Choosing a properly sized pole will not only help you maximize your treks but will help you to stay safe while on the trail. A properly fitted pole will place your elbows at a 90-degree angle while you’re holding the poles with the tips on the ground.

Hiking poles come in adjustable lengths or in fixed lengths. Adjustable options offer the hiker the ability to adjust the height of the pole to account for different types of terrain. A shorter pole will aid in uphill sections of the trail while longer pole lengths will help when it comes time to go downhill. Fixed-length poles are comprised of fewer parts and mechanisms which make them a more lightweight option for hikers who want some stability and balance without too much-added weight.

If you’re worried about choosing the wrong length of the pole, the adjustable poles might be a desirable option so that one can use trial and error to find the right size. It’s recommended if you’re taller than 6’ to choose a hiking pole that is at least 51 inches tall. If you’re shorter than that, you should be able to adapt most adjustable poles to make them work for you.

The most common material used to make hiking poles is aluminum. They tend to be the most durable and cheapest options on the market. That said, however, aluminum does tend to bend under very high stress but is unlikely to break. It is also easy to bend it back into shape if it’s been bent. Aluminum will be a heavier option than carbon fiber, so that’s something to take into consideration if you’re sensitive to extra weight. It’s also important to note here that aluminum poles are bound to cause more vibrations than carbon fibered poles because aluminum is not stiff like carbon fibers. Without shock absorbers on your poles, the vibrations may become annoying.

Another shaft material option is carbon fiber. This type of material is very lightweight and offers the user a bouncy feel. Carbon fiber also tends to absorb vibrations better than aluminum. That said, this material is more fragile. If carbon poles are subject to sharp edges or rough rocks, they’re likely to develop weak spots which make them more prone to break, where aluminum material is more likely to just bend. Another important thing to note about carbon fiber is that if they fail, it often comes on suddenly with a total and jagged break. Reports of broken carbon fiber poles are more common in the ultra-light models.

It’s worthwhile to take into account the types of terrain you might be using your poles on. If you tend to favor well-worn trails, carbon fiber would be an okay fit for you. If you are a bit on the wild side and often find yourself vaulting off of boulders and rocks or frequently leaning onto your poles, aluminum might offer you more of the durability you’re looking for.

In addition to there being different pole length options on the market, there are also different styles as well.

The strongest and most durable design for poles features a two-section telescoping mechanism. These are well-suited for winter activities like snowshoeing or cross-country skiing and a great option for people who have been known to be rough on their poles. They are often heavier than other pole designs and will take up more space than other options as well, making them less convenient for hikers or climbers who need something that can shrink to fit into their bags.

The most common type of hiking pole design is the three-section telescoping pole. This type of pole usually folds down small enough to be conveniently strapped to a backpack or packed inside a suitcase. They are usually more lightweight than two section poles but aren’t made to be quite as durable. They do tend to last longer than folding poles (to be discussed later), though, and offer more adjustability that will suit the needs of hikers, backpackers or climbers.

Some poles are shock-absorbing. These poles feature springs inside that aid in shock absorption on downhill portions of the trail. Some poles that have the anti-shock mechanism offer the ability to turn off the feature when it’s not necessary, such as uphill portions. Though some people swear by shock absorbers, others find that this option is more of a gimmick than anything. Shock-absorption is a nice feature to have for hikers who have issues when their joints get jolted or for people with bad hips, knees or ankles.

Another popular option is a “tentpole” style. These are the newest style of poles. They featured a shock cord in the middle and fold up just like camping tent poles. They are among some of the most lightweight hiking pole options on the market but often aren’t as long-lasting as their telescoping counterparts. They are easy to pack, take up much less space in a backpack and are quick to maneuver, making them a great option for climbers.

All hiking poles feature a locking mechanism which helps to ensure the poles won’t slip in and out while they’re being used. This is to ensure safety on the trails as well as comfort and durability.

For poles that aren’t adjustable, they will lock and unlock so they’re extendable to full length for when you’re using them and collapsible when you’re storing them. Poles that are adjustable are similar, but their locking mechanisms often allow you to adjust the length of the interlocking sections. This allows the buyer to adjust the poles to their height as well as to the terrain.

External lever locks are a clamp-like mechanism that is convenient to adjust on the go. The tendency for the pole to slip in the locked position is reduced using this type of locking mechanism.

Push-button locks are another type of locking mechanism featured in some poles. This type of lock will snap into place and lock with one pull. There’s a push-button present to release the lock and to collapse the poles.

Twist locks use an expander and screw system that has been said to be strong. However, twist locks are often prone to slipping, can be unreliable and not as durable as other locking mechanism options. They are also difficult to grip when you’re wearing gloves.

A fourth locking mechanism option is a combination lock. Some poles use a combination of the above mechanisms to attempt to reach a balance between strength, lightweight and accessibility. As an example, a hiking pole might feature the external lever lock on the upper part of the pole and a twist mechanism on the lower portion.

The shape of the pole handle helps to determine how comfortable the pole will be for the hiker. Some poles feature ergonomic grips with a 15-degree corrective angle. The purpose of this is to aid the trekker in walking in a neutral position to ensure they stay safe and pain-free on their adventures.

The grip can be made from many different types of materials.

Cork grips will shape to your hands through time and will offer moisture-absorption for sweaty hands. This type of grip will also decrease the number of vibrations you feel as your poles strike the ground. Cork is chafing-resistant so it’s a great material option to choose if you plan to trek in warm weather and it also features natural antimicrobial properties to resist that smelliness that can often come over time.

Rubber grips offer the cold weather trekker more insulation than cork. They’re not as comfortable or conforming as cork grips, but they’re the most water-resistant which makes them a great companion for people who want to do their hiking in the winter months. They don’t hold up as well as a cork in warmer weather.

Another grip option is foam. This type is the lightest and the softest material to the touch. Foam grips will also help to wick moisture away from sweaty hands. It is also, however, the least durable of the three grip types listed here. Foam grips will lose their shape the quickest and break down the fastest of the other options.

The tips of hiking poles are typically made of carbide steel. This is because this type of material provides great traction, even on ice. Carbide is a more durable metal than aluminum so that’s something else to take into consideration when choosing your poles. The carbide tips can often be noisy, however, and they don’t provide the best traction on harder surfaces.

It is often recommended to also have rubber tip protectors to help extend the lifespan of the steel tips. Rubber protectors will not only protect the metal tips of the poles but will also shield your backpack or suitcase from being destroyed by the sharper steel tips. Rubber tips are also helpful in environmentally-sensitive areas so as to reduce the impact on nature.

Baskets are the round rings that are found at the bottom of hiking poles. The baskets ensure that the poles will not sink into the ground or snow. The baskets are removable and are usually quite small so they won’t get caught in any undergrowth on the trails. One can swap out the summer basket for a powder basket, often shaped like a snowflake, when it comes to trek in the snow. Larger, more solid baskets are a great option to use when the terrain is muddy.

Many poles feature adjustable wrist straps. Properly fitted straps offer the user support that aids in diminishing hand fatigue. Many people who use poles without straps will find that they grip the pole too tightly, resulting in fatigued hands that will ache the entire trek or increase the likelihood of injury.