How to Choose Trekking Poles and Hiking Staffs
One pole or two?
- Trekking poles: Used in pairs, can improve stability and reduce force on knees while hiking and backpacking under loads
- Hiking staff: Single pole used for stability, most effective on flat terrain with little to no load. Some can be used as a camera monopod
Find the right size
- Your elbows should bend at a 90° angle when holding the poles with their tips on the ground near your feet.
- Fir adjustable poles or staff: If you're taller than 6 feet, choose an option that has a max length of at least 51 inches. If you're under 6 feet tall, most poles can be shortened enough to work for you
- For fixed-length poles: Check the manufacturer's size chart for suggested sizing.
Additional features
- Shaft material—aluminum or composite—affects the weight.
- Grips: Cork wicks sweat from hands. Foam is softer to hold. Rubber insulates but can chafe when wet.
- Ultralight poles are often pricier but can be quicker.
- Foldable poles collapse like a tent pole and are great for trail runners and fast hikers.
Red Rock Canyon-Topanga, CA
