For more background information, see our buying advice, testing methodology, and frequently asked questions below the picks. Also, check out our overview of three benefits of using trekking poles while trail running.

Engagement of a tool’s cutting edge with a workpiece generates a cutting force. Such a cutting force combines tangential, feed and radial forces, which can be measured by a dynamometer. Of the three cutting force components, tangential force is the greatest. Tangential force generates torque and accounts for more than 95 percent of the machining power. See dynamometer.

Trekking poles provide the most benefit on steep terrain, be it climbing or descending, where they can increase power and speed on the climbs, engaging your arms to help do some of the work of propelling upward. A peer-reviewed analysis of many studies of pole use in various sports found that while using poles consistently increased heart rate and VO2, and thus the amount of power that a body was able to create for movement, the studies did not find an increased rate of perceived effort that accompanied that increased heart rate (2). This could indicate that using poles puts a greater strain on the aerobic system while reducing the strain on the muscular system, especially the legs (2).

Trekking pole lengths are based on the body shape of the user, and your height will give you a pretty good idea of the length of pole you need. An easy way to determine the appropriate length of trekking pole for your body is to stand with your elbows flexed at around a 90-degree angle with your forearms parallel to the floor. The distance from your hands to the ground will be the approximate length you will need for your trekking poles. Most manufacturers have a size chart or calculator available on their site to help you confirm the appropriate pole length based on a range of heights. If you’re unsure which size to get, you can always go for an adjustable-length pole like the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite. If you’re in between sizes, consider if you want your poles to perform better on climbs or descents. For uphill, go with a shorter pole for more power, and for downhill, go with the longer option for more stability.

We appreciated the adjustability of these poles for both trail running and fastpacking applications. Our tester, who runs with them at 115 centimeters, uses them to set up one of her fastpacking shelters, which requires a 133-centimeter-long pole. The basket is a little bit bigger than many other poles in this guide, which is excellent for keeping them out of small gaps in rocks and floating on the surface of soft ground.

Because nickel-base alloys withstand high temperatures, not much heat enters the material and the heat that does enter is carried away when chips are made. Therefore, coolant is needed to keep cutting edges from overheating and causing premature tool failure while helping to clear chips.

There are a few different ways trekking poles can help improve your trail running performance. The most common use, and the one with arguably the most benefit, is when climbing. Poles help offload some of the strain on your legs by allowing you to use your arms for improved balance and additional power. Getting your upper body in on the fun can improve forward propulsion when climbing, particularly on steep, mountainous terrain. And it’s not just on uphills. A study published in the European Journal of Sports Science found a decrease in force on the feet when using poles on level and downhill terrain (1). Several studies, summarized in an analysis of the biomechanics of using poles, found that the relative perceived exertion of walking up a slope decreased with the use of poles, even though heart rate increased (2).

Hiking poles serve the same basic function as trekking poles and can certainly work for running. Their design will be slightly different, as hiking poles put less of a premium on being lightweight compared to poles for running. Many hiking poles also don’t fold up, though several telescope down smaller. Telescoping poles tend to be heavier and don’t collapse as short as foldable poles. The Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles are a versatile option for hiking and running.

Instead of removing 0.005 " to 0.008 " of material for holes under ½ " in diameter and 0.008 " to 0.012 " of material for holes ½ " and larger when reaming non-nickel-alloy materials, Iscar’s Edler recommends 0.004 " of stock removal for all nickel-alloy holes. An exception is when the drilled hole is egg-shaped, or out of round, more than 0.004 ". “You’re going to have an area that is not going to clean up,” he said. “You would then need to leave more material to have a completely finished hole.”

In addition to using more upper body strength to offset leg fatigue, using poles can help keep you in a more upright position, lessening the strain on the lower back and keeping your chest expanded to optimize breathing. While trekking poles aren’t a substitute for strength and core work, they help keep you standing tall as the fatigue from the late stages of a race kicks in.

Thin web or film of metal on a casting that occurs at die partings and around air vents and movable cores. This excess metal is due to necessary working and operating clearances in a die. Flash also is the excess material squeezed out of the cavity as a compression mold closes or as pressure is applied to the cavity.

Hole or cavity cut in a solid shape that does not connect with other holes or exit through the workpiece.

Some poles, such as the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles and Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking/Running Poles, have interchangeable tips. Other brands include a rubber cap that can be placed over the carbide tip to protect your pack from damage.

From long climbs to scree-filled descents on summer summits to wintry treks to long slogs through sandy canyons, we tested the efficiency and durability of the poles to decide which are the best for trail running. When evaluating trekking poles, we considered their strength and stiffness, weight, grip comfort, strap attachment system efficiency and comfort, and tip and basket options. We also considered the ease with which the poles collapsed for storage and straightened.

Using poles to cross rivers can assist with balance and may help with keeping your feet dry. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Others interviewed concurred that reaming nickel alloys is a slow process but some offered slightly different recommendations. Tom Edler recommends reaming Inconel at 80 to 100 sfm. He’s the national deep-hole drilling, reaming, thread milling, ITS bore and oil field thread chasers products manager for Iscar Metals Inc., Arlington, Texas. Iscar’s BAYO T reaming system is suitable for nickel-alloy applications. While the speed is slow, the feed can be a different matter. “The design of the tool allows for aggressive feed rates, typically 20 to 30 times faster than conventional reamers,” Edler said.

A traditional pole grip features a wrist loop, usually made of a lightweight, moisture-wicking material that loosely encircles the wrist and allows you to loosen or adjust your grip without dropping the poles. These straps may include a little padding or a Velcro adjustment for comfort and a more secure and universal fit. Some trekking poles, including the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite, have glove-like Velcro straps that stay securely fastened to your hand and click on and off the pole with an attachment on the grip. This system is very reminiscent of those found on cross-country skiing poles where maximum energy transfer is the goal.

You can read more about these poles in our in-depth Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles review.

Because nickel alloys tend to workharden, a slower speed reduces friction and heat generation, von Rohr added. Just as a drilled hole guides a reamer, drilling speed can direct reaming speed. A rule of thumb is to ream at about two thirds the drilling speed, he noted.

He added that the lead angle varies, depending on whether the hole being reamed is a through- or blind-hole. When reaming a through-hole, a 45° lead angle rolls the chips forward—ahead of the tool and out the hole. In a blind-hole, a 20° lead directs the chips back up the flutes and out the hole.

Tangential velocity on the surface of the tool or workpiece at the cutting interface. The formula for cutting speed (sfm) is tool diameter 5 0.26 5 spindle speed (rpm). The formula for feed per tooth (fpt) is table feed (ipm)/number of flutes/spindle speed (rpm). The formula for spindle speed (rpm) is cutting speed (sfm) 5 3.82/tool diameter. The formula for table feed (ipm) is feed per tooth (ftp) 5 number of tool flutes 5 spindle speed (rpm).

