Gear up for your hikes and shop the best hiking pants for women
By Sherelyn GohApr 29, 2024
Whether you’ll be scaling mountain peaks or trekking through rugged terrain, we have hiking pants that will offer you comfort, performance and versatility.
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The 7 best trekking poles to help you conquer your hikes
No outdoor hike is complete without the best trekking poles in your hands. Browse our top picks today.
Used primarily by hikers, backpackers and mountaineers, trekking poles serve multiple purposes beyond merely providing stability.
They help distribute weight more evenly across the body, reducing strain on the legs and knees during long treks.
Additionally, hiking sticks can increase traction on slippery or uneven surfaces, offering added security and confidence with each step.
Investing in the right trekking poles can make a difference in your hiking experiences. That’s where we come in with a list of the best trekking poles.
Shop here for your reliable trail companion today.
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Best all-terrain trekking poles
Black Diamond Alpine Carbon Cork Trekking Poles
Best all-terrain trekking poles
Specifications
Weight: 1.1 lbs
Material: Carbon fiber (body), cork (grip)
Pros & Cons
Ergonomic grip
Adapts to icy and dry conditions
Lightweight
Foldable design
Two-year warranty
Higher price point compared to other options
No matter what the terrain, you can be sure that these Black Diamond Trekking Poles will go long distances. They’re crafted from lightweight carbon fiber, providing strength and durability while minimizing weight.
Ergonomic cork grips offer superior comfort and moisture-wicking properties, ensuring a secure hold even in sweaty or wet conditions. The material also molds to the shape of your hands over time, providing a customized fit.
To accommodate various terrains and preferences there is FlickLock Pro adjustability, which lets you adjust and secure the pole length easily. This versatility makes them suitable for users of different heights and for use on both uphill and downhill slopes.
Interchangeable carbide tech tips and rubber tech tips give you traction on various surfaces including rocky trails, snow, and hard pavement. There are also dual-density foam grips with padded straps and 360-degree padded webbing wrist straps to absorb shock and minimize hand fatigue.
Additionally, these poles are compatible with optional ice picks, providing additional support and stability when trekking on icy or snowy terrain, which is why we rate these the one of the best trekking poles to get.
Best foldable option
Specifications
Weight: 1.05 lbs.
Material: Carbon fiber (body), cork (grip)
Pros & Cons
Very lightweight
Collapsible design
Suitable for travel
Gloves may be too big for smaller hands
High price point
Need a pair of the best walking poles that are lightweight enough to pack and take traveling with you? These LEKI ones fit the bill.
Made with carbon fiber, they are durable and strong while keeping the overall weight minimal. This makes them ideal for long-distance walking and trekking.
With LEKI's SpeedLock 2 system, these poles offer quick and secure length adjustments to accommodate various terrains and user preferences.
For a more comfortable and secure grip, it features an Aergon Thermo Grip which has thermal properties that ensure your hands remain warm in colder weather conditions.
For all seasons
Specifications
Weight: 0.396 lbs
Material: Carbon fiber (body), cork (grip)
Pros & Cons
Durable design
Comes with two baskets
Choice of two different lengths
Some users say there is difficulty in adjusting length after a while
If you’re someone who enjoys trekking on a variety of terrains and in all seasons, then the MSR DynaLock Poles could be a worthy investment.
These are the best hiking poles that adapt to where you’re hiking, thanks to their interchangeable baskets and carbide tips, allowing for reliable traction on a variety of surfaces, including snow, ice, mud and rocky terrain.
It has an adjustable length of 20cm and the ability to tighten the clamping force on the fly for no-slip security. And you don’t have to worry about the poles being secure because it has a
DynaLockTM adjustment system for fast and secure length adjustments with a simple flick of the thumb.
With its EVA foam grips, your hands will feel comfortable and you can change hand placements thanks to its extended lower grip.
Overall pick
Specifications
Weight: 0.14 to 0.65 lbs
Material: Carbon fiber (body), foam (grip)
Pros & Cons
Available in five lengths
Two-year warranty
Carbide and rubber tech tips included
Comes with BPA exposure warning
For trail runners or hikers who like a bit of speed, these Black Diamond hiking poles are a suitable pair.
