Sporting goods store staple for budget-friendly hikers. You’ve probably seen the big 5 hiking poles on the rack. They promise reliable support without the fancy price tag, and that’s a pretty tempting offer. For many of us, they’re the first pair we ever try.
But are they a legit trail companion or just a temporary fix? We took them out on the trail to find out. Let’s see how they handle real roots, rocks, and a few unexpected slopes. Their performance might just surprise you.
Product Comparison Table: 10 Best Big 5 Hiking Poles
| Image | Why We Like This Product | Editor’s Rating | |
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Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles, Shaft Material: Aircraft- grade…
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9.8 |
Read Review |
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TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Cork Grip Trekking Poles – Lightweight Folding…
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9.6 |
Read Review |
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TheFitLife Nordic Walking Mountaineering Anti Shock Hiking Trekking Walking…
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9.3 |
Read Review |
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Trekology Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles – Balance…
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9.1 |
Read Review |
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TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles – Balance…
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8.8 |
Read Review |
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TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles – Balance…
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8.6 |
Read Review |
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Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles | Collapsible Walking…
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8.3 |
Read Review |
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A ALAFEN Aluminum Collapsible Ultralight Travel Trekking Hiking Pole…
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8.1 |
Read Review |
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A ALAFEN Aluminum Collapsible Ultralight Travel Trekking Hiking Pole…
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7.8 |
Read Review |
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Folding Trekking Poles, Hiking Sticks Foldable Hiking Poles Collapsible…
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7.6 |
Read Review |
Quick Review For Top 10 Big 5 Hiking Poles
Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles, Shaft Material: Aircraft- grade 6061 Aluminum with Adjustable Locks Expandable to 54" (Set of 2), Cork Grip, Orange, Extended Grip Material: EVA
The Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles are a reliable set of hiking poles built to support you on a wide variety of trails. Their core strength comes from the aircraft-grade 6061 aluminum shaft, which provides a solid blend of lightweight performance and serious durability. Each pole weighs in at about 10 ounces, so they’re easy to swing without sacrificing the sturdiness you need when the path gets rough.
Adjusting these poles is straightforward thanks to the quick lock mechanism.
You can easily change the length from a compact 26 inches all the way up to 54 inches to match your height or the terrain’s demands. This lets you fine-tune your setup for a long descent or a steep climb without having to stop for long. When collapsed, the poles are easy to stow in your backpack, and they even come with a convenient travel bag for protection.
Comfort is a major focus, starting with the ergonomic cork grips.
Cork naturally molds to your hand over time and does a great job absorbing shock from uneven ground, reducing fatigue in your arms and wrists. Below the main grip, an extended section made from soft EVA foam gives you extra options for hand placement. This is incredibly useful on very steep sections where you might need to shorten your grip or when you want to change up your posture during a long day.
The poles come ready for almost any condition you might encounter.
TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Cork Grip Trekking Poles – Lightweight Folding Hiking Poles, Adjustable Height, Compact Travel Design, Aircraft-Grade Aluminum Walking Sticks for Men & Women
The TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Cork Grip Trekking Poles are designed to be a reliable partner for your outdoor excursions. These folding hiking poles focus on providing practical support and durability without adding unnecessary bulk or weight to your gear.
They are built with the understanding that a good pole should feel like a natural extension of your stride, offering stability when you need it most.
Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, these poles are engineered for longevity and strength. This material choice makes them capable of handling rough terrain and supporting more weight than carbon fiber options, which is a key consideration for backpackers.
The joints have been reinforced with metal caps for extra security, so you can trust them on uneven ground. The poles feature an adjustable height mechanism with a simple metal flip lock, allowing for quick customization. They adjust from 110cm to 130cm, making them suitable for most adults and teenagers.
One of the standout features is the handle design. The cork grip naturally wicks moisture away from your hands, keeping them drier and more comfortable during long hikes.
TheFitLife Nordic Walking Mountaineering Anti Shock Hiking Trekking Walking Trail Poles, 2-Pack, Folding Collapsible Alpenstocks, Ultralight for Travel Mountaineering
TheFitLife Nordic Walking Mountaineering Anti Shock Hiking Trekking Walking Trail Poles, 2-Pack
Finding the right trekking poles can feel like a big decision, but it really comes down to a few key things: how they carry, how they perform, and how long they last. This set from TheFitLife is designed to check all those boxes without complicating your adventure. Let’s start with portability, because getting your gear to the trail matters. These poles are champions of the pack-and-go philosophy.
