How to Choose the Right Walking Poles

30 March 2026 By Down to Hike 4 min read

Walking poles are worth considering for anyone doing regular UK hill walking, particularly if descents put strain on your knees or you are carrying a heavier pack. They are not essential kit for every walk, but on longer routes and rougher terrain, they earn their place.

What Poles Actually Do

The main benefits in practice:

Knee protection on descents: Each downhill step puts several times your body weight through your knee joint. Poles allow you to transfer some of that load into your arms and reduce the force on your knees. This matters on steep descents and becomes more significant over a full day of repeated downhill sections.

Balance on rough terrain: On boulder fields, river crossings, and uneven paths, poles give two additional points of contact with the ground. This reduces the chance of a slip becoming a fall.

Stability with a heavy pack: A loaded rucksack raises your centre of gravity. Poles help compensate and make movement feel more controlled.

Ascent efficiency: Poles take some load off your legs on climbs, particularly on sustained inclines. Less useful on short ascents, more useful on long ones.

Key Specifications to Understand

Material: Aluminium vs Carbon

Aluminium poles are heavier than carbon but more durable. They bend under extreme load rather than snapping, which makes them more forgiving if you lean hard on them on a traverse or place them awkwardly. More affordable.

Carbon poles are lighter, which matters on long days. They are stiffer and transmit trail vibration better, which some people prefer. They can snap cleanly under a sudden lateral load. More expensive.

For most UK hillwalkers, aluminium is the practical choice. For backpackers counting grams or fast-moving day hikers, carbon makes sense.

Locking Mechanism: Twist Lock vs Lever Lock

Twist locks are common on older and budget poles. You extend the pole and twist to lock. They can slip in cold or wet conditions if the mechanism wears. Worth checking periodically.

Lever locks (also called flick locks) are a clamp that closes around the pole. More reliable in wet and cold conditions, and easy to adjust with gloves on. Now standard on most mid-range and premium poles.

Grip Material

Cork grips are comfortable over long periods and absorb sweat. They are the preferred choice for extended use.

Foam grips are soft and comfortable but can become waterlogged. Useful in dry conditions and popular on lighter poles.

Rubber grips are warm to the touch but create more vibration feedback. Common on winter poles where you might grip lower down the shaft on steep terrain.

Many poles have an extended grip section below the main grip, which allows you to hold lower down without adjusting the length on short steep sections.

Adjustability

For most walkers, adjustable-length poles are more useful than fixed-length. Being able to shorten on ascents, lengthen on descents, and reach the exact comfortable height makes a practical difference over a full day.

Look for a minimum adjustment range of around 100-135cm, which covers most adult heights.

Folding poles sacrifice some adjustability for compact storage. If you tend to stow poles in your pack for sections of a walk, folding poles may suit you better.

Tips

Set the length correctly. Hold the pole with the tip on flat ground next to your foot. Your elbow should form roughly a 90-degree angle. Adjust from there: shorter for climbing, slightly longer for descents.

Plant in front of you going uphill, behind you going downhill. The natural pendulum motion of your arms should guide placement. On steep uphill sections, plant the tip level with your back foot. On descents, plant ahead of you to slow your pace.

Use rubber tips on hard surfaces. Most poles come with carbide tips for trail and rocky terrain. When walking on roads, paved paths, or wooden boardwalks, fit the rubber ferrules over the tips to reduce noise and prevent slipping.

Check the lock before you set off. A pole that collapses under load mid-step is a trip hazard. Give each pole a firm push downward against the ground before you start walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

: Yes, particularly on descents and over extended distances. Studies have shown that poles reduce the load on knee joints during downhill walking by a meaningful amount. On uneven terrain, they improve balance and reduce the risk of a trip becoming a fall. On long days or multi-day hikes with a loaded pack, they also help distribute effort across your arms and upper body, which reduces fatigue in your legs over time.
: Two poles give more consistent balance and load distribution. One pole is lighter to carry and fine for routes with only occasional rough terrain. Most regular hillwalkers use two. If you are primarily concerned with knee protection on descents, two poles are worth it.
: A general starting point is to set the pole so your elbow forms a 90-degree angle when holding the grip with the tip on the ground. Most people find poles set between 100-120cm comfortable. For steep ascents, shorten the poles slightly. For steep descents, lengthen them to keep your weight back. Adjustable poles make this practical; fixed-length poles do not.
: Telescopic poles extend and lock at different lengths, usually via a twist lock or lever lock mechanism. They are more adjustable and generally more durable. Folding poles collapse into three or four short sections connected by an internal cord. They pack smaller, which makes them popular with backpackers and anyone who stows poles in a rucksack. Folding poles tend to be slightly lighter but are less adjustable on the go.
: Use them correctly or not at all. Pass your hand up through the loop from below, then grip the handle with the strap across your palm. This way the pole can swing naturally without gripping hard. In steep or technical terrain, remove the straps: if you fall and the pole plants awkwardly with your wrist in the strap, the torque can cause a wrist injury. Use judgement about when to strap in and when not to.

Tags: walking poles trekking poles hiking gear hiking poles uk knee pain hiking

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