Ready to Adventure? We Tested the Best Walking Sticks for Stability on Any Trail

What to Look for When Shopping for Walking Sticks and Trekking Poles

• Durability: More rigorous, mountainous hiking or hiking in harsher weather will require a more durable stick that can help you navigate the terrain. The weakest parts of a pole are the connections, so opting for a fixed walking stick may be a good idea if you need something to hold a lot of weight. New or casual hikers or even outdoor walkers may be fine with a walking staff or pole of simpler construction.
• Material: Most walking sticks and trekking poles are made from wood, carbon fiber, or aluminum. Carbon fiber poles are considered strong and light, but the strength is mostly in the long axis of the pole, says AMGA professional mountain guide Peter Walker. If the pole gets torqued, like if it gets jammed in a crack, it will splinter and break, he adds. Also, consider how much weight your sticks will add to your pack since a large load can turn a quick hike into a long slog.
• Grip: Grips are often made from molded foam, rubber, or natural cork, with cork being more durable and comfortable but also more expensive. And rubber can be colder to the touch than cork in cold weather, which is a small thing but can be important, says Chad Martin, AMGA-certified SPI, WFR, certified rock-climbing guide and instructor. Make sure your grips feel comfortable to prevent sore spots or blisters.
• Adjustability: Trekking poles may adjust by telescoping or by folding. Telescoping is the most common, where sections of the pole are nested together and slide and lock into place. Walker recommends poles that collapse into three sections since they are easier to stow. Poles in two sections will be harder to carry in a backpack or your luggage. Trifold poles often have a band running through the center that keeps the nested sections together.
  
• Special Features: Walking sticks and poles may come with special features and accessories. Some sets absorb shock well, while others have snow baskets for hiking in cold temperatures. Tips are also important—basket tips are ideal for snow, while rubber feet work best on pavement.

How We Tested the Walking Sticks and Trekking Poles

To find the best walking sticks and trekking poles, we tested 13 options in the real world. We walk and hike on various terrains to evaluate the features of each pole. During testing, we assess each walking stick based on the following criteria.

• Comfort: Comfort is an important aspect to consider when choosing a walking stick. Does the stick adjust in height so our elbows can be bent at 90 degrees? Are the grips soft and contoured? Do the wrist straps adjust, and are they padded? Does the weight of the trekking pole make it comfortable to carry? We prioritize trekking poles with lots of comfort features and adjustability.
• Stability: To assess the stability of each walking stick, we take the sticks on hikes of two to five miles at a time on terrain ranging from groomed trails to technical steep terrain. We note whether the walking stick is sturdy enough to help us feel supported and balanced or if it's flimsy or shaky. If the stick is collapsible or foldable, we consider whether the connections and locking mechanisms feel solid and secure.
• Ease of Use: To evaluate ease of use, if the poles are collapsible, we note how long it takes to assemble or disassemble them. We also track whether the locking mechanisms are intuitive and can be operated one-handed. We also asked questions like: Are the poles easy to stow in a backpack? If there are extra tips, are they easy to change in and out?
• Extra Features: Extra features are nice to have and add to the overall hiking experience. Do the poles come with extra tips or baskets? Is a carrying case included? We also record whether any extra features add to the experience or are distracting or cumbersome.
• Overall Value: To assess the value of each set of walking sticks, we wait to look at the price at the end of the testing period after we evaluate all other criteria. Based on their performance and our experience, we determine if we think the price is fair. We also consider whether we would buy them at full price and whether we would recommend them to friends and family.

Our Experts

We consulted experts at every stage of researching, testing, and reporting this story. They helped us understand what features to look for when shopping for walking sticks and poles, the proper way to use them, and any safety concerns that should be considered.

• Peter Walker, AMGA professional mountain guide
• Cory Goei, AMGA-certified SPI, certified rock climbing guide and instructor
• Chad Martin, AMGA-certified SPI, WFR, certified rock climbing guide and instructor

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a cane, a walking stick, and trekking poles?

Canes are intended for daily support while walking on flat surfaces and are usually shorter, so your elbow is only slightly bent while holding it. A walking stick is traditionally a single pole that is taller and possibly even adjustable. Trekking poles come in pairs and are lightweight, adjustable, and portable for hiking and camping.

Are walking sticks and trekking poles really that helpful?

In addition to easing the load, walking sticks can help you burn more calories, improve upper body strength, and help reduce ankle fractures and muscle soreness. Everyone can benefit from using poles, says Goei. They engage the upper body during hiking and distribute the workout across your full body.

What's the best height for a walking stick?

According to our experts, walking sticks or poles should be tall enough to allow for a 90-degree bend in your elbow. Many walking sticks allow for changing your grip position depending on the type of trail you're navigating. For example, when traveling uphill, the poles are adjusted shorter, but when going downhill, the poles are a bit longer, says Martin.

Why Trust Verywell Fit

A certified personal trainer and avid hiker, Jessica Murtaugh, NASM-CPT, researches and reviews fitness gear for Verywell Fit. She is dedicated to reporting authentic content to her readers. Her favorite trekking poles to take hiking are Leki's Cressida FX Carbon AS Trekking Poles because of their light and compact design, the fact that they’re ergonomically made for women, and their strong stability that absorbs excess shock. For this shopping guide, she prioritized eco-conscious brands that promote size, gender, and race inclusivity in their products.

Additional reporting by Amy Scanlin and Jen Zeltwanger

As a long-time fitness enthusiast, group fitness instructor, and Verywell Fit writer, Amy Scanlin, ACE-GFI, MS, always sources the best products through expert opinions and first-hand reviews. When choosing top products for articles, she always balances product features, value, and practical application before recommending them to her readers. Amy is passionate about helping enable her clients and readers to live a life of activity, both in the gym and in the great outdoors.

Jen Zeltwanger, ACSM-EP, is an ACSM-certified exercise physiologist and Verywell Fit writer. Jen has written articles and tested products for a variety of fitness and wellness publications. She has lots of experience with home and outdoor fitness, including walking and hiking. Jen knows what works and what to look for when shopping for fitness products, and she prioritizes products that are easy to use, versatile, and well-made.

For this article, our authors evaluated insights from the Verywell Fit testing team and AMGA-certified experts. With their help, the authors assessed each walking stick based on its comfort, stability, ease of use, extra features, and overall value for users.