Fully extended, they offer a full 51.2 inches of support. But they collapse down to a very managable 25.6 inches, and can even be separated into three sections totalling just 21.5 inches. This means they can fit diagonally inside most checked suitcases over 22 inches, a major plus for air travel. Just be sure to check your specific luggage interior dimensions. For regular hiking, you can of course strap them to the outside of your pack using its loops for easy access.
You’ll appreciate how little they add to your load. Each pole weighs only about 9.9 ounces, roughly equal to a can of soda. This ultralight feel is thanks to a high-strength aluminum alloy construction, which provides a surprising amount of durability and impact resistance for its weight. The adjustable length, from 25.6 to 51.2 inches, ensures a good fit for most adults, and they come in several color options. Adjusting them on the trail is straightforward.
Trekology Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles – Balance Support for Seniors, Women, and Men, 2pc Per Set (Trek-Z Green, 100-120cm for Height: 4’11 to 5’10”)
The Trekology Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles are designed to be a reliable partner on the trail, offering balance and support for walkers and hikers of all kinds. Whether your a senior looking for extra stability, a weekend hiker tackling new terrain, or someone just wanting to make daily walks more comfortable, these poles aim to provide a confident foundation.
They help distribute weight away from your knees and joints, which can prevent injury and let you walk farther with less fatigue. Its about increasing your footprint and enjoying the journey with more security. A key feature is their fully adjustable height. Using a simple flip-lock system with a secure metal stopper, you can customize the length within a 20cm range. The set reviewed here, the 100-120cm size, is ideal for users between 4’11” and 5’10”.
This ensures you can get a perfect, ergonomic fit for your stride, making them suitable for men, women, and teenagers alike. The right height is crucial for proper support and avoiding strain. Comfort and grip are prioritized in the design. The handle features a cork-texture that wicks sweat away from your hands, keeping them drier and preventing slippage.
TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles – Balance Support for Seniors, Women, and Men, 2pc Per Set
The TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles are designed to be a reliable partner on the trail, offering balance and support for walkers and hikers of all kinds. Whether your a senior looking for extra stability, a casual day-hiker, or a backpacker covering long distances, these poles aim to enhance your comfort and confidence with every step.
At there core, these poles are built for adaptability.
They feature an easy-to-use flip-lock system with a secure metal stopper, allowing you to customize the height precisely for your body. You can choose between two size ranges: one for users from 4’11” to 5’10” and another for those between 5’5″ and 6’5″. This adjustability ensures a proper fit, which is key to reducing strain on your joints and improving your overall posture while moving.
One of the standout features is the thoughtful grip design.
The handle uses a cork-texture material that naturally wicks sweat away from your hands, keeping them drier and helping to prevent blisters during long or strenuous outings. For added security in slippery conditions, the poles come with mud stops and have EVA foam on the lower shafts for a firmer hold when your hands shift position.
Durability was a major focus in the Trek-Z’s construction.
TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles – Balance Support for Seniors, Women, and Men, 2pc Per Set
The TREKOLOGY Trek-Z Collapsible Hiking & Trekking Poles are designed to be a reliable partner on the trail, offering balance and support for walkers and hikers of all kinds. Whether your a senior looking for extra stability, a casual day-hiker, or a backpacker covering long distances, these poles aim to enhance your comfort and confidence with every step.
At there core, these poles are built for adjustability and a personalized fit.
They feature an easy-to-use flip-lock system with a secure metal stopper, allowing you to quickly set the perfect height for your body. You can choose between two size ranges: one for users from 4’11” to 5’10” and another for those between 5’5″ and 6’5″. This makes them a versatile option for men, women, and even teenagers, ensuring everyone can find their ideal setup for different terrains.
Don’t let there sturdy construction fool you—these poles are remarkably lightweight.
The smaller size weighs just 294 grams, which is crucial for preventing arm fatigue during long adventures. This lightness comes from a smart choice in materials. The shafts are crafted from a durable, air-space grade aluminum, similar to what’s used in aircraft. This material provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio, offering reliable support in rough conditions without weighing down your pack.
Comfort in your hands is a major focus.
Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles | Collapsible Walking Sticks for Travel | Walking Poles for Women | Hiking Poles for Men | Hiking Sticks | Walking Stick – 3k Black & Green Cork
The Hiker Hunger Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles are designed to be a reliable partner on the trail, built from the ground up with performance and durability in mind. At their core, these poles are constructed from 100% 3k carbon fiber, a material choice that makes a significant difference. Each pole weighs a mere 7.6 ounces, which helps keep your overall pack weight down.
