Buy Budget Trekking Poles
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Sweet Spot Top Pick
Trekking Pole Comparison Table
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| Trekking Poles | MSRP | Collapse Mechanism | Lock Mechanism | Weight/Pole (oz) | Length (in) | Packed Length (in) | Shaft | Tip | Grips |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Twist-lock | $29.99 | Telescoping | Twist-locks | 10 | 26-54 | 26 | 6061 aluminum | Tungston carbide | Cork or EVA |
| TrailBuddy | $39.99 | Telescoping | Plastic lever locks | 10 | 24.5-54 | 25 | 7075 aluminum | Not listed | Cork |
| Cascade Mountain Tech Aluminum Folding | $49.99 | Folding | Plastic lever locks | 10.5 | 45-54 | 14 | 7075 aluminum | Tungston carbide | Cork or EVA |
| Trekology Trek-Z Collapsible Aluminum 100-120 cm | $55.99 | Folding & telescoping | Metal lever locks | 10.4 | 100-120 | 15 | 7075 aluminum | Tungston carbide | Cork or EVA |
| Trekology Trek-Z Collapsible Aluminum 115-125 cm | $55.99 | Folding & telescoping | Metal lever locks | 10.8 | 115-125 | 15 | 7075 aluminum | Tungston carbide | Cork or EVA |
| Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber Quick Lock | $64.99 | Telescoping | Metal lever locks | 5.6 | 30-52 | 26 | Carbon fiber | Tungston carbide | Cork or EVA |
Telescoping
Lever-lock Telescoping
MSRP $64.99
Specifications
Collapse Mechanism: Telescoping
Length: Adjustable from 30″ to 52″
Packed size: 26″
Weight per pole: 5.6 oz
Locks: Metal lever locks
Shaft material: Carbon fiber
Tip material: Tungston carbide
Grips: Cork and EVA options
Pros
Carbon-fiber shafts are lightweight and strong under vertical loads
Inexpensive for a carbon fiber pole
Cons
- Carbon-fiber shafts are brittle and can snap when bent horizontally
MSRP $39.99
Specifications
Collapse mechanism: Telescoping
Length: Adjustable from 24.5″ to 54″
Packed size: 25″
Weight per pole: 10 oz
Locks: Plastic lever locks
Grips: Cork
Shaft material: 7075 aluminum
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Durable 7075 aluminum shafts
Cons
- Heavy
- Bulky
- Large packed size
- Plastic lever locks can break
My thoughts
I have used these for several years. I found customer service to be excellent, although a little slow.
7075 aluminum has an excellent strength-to-weight ratio. I wish the lever locks were metal, but the plastic ones have been holding up well.
Twist-lock Telescoping
MSRP $29.99
Be sure to select the twist-lock option on Amazon if that is what you want
Specifications:
Collapse mechanism: Telescoping
Length: Adjustable from 26” to 54”
Collapsed length: 26″
Pole weight (single pole): 10 oz
Locks: Twist-locks
Shaft material: 6061 aluminum
Tip material: Tungston carbide
Grips: Cork and EVA options
Pros
- Inexpensive
Cons
- 6061 aluminum not as strong as 7075 aluminum
- Heavy
- Bulky
My thoughts
Instead of these poles, I would choose ones made of 7075 aluminum because it has a higher strength-to-weight ratio.
My thoughts
As a 60-year-old side-sleeper, I would prefer to buy a more expensive air pad. If I were to buy a foam pad, I might choose a cheaper one even if it wasn’t durable.
Folding
$38.57 as of 5/4/2025
MSRP $49.99
Be sure to select the folding option on Amazon if that is what you want.
Pole structure: Folding
Length: Adjustable from 45″ to 54″
Packable length: 14″
Pole weight (single pole): 10.5 oz
Shaft material: 7075 aluminum
Tip material: Tungston carbide
Grips: Cork and EVA options
Pros
- Durable 7075 aluminum shafts
- Inexpensive
Cons
- Heavy
- Bulky
Folding/Telescoping
$44.99 as of 5/5/2025
MSRP $55.99
Be sure to select the correct length in Amazon
Specifications
Collapse mechanism: Folding and telescoping
Shaft material: 7075 aluminum
Tip material: Tungston carbide
Grip material: Cork and EVA options
Locks: Metal lever locks
Packed size: 46X17cm
100-120 cm Option
Length: Adjustable 100-120 cm
Weight per pole: 10.4oz 294 g
115-125 cm Option
Length: Adjustable 115-125 cm
Weight per pole: 10.8 oz 306 g
Pros
- Durable 7075 aluminum
- Small packed size
- Metal lever locks
Cons
- Heavy
My thoughts:
I haven’t tried these poles, but they seem like a great choice.