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Best walking poles 2025
More than 650 walkers told us about their hiking poles, from brands including Leki and Trespass. Here are the best-rated brands, including fantastic bargains for less than £25
Amy AxworthySenior researcher & writer
Amy Axworthy is a travel journalist and product reviewer. She was shortlisted for Best News Writer at the BSME Talent Awards in 2023 for uncovering consumer harm.
The best walking pole brand scored excellently for everything from handle comfort and shock absorption to durability and grip – but it’s not cheap. Fortunately, two cheaper brands also received great feedback from more than 650 ramblers who shared their opinions in our recent survey.
The top brand has been named a Which? Recommended Brand for the first time. You should be able to rely on its poles to reduce joint strain, increase endurance and improve stability on challenging hikes. Read on to compare the best and the cheapest.
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What are the best brands of walking poles according to Which? members?
Why you can trust our reviews of walking pole brands
Expert analysis
We don't take free samples from brands or base our recommendations on our personal preferences. Instead, 678 walkers told us about their experiences with 840 pairs of walking poles they've bought in the past five years.
Which? Recommended Brands
Our Which? Recommended Brands are the best of the best. Being well liked by customers isn't enough; their product guarantees/ warranties and return policies must meet our high standards so you can buy with confidence.
Survey conducted in May-July 2025, based on responses from 678 members of the Which? Connect panel and members of the public who own 840 pairs of walking poles bought in the past five years. ‘n/a’ means not enough data to provide information. Average price paid = mean price members said they paid. Customer score based on satisfaction and whether members would recommend. Which? Recommended Brands must meet thresholds in scores, plus commit to a warranty/ guarantee beyond the standard retailer's and commit to paying return postage costs on faulty items.
To get the most out of your walking poles, choose a length that allows your elbow to bend 90 degrees when the tip is on the ground. With an adjustable pair, you can lengthen them slightly to reduce the strain on your knees when walking downhill. If you want to prioritise robustness over how lightweight they are, go for a pair made from aluminium over carbon fibre. Also, make sure you find the ergonomic design of the grips and straps comfortable.
Amy AxworthySenior Researcher/ Writer
It's important to have the right footwear, too. See our guides to the best walking boots and the best walking shoes to stay comfortable on long hikes.
Which? Recommended Brand for walking poles
Leki walking poles review, Which? Recommended Brand
Verdict: The gold standard in walking poles
Customer score: 83%
Average price paid: £90
Pros
Easy and quick to adjust
Stand the test of time
Comfortable handles and wrist loops
Excellent shock absorption to reduce stress on joints
Cons
Expensive
The brand with the highest customer score, and the only one to meet all our additional strict criteria, was the German brand Leki. It has been making adjustable walking poles since 1974, and its most modern designs have some nifty features. For example, a quick-release handle system secures your hand in place so you don't need to hold it as tightly as other poles.
Customers loved how strong and supportive their Leki poles were. They felt confident relying on the poles to take the strain off their bodies when navigating tough terrain. Leki had the highest score for shock absorption, which hikers said helped them to maintain their balance and relieved pressure on sore knees and hips.
Leki makes a variety of poles for different activities; trekking and hiking poles are the most robust, while those made for trail running are extremely light. One walker who bought a heavy-duty pair said that 'none come close for functionality and strength'. Another who opted for an adjustable set liked how easy the clips were to use when lengthening or shortening them. Some collapse down to fit neatly into a suitcase or attach to a backpack.
Although Leki poles are expensive, you should be able to rely on them to last. Two customers told us they've used their Leki poles for more than 20 years, and one who has recently upgraded to a folding pair described them as 'equally brilliant'.
Verdict: Economical walking poles that are great for entry-level hikes
Customer score: 75%
Pros
Appealing prices
Great grip
Comfortable handles
Cons
Middling scores for shock absorption and wrist-loop comfort
If you're after walking poles for more relaxed hikes, a pair from Trespass is a reliable choice. Customers told us that they're comfortable to use, and they liked how some can fold down small for convenient storage. One walker particularly liked the L-shaped handles on their pair because they could put more weight on the poles while remaining stable.
Trespass’s reasonable prices were front of mind for many when we asked them why they were satisfied with their purchase. This isn't surprising, with prices starting at £35, and we've even spotted styles on sale for half this price.
Average scores for shock absorption and wrist-strap comfort
Customers described their Mountain Warehouse walking poles as 'no fuss', finding them easy to use and grip with useful adjustment features. One walker previously found that the handles from other brands became loose over time, but they didn't have this issue with their Mountain Warehouse pair. Walkers explained that their poles took the strain off and helped them feel safe on rough ground.
We've seen full-priced Mountain Warehouse walking poles starting at just £23 and sale prices at less than £15. In spite of these low prices, they should last as they received a full five-star rating for durability. It's no wonder that they also got a strong value-for-money score.
Verdict: Cheap, but with subpar shock absorption – you’re better off buying elsewhere
Customer score: 65%
Pros
Handles are comfortable to hold
Easy and quick to adjust their length
Cons
Two-star ratings for shock absorption and the comfort of the wrist loops
Average grip score
Eurohike walking poles helped users feel more secure in their steps, according to our survey. But generally, hikers were underwhelmed by this bargain brand's poles, which cost around £6 to £25. One concluded: 'I wish I had paid more for better quality.'
A lack of sturdiness and durability was a common theme. One customer's pole had the 'tendency to collapse'. Others noted that 'sometimes screws come loose during walks' or that 'one of the parts came off quite early on'.
If it’s affordability you’re after, choose Mountain Warehouse or Trespass instead.
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When are walking poles a good idea?
There are several benefits to taking walking poles on your next hike. They can:
improve balance and safety on uneven terrains
reduce strain on joints and help to alleviate pain
Help you distribute the weight of a heavy backpack load across your body
reduce fatigue
sometimes fold down for easy packing.
However, it's unlikely that you'll need them for walks over even, flat terrain. Taking them with you on these walks can have some potential drawbacks:
Often the most durable walking poles can feel heavy.
Holding them can get in the way when trying to navigate using a map.
They can lead to upper-body fatigue if you grip or push on them too hard.
