The best walking poles for 2025, tested by a panel of hikers

Score: 86/100

Our winning Regatta poles – which come as a pair – are “a total joy to use,” according to one happy tester, while another said: “They’re better than any hiking poles I've used before.”

Constructed from lightweight carbon fibre, our walkers found them a breeze to carry around all day. Yet they still proved surprisingly sturdy and supportive on a variety of terrains from grass to tarmac. “I’ve used them several times and they multitasked well,” said one panellist.

The three-piece telescopic design is easy to adjust to different heights, lock into place and collapse back down post-hike. The wide wrist straps felt secure, and the soft-grip handles were comfy even on long hikes. Just note, they’re made from plastic, so your palms may get a little hot and sweaty in warmer weather.

Score: 85/100

The best walking poles don’t have to cost an arm and a leg, as this Forclaz design proves. Each pole is sold individually, but you can grab a pair for under £35.

Despite the budget price tag, this pole put in a solid performance on test, offering confidence-inspiring grip as our walkers stomped through muddy fields and clambered up coastal paths. “They made walking easier, and I felt much safer,” said one tester.

Though made from robust aluminium, the pole has a lightweight feel, and its compact design means you can pack it away neatly when not in use. It took a matter of moments to adjust the pole length, and the locking mechanism is strong and secure. The adjustable wrist straps felt soft and comfy, but the multi-grip handle was a little plasticky and the foam handle wasn’t particularly plush.

On the plus side, we like that you can buy replacement parts online, instead of having to buy an entirely new pole. It also comes with a two-year warranty for total peace of mind.

Score: 83/100

If you’re off on a walking holiday and portability is a priority, consider this aptly named Mountain Warehouse pole. It’s lightweight and collapses down, so you can pop it in your suitcase or hiking backpack without any issues.

The telescopic pole also scored highly for adjustability – even the smaller testers among our panel were able to find their desired height – and it felt well-made, with ergonomic handles, comfy, supportive wrist straps and a durable tungsten tip for traction on hard surfaces. According to testers, it can handle all types of tricky terrain from boggy fields to rocky coastal paths.

We would have preferred more detailed set-up and usage instructions, but that was our only quibble. “It’s a great product overall and is exactly want you want in a hiking pole,” declared one tester.

Score: 79/100

Another Mountain Warehouse design, and there’s lots to love about this great value buy, which will set you back less than £25 for a pack of two. “I loved using this product and would recommend it to friends,” one tester told us.

The poles come with a range of different tips to suit all surfaces, including grass, gravel, sand and rocks, along with plastic mud baskets and a nifty carry pouch. Sure enough, testers confirmed they did an excellent job on different terrain, saying they felt comfortable and supportive.

The length is adjustable, with a telescopic mechanism for easy changes, and they were light enough to carry while trekking and easy to collapse down. Like the other Mountain Warehouse poles above, we were just a little disappointed by the lack of instructions.

Score: 78/100

We’re big fans of Vango’s tents here at Good Housekeeping (check out our best tents round-up for more detail), so it’s hardly surprising we loved the brand’s walking pole, too. All our testers said they would recommend it, with one commenting, “It gave me confidence and I would choose it over my usual poles.”

Panel members appreciated the anti-shock foam handle, which proved comfortable to grip, and noticeably took some stress off their joints when hiking. They also rated the robust aluminium build, saying the pole felt sturdy when walking uphill.

What’s more, the adjustment mechanisms were easy to use and tighten, and though they're a touch heavier than the other options in this round-up, testers said they didn’t feel weighed down while walking. In fact, one tester said: “The lightness when carrying them was outstanding!”

We would have appreciated a step-by-step set-up tutorial but as with many of the poles we tested, instructions were lacking.

These all-carbon telescopic sticks are ultra lightweight, allowing you to move quicker while exerting less energy. Quick-lock technology means you can make speedy adjustments on the move and the sturdy lock is designed to keep them firmly in place. They’re also retractable from 61cm to 140cm, making them suitable for hikers of all heights.

Anti-slip cork handles and EVA foam sleeves provide comfort and stability, while padded, adjustable wrist straps reduce the risk of dropping your poles. They also come with a neat carry case and a full set of accessories including tips and baskets to suit all your activities.

Want to get into Nordic walking? These lightweight poles from popular German outdoors brand Leki have been specially designed for the job.

One stand-out feature is the unique ‘Trigger Shark’ system, featuring a breathable mesh strap that ensures the poles are in the perfect position in your hand. They also have a portable two-part design – the upper section is made from hardy aluminium and the bottom half is constructed from lightweight carbon – and there’s a speedy adjustment system so you can easily extend or shorten the poles mid-walk.

Another all-carbon option, this Leki pair may be pricey but they’re brimming with impressive features.

Thanks to the four-part folding design, the Leki Black Series poles collapse down to just 40cm and can be shoved in your daypack (they also come with a folding carry case). The sections lock together easily, and the moisture-wicking cork handles help you maintain a strong grip, even when you're going downhill.

As you’d expect for the price, they also feature comfortable wrist straps to prevent your poles from slipping down the side of a hill.

These fuss-free poles come in an array of jazzy colours to brighten up your walking adventures. Despite the pocket-friendly price tag, they're made from durable aluminium and feature long foam handles for great grip, no matter how sweaty you get.

There's a quick-lock mechanism so you can make fast adjustments on the go, and when collapsed, they should be small enough to fit in your hiking rucksack. They also come with a carry strap and rubber accessories.