The best walking poles for walking and running in 2023

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The best walking poles for countryside ramblers, hardcore hikers and trail running champs

Walking or trekking poles are becoming an increasingly common sight in long-distance running events. Light, durable and easily tucked away into a race backpack, they come into their own on steep inclines, lightening the burden on your quads and glutes.

Before we get into the nitty gritty, it’s worth considering the circumstances in which you’ll actually be using poles. Jon Albon, an OCR and trail runner and part of The North Face Athlete Team (he recently came second in the 100km CCC race in Chamonix), explains: ‘When we talk about trail or mountain running, the word "running" should always be taken with a pinch of salt.

'I actually prefer to think of it as “moving in the mountains,” because in reality you may spend far less time actually running than you think, and rightly so, as under certain circumstances hiking can be faster and more efficient than running.’

In a hurry? Here are the best walking poles at a glance. Keep scrolling for the full list, plus how to use poles when running.

So, how can a set of walking poles help you during a long or mountainous race?

Studies have shown that using poles reduces your perception of effort going uphill, and that people who utilise poles tend to walk quicker than those without. Some other key benefits include:

So, there are plenty of pluses for runners or walkers who are in for the long-haul. But you might still be wondering if walking poles are worth buying, particularly when you’re aiming to travel light on a long trail.

‘Poles do add a little extra weight to your kit, so you need to learn to use them well and a system has to be devised for carrying them when not in use,’ says Albon. ‘Thankfully, the modern carbon folding poles designed for trail running are so light and easy to stow away that the decision as to whether to use poles or not becomes much easier.’

Other than in particular situations, such as a vertical kilometre, Albon says the choice comes down to two variables: how much climb the course has, and how long it is likely to take.

'For me, once a course has more than 4,000m of ascent and/or takes over six hours to complete I will start to consider using poles, as it is at this point that the benefits start to outweigh the drawbacks.’

You should also consider terrain. ‘Poles are extremely useful on sustained long climbs, on snow or in swamps but they can be a nuisance on extremely rocky boulder fields, getting caught in the gaps between rocks,’ says Albon.

Your best bet is to introduce poles to your training early, so you can pinpoint where you will reap the benefits.

Decided to take the plunge? Start practising with your poles months in advance of an event and familiarise yourself with different techniques. ‘This is so you can adapt your technique to different types of terrain or gradient and change to avoid getting any repetitive stresses on a certain part of the body,’ says Albon.

Follow these tips to get you started:

For trail or ultra-running, your first consideration should be weight. ‘I have gravitated towards the lightest and stiffest poles available for optimal performance,’ says Albon. ‘Made of carbon but with aluminium connecting joints, these poles fold into three pieces that I can easily stow away in a 'quiver’ attached to my TNF running vest.’

Albon favours detachable glove straps as they stay put and improve comfort and range of motion. You might also want to look for trekking baskets (also known as mud baskets), which are small, circular attachments you place towards the bottom of your pole to stop them sinking too far into mud. Most walking poles will come with them, and some may have interchangeable baskets for different conditions.

‘Something else to consider is length, especially if they are fixed like mine so you can’t adjust the height,’ says Albon. ‘I am 178cm tall and use 130cm poles for less technical trails and 125cm poles for more technical trails with big steps or rocks. For the CCC, which is a 100km route with 6,000m of ascent, I used and trained with the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite.’

So, ready to hit the hills? From foldable running poles to ultra lightweight options, we've selected eight of the best walking poles available to buy now.

At 137g, these are super light yet extremely durable and can be folded up small enough to tuck away inside your race pack. They come with a specially designed glove that you can lock into the pole, meaning you don’t have to worry about gripping it tightly. These were Albon's go-to poles for the 2022 season, so you'd be in good company making them your running buddy.

For: Trail runningMaterial: CarbonWeight: 137gLength: 105cm, 110cm, 115cm, 120cm or 125cmPacking size: 35cmKey specs: Foldable, available in red or pinkExtras: Grip strap

Like the Leki poles, these are extremely light and fold down small enough to fit into a running vest. They provide excellent grip, too, although they lack some of the build quality of the Leki and, as a result, aren’t quite as hard-wearing.

For: Trail running, alpine climbingMaterial: CarbonWeight: 150gLength: 110cm, 115cm, 120cm, 125cm or 130cmPacking size: 40cmKey specs: Collapsible, moisture-wicking strap attached

Watching every gram? These ultralight carbon poles from Mountain King are a solid bet. Weighing in at just 110g each and collapsing into quarters, they're among the lightest and most compact poles available, making them a great option for those who want to fly through the mountains unencumbered. They're easy to assemble and dismantle, come with trekking baskets for muddy days and, while the handle is not adjustable, it is comfortable and should fit most hand sizes.

For: Trail running, ultra running, hikingMaterial: Carbon fibreWeight: 110gLength: 110cm, 115cm, 120cm, 125cm, 130cmPacking size: 30cmKey specs: Compact fold into 4 sections, wrist strapExtras: Trekking baskets, mesh storage bag

These telescopic poles from hiking connoisseurs Komperdell are compact, light, incredibly strong and easily adjustable from 90 to 120cm. Once you've selected your ideal length the lock system feels sturdy, while padded straps protect your wrists and the cork grips are comfortable and keep sweat at bay. They were designed with runners in mind but are also ideally suited to hillwalkers looking to go further or tackle more challenging terrain.

For: Hiking, hillwalking, speed trekkingMaterial: CarbonWeight: 175gLength: Adjustable from 90-120cmPacking size: 57cmKey specs: Telescopic 3 section pole, padded strap, ergonomic cork handleExtras: Summer and winter trekking baskets

The crème de la crème of hiking poles, the Black Series is pricey, but for the cash you get a lightweight, powerful and durable carbon pole that will help propel you up any ascent like ultrarunner Kilian Jornet. It features the new ‘Aergon Air’ ergonomic shape for extra efficient propulsion, plus cork grips to ensure your hike or run remains comfortable.

For: HikingMaterial: CarbonWeight: 228gLength: 110-130cmPacking size: 40cmKey specs: Foldable, grip extension, adjustable strap Extras: Folding pole bag

Decathlon's range of hiking and trail running equipment delivers on its reputation for quality, no-frills kit that works - and these trail running poles are no exception. While they're not as cheap as you might expect from Decathlon, they're still on the more affordable end of the spectrum, and for that you get lightweight carbon construction, super fast deployment, ergonomic foam handles, adjustable wrist straps and trekking baskets.

For: Trail runningMaterial: CarbonWeight: 148gLength: 110cm, 120cm, 130cmPacking size: 40cmKey specs: Foldable, adjustable wrist strapExtras: Storage bag

Salomon is a powerhouse of off-road running gear, and these poles are suitably high-quality. Made from carbon, they’re strong yet light, while the ‘Split-Second’ folding system allows you to instantly break the pole down to a third of its size – handy for packing away on the move.

For: Trail runningMaterial: CarbonWeight: 160gLength: 100cm, 110cm, 115cmPacking size: One third of sizeKey specs: Foldable, extended grip, breathable strapExtras: Trail running basket

Better known in the US, Mountain King poles tend to fly under the radar in the UK. But that doesn’t mean they’re not worth checking out. On the contrary, these light, comfortable and compact poles are perfect for long-distance runs in lumpy places. Compared with some of their rivals, they’re fairly cheap too.

For: Trail running, hikingMaterial: Aluminium alloyWeight: Approx. 110gLength: 110cm, 115cm, 120cm, 125cm, 130cmPacking size: 38cmKey specs: Collapsible, wrist strap, available in black, blue or aquaExtras: Mesh bag

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