Telescopic, folding or fixed? Here's a walking pole guide covering the best hiking and trekking poles for your terrain and pace, with material, sizing and locking systems covered.
What Walking and Hiking Poles Actually Do
A pair of walking poles shifts some of the work of walking away from your legs and onto your arms and shoulders. On a descent, they take a share of the impact your knees would otherwise absorb. On a climb, they give you something to push against, so each step costs a little less effort. On rough or uneven ground, two points of contact on either side of you add stability a single pair of boots can't manage alone.
None of this depends on steep terrain specifically. A long flat walk with a loaded pack still benefits, since poles spread effort more evenly across a full day rather than leaving it all on your legs and lower back. Hiking with trekking poles in each hand also frees you to use your arms for genuine propulsion rather than just holding on.
Redirects 5-7 tons of cumulative force from knees during a 10-mile hike.
360° stability on scree slopes, river crossings, or icy paths.
Engages 90% more upper-body muscles vs. pole-free hiking
Walking poles redistribute 15-20% of body weight from your legs to your upper body, reducing knee impact during descents. A 2023 University of Colorado study found hikers using poles experienced 33% less muscle soreness post-trek compared to non-users.
Telescopic, Folding or Fixed Length?
Telescopic poles adjust in length, usually across a 20 to 30cm range, and collapse down to around 65 to 75cm for carrying. They suit day hikes, backpacking, and winter walking, and handle changing terrain better than a non-adjustable pole. Most use a flip-lock or twist-lock mechanism. Brands such as Leki and Black Diamond build much of their walking pole range around this style, since it covers the widest spread of UK terrain in one pole.
Folding poles, also called foldable or collapsible walking poles, collapse into short sections, often in a Z shape, packing down to around 35 to 40cm. They're lighter than telescopic poles and suit fastpacking, trail running and any trip where pack space matters more than fine adjustment. Most use a pin lock or snap lock system. A foldable hiking pole earns its keep on trips where every gram in the pack counts, or where the poles need to disappear into hand luggage.
Fixed-length poles have no adjustment system at all. They're simple, stable, and suit Nordic walking poles (sometimes called Scandinavian walking poles), fitness sessions and routes with a consistent, known length. What they gain in simplicity, they lose in versatility, since a fixed pole can't be shortened for a climb or lengthened for a descent.
Aluminium vs Carbon
Shaft material changes weight, feel and how the pole holds up over time.
Aluminium costs less, takes a bend rather than snapping if knocked hard against rock, and suits walkers who want a pole they don't need to think twice about in rough conditions.
Carbon weighs less and dampens vibration better, which shows up over a long day or on a lot of hard ground. It costs more and is more likely to crack under a sharp impact rather than bend.
Neither is better outright. Carbon suits weight-conscious walkers on established trails. Aluminium suits anyone walking rougher terrain where a knock is more likely.
What Length and Lock System Suit You?
Sizing. Hold the grip with the tip on the ground and check your elbow sits at roughly 90 degrees. That's the right starting length for flat ground, adjusted shorter for climbs and longer for descents if your poles allow it.
Locking mechanisms. Flip lock systems adjust quickly and stay easy to use with cold hands or gloves, which makes them the more practical choice for most walkers. Twist lock systems look cleaner but can be slower to adjust and may loosen over time if not kept properly maintained.
Learn more about Walking Poles with a in-store demonstration from our expert Natalya from Cotswold Outdoor Horsham:
How to Choose Poles for Different Terrain
Look for adjustable poles so you can shorten them slightly and get better leverage on the ascent. This helps you push down more naturally without overreaching or lifting your shoulders.
A pole with easy adjustability is useful here too, because you can lengthen it a little to add stability and reduce strain on your knees. This gives you more control when the ground starts dropping away quickly.
Choose poles that feel secure and stable in the hand, with a reliable locking system and a grip that stays comfortable over longer periods. On technical ground, confidence in your poles matters just as much as weight.
A lighter, simpler pole is usually enough for easygoing terrain. You do not need maximum adjustability here, but a comfortable grip and smooth swing will keep the walk feeling natural.
Telescopic poles are the best all-round option if your routes change a lot. They let you adapt quickly as the ground shifts from flat to steep, smooth to rough, without needing to swap kit.
Look for poles with baskets that stop the tip sinking too far in. This makes each step more stable and helps the pole stay effective when the ground is loose or wet.
Go for poles with durable tips and good grip, especially if your walks involve abrasive surfaces. On harder terrain, durability matters because the tips will wear faster.
Which Grip, Strap, Tip and Basket Do You Need?
Grip. Cork moulds to your hand over time and manages moisture well on longer walks. EVA foam is light and comfortable straight out of the box. Rubber holds up well and grips securely, including with gloves on.
Wrist strap. A padded, well shaped strap transfers some load from your hand to your wrist, cutting fatigue over a long day. A thin, unpadded strap does the opposite once a walk runs long.
Tip. Carbide tips grip well and last longer on rocky paths. Rubber tip protectors cut noise and wear on roads and pavement, worth carrying as a swap if your route mixes trail and tarmac.
Basket. A wider basket stops the tip from sinking too far into soft ground, mud or snow. Skip it for dry, firm trails where sinking isn't a concern.
How to Use Poles on Descents Versus Climbs
Walking with Nordic poles or a standard pair of trekking poles both follow the same basic rhythm. Plant the pole roughly level with, or just behind, the foot on the same side as your rear leg, then push through it as that leg drives forward. Let your arms swing naturally, the same way they would without poles, rather than forcing the motion.
On a climb, shorter poles and a slightly more forward plant help you push down and drive up the slope. On a descent, longer poles planted a little ahead of you take weight off the knees on the way down. The biggest habit worth building for anyone new to hiking with a trekking pole: adjust the length as the terrain changes, rather than leaving both poles at one setting for the whole route.
Caring for Walking Poles
- Clean after use: Especially after muddy or sandy walks. Wipe down shafts and remove grit from locking mechanisms.
- Dry thoroughly: Prevents corrosion and keeps grips fresh.
- Check for wear: Replace tips when worn, inspect baskets and locks regularly.
- Store correctly: Collapse poles, loosen locks, and store in a dry place.
Match the pole type and material to the terrain you actually walk, get the length right using the 90-degree rule, and pick a lock system you trust with cold or gloved hands. The best hiking poles, or best walking poles, aren't the ones topping a review list, they're the ones tuned to the ground you actually cover, right down to the grip, strap, tip and basket.
Browse the full range of walking and trekking poles, including Leki and Black Diamond, at Cotswold Outdoor to find a pair built for the ground you actually cover.
FAQs
Absolutely. They reduce knee and ankle strain, improve balance, and can make long walks more comfortable and enjoyable.
Two poles provide better balance and support, especially on rough terrain or with a heavy rucksack.
Shorten for climbs, lengthen for descents. Adjust so your elbow remains close to 90°.
Aluminium is tougher and more affordable, while carbon fibre is lighter and absorbs vibration better but can be more expensive.
They’re useful if you have joint issues or do a lot of walking on hard surfaces or steep descents.
Folding poles fit inside most rucksacks, while telescopic models can be strapped to the outside.
Replace when they become blunt or worn down-usually after several hundred miles.
If you walk soft ground, snow, or loose terrain, baskets can help prevent the pole from sinking too far.
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