In this article, I will cover some of the best lightweight trekking poles you can buy today. Most of these will be carbon fiber trekking poles since carbon is lighter than aluminum. However, I will also include a lightweight aluminum option (since aluminum has other advantages).
Not sure whether or not you should buy aluminum or carbon fiber trekking poles? Take a look at this article: Aluminum vs Carbon Fiber trekking poles.
Best lightweight trekking poles
Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles
price: $$ | weight: 10.4 ounces
Let’s start this list with one of my personal favorites when it comes lightweight trekking poles. If you take a look at the weight of the other trekking poles on this list, you will notice that this one is by far the lightest option.
The main problem with very light trekking poles is that they tend to bend/break pretty quickly. However, the Black Diamond distance is surprisingly strong and rugged. They did add aluminum rings in order to increase the durability without increasing the weight by too much.
One of the things that you might not like is that these trekking poles are not adjustable. They come in fixed sizes (100, 110, 120 & 130) make sure to check out the sizing chart -provided by Black Diamond- before purchasing these trekking poles. Note that having a lock/adjustable system will increase the weight of your trekking poles. So if you are truly looking for lightweight trekking poles you should consider going with fixed size trekking poles.
Black Diamond is a trusted brand and these hiking poles are not ridiculously expensive. I’m not claiming that they are super cheap either, but you do get a lot of value for the money.
As I already mentioned, these trekking poles are very strong considering how lightweight they are. That being said, there are plenty of heavier trekking poles that will still be a lot stronger/more durable.
All in all, I’m loving these and I do consider them the best lightweight trekking poles “overall” (at least at the time of writing).
In case you are interested in these trekking poles, you can usually find the best price on amazon: Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles
LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles
price: $$$ | weight: 16.4 ounces
The next option on the list is the Leki Micro Vario Carbon trekking pole. These poles are both heavier and more expensive than the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles.
So what are the benefits? Well, for starters, these trekking poles are very durable considering they are carbon fiber trekking poles. Also, they do come with an adjustable size system. Having these benefits mean an increased weight and an increased price, but this truly is one of the best high-quality trekking poles you can get.
Another reason why you might consider these lightweight trekking poles is the grip. Many hikers and trail runners found that the grip was exceptional in terms of comfort.
If you are using your trekking poles as tent poles in your trekking pole tent, I would also feel more comfortable with the Leki Micro than with the Distance Carbon Z.
Is it worth the additional money/weight? For some hikers I would definitely say yes. For me personally, I’m sticking with the Distance Carbon Z (for now), but this really depends on your personal preference and situation. If you are looking for a combination of comfort, lightweight, durability and ease-of-use, these are definitely a good option!
More information/the latest price can be found on amazon: LEKI Micro Vario Carbon Trekking Poles.
Note that there is a separate model for women (slightly smaller):
Montem Ultralight 3K Carbon Fiber trekking poles
price: $$ | weight: 15.6 ounces
The Montem Ultralight are situated somewhere in between the Leki Micro Vario and the Distance Carbon Z in terms of price and weight.
If you really liked the LEKI Micro Vario, but you thought it was just a bit too expensive, these might be a solid option for you. They are also adjustable in size and are pretty durable for a carbon fiber trekking pole (not as durable as the LEKI though).
The Montem Ultralight 3K poles have cork grips. I really like cork grips overall because they deal well with sweat and are still pretty comfortable. However, they can’t compete with the extreme comfort of the LEKI grip.
There isn’t much more to be said about these trekking poles. They are solid lightweight trekking poles, not as high-quality as some other options – but also not as expensive.
The latest price can be found on amazon: Montem Ultralight 3K Carbon Fiber trekking poles
Foxelli Trekking Poles
price: $ | weight: 15.7 ounces
The Foxelli trekking poles are quite exceptional carbon fiber trekking poles because they are extremely affordable. Initially I was skeptical about these trekking poles because they were lightweight and cheap. However, it turns out that these poles are actually pretty great.
I have actually been recommending these trekking poles for a while now. They are great for beginner hikers, but even more seasoned hikers seem to really like them.
The Foxelli trekking poles come with a lock system that allows you to adjust the size of the trekking poles. They are shock-absorbent, suited for all types of terrain and all the necessary accessories are included.
They might not be as high-quality and comfortable as the LEKI Micro Vario or as lightweight as the Distance Carbon Z trekking poles, but when it comes to value for money, these are amazing.
If you are looking for carbon fiber trekking poles at a very affordable price, these are the ones to get!
As usual, the latest price and more information can be found on amazon: Foxelli Trekking Poles.
Trailbuddy trekking poles
price: $ | weight: 19.4 ounces
The Trailbuddy trekking poles are pretty different from all the other recommended trekking poles on this list. These are the only trekking poles that are made from aluminum instead of carbon.
Generally, carbon tends to be lighter than aluminum. However, these trekking poles are made from a lighter type of aluminum. This is why they are only slightly heavier than the alternatives on this list.
So what are the benefits of using aluminum trekking poles? Well, aluminum is stronger/more durable and cheaper than the carbon fiber alternatives. Especially this particular pair is very cheap.
If you are very passionate about travelling super lightweight, I would not recommend buying these trekking poles – just go ahead and buy the Distance Carbon Z trekking poles instead. However, if you are on a very tight budget and looking for something that is durable, cheap and not super heavy I would highly recommend this product.
Just like the Foxelli Trekking Poles, I have been recommending these for quite some time now, both to beginners and more seasoned hikers. They might be heavier than the carbon fiber trekking poles, but they are definitely considered lightweight trekking poles within the aluminum family.
The best price can usually be found on amazon, feel free to check it out: Trailbuddy trekking poles.
What is a good trekking pole weight?
The lighter the trekking poles are the more fragile they become. Generally, I would say that 10 ounces is around as low as you can get a good pair of trekking poles. You might be able to find a good pair that are slightly lighter, but if you are considering trekking poles that weigh a lot less, they will probably be super fragile.
There are lots of brands that used to make very lightweight trekking poles (around 5 ounces). However, they had a lot of complaints about the quality and durability of these trekking poles. In the end they decided to make slightly heavier -but more durable- trekking poles instead.
I would recommend to look for a weight between 10 to 20 ounces.
Conclusion
If you are looking for the lightest possible trekking poles -that’s still durable and high quality- the Black Diamond Distance Carbon Z Trekking Poles are the ones to get. If you are looking for something more affordable or rugged, you should take a look at some of the other options instead.
I hope this article was helpful in your search for the right lightweight trekking poles. If you have tried any of these, I would love to hear about your experiences. Also, if you have any other lightweight trekking pole recommendations, feel free to share your experiences in the comments below.