Best Trekking Poles at REI: Five Options for Different Hiking Needs

Introduction

Trekking poles reduce impact on joints, improve balance on technical terrain, and help propel you uphill. The right pair depends on your hiking style, budget, and how much weight you want to carry. We tested five options available at REI, each designed for different use cases.

Best for Hiking and Backpacking: Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork

The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork is built for comfort and durability on long hikes. The cork grip is the standout feature: it conforms to your hand, stays comfortable in any temperature, and works well when wet without becoming slippery.

The grip extends down the shaft, so you can choke up without adjusting the locking mechanism. The handle angles forward slightly, adding comfort on extended use. An adjustable padded strap and adjustable grip padding round out the comfort features. The poles come in men’s and women’s versions, with the women’s version offering a slightly smaller total length and grip diameter for smaller hands or shorter stature.

These aluminum poles have some flex, making them durable for rough use. The flip-lock mechanism is simple: flip it up and slide the pole up or down, then tighten with a screw if needed. You can swap the standard basket for a snow basket to use them for snowshoeing or winter hiking, making them a true all-season option.

Best Under $100: Leki Legacy Lite Cor-Tec

The Leki Legacy Lite Cor-Tec is an excellent first trekking pole. It is adjustable, lightweight, inexpensive, and comfortable to use. The grip combines cork and rubber, giving you the comfort of cork with the durability of rubber.

A small bump on the grip is designed to sit between your pointer and middle finger, relieving hand pressure during long hikes. This is especially helpful if you are new to trekking poles. The poles come in a women’s version as well.

The flip-lock adjustment mechanism is similar to the Trail Ergo Cork, but uses a thumb screw instead of a full screw, so you can tighten or loosen it by hand without a multi-tool. Like the Trail Ergo Cork, you can swap the basket for a snow basket for winter use.

Best for Trail Running and Fast Hikes: Black Diamond Distance Z Carbon

For trail runners and fast hikers, weight and packability matter. The Black Diamond Distance Z Carbon is lightweight and designed to be quick and easy to deploy on the trail.

The poles use a simple pull-out mechanism: grab the shaft, pull it fully out, and listen for a click when the silver spike locks into place. This ensures the pole is fully locked and stiff. There is no length adjustment, but you can choke up on the grip easily. The strap is marked left and right with some adjustment for different hand sizes.

These poles are not designed for snow use and do not accept snow baskets. However, they have interchangeable tips: you can remove the rubber tip and install a carbide tip for different terrain. The carbon construction keeps them light and responsive, making them ideal for fast-paced hiking and trail running.

Best for Travel: Black Diamond Distance Z

The Black Diamond Distance Z is identical to the Distance Z Carbon but made from aluminum instead. For travel, this matters: the poles pack down to just 15 inches, small enough to fit in a suitcase.

Aluminum and carbon each have trade-offs. Aluminum is slightly heavier and less expensive, but it has flex. If you dent an aluminum pole, it may not collapse smoothly anymore, but you can still use it. Carbon is lighter and just as strong, but if you exceed its strength limit, it can shatter. For travel, where durability against baggage handling is important, the aluminum construction is a practical choice.

The Distance Z uses the same pull-out locking mechanism as the carbon version, making it quick to deploy. It packs small enough for any travel scenario while maintaining the lightweight feel of the Distance Z line.

Best Hiking Staff: REI Co-op Hiker Staff

A single hiking staff is useful when you do not need the full support of a pair of poles. Use it for river crossings, rocky scrambles, or any terrain where extra stability in one spot is helpful without carrying two poles.

The REI Co-op Hiker Staff extends up to 55 inches, much longer than standard trekking poles. This extra reach is valuable when crossing logs or rivers. The extended grip lets you choke up easily, and the cork top is comfortable to hold. The top unscrews and converts into a monopod, useful if you want to set up a camera for a selfie or group photo.

Conclusion

Your choice depends on your hiking style. For long backpacking trips, the Trail Ergo Cork offers comfort and durability. For budget-conscious hikers, the Leki Legacy Lite Cor-Tec is a solid first pole. Trail runners and fast hikers benefit from the lightweight Distance Z Carbon. Travelers should consider the aluminum Distance Z for its compact pack size. And for hikers who want just one pole for specific terrain challenges, the REI Co-op Hiker Staff is a practical choice.