$15 vs $140 trekking poles – which ones are they worth the money?
$15 vs $140 trekking poles – which ones are they worth the money?
Outdoor Products Apex Trekking Poles: https://amzn.to/35YERi2 (paid link)
Our favorite budget trekking poles: https://amzn.to/35VM6HE (paid link)
Black Diamond Distance FLZ: https://alnk.to/hhudF5s (paid link)
Black Diamond Distance Z: https://alnk.to/7B8xIdW (paid link)
Trekking poles – one of the most useful tools on a hard trek. They help keep pressure off of your knees and muscles and make for an overall easier hike. One of our favorite things about trekking poles is that their use stops blood from building up in your hands creating stiff ‘sausage fingers’.
But what kind of trekking poles should you buy? Do you really get what you pay for?
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Walmart all the way 🙌🏼
Good video but as a Trekking pole instructor, I can add up a few things :
1) Very cheap poles may be the better option only if you don’t use them often and consider that saving money is a must over everything else like comfort, efficiency, convenience.
Cheapest poles have usually cheap shiny hard plastic handles not really comfortable to grasp and less maneuverable downhill, when you have sweaty hands. By the way, poles should always be used with gloves ! Many people who buy cheap poles like to use one i/o two !…Even cheaper !
They also often vibrate as the 3 parts are not well adjusted which can be unpleasant.
2) "Telescopic" poles are a bit dearer but their main problem is that they can’t be stached into a rucksack. Too long, not so convenient if travelling.
3) "Not adjustable size" ones are super inconvenient as soon as u want to take them on a bus, into a taxi or anywhere. They are just good if you have mountains in your backyard.
Besides, pole size should be adjustable as they should be slightly longer for flat or mild uphill and lower for downhill. Usually, people use a "compromise" size acceptable for up and down but if you travel to mountains you are not familiar with, it’s good to adjust the pole size accordingly.
4) Black diamond foldable poles are very good to travel with, very light and fairly good to use but have a major flaw : the straps are attached to the handles by a thin nylon string that breaks way too easily. Changing it is not easy and for the price they sell these poles, it’s absurd ! I broke too many of them so now I prefer using other heavier poles ( hiking poles rather than trail running poles) with stronger strap, larger handles, more comfortable during downhill but heavier…and foldable !
Black diamond locking system is also too fragile and if not cleaned and folded immediately after a walk, they tend to get stuck with no way to fold them afterwards (even with WD40 !)…
5)Competitive Trail runners want poles as light as possible and use them only for uphill (because they don’t know how to use them downhill so they stash them away. Not advisable if you want to use your knees/joints beyond 45. Many of these ultra light poles are so thin that it’s impossible to apply your body weight on them downhill without breaking them.
6) Top of handles should be wide and comfortable (EVA or cork are good) for downhill to use poles like crutches. Too many poles have narrow or even sharp tops which means downhill, hand position is the same as uphill, hence wrist is twisted..not good ! And some of them have fancy removeable straps supposed to be for "safety reasons" but in fact only to justify a super high overprice (LEKI !…)
You just helped to eliminate the fear that I might be making a mistake by buying something that’s inexpensive. Thank you.
Respect from Turkey
I had a pair of $200 Black Diamonds stolen from me at a Campground. I was starting a backpacking trip that day & needed something quick, so went to Walmart & grabbed a pair of Ozark Trails. I had planned to upgrade again after the trip but honestly after using them several times I don’t feel the need to. They have cork handles, reliable flip locks, are more than sturdy enough, & only weigh 16 oz. No heavier than anything available at REI.
I generally believe you get what you pay for, but with trekking poles I’m convinced you’re just paying for the name and looks.
Very well done, helped in my decision.
brilliant you’ve helped. Thanx.
Yes start with latest Walmart poles now $23 all you need. Invest the savings in some warm merino wool socks.
OMG, I had a folding trekking pole break before I used it, just opening it. No thanks. Its got to feel sturdy and comfy in my hands. I actually use poles 5-6 days a week. I hike to work, backpack 20 pounds and all and on my other 2 days 40 pounds on a backpacking week day (I work weekends, Mon, Tue) in the arctic. Gotta carry heavy stuff and I am over 60 with bad hips. Go for comfort first.
Very helpful video. For a few days, I’ve been watching numerous videos trying to decide what to buy. I settled on aluminum for the reasons you mentioned. And I was about to buy some more expensive Black Diamond aluminum poles, but the discount code didn’t work so I cancelled the order. After watching your video, I’m glad I didn’t buy them. Thanks!
Regarding trekking poles weight saving – it’s as significant as saving weight in your shoes.
Adding 1-2 kilo(2-4 pounds) to your pack is not critical, adding that weight to your to your shoes would be a nightmare – it applies the same to trekking poles – having very light trekking poles allow you to swing them faster and be more agile.
Having black diamond trail back(heavy and durable) and ultra distance carbon(lightest), the ultra distance have worn over 10 year of usage, but I’ll buy another pair of them.
Packability a negligible benefit, increasing the cadence it a huge benefit.
I got my lucky wooden stick I’ve decorated with stones I picked up at the county fair , but seriously I like that you shop at Walmart and you know you don’t need all the expensive stuff
You can get cheaper folding trekking poles, so the length should not be a deciding factor.
Just bought a pair of OT poles from Walmart, 9 dollars for the pair. Adjustable with cups and cork handles. 10 oz each.
