If your thinking about buying your first pair of trekking poles or working with a tight budget there is a good chance you’re looking for a quality pair of cheap trekking poles to start out with that won’t break the bank.
The great news is there are actually a ton of cheap trekking poles on the market today for the budget-minded hiker. However, there are also many things that you need to be aware of when buying a pair of cheap or budget-friendly trekking poles.
In this buyer’s guide to cheap trekking poles, we will go into great detail about trekking poles, including the best cheap ones currently on the market, the benefits of trekking poles, what to look for when choosing trekking poles, and how to choose the best cheap trekking poles for your needs.
But before we check out the best cheap trekking poles, it’s important to first understand how much trekking poles can cost as well as the difference between cheap and expensive ones. This way when we begin reviewing the best cheap trekking poles you will have a basic understanding of how much hiking poles can cost and what makes a trekking pole good or bad.
How Much Do Trekking Poles Cost?
As with most hiking gear, when it comes to trekking poles and their cost there can be a wide range in price when comparing the cheapest trekking poles to the most expensive ones.
With the cheapest trekking poles usually starting around $20 and the most expensive ones costing well over $200.
What’s the Difference Between Cheap and Expensive Trekking Poles?
With such a wide price range between the cheapest and most expensive trekking poles, you might be wondering what you get when you spend more money on trekking poles or what you might be sacrificing when choosing a cheaper option.
When it comes to the differences between cheap and expensive hiking or trekking poles there are four main categories that differentiate them including weight, materials, durability, and adjustability.
Weight
Typically the more expensive the trekking poles are the lighter they are. Having lighter trekking poles is a benefit because it leads to less fatigue and tiredness while on longer hikes. This is because when you are using trekking poles while hiking on the trails you will be lifting your trekking poles and arms hundreds and hundreds of times. So by shaving even an ounce or two from the weight of the poles, your arms will have to lift less weight which means they won’t tire out as quickly.
Materials
The primary way to reduce the weight of the trekking poles is to use lighter weight materials for the pole or shaft. With cheap trekking poles using either steel or aluminum and more expensive trekking poles using lighter carbon fiber. Also, cheaper trekking poles will usually have lesser quality materials throughout the construction of the pole.
Durability
While not always the case, typically the more expensive the hiking or trekking poles are the better the quality and materials, which means they typically are more durable and hold up to the rigors of hiking better than their cheaper counterpart. However, don’t think that this means you can’t find a quality pair of cheap durable trekking poles because there are many great cheap trekking poles options out there as you will see below.
Adjustability
Finally, while all trekking poles have some adjustability built into them usually the better quality trekking poles have better adjustability and locking mechanisms built-in compared to lesser quality trekking poles.
Best Cheap Trekking Poles for Hiking
In this best-of list for cheap trekking poles, we have included several different options because while they are all great they each have a specific or unique attribute or feature that makes them great for a specific reason or use.
| Why They’re Great | Weight (Pair) | Shaft Material | Grip Material | |
| Cascade Mountain Teck Trekking Poles | Cheapest Trekking Poles | 22 ounces | Aluminum | Cork |
| TrailBuddy Trekking Poles | Best Overall | 20.4 ounces | Aluminum | Cork |
| Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles | Ultra-Lightweight | 15.2 ounces | Carbon Fiber | Cork |
| Foxelli Aluminum Trekking Poles | Most Versatile | 18.8 ounces | Aluminum | Cork |
| Bafx Anti Shock Aluminum Trekking Poles | Anit Shock Absorption | 24.8 ounces | Aluminum | Rubber |
Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles
- Why They’re Great: Cheapest Trekking Poles on this List
- Weight (Pair): 22 ounces
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Grip Material: Cork
These trekking poles by Cascade are some of the most popular and highest-rated cheap trekking poles on Amazon with an average rating of 4 and a half stars and over 1700 customer reviews.
If you are looking for a quality pair of cheap trekking poles, you can’t go wrong with this option as the shaft is made from a high grade and lightweight aluminum offering tons of durability while still keeping the overall weight down.
Also, thanks to the adjustable quick lock system on these poles it’s easy to adjust the length of the poles on the fly to help make sure you always have just the right length you need while hiking. In addition, these hiking poles also come with four different tips for the poles making sure that you always have a sure footing for you and your poles no matter what terrain you encounter while hiking.
These trekking poles also offer a lot of comfort for your hands while hiking, thanks to their cork grips that reduce the vibrations and help with shock absorption for your hands, while also wicking away moisture and sweat from your hands.
To check the price of these Cascade Mountain Tech Trekking Poles on Amazon click here.