With Z-Pole technology, these poles offer quick and easy deployment and collapse with a single push-button release. This allows for rapid transitions between trekking and running or convenient storage when not in use.
They’re built for hiking with a lightweight EVA foam grip and grip extension with breathable, moisture-wicking straps made from recycled materials.
If you want added comfort and more features, you’ll be happy to know that these carbon fiber trekking poles have optimized joint support and stiffness for increased durability, removable low-profile baskets for versatility, and are Z-Pole Snow Basket compatible.
Best budget hiking poles
Specifications
Weight: 2.09 lbs
Material: Aluminium, rubber (body), cork (grip)
Pros & Cons
Very affordable price
Two-year manufacturer warranty
Comes with carry case, mud baskets, rubber tips, snow baskets
Sturdy and strong
May require extra reading of instructions to set up
These aluminum poles are a great buy if you’re just starting out on trekking or are on a budget but want great quality.
It has a Quick Lock Mechanism, a cork grip that reduces the vibration caused by rugged terrain for increased comfort, an extended EVA down grip and adjustable wrist straps.
It’s even suitable for year-round hiking as it comes with tungsten carbide tips, rubber snow and mud baskets, rubber boots and rubber tips.
You also can’t go with a 4.6-star rating from 23,338 reviews, which say these are top rated trekking poles when it comes to price and quality.
A durable pair
Specifications
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Material: Aluminium, rubber (body), cork (grip)
Pros & Cons
Free lifetime replacement warranty
Doubles as walking aid
Comes in nine colors
Some users report issues with locking mechanism after some time
Good hiking poles can take you through rough terrain and offer you support even on challenging surfaces. This pair from Montem are good hiking poles as they have adjustable quick locks so you can quickly and easily lengthen them from 24 to 53 inches.
Perfect for individuals from 4 feet to 6 feet 8 inches, they can support up to 400 lbs. per pair and promise to be strong and durable, yet lightweight. They also fold and ft into luggage in a snap, making them ideal for travel.
Additionally, you get EVA foam hand grips that form to your hands and tungsten carbide tips for trekking on slippery surfaces like snow and ice.
With a 4.5 star rating from 2,216 reviews, it’s safe to say that these Montem hiking poles will be a great companion on your hiking adventures.
Best for women
Specifications
Weight: 0.53 lbs
Material: Carbon fiber (body), rubber (grip)
Pros & Cons
Best for smaller hands
Sturdy for its weight
Quick external locking device (ELD)
High price point
May not suit taller or heavier builds
While the best trekking poles aren’t gender-specific, this pair from LEKI will suit women as they’re shorter and fit smaller hands.
They’re great for traveling too, as they’re very lightweight and fold down small compared to telescoping poles that require disassembly.
For longer hikes, your hands will remain comfortable with its Aergon Thermo grip that provides ergonomic support and reduces hand fatigue.
FAQs
What is the best type of trekking pole?
What is the difference between trekking poles and hiking poles?
What is a good weight for trekking poles?
How do I choose a pole size?
Which are the best trekking poles?
The trekking poles our editors have handpicked for this list all do a great job when it comes to assisting on trekking or hiking expeditions. If we had to narrow it down to two from our list that are worth investing in, it would be the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles and the Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Trekking Poles.
The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles come in five lengths and are a long-lasting, reliable option if you don’t mind forking out more for great quality poles.
If you’re on a budget and want to try trekking poles out, the Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Trekking Poles are highly recommended and work well considering its very affordable price.
Get the support you need on your outdoor hikes and treks with these hiking poles. Browse and shop now.
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Prices updated on 04/30/2024. We are not responsible for any changes to the prices mentioned above.
Written by
Sherelyn Goh
A former women's lifestyle magazine editor, Sherelyn Goh has worked with all things beauty, health, style and travel and finds a thrill in discovering and testing new products. Based in Kuala Lumpur, she enjoys food, travel, working out and cooking.
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