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What are the best budget trekking poles?
Even the toughest and most experienced hikers use trekking poles. Everyone uses trekking poles. They help you to keep the speed up and walk more without feeling tired. You can use them on a mountain hike as well on flat ground. And when you don’t need them you can collapse and put them in your backpack.
See our selection of affordable trekking poles below.
Table of Contents
Best Budget Trekking Poles
Here is a list of top trekking poles that don’t cost a fortune.
All of them are durable, lightweight and inexpensive. All of them offer everything you may need for occasional hiking trips, or if you are beginner hiker.
1. Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles (click for more details)
Ultralight trekking poles suitable for even the most challenging hikes.
Overall, the best budget trekking poles, our favorite.
First things first, the weight. These trekking poles are super lightweight. Made of carbon fiber, which most know solely because of its incredible lightness, they also offer great shock absorbance. The quick lock technology makes it easy to adjust the length (from 24” to 55”) and prevents slipping down. Their cork grips are anti-slip and sweat absorbent, and the wrist straps are padded for extra comfort.
Comes with a carrying case, carrying clip, 2 pairs of tips baskets.
MATERIAL: 100% carbon biber
WEIGHT: 7.6 oz (215 g)
2. TrailBuddy Collapsible Hiking Poles (click for more details)
Durable and lightweight trekking poles with cork handles.
One of the very best trekking poles for backpacking (on a budget).
These poles are made out of lightweight aluminium, another very popular choice. They feature moisture wicking cork handles that mold to the shape of your hand, and padded hand straps to avoid chafing your skin. The level locks make it easy to adjust the height (between 24.5” and 54”) — works well even with gloves on.
These poles are available in several colors.
Comes with a carrying bag, 2 connectors, 2 pairs of tips baskets.
MATERIAL: 7075 aluminum
WEIGHT: 9.7 oz (275 g)
3. Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles (click for more details)
Inexpensive adjustable trekking poles with extended foam grip.
You can choose between a cork and EVA foam grip. Both of them have an EVA foam extended sleeve that offers relief for a quick transition on the changing terrain. The poles have a reliable quick lock and can be adjusted between 26” and 54”. Being cheaper than other similar alternatives, they have small extras like padded wrist straps.
The set comes with a carry case, a connector, 2 pairs of tips baskets.
MATERIAL: 7075 aluminum
WEIGHT: 10.4 oz (295 g)
4. TheFitLife Nordic Walking Trekking Poles (click for more details)
Reliable, lightweight and cheap trekking poles.
Designed to be used also on on challenging terrains, these poles have a built-in anti-shock mechanism. There is a rubber primary grip and EVA foam extra grip. To keep the price low, there are twist locks instead of quick locks. Take this into account if you want or are used to quick locks, and don’t want to switch to twist locks.
Nevertheless, a good option if you want a pair of cheap antishock poles.
Comes with a waterproof carrying bag, 2 connectors, 2 pairs of baskets, 2 pairs of tips and a pair of feet tips.
MATERIAL: 6 series aluminium
WEIGHT: 10.6 oz (300 g)
5. Covacure Collapsible Hiking Poles (click for more details)
Collapsible hiking poles for harsh weather conditions.
These are the only folding trekking poles in the list. They collapse to 14 ”, and their unfolded height is adjustable between 43” and 51”. Designed for cold and wet conditions, these poles have a special coating to protect them against corrosion, and the screw has a plastic cover too. Additionally, all their plastic parts are made to endure cold too.
Each pole has its own carry bag and there are 2 pairs of tips and only 1 pair of baskets.
MATERIAL: 7075 aluminium alloy
WEIGHT: 9.9 oz (280 g)
6. Hiker Hunger Outfitters Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles (click for more details)
Ultralight trekking poles with heavy duty all seasons accessories.
Like most of the best cheap trekking poles, these poles have moisture wicking ergonomic cork grips and padded wrist straps. And there is also an EVA foam extension, which will be helpful on steep climbs. Apart from that the flip lock of these poles has a metal screw for extra durability. The height is adjustable between 24” and 54”.
The set comes with a carry bag that has an extra, zippered pocket, 2 pairs of tips, 2 pairs of baskets and 2 connectors.
MATERIAL: 100% carbon fiber
WEIGHT: 7.6 oz (215 g)
Photo by Vicky Tran from Pexels
Why Should You Use Trekking Poles?
Trekking poles can help you to get farther and faster.
Not only they help you to maintain balance and keep a good posture while walking. They also create extra traction points and distribute your body weight to reduce stress on your legs. To sum it up, you walk better and faster, and you get tired less. Plus, they also help to absorb shock from hard surfaces. You can make your whole hiking experience much better simply by using trekking poles.
Trekking poles can be helpful both on flat ground and on steep and rocky trails.
How to Find the Best Budget Trekking Poles For Yourself?
How to find the best hiking sticks for your needs?
Let’s make this super simple.
Generally speaking it’s mostly about these 4 simple things.
1. Materials
Carbon vs Aluminium poles, which are better?
Most of the lightest trekking poles are made out of carbon. On a long hike carbon poles also feel more comfortable than aluminium poles. However, aluminium is cheaper. It flexes where carbon shatters. Therefore for fast and less challenging trekking we recommend carbon. But for rocky trails where the chances to damage the poles are higher aluminium could work better.
Next, grips. There you mostly have a choice between cork, EVA foam and rubber. Cork is a little pricier option, but it offers better moisture management than foam and rubber that sometimes can cause blisters. Most of the top rated trekking poles have either cork or foam grips. They are more comfortable because they adjust to the shape of your hands. Rubber is the worst option here.
2. Accessories
All the extras can make a difference when comparing different deals.
Most of trekking poles come with some tips and baskets. These small things make walking on different surfaces much more enjoyable (mud, snow or rocks, etc.). Not all of trekking poles come with several tips and baskets. Pay attention to this small detail and if you are getting what you will be needing for your hiking trip.
Similarly, it’s worth paying attention also to the included bag. Most of trekking pole sets have one, but not all of them are the same. Some are made for more comfortable carrying, while others are also waterproof and have a zipper pocket. Some of them are more durable, and some – extremely low quality.
3. Length
It’s another important detail to pay attention to.
Most of the poles are adjustable to most human heights. But if you are looking for poles that may be used for kids or if you are extra tall or extra petite, make sure that your poles will suit you well.
How long should your trekking poles be? The general rule is that the handles of the poles should come as high as your palms when your arms are down and bent at the elbow at 90 degrees to the front.
4. Basic Parts and Extras
What else should you pay attention to when buying backpacking poles?
There are different kinds of locks. Two of the most popular options are quick locks and flip locks. Both of them are easier to use than twist locks, and they also stay in the position better. You don’t even need to take off your gloves to adjust the height. So, when you have a choice, it’s better to go for any of these two.
Additional foam grip under the main handle allows you to temporarily go from long to short poles without making the effort to actually shorten them. It becomes very handy on challenging trails, where there is a lot of short uphills and downhills.
Last but not least, the wrist wraps. Some of them have paddings for extra comfort, while others don’t. Some of them are made of breathable materials, others — aren’t. Do you really need that padding? If you would like to have that extra comfort then yes.
What is your experience with trekking poles? Do you use trekking poles? What’s the best budget trekking poles you have tried so far?
Featured photo by PNW Production from Pexels
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