- in Trekking Poles , Adventures
Best Ultralight Trekking Poles of 2019: Complete Reviews with Comparisons
Trekking poles are known for making any hikes more enjoyable, less painful, and safer. But did you even know that there are a few different categories of trekking poles? And that these categories should be used in varying situations depending on your hiking goals?
Ultralight trekking poles are quickly becoming one of the most popular sub-categories of hiking poles. These poles aim to provide sturdiness without weight, and they can make your trip easier while also being lighter.
You may ask, “Which product are the best ultralight trekking poles?” Our reviews below will introduce you to five of the best ultralight trekking poles available on the market in 2019 with a focus on highlighting the various features that might attract you to them.
Comparison Chart
Best Ultralight Trekking Pole Reviews
1. TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles is a well-rounded set of trekking poles that is very light while still providing the support and durability that you need to get through a hike.
Review
These trekking poles are great for nearly any type of hiker. No matter what your skill level, terrain type you’re about to traverse, or hiking goals are, you may find that the TrailBuddy poles are great.
This pole set comes with two poles as well as a number of different tips and baskets that will help you hike successfully on nearly any terrain. From mud baskets to snow baskets, you will be able to easily switch out the tips of the poles to get a good grip while hiking around any terrain.
The core of these trekking poles is a durable aluminum blend. This blend is affordable while also being lightweight, making it a good choice among ultralight trekking poles. A lightweight pole like this makes it easier to get through a long, tiring hike since you will not have as much swing weight to fight.
The main appeal of these poles is how much balance and stability they can provide at an affordable price. Since the poles’ core is a durable aluminum blend, they can support you even on steep downhill descents when the poles need to bear a lot of weight—you can rely on these poles.
Another benefit of these poles is that the trekking poles are that they are adjustable. You can easily adjust the height of the poles at two different places, and the lever locks hold the height in place while you complete your hike for the day. When you’re done, the poles can be collapsed down to a manageable 21” size for easy carrying and packing.
How TrailBuddy Poles are Adjusted
How You Can Remove and Reattach TrailBuddy Trekking Pole Straps
PROS
CONS
2. Foxelli Trekking Poles
Foxelli Trekking Poles is the most popular carbon fiber, ultralight poles around right now. However, do they really have all the features that you need to enjoy a quality hike in any conditions?
Review
This is a set of carbon fiber core poles. Carbon fiber is one of the most lightweight cores around, and it can be used when you want to balance stability with weight. While these poles will be more likely to break than a comparable aluminum blend model, the low weight is an excellent payoff for that risk.
While that is a risk, this particular model isn’t known for splintering or breaking easily. Putting a lot of weight on these poles during descents is very doable without worrying about their durability. They are a strong set of poles.
When we say that these poles are lightweight, we mean that they weigh in at just seven ounces each. This is incredibly light, and even those who really keep their pack weight to the bare minimum will find that they can bring these poles along.
The Foxelli poles are adjustable, so you can change the height depending on the terrain or the height of the person using them. Being able to easily and quickly adjust the height is a huge benefit to most hikers, especially when you might want something different depending on the trail degree at any particular moment.
PROS
CONS
3. BAGAIL Trekking Poles
Review
The main selling point of these trekking poles is that they have built-in, anti-shock technology. Inside the core of these poles, some springs help to absorb some of the impacts that happen whenever you are moving across tough terrain. These coils lessen the wear and tear on your body.
The aluminum used for these poles is said to be aircraft-grade, which is very lightweight. That said, these poles can be put through a lot of rough conditions without splitting or bending. Instead, you may find that the aluminum may dent a little bit.
Like the Foxelli model, these poles have two different types of grips that you can use in different conditions. The main grip is rubber which limits vibration and conforms to your hand’s shape. The secondary grip sleeve is EVA foam, which provides a super comfortable and soft grip.
The great thing about this is that if these adjustable trekking poles do not meet your expectations, there is a 60-day no-questions-asked return service available from the manufacturer.
PROS
CONS
4. EVOCREST Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
Our next set is the EVOCREST Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles. These poles offer great mid-range weight at only 7.6 ounces each.
Review
The core on these poles is 100% carbon fiber, which is the most lightweight material that you might find in a pole. This material has natural shock-absorbing qualities while still providing long-lasting strength.
While carbon fiber is very powerful, it is also more likely to break or splinter if a lot of pressure is put into it. This only happens in certain scenarios, but it is worth mentioning that splintering is more likely in carbon fiber than in aluminum.
These poles are adjustable with a retractable shaft. Each shaft can be adjusted between 24” and 54” meaning that they can be used by nearly everyone in the family, no matter what their height is. The adjustable parts are locked in with a quick-lock mechanism that makes it very easy to adjust the height at any moment during your hike.
PROS
CONS
5. MUDDY BEAR Ultra Lightweight Trekking Poles
Finally, we will discuss the MUDDY BEAR Ultra Lightweight Trekking Poles. These poles use a strong, lightweight aluminum to provide the perfect blend of lightweight and durability.
Review
The cores of these poles from MUDDY BEAR are made out of an aluminum alloy known as 7075. This alloy blend is lighter than standard aluminum while being stronger than carbon fiber. Essentially, it’s the perfect choice for an affordable trekking pole.
This adjustable pair of poles uses twist locks rather than flip-locks. Flip locks can be difficult to use or begin to loosen as you use them, which defeats the purpose of locking the height at all! Instead, these poles use twisting locks to keep the height secure, no matter how much weight is put on the poles.
There are anti-shock coils inside the core of these poles. These help to cushion the impact of each step that you take during your hike so that you can hike without as much worry about the stress put on your body.
The grip on this model is made from a natural cork material. This material is known to conform to the shape of your hands, so you will be less likely to deal with any abrasion or chaffing that might happen with other materials.
This company also offers a six-month, 100% money-back guarantee. Not all companies that make trekking poles offer such a great guarantee of their products, so you can trust that this pole will be supportive for a long time.
PROS
CONS
WRAPPING UP
Among these great options for the best ultralight trekking poles, we have to say that the TrailBuddy Trekking Poles stands out as one of the most versatile and easy-to-use trekking pole sets around. The superior aluminum blend is very light while still providing good durability and strength for even the most difficult parts of a trail.
If you prefer to stick to an even lighter carbon fiber pole, we’ve found that the Foxelli Trekking Poles is likely to be your best choice. These poles weigh less than eight ounces each while still offering great features like adjustability, resilience, and comfortable grips.