TrailBuddy Trekking Poles
- Why They’re Great: Best Overall
- Weight (Pair): 20.4 ounces
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Grip Material: Cork
These trekking poles by TrailBuddy are our favorite hiking poles on this list as they have some of the best construction and build quality we have seen at this price point. While the shafts are not made from carbon fiber they are made from light-weight aluminum helping keep both the weight down as well as provide more durability compared to more expensive carbon fiber.
In addition, these trekking poles have just about every option that you could want on a set of hiking poles including, cork grips, multiple tips for different terrains, padded straps, adjustable height, and an assortment of different colors to choose from to match your personal style.
While most trekking poles can usually adjust in height to accommodate shorter and taller hikers these trekking poles by TrailBuddy use a unique lever lock system as opposed to the standard twist locks on many trekking poles. The advantage of this lever lock system is that it allows for much quicker one-handed adjustment while on the trails as opposed to the twist-lock method.
To check the price of the TrailBuddy Trekking Poles on Amazon click here.
Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles
- Why They’re Great: Ultra Lightweight with 100% Carbon Fiber Construction
- Weight (Pair): 15.2 ounces
- Shaft Material: Cabron Fiber
- Grip Material: Cork
Typically carbon fiber construction and shafts are reserved for the more higher-end trekking poles which can cost upwards of $200, however, Foxelli has managed to produce a quality set of carbon fiber trekking poles for a fraction of the cost.
If you’re looking for cheap ultra-lightweight trekking poles than these carbon fiber hiking poles are for you, weighing in at only 7.6 ounces a-piece. It’s honestly hard to tell they are even in your hands most of the time. This means you don’t have to worry about your arms or hands wearing out on those long hikes due to maneuvering your hiking poles into position while on the trails.
It’s not all about the weight though with these trekking poles as they also offer a ton of high-end features for the money including cork grips, adjustable height, multiple tips for different terrain, and padded straps.
If you are looking for ultra-lightweight trekking poles made from carbon fiber and working with a tight budget there really is no better option than these carbon fiber trekking poles by Foxelli.
To check the price of the Foxelli Carbon Fiber Trekking Poles on Amazon click here.
Foxelli Aluminum Trekking Poles
- Why They’re Great: Most Versatile
- Weight (Pair): 18.8 ounces
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Grip Material: Cork
Another great option by Foxelli is there lightweight aluminum trekking poles. While they are slightly heavier compared to their carbon fiber version weighing 3.6 ounces more for the pair. For most people, this is such a small difference in weight most people won’t even notice it, as we are only talking about a weight difference of 1.8 ounces per arm. And the great thing is if you opt for the aluminum version they are quite a bit cheaper compared to their carbon fiber brother.
These aluminum trekking poles also have all of the same high-end features that the carbon fiber version has including full cork grips, padded straps, multiple tips for different terrains, and several different color options.
If you are just starting out hiking these are a great pair of trekking poles as they have a ton of useful features, are super rugged and sturdy, and can be relied on for years to come.
To check the price of the Foxelli Aluminum Trekking Poles on Amazon click here.
Bafx Anti Shock Aluminum Hiking Poles
- Why They’re Great: Built-in Anti Shock Absorption for More Comfort
- Weight (Pair): 24.8 ounces
- Shaft Material: Aluminum
- Grip Material: Rubber
While these trekking poles by Bafx are the heaviest on this list of best cheap trekking poles they offer a unique anti-shock absorption feature that can make the added weight worth it for some hikers.
Basically, these trekking poles have a built-in spring inside the trekking poles shaft that absorbs some of the impact that your hands, joints, and arms endure from the repeated strikes your trekking poles make with the ground.
While there is nothing new about anti-shock absorption technology in hiking sticks these trekking poles by Bafx are some of the cheapest trekking poles we have seen with the technology.
These cheap trekking poles also offer many other great features beyond the anti-shock technology including ergonomically designed rubber handles, lightweight aluminum construction, padded straps, as well as multiple tips for varying terrains.
If weight is your primary concern when shopping for trekking poles than these are not going to be a good fit for you but if you are looking for a trekking pole that offers the ultimate in comfort for your joints than these might just be the best cheap trekking poles for you.
To check the price of Bafx Anti Shock Aluminum Trekking Poles on Amazon click here.
Benefits of Using Trekking Poles While Hiking
If you’ve come to this article looking for the best cheap trekking poles, it’s possible you might still be on the fence in regards to whether or not trekking poles are right for you.
I know personally I spent years hiking without the assistance of trekking poles, thinking that they wouldn’t make much difference in my hiking. However, now that I’ve made the switch to using trekking poles I can say without a doubt that there is no way that I’m going back to hiking without them.
So in case, you might still be a little bit on the fence on whether or not hiking or trekking poles are right for you I thought I would spend just a few minutes discussing all of the benefits to using trekking poles while hiking.