This lightweight construction means you can move with more agility and expend less energy over the course of a long day, allowing you to cover more ground with less fatigue compared to heavier aluminum options.
Comfort is a major focus, starting with the grips. The primary grip is made from ergonomic cork, a natural material that wicks away moisture and gradually molds to the shape of your hand for a personalized fit.
Just below that, an extension made of nonslip EVA foam provides a secure and comfortable handhold for those moments when you need to shorten your grip on a steep ascent. The neoprene-padded hand straps are designed to distribute pressure and minimize chafing, so you can focus on the path ahead instead of adjusting your grip constantly.
Stability and security are paramount, and thats where the flip lock lever technology comes in.
A ALAFEN Aluminum Collapsible Ultralight Travel Trekking Hiking Pole for Men and Women (Fits 5'3" – 6'2"), Single Pole (1 Pack), Blue
The ALAFEN Aluminum Collapsible Ultralight Travel Trekking Pole is designed to be a reliable and practical piece of gear for walkers and hikers. Its core philosophy is simple: provide sturdy support without adding bulk or weight to your pack, making it a seamless addition to your adventures. Let’s talk about the build, because thats where this pole really shines. The shaft is constructed from aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum alloy.
This material choice means you get an ultralight pole that is remarkably sturdy and resistant to bending, even on rough terrain. It supports a weight capacity that handles most users confidently. The pole adjusts quickly thanks to its new quick lock system, which allows you to set the length anywhere from 43.3 inches to its full 49.2-inch extension. A printed measuring scale on the shaft helps you find and repeat your perfect height instantly, making it suitable for users between 5’3″ and 6’2″.
Comfort on long trails is crucial, and the EVA foam handle addresses this directly. It’s sweat-absorbent and features a skid-resistant groove design that fits naturally in your palm. The included wrist strap adds an extra layer of security and helps reduce fatigue in your hands over many miles. When your walk takes you from dirt to pavement, the rubber footing provides good traction, and underneath it lies a durable tungsten steel rod tip for when you need extra grip on rocks or soil.
A ALAFEN Aluminum Collapsible Ultralight Travel Trekking Hiking Pole for Men and Women (Fits 5'3" – 6'2"), Single Pole (1 Pack), Black
The ALAFEN Aluminum Collapsible Ultralight Travel Trekking Pole is designed to be a reliable and practical piece of gear for walkers and hikers. Its core purpose is to provide stable support while being exceptionally easy to carry, making it a smart choice for various outdoor activities.
At the heart of this pole is its ultralight and sturdy construction. The shaft is made from aircraft-grade 7075 aluminum alloy, which is known for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio.
This means the pole feels light in your hand and won’t weigh down your pack, but it’s also extremely durable and resistant to bending or deforming under normal use. You can trust it to hold up on the trail.
Comfort during long periods of use is a key focus. The handle is crafted from EVA foam and features a sweat-absorbent, skid-resistant groove design. It molds comfortably to your grip, and the included wrist strap adds an extra layer of security and helps reduce fatigue.
Whether you’re navigating a steep incline or a long, flat path, your hand will thank you for the considerate design.
Adjusting the pole to your perfect height is straightforward thanks to the quick lock system. The pole extends from a compact 14.1 inches when folded all the way out to 49 inches. A measuring scale printed on the shaft lets you easily find and replicate your preferred setting, ensuring proper posture and support.
Folding Trekking Poles, Hiking Sticks Foldable Hiking Poles Collapsible Lightweight, Trekking Poles for Hiking Collapsible, Hiking Poles Collapsible Lightweight Walking Sticks for Seniors Black Small
The Folding Trekking Poles, Hiking Sticks Foldable Hiking Poles Collapsible Lightweight, Trekking Poles for Hiking Collapsible, Hiking Poles Collapsible Lightweight Walking Sticks for Seniors Black Small are designed for anyone who wants reliable support on the trail without the bulk. These poles focus on solving the common problem of carrying gear that’s to heavy or awkward. They are built around a core idea: maximum utility with minimum hassle. A key feature is their exceptional portability.
These poles fold down to a compact 15 inches, making them incredibly easy to stow in a backpack, suitcase, or even a car’s side compartment. This collapsible design means you can take them anywhere, turning any walk into a supported hike. They are perfect for travelers who want to be prepared or for hikers who need to free up their hands during easy sections of trail. You won’t be wrestling with long, awkward poles when they’re not in use.
