maintain proper posture and balance while trekking.

less What type of terrain is best suited for using trekking poles?

Trekking poles are most useful on uneven terrain, such as rocky trails, steep inclines, and muddy paths. They provide extra stability and balance, and can help reduce the strain on your legs and back. Trekking poles are also great for navigating through snow, as they can help you keep your footing and provide extra support. They can also be used to test the depth of water or mud, and can be used to help you cross streams or rivers.

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