Condition of vibration involving the machine, workpiece and cutting tool. Once this condition arises, it is often self-sustaining until the problem is corrected. Chatter can be identified when lines or grooves appear at regular intervals in the workpiece. These lines or grooves are caused by the teeth of the cutter as they vibrate in and out of the workpiece and their spacing depends on the frequency of vibration.

Adjustable-length trekking poles are useful for setting up fastpacking tarps. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Practice makes perfect! Or, at the very least, proficient. There are a few different strategies for using trekking poles while running and hiking that depend on the terrain you are on. Before you hit the trails, get comfortable with the poles on even ground. Try out the wrist straps and grip. Hold them while walking to get used to the feel of your arm swing with trekking poles in hand. Getting used to the grip system of the Leki Ultratrail Fx.One Superlite or the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite can take a little more time than the regular wrist strap of most other poles.

Adjustable-length folding trekking poles, such as the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite and Dynafit Ultra Pro Pole, fold similarly to fixed-length folding poles but can be adjusted within a range of lengths once extended. This can be a budget-conscious option if sharing the poles among runners of different heights. The ability to adjust the length of your poles on the fly can be helpful in specific terrain settings, such as extending poles for descents and shortening them for climbs.

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Non-folding poles are one solid piece, much like a traditional ski pole and generally only used for very specific trail running applications, such as vertical kilometers (VK) where you have your poles out the whole time.

Hole or cavity cut in a solid shape that connects with other holes or extends all the way through the workpiece.

The cord tightens when the pole extends, and the pieces lock together at reinforced joints, creating a stable, secure pole. When not used, the poles fold up, allowing for easy storage in or attached to your hydration pack. The Leki Ultratrail Fx.One Superlite can fold down to a 33-inch length, which is easy to store on most hydration packs. You can learn more about the different ways poles attach to a running vest in our best hydration packs for running guide.

Any manufacturing process in which metal is processed or machined such that the workpiece is given a new shape. Broadly defined, the term includes processes such as design and layout, heat-treating, material handling and inspection.

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Many of the trekking poles we tested and chose for this guide are pretty hefty financial investments as far as running gear goes, and we chose the Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles as the best budget option on the market. At nearly a quarter of the price of the most expensive poles in this guide, these adjustable-length folding carbon poles won’t break the bank and are useful in a variety of scenarios.

Often used as a tool coating. AlTiN indicates the aluminum content is greater than the titanium. See coated tools.

Generally, the weight of carbon poles compared to aluminum makes them so appealing. The lighter weight of carbon poles means you’ll conserve more energy with every arm swing. On paper, the weight savings of carbon over aluminum might seem negligible, but every little bit counts during a 30-plus-hour mountainous 100-miler! It’s also worth noting that since the weight of the pole is distributed along its length, with its tip being a decent distance away from your hand and wrist, the extra weight of a pole has a bigger impact on energy use because it’s swinging from a pivot point (your hand) than if the same amount of weight was being carried statically close to your body. This additional rotational mass can put extra strain on your wrists, hands, and arms and add up over time.

“The way I usually explain it to customers is it is very similar to reaming a casehardened material,” said Gary Schmidt of M.A. Ford Manufacturing Co. Inc. “You have the outer crust that’s very hard and you have a softer center. Metal-matrix composite materials are that way too.”

Using trekking poles for running has long been popular in Europe and has recently caught on in the U.S. as runners realize their utility for harnessing extra power from the upper body while climbing and having extra stability on steep descents. The boom of mountain and ultramarathon trail running worldwide has resulted in companies creating lighter and smaller poles for the growing market, and the best trekking poles have become a staple for runners seeking mountain-goat-like speed and stability when climbing and descending technical mountain trails. Trekking poles for trail running have become so popular that, in recent years, many companies have begun to produce poles designed specifically for running that will fold into multiple segments to be easily storable on a running vest.

The Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking/Running Poles are the aluminum version of the popular Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles we reviewed above. Made from 7075 aluminum alloy, these fixed-length folding poles are an excellent option for trail running and hiking. While heavier than their carbon counterparts, they are still lightweight and durable. They easily fold into three parts to stow on your pack when not in use.

Substances having metallic properties and being composed of two or more chemical elements of which at least one is a metal.

While there are many trekking poles on the market, specific features make some much better for running than others. The iRunFar team has been using trekking poles for runs and races for years, and our testing process ensures you get the best gear for your needs. We started the initial version of this guide by extensively researching the trekking poles on the market and narrowed our list to 15 top candidates for testing.

Aluminum poles like the Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking/Running Poles are less expensive than their carbon counterparts, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles, but they are also heavier. If you are just starting with poles, will only be using them sporadically, don’t care too much about gear weight, or plan on doing a combination of running and hiking with your poles, aluminum may be the best choice. Carbon poles are the way to go for long days in the mountains if you use them frequently and for people looking to keep their running gear ultralight.

(3) Howatson G., Hough P., Pattison J., Hill J.A., Blagrove R., Glaister M., Thompson K.G. Trekking poles reduce exercise-induced muscle injury during mountain walking. Med. Sci. Sport. Exerc. 2011;43:140–145. doi: 10.1249/MSS.0b013e3181e4b649.

Iscar’s Edler agreed. “As long as you have a good concentration of water-based coolant, say 10 to 12 percent, everything will be fine.”

BTA Heller's float reaming, or skive, tool's body holds a floating cutter magazine with two cartridges and two indexable inserts that oppose one another and have diametrical adjustment of 0.080" to 0.118", depending on the tool diameter.

On conventional reamers, a chipbreaker is effective for controlling chips but it reduces tool life compared to a reamer without one, according to KOMET’s von Rohr. A chipbreaker may not even be required to control nickel alloy chips. That’s because, as the material workhardens, it becomes more brittle and tends to break from the parent material before becoming long and stringy, he added. “The nickel itself almost acts like a chipbreaker.”

iRunFar’s Meghan Hicks using a pair Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles during a fastpacking trip on the Wind River High Route in Wyoming. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

“Because inserts are not brazed onto the body, high-performance coatings can be considered,” he said, noting indexable inserts repeat within 0.0001 ".

For this guide, we tested several of these lightweight trekking poles in many types of terrain and conditions to offer advice that you can use when choosing amongst the best trekking poles available. Please note that we tested only foldable trekking poles that runners can stow in or on a hydration pack. Their versatility and packability are key for trail running applications, and we found ourselves turning to the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles and Leki Ultratrail Fx.One Superlight poles as our go-to options when light and fast were our priorities. Those looking for a budget option will appreciate the functionality and price tag of the Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles.

