Olight Hiking Pole Review: A Trekking Pole With a Built-In Light

Introduction

Most trekking poles do one job: keep you steady on the trail. The Olight hiking pole takes that familiar formula and adds something genuinely different, a built-in light powered by a removable USB-C rechargeable battery pack tucked into the handle. It is an interesting take on a category that rarely sees meaningful updates, and it works well enough to deserve a closer look.

Who This Product Is For

This pole makes the most sense for hikers and walkers who move in low light: early starts, late finishes, or setting up camp after dark. It is also a practical pick for anyone who wants to carry one less item, since the pole itself becomes your ambient light source around camp.

It is worth noting that Olight does not officially suggest using these for hiking, but plenty of people do, and the pole holds up in that role. In practice, the light is not meant to replace a headlamp for fast movement through the woods, but it comfortably removes tripping hazards on a dark path.

Main Strengths

The headline feature is the lighted handle. The battery pack pops out of the head of the pole, charges over USB-C, and drops back in with a control button on top. Once installed, you get two distinct modes. A long press activates camping mode, a soft white ambient light, and holding the button again cycles between the brightest and dimmest settings.

A single click switches to hiking mode, where further presses cycle through red light, red blinking, and a bright white beam. Output is properly specified: the bright white mode reaches about 120 lumens, the lowest white setting sits around 30 lumens, and the red flashing mode is about 10 lumens.

Durability specs are solid for a pole in this category. It carries an IPX6 rating and is rated for drops from 1.5 meters, so rain and routine knocks on the trail are not a concern. The low white mode is particularly practical, delivering roughly 13 hours of runtime, which is plenty for moving around a campsite or easing down a dark trailhead.

In real use, the low 30-lumen mode is enough to see the ground clearly in full darkness, and cranking it to the full 120 lumens lights up the surrounding area with room to spare. A blinking indicator tells you when the light has reached its top setting. The red modes are a nice touch for preserving night vision or adding visibility without the harshness of white light.

Things to Consider Before Buying

The main trade-off is that this is not a substitute for a dedicated headlamp. You would not want to run through the forest at night relying on a pole-mounted light, since the beam points where the pole points and your hands are busy. Think of it as a camp-and-walk light rather than a primary trail light.

The built-in electronics also add a layer of complexity that traditional poles do not have. You will want to keep the battery charged, and the battery pack itself is a small component you need to keep track of when it is out of the pole. If you never hike in the dark, those trade-offs may not be worth it, and a simpler pole could serve you better.

Buying Advice

If you regularly find yourself walking or setting up camp in the dark, the Olight hiking pole is a clever two-in-one that genuinely earns its place in your kit. The IPX6 rating, 1.5 meter drop rating, USB-C charging, and useful range of white and red outputs make it more than a gimmick. If you only hike in daylight, a conventional pole remains the simpler choice.

Conclusion

The Olight hiking pole is a rare example of real innovation in a category that rarely changes. The built-in rechargeable light, thoughtful mode selection, and durable build make it a compelling option for hikers who spend time outdoors after sunset, as long as you treat it as a companion light rather than a headlamp replacement.