Best Trekking Poles UK (2025): Reviewed for British Trails

7 October 2025 By Down to Hike 4 min read Last reviewed October 2025

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. If you buy through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Trekking poles are one of those pieces of kit that go from optional to essential once you’ve used them in the right conditions. On a long descent with a heavy pack, on soft bog that needs testing before each step, crossing a swollen beck after a night of rain, poles earn their place quickly.

The UK market has excellent options across the price range. Here’s what we’d recommend.

Best Trekking Poles for UK Hillwalking

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork: Best Overall

RRP: ~£90 (pair) | View on Amazon UK

Black Diamond’s Trail Ergo Cork is the reliable choice for general UK hillwalking. The cork grip is comfortable across long days, naturally wicks sweat, and warms to your hand in cold conditions. The FlickLock Pro clamp mechanism is secure and simple to operate with gloves on, important on Scottish hills in October.

The aluminium construction is heavier than carbon fibre but significantly more durable. These will take abuse from British conditions, rocky paths, boggy ground, stream crossings, without complaint. The ergonomic angled grip reduces wrist strain on traverses. At this price point, they’re excellent value.

Pros: Reliable FlickLock, comfortable cork grip, robust aluminium Cons: Heavier than carbon fibre alternatives Best for: General UK hillwalking, durability-first buyers

Leki Makalu FX Carbon: Best Carbon Pick

RRP: ~£130 (pair) | View on Amazon UK

Leki has been making poles since 1948 and their build quality shows. The Makalu FX Carbon uses a folding mechanism (Speed Lock system) for fast deployment, ideal for walkers who stow poles on technical sections and deploy them again on descent. The carbon shafts are noticeably lighter than aluminium and damp vibration better, reducing arm fatigue on long days.

The Aergon Thermo grip is warm and comfortable; the integral strap system is Leki’s patented fixed-loop design, which improves pole recovery without restricting wrist movement. Pricier than the Black Diamond, but the lighter weight and fast deployment mechanism justify the cost for frequent hikers.

Pros: Light, fast deployment, excellent grip system, German build quality Cons: Folding carbon less forgiving than aluminium if bent Best for: Regular hillwalkers, those who value low weight, long-distance routes

Komperdell C3 Carbon Pro Compact: Best Ultralight

RRP: ~£110 (pair) | View on Amazon UK

At around 210g per pole, the Komperdell C3 Carbon Pro Compact is among the lightest functional poles available. The three-fold design packs down to 37cm, small enough to clip to the outside of a day pack without getting in the way. The carbon construction is noticeably rigid underfoot.

The trade-off for this weight saving: the folding mechanism is less forgiving than telescopic poles on rough ground, and the shafts can crack if put under lateral stress (leaning hard during stream crossings, for example). Use with care.

Pros: Exceptionally light, packs tiny, good for fast-and-light hiking Cons: Less durable than aluminium, requires more careful handling Best for: Fast hikers, trail runners, DofE lightweight trips

Vango Peak Trekking Poles: Best Budget Option

RRP: ~£30–40 (pair) | View on Amazon UK

Not everyone needs to spend £100 on poles. Vango’s Peak series delivers aluminium telescopic poles with a functional clamp lock at an accessible price. The foam grip is comfortable, the clamp mechanism works reliably, and the included baskets cover most UK conditions.

They’re heavier than the premium options and the clamp mechanism requires occasional tightening, minor issues for occasional walkers. For beginners working out whether poles suit their walking style, starting here is sensible.

Pros: Affordable, functional, good for testing whether you like poles Cons: Heavier, less refined mechanisms Best for: Beginners, occasional walkers, budget-conscious buyers

Pole Tips and Accessories

Baskets

Poles come with different basket options for different conditions:

Small trekking baskets: Standard for UK hillwalking, work on most terrain
Larger trekking baskets: Better for boggy ground, stops the pole sinking too deep
Snow baskets: Large diameter for winter use on soft snow
No basket: Fine on firm paths and rock, but the pole sinks in soft ground without one

Most UK walkers get by with standard trekking baskets year-round, adding larger baskets for winter bog-bashing.

Tips

The carbide tip is the contact point with the ground. Standard tips last a full season of regular use on mixed terrain. Rubber tip protectors are essential on hard surfaces to protect both the tip and the surface.

Some premium poles offer interchangeable tip systems, useful if you do significant road walking to and from trailheads.