Despite folding so small, they don’t compromise on strength. Constructed from aircraft-grade aluminum, they achieve a remarkable balance of being lightweight and durable. The short version weighs under 10 ounces, which is significant for reducing arm fatigue over long distances. This material choice ensures they can handle the pressure of steep descents or the weight of a loaded pack without bending or failing. They’re built for the long haul, from simple day hikes to more demanding terrain.
Big 5 Hiking Poles Buying Guide
A sporting goods retailer with a range of options. But how do you pick teh right pair for your trails? The best big 5 hiking poles match your style and the terrain you love. This guide cuts through the noise to help you focus on what really matters for a stable, enjoyable hike.
Pole Material: Weight vs. Durability
Feel that weight in your pack? You’ll feel it even more after a thousand pole plants. Aluminum poles are the reliable, affordable workhorse—they can take a bend and often be straightened. Carbon fiber is the featherweight champion, reducing arm fatigue on long days, but it can be more brittle in a hard impact. Ask yourself: is saving ounces worth the extra cost and potential for a snap?
Grip and Strap Comfort
Your hands live here. Sweaty palms on a steep climb? Cork grips mold to your hand and manage moisture well. Foam is soft and great for warm weather, while rubber offers insulation in the cold. Don’t ignore the strap! A proper, adjustable strap transfers weight to your wrists, letting you loosen your grip and preventing blisters. It should feel like an extention of your hand.
Locking Mechanism Reliability
Nothing ruins a view faster than a pole collapsing mid-step. You’ll mainly see flip locks (external levers) and twist locks. Flip locks are straightforward: tighten the lever for a solid, visible lock. Twist locks can be sleeker but may freeze or slip more easily if not maintained. For most hikers, the simplicity and reliability of a flip lock is the way to go.
Shock Absorption: Need or Nuisance?
Some poles have built-in springs to soften impacts. On long, steady descents on hardpack, they can ease strain on your joints. But they add weight, cost, and a potential point of failure. For general trail use, many prefer the direct feedback of non-shocking poles. If your knees talk to you after a downhill, then it might be a feature worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions About Big 5 Hiking Poles
What are Big 5 hiking poles?
Big 5 is a sporting goods retailer. Their hiking poles are their store-brand trekking poles. They offer a solid, budget-friendly option for getting started with poles.
Are Big 5 poles good for beginners?
Yes, they are a great starting point. They let you try using poles without a big investment. If you find you love them, you can later upgrade to a more feature-rich brand.
What types do they offer?
You’ll typically find adjustable, telescoping poles. This means you can change teh length for uphill and downhill sections. Some models might have basic shock absorption.
How do I choose the right size?
With the pole adjusted, your elbow should be at about a 90-degree angle when you grip it. Most Big 5 poles adjust to fit a wide range of heights, which is really helpful.
Are they durable enough for serious hikes?
For casual day hikes and well-maintained trails, they are usually just fine. For heavy backpacking or very rough terrain, more expensive poles often use stronger, lighter materials.
What features should I look for?
Look for adjustable straps and comfortable grips. Cork grips are great for absorbing sweat. A carbide or steel tip gives good traction, and having a rubber tip cover for pavement is a nice bonus.
Can I fold them up easily?
Big 5 poles are usually telescoping, not folding. They collapse down by sliding the sections into each other. This makes them compact enough for most needs, like strapping to a backpack.
How do I maintain them?
Keep the locking mechanisms clean from dirt and sand. Check the tightness of the locks before each hike. If they start to slip, they might just need a good cleaning or a simple replacement part.
What’s the main advantage of buying them?
The price is the biggest advantage. They provide the core benefits of using poles—like saving your knees and improving stability—at a very accessible cost. It’s a low-risk way to see if poles are for you.
Final Thoughts
Finishing our roundup of poles from this sporting goods store, we hope this guide makes your choice easier. The right pair can make a huge difference on teh trail. They provide stability on rough ground and can save your knees on steep descents. Remember to think about the type of hiking you do most often. That will point you toward the best features for your needs.
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or planning a thru-hike, a good set of big 5 hiking poles is a smart investment. Take your time to adjust them properly for your height. With a reliable pair in hand, you’ll be ready to tackle more miles with greater confidence and comfort. We’re confident you’ll find a great match here for your next adventure.