When it’s time for a snack, a photo, or any other trailside activities that require using your hands, quickly pushing a button on top of the grip releases the loop and sets your hands free. The Trail Shark mesh straps stay on your hands, which is fine for most tasks. But in fluctuating weather, taking them on and off whenever you want to put on or remove gloves can become tedious. The straps may also impede grip on rocks if there’s rock scrambling involved in your run. However, leaving the straps on was comfortable and easy in most conditions.

Available Lengths: 110-130 centimeters for the standard version, 100-120 centimeters for the compact version | Length When Folded: 42 centimeters | Pole Material: Carbon fiber shafts, Cross Shark grip system with cork grip | Pair Weight: 372 grams (standard)

The short answer is … yes. Many great aluminum and carbon poles are on the market, and either will work for running. When deciding which type of poles is right for you, the most significant factors to consider are budget, the amount you will be using them, and how you plan to utilize them.

The poles are available in 100- to 130-centimeter lengths in five-centimeter increments between the unisex and women’s versions. This range should fit runners from four feet, 10 inches tall, to around six feet, four inches.

“As the hole gets bigger, the tolerance range gets larger,” said Jacob Miller, product manager for Allied Machine & Engineering Corp., Dover, Ohio. The cutting tool manufacturer recently added replaceable-head reamers from S.C.A.M.I. to complement Allied’s monoblock and ring-style reamer offerings from the same Italian manufacturer.

Fixed-length folding trekking poles, such as our winning picks, the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles, and the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite are the most popular choice for ultrarunning and trail running.One Superlite folds into a compact carrying size and extends to a set length while in use. The ease of use, packability, lightweight, and simplicity of fixed-length folding poles make them the most popular choice. For most trail running applications, there’s no need to change pole length mid-run.

These dangers increase if you use grips and straps that attach your hands to the poles very securely, like the grip system on the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite or the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite. This is certainly not a reason to skip trekking poles altogether, but we recommend keeping it in mind as you practice your pole running technique on the trails.

Available Lengths: 100-130 centimeters, in 5-centimeter increments | Folded Length: 33-44 centimeters, depending on pole length | Pole Material: Carbon fiber shafts, EVA foam grip |  Pair Weight: 272 grams (115 cm length)

(1) Daviaux Y., Hintzy F., Samozino P., Horvais N. Effect of using poles on foot–ground kinetics during stance phase in trail running. Eur. J. Sport. Sci. 2013;13:468–474. doi: 10.1080/17461391.2012.740505.

In addition to coolant concentration, applying it at high pressure is essential when reaming nickel alloys, Edler said. “The higher the pressure, the better the coolant penetration to get beyond that zone where the heat is being generated and to cool down the cutting edge, as well as the material.”

Grooves and spaces in the body of a tool that permit chip removal from, and cutting-fluid application to, the point of cut.

Sollich added that the tool’s double-effective cutting configuration allows users to substantially increase the feed rate versus a single-cutter reamer. For Inconel 718, he recommends a feed of 0.040 to 0.060 ipr.

Alan holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University Carbondale. Including his 20 years at CTE, Alan has more than 30 years of trade journalism experience.

Compared to reamers with brazed carbide tips, indexable-insert reamers offer more coating options, according to von Rohr. That’s because the carbide tip must be coated after brazing and the temperature used to apply the coating cannot be higher than what the brazed connection allows, meaning too high a temperature would cause the braze to fail.

Tendency of all metals to become harder when they are machined or subjected to other stresses and strains. This trait is particularly pronounced in soft, low-carbon steel or alloys containing nickel and manganese—nonmagnetic stainless steel, high-manganese steel and the superalloys Inconel and Monel.

When a metal part must offer low weight, corrosion and oxidation resistance and high strength at high temperatures, part designers often turn to nickel-base alloys. These materials, along with iron- and cobalt-based materials, are considered heat-resistant superalloys.

He added that balancing tool geometries for both materials rather than optimizing them for one can prove effective.

If your run is on more moderate runnable terrain, you will want to leave the poles at home, as they will more likely be a hindrance and just add extra, unnecessary weight to your kit. That’s not to say we have never used them in the late stages of a flatter 30-hour race to keep ourselves awake and upright — but these situations are few and far between.

Reaming nickel-base alloys can be challenging enough, but add a dissimilar material into the workpiece, such as a composite in stacked arrangement, and the demands increase exponentially.

What goes up must come down — and in the case of mountain ultras, the descents can be pretty darn treacherous. Those trekking poles that helped propel you up the mountain can also help keep you stable and upright on the way back down. The extra points of contact on a steep, rocky downhill can help maintain speed over obstacles when cruising and slow you down when it is so steep that your poor quadriceps muscles are in over their head. A study found that using poles on a descent can decrease delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) as well as reduce immediate isometric strength loss (3), allowing you to run downhill longer without muscle failure.

Shop the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running PolesShop the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles - Women's

In addition to running at the correct feed, applying reamers—which cut only on the bevel and taper leads and not on the lands—with up-sharp cutting edges and positive rake angles will shear nickel alloys rather than push the material. “The biggest concern is making sure you have a sharp tool geometry to minimize the amount of heat you produce,” said Allied’s Miller.

Aluminum trekking poles usually feature 7075 aluminum, which is a strong, lightweight aluminum alloy with a high fatigue point. These poles are durable and can withstand the stress of pushing off the ground and being leaned on heavily. Under high stresses, aluminum poles are more likely to bend rather than break like carbon would because aluminum is less brittle than carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is solid under vertical loads but can snap catastrophically under lateral loads.

It’s hard to beat these poles when it comes to going fast on consistent trail conditions. However, the brand recommends them only for racing and use by people experienced with poles. They are rather fragile and expensive to break under conditions when something slightly heavier and more durable is fine.

Once you feel comfortable with your poles’ basic grip and swing, practice on the hills to dial in that power and efficiency boost. The most common ways to use the poles are by alternating with your arm swing or by planting both poles in front of you as you push off, either going up steep terrain or downhill over rocks.

Although sulfur has its benefits, workpiece staining can result if the oil and workpiece temperatures rise too high during reaming, KOMET’s von Rohr explained. Prior to heat treatment, users can remove the stain with a cleaning solution of sodium cyanide or chromic-sulfuric acid. “To avoid intergranular corrosion,” he cautioned, “the parts should be immersed in the cleaning solution only long enough to remove the stain.”

While no one wants to end up with damaged equipment on the trail, a bent pole can be useable if inconvenient, while a fully snapped carbon pole will most likely need to be carried out in your pack. That said, carbon fiber is a more flexible material than aluminum, so it can handle more of a lateral load than aluminum without damage. But when that lateral load exceeds the material tolerance, it will snap.