I use pacer poles. And I use them as designed. I see a lot of people misusing poles usually set too long which counters peoples natural gait. And puts undue pressure on them leading to breaks.
Do not get Collapsible poles! #1 rated poles like Excel, Swix and Liki have been used by Olympic Gold athletes for decades and the record speaks volumes on custom measured fixed poles. One only need to research Carbon poles by these Finland, Norway and German manufacturers to see why these are by far superior poles. The cheap Collapsable poles from China are flimsy, noisy,and will fail at the snap/locking levers that can cause injuries. Don’t throw your money at these scams. Get a good quality and fixed poles with a Lifetime warranty on the Carbon shaft from any breaks. Not so with all the components of collapsible. Go to any of the pole manufacturers and read carefully the most ask questions and answers and you will soon find you are out of warranty in most cases. The slippage problem that causes most injuries are due to failures in worn locking mechanisms that won’t secure the sections when your body weight is relying on the support of the pole. Add backpacks even heighten the risk even further. These worn out parts are not covered by warranty. Do your own research and the $100-$150 will eventually be a lifetime investment you won’t regret.
Got a pair of Ozark Trail carbon fiber that weigh the same as Zpacks carbons poles, but for $39.98/pair. Have cork handles too!
great review
Thanks, I had zero clue and this made a lot of sense. Saved me a lot of dollars too. Thx.
I tottaly agree, I have been using the Walmart Ozark Trails for a bit now. I’m a very light person per se and, if I can’t break them no one can lol.
I like the High Stream Gear trekking poles, bought on Amazon for $50. They are in my "Budget Trekking Pole Shootout Comparison" video. The $59.99 Cascade Mountain Tech (the 3K carbon fiber version) would probably be a good choice too, though I haven’t tried them.
3 years later gossmer has a 5 oz pole 😅
Walmart needs to pay you, lol. Just ordered two pair (they’re $20 now)
Touche!!!!! 😀😀😀😀😀😀😀 ps. Walmart now has aluminum AND carbon fiber poles n both with quick release!
Great Info…But You didn’t mention the brand name of the Wall Mart Brand which I would love to purchase. I need a sturdy Trekking pole that does not adjust for height. Everything I am finding is adjustable and that only adds to the breakable factor.
Well done. Someone who isn’t afraid to make the sensible choice. Sometimes you pay a small fortune for tiny space or weight benefits. The cheapest poles are robust and will be ideal for all but the most weight conscious.
love this review! i’m going cheaper since my black diamond poles were bent in south america.
Outdoor Products Apex Trekking Poles: https://amzn.to/35YERi2 (paid link)
Our favorite budget trekking poles: https://amzn.to/35VM6HE (paid link)
Black Diamond Distance FLZ: https://alnk.to/hhudF5s (paid link)
Black Diamond Distance Z: https://alnk.to/7B8xIdW (paid link)
You didn’t mention a few key features of these particular black diamond poles. Firstly, the handle is visibly more comfortable and has another feature on the black diamonds. The cheapo poles look as if they have plastic handles which are not comfortable to hold, and they’re short so you cannot hold them lower down the pole if you need to (on very steep hills). Secondly, the Z folding system has one big benefit. Sometimes you have to put your poles away, and it’s a hassle to put away flick lock poles. I have black diamond trail, which has flick lock so I know what I’m talking about. There is also a third thing. Black diamonds came with snow baskets, which you removed and which are used to clip the segments together when folded. Also black diamonds came with rubber adapters for asphalt. Furthermore, I’m not sure about Z system, but black diamond flick lock poles have replaceable segments. If you bend one segment, you can buy a new segment. Sure, cheapo is so cheap that it pays to buy another pair but then you have 3 poles. Same goes for the carbide tip. When you wear it out, buy a replacement. You can use rubber tip if you like (screw in tips, not adapters). All these things cost money. Do the cheapos have any of these features?
Thank you for the video! Here I am trying to justify spending a fortune and I don’t really need to! I love your energy and humor in your describing the products. Subscribed!
$40 for my first pair today.
Got to try them out and see if I even like them.
Had the same issue and ended up going for ‘cheaper’ poles, as forking out a ton of money for ‘the best’ ones just didn’t make sense to me.
For the cost of the BDs, I could buy 8 sets of cheap ones.
Plus, I’m gonna lose ‘em before I wear ‘em out.
Such a good video and good info, but I’m not sensible and went carbon…. wish me luck 🤞
Great presentation, I do use a cnoc carbon pole, one of the few that extend long enough for my Zpacks Altaplex. I do have an aluminum staff and I would buy the cnoc carbon poles again.
Finally! Found someone who’s not pushing product!! Thanks for the insight into choosing a trekking pole.
Thanks for helping to break down the decision!
You should have a look at Viking Terve Trekking Poles. Weight 225 g (7.94 oz) aluminium 7075, fast lock + folding system, 36 cm folded (14.11 in) and cost only about $40 – $50.
I use a cheap "no-brand" pair of carbon fiber trekking poles. I’ve scratched them, banged them against rocks and laid my pack on top of them many times through the years, no problems whatsoever. Only thing is the twisting lock mechanism that is a little difficult sometimes. Would never pay more than 50$ for trekking poles. Expensive ones are probably better, but the difference in price is totally unrealistic.