Wrist Straps

Use the wrist straps properly, loop your hand up through the bottom of the strap before gripping the handle. This distributes force through your wrist rather than your grip, reducing hand fatigue. When descending technical ground, remove your hands from the straps so the poles don’t drag you if you slip.

Frequently Asked Questions

: You don’t need them, but most walkers who try them don’t go back. Poles reduce impact on knees on descents (studies suggest 12–25% load reduction per pole), improve balance on uneven ground, help with stream crossings, and are useful for testing boggy ground depth. They also give you an upper body workout. The main reasons to avoid them: scrambling routes where you need hands free, or personal preference. Many walkers keep them stowed for ridges and deploy them on descent.
: Telescopic poles adjust length via a twist or clamp lock and collapse to a packable size. They’re the most versatile for UK hiking where you want to adjust for ascent vs descent and stow them when scrambling. Folding poles (Z-Pole style) collapse into three sections quickly and pack smaller but can’t be length-adjusted. Fixed-length poles are lightest and most rigid but the least practical for varied terrain. Telescopic poles are the default recommendation for British hillwalking.
: A useful starting point: your elbow should be at 90° when holding the pole on flat ground, which is typically around 65–70% of your height in centimetres. On steep ascents, shorten by 5–10cm; on descents, lengthen by 5–10cm. Most telescopic poles adjust between 60–135cm, covering all adults. If you’re between 165–185cm, a pole range of 65–135cm will suit you well.
: Rubber tips protect the metal tungsten carbide tip on hard surfaces (paving, tarmac, wooden boardwalks) and prevent slipping on rock. Remove them on soft ground and grass where the carbide tip bites in better. Many poles come with both rubber tips and a range of baskets, standard baskets for general hiking, trekking baskets for snow and boggy ground.
: After use in mud or water, rinse the sections, extend them fully, and allow them to dry before storing, moisture inside the sections causes corrosion and lock seizure. Clean the lock mechanisms periodically (twist locks benefit from a light dry lubricant; clamp locks can be disassembled and cleaned). Check the carbide tips regularly and replace when worn flat.

Tags: trekking poles walking poles gear review hiking accessories uk hiking

gear-reviews

Best Waterproof Jackets for Hiking UK (2025): Tested in British Weather

A waterproof jacket is non-negotiable for UK hillwalking. The question isn’t whether to buy one, it’s which one. The market ranges from sub-£100 budget options to £500+ premium shells, and the difference in performance between them is real but not always proportional to the price. We’ve tested jackets across several seasons in the conditions that matter for UK walkers, prolonged Lake District rain, Atlantic-saturated Scottish summits, and the horizontal drizzle that defines the Welsh hills.

12 Aug 2025 Read more →

gear-reviews

Best Hiking Backpacks UK (2025): Day Packs & Weekend Rucksacks Reviewed

A hiking backpack is probably the piece of kit you’ll use most. It carries everything else, and a poorly fitted or badly designed pack makes a long day miserable. Shoulder pain, back ache, and a badly organised bag slowing you down when you need waterproofs fast, all avoidable with the right choice. The UK market has excellent options at every price point. Here’s what we’d recommend, broken down by use case.

10 Jun 2025 Read more →

gear-reviews

Best Hiking Boots for Women UK (2025): Tested & Reviewed

Good boots are the foundation of a good day on the hill. The wrong pair, too stiff, too narrow, not waterproof, can turn a good walk into a miserable one. The right pair disappears on your feet. UK women hikers face a specific challenge: trails that are wet, muddy, and technical underfoot for at least nine months of the year, but rarely severe enough to need full mountaineering boots. What you need is a waterproof mid-cut boot with reliable grip, decent ankle support, and a fit that works for a female foot shape.

8 Apr 2025 Read more →

Best Trekking Poles UK (2025): Reviewed for British Trails

Best Trekking Poles for UK Hillwalking

Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork: Best Overall

Leki Makalu FX Carbon: Best Carbon Pick

Komperdell C3 Carbon Pro Compact: Best Ultralight

Vango Peak Trekking Poles: Best Budget Option

Pole Tips and Accessories

Baskets

Tips

Wrist Straps

Frequently Asked Questions

You Might Also Like

Best Waterproof Jackets for Hiking UK (2025): Tested in British Weather

Best Hiking Backpacks UK (2025): Day Packs & Weekend Rucksacks Reviewed

Best Hiking Boots for Women UK (2025): Tested & Reviewed