Available Lengths: 115-135 centimeters and 100-120 centimeters | Length When Folded: 38 centimeters | Pole Material: Carbon shafts with aluminum alloy connectors, cork grip | Pair Weight: 510 grams (115-135 cm length)

The unisex Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles and the women’s specific Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles – Women’s are considered the best trekking poles among many trail runners and ultrarunners, especially those who travel off-trail frequently or on terrain that requires different hand positions or moving poles between hands. Their simple, lightweight design is strong and reliable, making them an excellent choice for long mountain days and a longstanding favorite among the iRunFar team. The poles feature 100% carbon fiber shafts with reinforced joints to improve stiffness and durability. A simple push-button locking mechanism makes extending and folding the pole quick and easy. When not used, the poles quickly collapse into three parts that fold up in parallel, allowing for secure storage in or on your pack.

Courtney Dauwalter used a pair of Leki Ultratrail Fx.One Superlight during the early miles of the 2023 Hardrock 100, which she went on to win. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

These poles have a thicker shaft diameter than the other trekking poles we tested and are potentially more durable. One of the main downsides to these poles is that they weigh significantly more than others on this list. However, weight is one of the only compromises these poles make, as the height adjustment lever was simple, and the click-button locking mechanism is also on par with other pricier poles.

The unique feature of these poles is Leki’s signature Trail Shark grip system. The poles come with a lightweight mesh glove-like strap that Velcros onto your hand to stay snugly in place. A loop attachment clips the strap to the cork grip on the pole, directly attaching you to the pole. This can increase power transfer and efficiency from your arms to the pole, allowing you to push off hard on those steep climbs without keeping a death grip on the poles with your hands.

When reaming nickel alloys, the tool must remove sufficient stock so material that isn’t workhardened is removed, according to von Rohr. The starting point recommendations are 0.010 " for a ¼ " hole, 0.015 " for a ½ " hole and up to 0.025 " for a 1½ " hole.

Fluid that reduces temperature buildup at the tool/workpiece interface during machining. Normally takes the form of a liquid such as soluble or chemical mixtures (semisynthetic, synthetic) but can be pressurized air or other gas. Because of water’s ability to absorb great quantities of heat, it is widely used as a coolant and vehicle for various cutting compounds, with the water-to-compound ratio varying with the machining task. See cutting fluid; semisynthetic cutting fluid; soluble-oil cutting fluid; synthetic cutting fluid.

As we mentioned above, one of the benefits of running with trekking poles is their help with balance on uneven terrain. While they give a lot of help here, they aren’t magic sticks, and slips and falls still happen. Inadvertently falling onto a pole has the potential to cause serious injury. Falling on a pole can also damage it, including bending or snapping it.

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“Silicon-based coatings were originally designed more for high-speed machining and hardened dies,” Schmidt said, “but they found their way into [the machining of] some of these nickel materials as well.”

Using trekking poles to hike and run uphill can transfer some energy from your legs to your arms. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

The float reaming tools, which can open existing bores up to 1⁄8 " on diameter, are applied only in a deep-hole drilling machine and can ream holes 100 diameters deep or more, according to the company.

Schmidt noted the coatings on M.A. Ford reamers are from 0.0001" to 0.0002" thick and are applied by outside coating companies via flash coat to reduce coating cycle time, and, therefore, coating thickness and the amount of heat entering the tools. The coatings for nickel-alloy reaming applications are primarily silicon-based, he added, noting TiAlN and AlCrN, which are not silicon-based, are also effective.

At $50 less than their carbon counterpart and only about 70 grams heavier, these poles are an excellent option for people who don’t need an ultralight pole and are looking to save a little bit of money. Aluminum poles also have the advantage that they will bend instead of snap when put under an unexpectedly large horizontal load, which can happen during a fall. While a bent pole isn’t ideal, in a pinch, it’s better than a pole that has snapped in half, which is what can happen to carbon, a solid material under vertical forces but relatively weak under horizontal ones.

We tested both adjustable- and fixed-length poles at various price points so that we could suggest one for nearly any runner’s specific needs. Many of the poles featured in this guide have been used by iRunFar testers for years, and our team continues trying new poles on the market to keep this guide updated.

The new S.C.A.M.I. replaceable-head reamers complement Allied’s monoblock and ring-style reamer offerings.

These poles have a unique design compared to the others in this guide. To secure the extended pole in place, the Kevlar tensioning cord is pulled upward and outward from the center of the grip, coming up through the center of the pole. A small knot secures the cord in a notch at the top of the grip. This system can be adjusted and re-tensioned as needed. The poles include interchangeable rubber and carbide tips and a solid rubber basket to prevent the ends from catching between rocks or sinking too far into soft ground.

When shopping for trekking poles, there are three common designs: fixed-length folding poles, adjustable-length folding poles, and fixed-length non-folding poles. Telescoping collapsible poles designed for hiking are also available, but they are generally too heavy and bulky for trail running applications.

(4) Willson J., Torry Decker M.J., Kernozek T., Steadman J.R. Effects of walking poles on lower extremity gait mechanics. Med. Sci. Sport. Exerc. 2001;33:142–147. doi: 10.1097/00005768-200101000-00021

Because these extreme-environment parts often require high-quality holes—with an H7 international size tolerance grade or better—part manufacturers commonly employ reaming to meet surface finish, size and concentricity requirements. For example, an H7 tolerance for an 18mm-dia. hole is 0 "/+0.0007 ".

Available Lengths: 115-135 centimeters, in 5-centimeter increments | Length When Folded: 33-36 centimeters, depending on pole length | Pole Material: 7075 aluminum alloy shafts, foam grip | Pair Weight: 340 grams (115 cm length)

These poles offer most of the same features as the Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles, including the foam grip and wicking wrist strap, interchangeable carbide and rubber tips, removable low-profile trail basket, and snow basket compatibility.

Poles are a popular gear among fastpackers, making it easier to carry a pack over technical terrain by helping with balance. Fastpacking also often involves traveling off-trail on steeper-than-normal running terrain where having a set of poles to get up and down loose slopes can be critical for safety and efficiency. Like for regular running, fixed-length collapsible poles are an excellent option for most situations. Fastpackers, since they are generally moving a bit slower than runners, can take better advantage of adjustable poles, like the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite and the Dynafit Ultra Pro Pole, and shorten and lengthen them depending on the type of terrain they’re on. Adjustable poles are also great for setting up shelters, as many ultralight shelters require a pole of a certain length to pitch properly. An adjustable pole can allow you to use your preferred length of pole for running while still being able to set up your shelter properly.

Not all influential reamer geometries can be readily seen. Coolant channels facilitate metalworking fluid flow to effectively evacuate chips and can also vary in design depending on what type of hole is being reamed. When it’s a blind-hole, Schmidt pointed out that M.A. Ford engineers the though-coolant design so it directs the flow backward, whether through one central channel or two holes, and helps bring chips out the top of the hole instead of sending them to the bottom.

Angle of inclination between the face of the cutting tool and the workpiece. If the face of the tool lies in a plane through the axis of the workpiece, the tool is said to have a neutral, or zero, rake. If the inclination of the tool face makes the cutting edge more acute than when the rake angle is zero, the rake is positive. If the inclination of the tool face makes the cutting edge less acute or more blunt than when the rake angle is zero, the rake is negative.

These poles will fold into three or four sections for stowing in or on your pack. The length of the folded poles can vary a bit, and not all poles work well with every pack’s pole storage system. Our Best Running Hydration Packs guide has a detailed discussion on the different ways poles can attach to a pack.

(2) Saller M, Nagengast N, Frisch M, Fuss FK. A Review of Biomechanical and Physiological Effects of Using Poles in Sports. Bioengineering (Basel). 2023 Apr 21;10(4):497. doi: 10.3390/bioengineering10040497. PMID: 37106684; PMCID: PMC10135831.

To support those sharp edges, the relief angles must be slightly less steep than on reamers for less demanding materials, according to M.A. Ford’s Schmidt. Reamers typically have 3° to 5° relief angles, whereas 1° to 3° is more appropriate on tools for nickel alloys.

Tough, difficult-to-machine alloys; includes Hastelloy, Inconel and Monel. Many are nickel-base metals.

Some companies, such as Salomon, Camebak, and Raidlight, also offer a separate pouch or “quiver” that holds trekking poles and attaches separately to the outside of the pack. These systems are similar to an archery quiver that would hold arrows.

Folding poles are the most commonly used type by runners, as most people want to store their poles on their pack during parts of their run. Because of their versatility and popularity, we focused our testing on them. They include three to four sections of either carbon fiber or aluminum, and a cord threaded through the center of each piece keeps everything together, whether the cord is folded or extended.

Compared to reaming steel at a cutting speed of about 650 sfm, 200 sfm is appropriate for Inconel 718 when applying BTA Heller Inc.’s float reaming, or skive, tool, noted Mark Sollich, president and CEO of the Troy, Mich., company. BTA Heller states that the tool body holds a floating cutter magazine with two cartridges and two indexable inserts that oppose one another and have diametrical adjustment of 0.080 " to 0.118 ", depending on the tool diameter. Each insert has four cutting edges.

Fixed-length non-folding poles are the lightest poles available as they do not require the extra materials required for the construction and mechanics of folding poles. However, these poles are difficult to store in a pack, so you will need to carry them in hand throughout a run — which can be inconvenient on long sections of runnable or flat trails. Fixed-length non-folding poles work best in uphill-only events such as vertical kilometer races, where the poles will be in use for the entirety of the run. Because their versatility is much lower than folding poles, there are fewer options on the market, and we chose not to include these in our testing for this guide.

These poles come in two sizes: standard, which adjusts between 110 and 130 centimeters, and compact, adjusting between 100 and 120 centimeters. Both sizes have an internal locking mechanism for folding and extending the poles, which is a very nice feature that avoids the sometimes tricky push-button lock system of some other poles. The external speed-lock lever is very smooth and easy to use, even with gloves on, and makes it very easy to adjust the pole length on the fly.

About the Author: Alan Richter is editor of CTE. He joined the publication in 2000. Contact him at (847) 714-0175 or alanr@jwr.com.

The pole grips are one of the most widely varied features of trekking poles. Grip material usually features cork or foam, and some have unique features. The Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles grip is quite long and allows for many different hand positions, a feature that can be useful when traveling over varied terrain. By holding the poles lower on the grip, you’re essentially shortening the pole, which can make the pole more comfortable and useful on steep ascents or while traversing along a slope.

In addition to providing more power on climbs, trekking poles can help with balance and stability on uneven terrain. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

A trail-running-specific basket keeps it from getting stuck in soft ground, though it’s rather small, and we have had to pull these out of an unexpected sink into dirt and moss at the edge of the trail. While many poles from other brands come with a rubber tip option, only a carbide tip is available for these poles. We found they provided good grip on many surfaces.

While not inexpensive, the Dynafit Ultra Pro Pole is a more affordable option for an adjustable-length collapsible carbon pole than many other options out there. It comes in a single size that adjusts between 115 and 135 centimeters. This is a little on the long end for shorter people, but our 5-foot-6-inch tester found they were just short enough for her to use, especially with the longer grips. The EVA grip is fairly long and allows for multiple hand positions so that you can effectively shorten the pole by gripping it lower on the grip or lengthen it by holding it near the top. The extra ridge near the bottom of the grip makes for an easy place to have a second solid grip on them. The texture of the foam keeps them from slipping.

Microprocessor-based controller dedicated to a machine tool that permits the creation or modification of parts. Programmed numerical control activates the machine’s servos and spindle drives and controls the various machining operations. See DNC, direct numerical control; NC, numerical control.

While trekking poles can improve running and hiking speed and reduce leg fatigue, they are, simply put, another thing to carry. Becoming proficient at hand placement, carrying them while running, eating and drinking without dropping them, navigating aid stations without stabbing volunteers or other runners, and attaching them to a pack takes a lot of practice and repetition to make it second nature when fatigue sets in.

Available Lengths: 115-135 centimeter adjustable length | Length When Folded: 42 centimeters | Pole Material: Carbon fiber shafts, EVA grip | Pair Weight: 394 grams

He noted TiAlN is the most common coating for nickel-alloy applications, but AlCrN is also suitable.

Available Lengths: 100-130 centimeters in 10-centimeter increments | Length When Folded: 33-44 centimeters, depending on pole length | Pole Material: 7075 aluminum alloy shafts, EVA foam grip | Pair Weight: 344 grams (120 cm length)

Folding poles do what their name implies — they fold into three or four sections to make them short and easy to store when not in use. Folding poles come in fixed-length and adjustable-length versions. Fixed-length poles, like the Leki Ultratrail Fx.One Superlite, remain the same length when extended, while adjustable-length poles such as the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite have an extra sliding section that can change their size by 10 to 20 centimeters.

Machine designed to rotate end-cutting tools. Can also be used for reaming, tapping, countersinking, counterboring, spotfacing and boring.

Click the image above for a video demonstrating an ALVAN replaceable-head reamer from Allied reaming an Inconel 718 workpiece.

Iscar’s Edler indicated that BAYO T reamers have uneven flute spacing, with two flutes directly across from each other and the remaining ones varied. “It’s definitely to avoid harmonics,” he said.

“Your CNC will allow you to run at two different parameters as you’re going through the workpiece,” Miller said.

Although high-performance drills can produce high-quality holes, reaming is required for a tighter diameter tolerance. Indexable-insert drills typically achieve a tolerance as tight as 0.008 " and solid-carbide drills achieve a 0.002 " tolerance, von Rohr noted, but solid-carbide, carbide-tipped and indexable-inserts reamers attain a tolerance of 0.0004 ". KOMET makes solid-carbide, carbide-tipped and indexable-insert reamers.

Groove or other tool geometry that breaks chips into small fragments as they come off the workpiece. Designed to prevent chips from becoming so long that they are difficult to control, catch in turning parts and cause safety problems.

Aluminum is a less expensive material, so aluminum poles will be more budget-friendly than full carbon fiber poles. We named the Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 our best aluminum fixed-length trekking pole for its relatively low weight, lower cost, and unique extension system.

Gary Schmidt, applications engineering for M.A. Ford Manufacturing Co. Inc., Davenport, Iowa, recommends basing reaming parameters on those for holemaking with carbide drills, cutting the reaming speed in half and doubling the feed. The increased feed will load the reamer and prevent it from rubbing and wearing prematurely, he noted. M.A. Ford produces standard solid-carbide reamers from 0.013 " to 5⁄8 " and specials up to 1¼ ".

Measure of the relative efficiency with which a cutting fluid or lubricant reduces friction between surfaces.

If you are fastpacking and using a pole to set up an ultralight tent, an adjustable option can give you the right length pole for running and then set it at a different length for setting up your shelter. Adding adjustability means more materials, which increases the pole’s weight compared to a fixed-length pole.

Temperature extremes, particularly cold temperatures, can affect the durability of carbon fiber trekking poles, making them more brittle and susceptible to breaking. This is due to the epoxy glue used to bond the various sheets of carbon fiber together, which is sensitive to below-freezing temperatures. While higher-end carbon uses less temperature-sensitive epoxy, aluminum might be a better option if you plan on using your poles in genuinely frigid temperatures as the metal isn’t affected by temperatures in the range that humans exist in.

Particularly difficult-to-machine nickel alloys include Incoloy 901, Nimonic 80 and 105, and Inconel 625 and 718. The latter is a precipitation-hardenable nickel-chromium alloy with excellent creep-rupture strength at temperatures up to 1,300° F. It is used in gas turbines, pumps and rocket motors, according to ESPI Metals, Ashland, Ore., a supplier of high-purity metals and metal compounds for research purposes. The nominal composition of Inconel 718 includes, among other elements, 52.50 percent nickel, 19.00 percent chromium, 17.00 percent iron, 3.05 percent molybdenum and even a bit of titanium, at 0.90 percent.

Nickel-base alloys and other heat-resistant materials certainly qualify as being difficult to machine, but effectively reaming them to improve hole cylindricity and surface finish is possible if users select the appropriate tools and make proper provisions. “If you want to run extreme, you have to take precautions,” Edler said. And when that’s the case, “high-temp alloys are basically the same as any other type of material.” CTE

Any of these pole types feature a carbon fiber or aluminum version, the two most common materials used in trekking poles. As with all pieces of gear, there are pros and cons for each, depending on your budget and planned use.

A waist belt with elastic attachments is another pole-carrying option that provides quick and easy access to your poles. Check out our best running belts guide for some of our favorite running belts and waist packs with trekking pole attachments.

Primarily based in the mountains of Colorado, our testing team put the poles through their paces on miles of rocky mountainous terrain there and the rocky, rooty trails of the U.S. East Coast. Our Colorado and Utah-based testers used poles for long training runs and for race and FKT efforts, including the Hardrock 100 and Nolan’s 14.

Dimension that defines the exterior diameter of a cylindrical or round part. See ID, inner diameter.

Miller pointed out that Allied offers coated and uncoated carbide and cermet reamers, and Allied generally recommends uncoated cermet tools for high-speed reaming. “There’s not a dramatic benefit to putting a coating on cermet as far as tool life,” he said, noting that cermet withstands tool wear from nickel alloy’s abrasiveness better than carbide.

Eszter Horanyi identifies as a Runner Under Duress, in that she’ll run if it gets her deep into the mountains or canyons faster than walking would, but she’ll most likely complain about it. A retired long-distance bike racer, she gave ultra foot racing a go and finished the Ouray 100 in 2017, but ultimately decided that she prefers a slower pace of life of taking photos during long days in the mountains and smelling the flowers while being outside for as many hours of the day as possible. Eszter will take any opportunity to go adventuring in the mountains or desert by foot, bike, or boat, and has lived the digital nomad lifestyle throughout the west for the past seven years.

As mentioned above, foldable trekking poles for trail running are the most popular option. The way the poles fold differs slightly from one brand or model to another and is something to keep in mind when choosing your poles. They all have a joint of some sort where the pieces come together, and a cord threaded through the middle keeps them in place. This cord is usually Kevlar and is sometimes covered in a plastic sheath for extra protection. Some poles fold up easily and loosely, while others are under more tension and harder to keep folded. Others, like the Dynafit Ultra Pro Pole, are almost too loose when folded up.

“What we’re seeing on some of the newer reamers is just a bit of a cylindrical margin, so, if you have chipping, the cutting edges are backed up,” Schmidt added. With that design on a reamer with a smaller relief angle, toolmakers place more support on the back of the cutting edge, making the edge stronger.

Machining operation in which metal or other material is removed by applying power to a rotating cutter. In vertical milling, the cutting tool is mounted vertically on the spindle. In horizontal milling, the cutting tool is mounted horizontally, either directly on the spindle or on an arbor. Horizontal milling is further broken down into conventional milling, where the cutter rotates opposite the direction of feed, or “up” into the workpiece; and climb milling, where the cutter rotates in the direction of feed, or “down” into the workpiece. Milling operations include plane or surface milling, endmilling, facemilling, angle milling, form milling and profiling.

In theory, all trekking poles would be created equal — I mean, how many ways can you reimagine a stick, am I right? — but in reality, there are many subtle differences to consider when shopping for the best trekking pole for you.

Similar to other machining processes, reaming nickel alloys requires a significantly slower cutting speed compared to most other materials, Miller noted. “Usually it’s between 60 and 80 sfm for coated carbide,” he said.

These measurements and guides are a good starting point, but ultimately, the best trekking pole size for you comes down to what you feel comfortable using — practice makes perfect!

Trekking poles can increase your speed and power on steep uphills and provide stability on downhills. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

Space provided behind the cutting edges to prevent rubbing. Sometimes called primary relief. Secondary relief provides additional space behind primary relief. Relief on end teeth is axial relief; relief on side teeth is peripheral relief.

Minimum and maximum amount a workpiece dimension is allowed to vary from a set standard and still be acceptable.

The simplest way to carry running trekking poles is to keep them in your hands. This is the only option if you are using a fixed-length, non-foldable pole. Some runners keep their poles in hand even when folded to make it quick and easy to deploy them when needed. This option means that you will have to do a little juggling act every time you have to eat, drink, refill hydration, or do any other trail activities that require using one or both hands.

However, the properties that make nickel alloys desirable for extreme environments, such as those found in pressurized-water reactors at nuclear power plants and in aerospace turbocharger rotors, make the metals a challenge to machine. That’s because the high pressure the cutting tool exerts on the workpiece during machining produces a stressed and deformed surface layer, explained Adrian von Rohr, Dihart product manager for KOMET of America Inc., Schaumburg, Ill. This deformation causes the workpiece surface to harden, slowing the machining process.

Almost all of the best trekking poles feature aluminum, carbon, or a combination of the two materials. Both materials are very durable, but there are some key differences to consider when choosing the best option for you. Carbon fiber poles are the gold standard for lightweight trekking poles and are at the startline of nearly all mountain trail races, but there are also arguments for aluminum poles for many applications, especially for the cost-conscious.

These poles also come with interchangeable rubber and carbide tips and are compatible with snow baskets for winter use, making them a versatile addition to your running gear. We had issues with the tips of the poles falling out after a lot of hard use. If you notice that they’ve fallen out and immediately replace them, this isn’t an issue, but the rubber at the end of the pole will wear down quickly and make it impossible to reattach tips if you don’t address the problem promptly.

Nearly everyone at the Hardrock 100 uses trekking poles, including Hannah Green, who finished third in 2022. Photo: iRunFar/Bryon Powell

Available Lengths: 105-135 centimeters, in 5-centimeter increments | Folded Length: 33 centimeters | Pole Material: Carbon fiber shafts, Trail Shark grip system with cork grip | Pair Weight: 268 grams (115 cm length)

Using the extra points of contact when rock-hopping your way back down the descents is an acquired skill — as is using your poles as an emergency brake on those steep downhills where it feels like you might start somersaulting instead of running! Choosing an adjustable pole like the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite can allow you to take maximum advantage of your poles on both the up and downhill by shortening them on the ups and lengthening them on the downs. The longer grips of the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking/Running Poles allow multiple hand positions, making them efficient on various terrain types.

However, optimizing the speeds and feeds for each material can also prove effective. Allied Machine & Engineering Corp.’s Jacob Miller emphasized this when reaming bimetal workpieces, such a thin Inconel explosion-bonded cladding on A 516 70 steel or 316 stainless. That might require starting at a slow surface speed and then increasing it once the tool passes the cladding.

Whether running or walking, the extra points of contact are a huge benefit in maintaining balance. If you’ve ever crossed a river or stream using poles, you know what I’m talking about! Traversing uneven or slippery terrain with poles is much easier than trying to do it without them — and can save you a slip and fall along the way. Since most of the best trekking poles are incredibly lightweight, including the lightest in this guide, the Leki Ultratrail Fx.One Superlite, so you don’t have to pay much of a weight penalty to get a significant advantage.

Most races allow the use of trekking poles. In many mountainous races, especially in Europe, you’d be hard-pressed to find someone not carrying them. There are exceptions to the rule, though, notably the Diagonale de Fous on Réunion Island, where poles aren’t allowed even outside of the race, and Western States 100 in California. Run Rabbit Run in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, didn’t allow poles for many years but have changed their rules about them in recent years. It’s always good to double-check race rules for any restrictions on trekking pole use. If you’re looking for a race pole, we recommend the Leki Ultratrail FX.One Superlite for its incredibly low weight, easy storability on a hydration pack, and grip system that optimizes energy transfer.

According to von Rohr, too low a feed rate results in glazing, or workhardening, of the workpiece and excessive tool wear, while an excessive feed reduces the accuracy of hole dimensions and surface finish quality. He recommends a feed from 0.0015 " to 0.004 " per flute per revolution when reaming nickel alloys.

Rotating cutting tool used to enlarge a drilled hole to size. Normally removes only a small amount of stock. The workpiece supports the multiple-edge cutting tool. Also for contouring an existing hole.

A common way to carry poles when not in use is by using trekking pole attachments on a hydration pack or waist pack. Most hydration packs on the market today have at least one attachment system to secure poles to the outside of the pack, with many having multiple configuration options, either the front or the back of the pack. You can also store trekking poles inside a pack with a rear pocket that is large enough. The iRunFar team doesn’t recommend storing poles on the front of a pack because of the chance of injury in a fall. The sleek design of the Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 makes them easy to tuck away in a hydration pack.

The poles come in two sizes to accommodate a wide range of heights: a 100-centimeter to 120-centimeter option and a 110-centimeter to 135-centimeter one. They have carbon shafts with aluminum connectors, carbide and rubber tips, cork grips, and a wide, comfortable nylon strap. They fold into three 15-inch sections to store easily in or on your pack.

Angle between the side-cutting edge and the projected side of the tool shank or holder, which leads the cutting tool into the workpiece.

“A float reaming tool is designed to follow the existing hole and give uniform size, finish and wall thickness from start to finish, producing a true round bore,” Sollich explained. “When you start into the bore, you introduce hydraulics to the tool, expanding the floating magazine, or cutters, to whatever size you require and skiving through the part with high-volume coolant running on the tool OD, which flushes chips away from the cutting edges. When you get to the end of the bore, you turn off the hydraulics, collapsing the cutters, and pull the tool back without leaving any scratches or marks inside the bore.”

Trekking poles are also one more thing to manage in your run or race kit. Even the bulkier of our selections for the best trekking poles, like the Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles, aren’t outrageously heavy and arguably make up for their weight by providing extra propulsion but having more gear to deal with can add complications.

To maintain a sharp cutting edge, the coating can’t be too thick. “A thick coating does not necessarily mean you have a better tool,” von Rohr said. “It’s actually the opposite; a thick coating may crack easier.”

Using poles properly takes some practice. If you hit the trails with them and haven’t gotten the hang of your arm swing or pole placement as you climb or descend, they can get in the way and cause more harm than good. The excess energy spent holding and swinging poles as you are hiking or running will be for nothing if you aren’t placing them properly and pushing off correctly. This can turn any potential power gains into losses and tire you out in the process. A study summarizing the effects of using poles during sports finds that there’s ample evidence for the use of poles causing an increase in heart rate due to the engagement of upper body muscles (2), so it’s important to use the extra effort to create forward propulsion and not being wasted.

These poles come with a lifetime guarantee, so if you have any issues with them, Dynfit will take care of them. We’ve put these poles through difficult conditions in scree fields of the San Juans, the endless rock of the Wind River High Route, and rugged trails in the European Alps and haven’t had any durability issues.

Adjustable trekking poles are not nearly as popular as fixed-length folding poles among runners, mainly because of their heavier weight. Still, there are some circumstances where they may be your best choice, and the Leki Cross Trail FX Superlite is an excellent option as a result of its versatility, weight, and strap. Like other poles from Leki, a glove-like strap — on this pole, it’s called the Cross  Shark — Velcros around your hand, which attaches to the grip for improved power transfer. It’s easy to clip into and out of the pole. The cork grip is comfortable to hold, and the carbon fiber shaft is relatively light. The carbide tip provides plenty of grip on most surfaces, though people who regularly use poles in rocky areas may miss the option for a rubber tip.

The weight savings come at a premium, though, as carbon fiber trekking poles are more expensive than their aluminum counterparts. Our budget aluminum option, the Paria Outdoor Products Tri-Fold Carbon Cork Trekking Poles, is a quarter of the price of the most expensive, and lightest, poles on this list, the Leki Ultratrail Fx.One Superlite.

When controlling chips, a reamer’s lead angle also plays a critical role. In addition to possibly a 45° lead angle, a reamer might have a double, or compound, angle, with a 20° lead as well, to reduce the cutting force and enhance chip control by generating smaller chips, Edler explained. “The compound angle can be anything we need it to be to solve the chip control issue.”

A reamer’s geometric configuration also helps minimize chatter—especially unwanted in a finishing operation. Reamers frequently have asymmetrical flute spacing to disrupt the natural-harmonic-frequency generation that causes chatter during machining, von Rohr noted. He added that the flute design can aid machinability when interrupted cutting, such as when reaming cross-holes. “Dihart always uses asymmetrical-flute spacing for our high-performance reamers,” he said.

The straps are simple, lightweight, and moisture-wicking loops that are easy to get in and out of — making aid stations and snacking on the go a breeze. These are attached to a comfortable EVA foam grip that provides enough cushion without compromising grip security, especially in cold or wet conditions. The grips are pretty long, so multiple hand positions are available to effectively adjust pole length depending on whether you’re going uphill or downhill or cruising along flat ground. The second ridge near the bottom of the grip makes them easy to hold lower down if you’re climbing a steep slope or sidehilling with one pole above you on the slope. This ease of changing hand positions is one of the features we love about these poles. They were equally useful with the straps on our wrists for extended, straightforward climbs and on terrain where we constantly changed our hand positions and even carried both poles in one hand on scrambles.

Some users have noted increased vibration from striking the ground with an aluminum pole compared to carbon. Carbon’s resin matrix can deform under a load, which means it can absorb vibration better than many other materials, including aluminum.

The strap is fairly basic and thin, but it gets the job done. It can be tightened with Velcro but doesn’t go very tight, and the Velcro, if not lined up precisely, can stick to a long-sleeve shirt as it sits on your wrist. Our biggest gripe with these poles is that they are loose and floppy when collapsed. Due to their design, this is an inherent issue with adjustable-length collapsible poles, but we wished these were a little tighter. The material is also a bit clanky, so if they aren’t secured tightly to a pack, they have a tendency to make a fair bit of noise. Pieces of Velcro attached to both poles make it easy to store them tightly together.

The Camp Xenon Pro 2.0 is another excellent aluminum fixed-length folding pole that is affordable, lightweight, and great as an entry-level trekking pole. It is made of 7075 aluminum alloy and features a Kevlar tensioning cord running through the shaft. Since the poles break into four pieces instead of three like many other trekking poles, they are much shorter and potentially easier to store when folded down.

A Velcro strap remains conveniently attached just below the foam grip to secure the pieces when folded so that they don’t flop around or get tangled when you take them on and off your pack. The wrist loop is a simple, non-padded, adjustable nylon strap that isn’t as comfortable or sturdy as most other poles tested.

Coatings are also needed to protect reamers, as well as reduce friction, when cutting nickel alloys. “A coating makes the difference between an application working and not working,” said KOMET’s von Rohr. “You produce less heat and less stress, and it’s just easier for the chip to get out of the way with a coating.”

Hiking speed also increase with the use of trekking poles. The arm swing and audible click of the poles on the trail can function like a metronome, keeping your hiking rhythm going up steep terrain. A study has found that using poles while walking can increase stride length (4).

When using BTA Heller’s float reaming system, coolant volume is more important than pressure, with 25 gpm per inch in tool diameter being the rule of thumb, according to Sollich. He recommends applying sulfur- or chlorine-based cutting oil and maintaining the oil temperature at 80° to 85° F with a chiller unit to extend cutting tool life 15 to 30 percent.

Because chip control can be problematic when reaming nickel alloys, chipbreaker geometry is beneficial, according to Sollich. He noted BTA Heller’s float reamers have a manual chipbreaker held with an insert clamp. “The chipbreaker width can be adjusted based on the workpiece material,” he said. “If you’re reaming a material that tends to be tough as far as chip control, you tighten the chipbreaker to a smaller width, maybe 0.040 ".”

While some recommend applying a sulfurized or chlorinated mineral oil to improve both lubricity and antiweld properties when reaming nickel alloys, others emphasize having the proper coolant mixture. “When you get into high-temperature alloys, the concentration of water-based coolants is important,” M.A. Ford’s Schmidt said. “We like to see 8 to 11 percent. With the normal 4 to 6 percent concentration, you have much less lubricity.”

These trekking poles fold into three sections for easy storage when not in use. The section with the grip is approximately three inches longer than the other two shaft pieces when folded, but this was not a problem when storing the poles. When folded, the longest section is 42 centimeters long — similar to the length of other folded 120- or 130-centimeter fixed-length poles. The cork grip is longer on these poles than Leki’s running-specific fixed-length poles for a more ergonomic fit and multiple hand positions. Leki also bills these poles as dual-use trail running and hiking poles. Even with all of these features, they are impressively light. But that lightness comes at a price, and these poles are some of the most expensive in this guide.

Trekking poles can make climbing steep slopes while fastpacking much easier. Photo: iRunFar/Eszter Horanyi

While not marketed specifically for running, their size and features make them more than capable of making the leap from hiking to running.

“Even under the best conditions, stresses may be produced that distort the work,” von Rohr said. “For maximum dimensional stability, it is best to rough the part almost to size, stress-relieve it and then finish it to size.”

If your priority is having a lightweight pole that optimizes energy transfer between your arms and the ground, look no further than the Leki Ultratrail Fx.One Superlite. These folding fixed-length carbon fiber poles are light as a feather and made to move fast in the mountains. They feature a very thin, light carbon fiber shaft that folds into three sections with just enough slack to keep them parallel for storing without flopping around.

The tips of the poles are an important yet under-the-radar feature of trekking poles. Most poles have a carbide tip at the end, which is more durable and provides traction on rocky or icy terrain. Rubber tips are softer and better suited for areas where ground damage may be an issue, such as environmentally sensitive alpine tundra or softer ground. Carbide tips can also leave marks on softer rock, such as the sandstone found in Utah deserts. Rubber tips are also a good choice for long stints of pavement to prevent damage to carbide tips. They are also less noisy.