Benefits of Using Trekking Poles While Hiking
- Trekking Poles help with balance while on the trails and help to ensure that you keep a sure footing. Trekking poles help with balance and footing by allowing you to have four points of contact with the terrain around you at all times.
- Using Trekking Poles on flat ground can actually speed up your hiking speed by providing forward propulsion. In order to maximize this forward propulsion, you want to keep your hiking poles at a 70 to 75 degree angle to the ground while hiking.
- Trekking poles help to reduce the impact on your knees, joints, and leg muscles by allowing your arms and upper body to share in some of the load.
- For those with back pain or issues, trekking poles can help with posture while on the trail helping to keep you in an upright position and in so doing, help to reduce or eliminate back pain while on the trails.
- Hiking poles reduce the likelihood of injuries or falls while hiking as they provide more stability while on the trails.
- Trekking poles are great for water or river crossings as they give you additional points of contact with the ground while crossing bodies of water where you might not be able to see your footing or where it can be especially slippery, helping to make sure that you stay on your feet while traversing rivers or streams.
How to Choose the Best Cheap Trekking Poles
When it comes to the best cheap trekking poles each person is going to have their own unique set of wants and requirements depending on how and where they plan to use their trekking poles.
Because of this when choosing the best cheap trekking poles it’s very important to think about how and where you plan to use your trekking poles.
Because each individual hiker can have such a unique set of wants and requirements when it comes to trekking poles manufacturers have flooded the market with boundless options when it comes to trekking poles. Which on the one hand can be great if you are looking for a specific combination of features but on the other hand, can also be overwhelming if you are new to trekking poles leaving you not sure what to choose.
Because the amount of trekking poles options out there can be so overwhelming sometimes, we have broken down the trekking pole into each of its individual parts and pieces to help you better understand each of its components and options.
The Grip
Starting from the top and working our way down, the first piece of the trekking pole is the grip at the top. When it comes to grips on trekking poles there are four main options including cork, foam, rubber, and plastic.
If you have read other reviews on trekking poles before you probably assume that cork or foam are the only two viable options of the four, but rubber and plastic grips do have there place when it comes to trekking poles as you will see below.
The two most popular options by far for grips on trekking poles are cork and foam and for good reason, as they are going to be the best choice for most hikers. This is because both cork and foam do a great job of wicking away sweat and moisture from your hands while hiking helping you maintain a solid hold of the grip while hiking.
Also because there is some natural cushioning factor to cork and foam, both of these materials can help with shock absorption as well as help to prevent blisters on your hands while hiking.
As mentioned above though plastic and rubber grips do have their place, as they are a great option if you are hiking in cold weather climates as the hard rubber or plastic is a better choice when gripping the grip with winter gloves on. However, keep in mind that if you have to choose between plastic or rubber grips always choose rubber, as it allows for an overall better grip while still providing some cushioning for your hands.
So the take away on grips for trekking poles is that for most people you want to either choose cork or foam if you are planning on doing mostly summer or warm weather hiking. And you plan on doing mostly winter hiking with heavy winter gloves on you want to choose rubber grips.
The Shaft
When it comes to the shaft of the trekking pole there are three main materials to choose from including steel, aluminum, and carbon fiber. To be honest, though it is very difficult to find steel trekking poles any more as aluminum ones have taken over the market because they are so much lighter than steel trekking poles.
If however, you do happen to come across a pair of steel trekking poles which is possible when looking for the best cheap trekking poles, I would steer clear of them because aluminum is such a better choice of material compared to steel due to it’s lighter weight.
So this really leaves just two main choices when it comes to shaft material on trekking poles including aluminum and carbon fiber and they both have their pros and cons.
When it comes to aluminum shafts which make up close to 90% of the market they are great because they are lightweight, super-strong, and affordable, However, if you are looking for the lightest option there is one material that has aluminum beat which is carbon fiber.
Carbon fiber is a great option for trekking poles because it is super-lightweight and also very strong. However, carbon fiber can be more prone to breakage compared to aluminum when under extreme stress. Also, carbon fiber is more expensive compared to aluminum which means that carbon fiber trekking poles tend to be more expensive when compared to aluminum ones.
So which one should you choose aluminum or carbon fiber?
The truth is they are both great options and really just comes down to personal preference. If you are working with a tighter budget and just want a good quality trekking pole that is both rugged and durable then I would recommend going with the aluminum trekking pole. If however, you are looking for ultimate performance and the lightest possible option then I would choose the carbon fiber trekking pole.
The Locking Mechanism
Almost every trekking poles is adjustable for height but where the difference comes in between different trekking poles is how the adjustability works and what locks the hiking pole in at different heights.
There are two basic choices when it comes to adjustability and locking mechanisms on trekking poles including the twist lock, the lever lock.
To begin with, twist-lock is just what it sounds like as once you have found your desired height on the trekking pole you simple twist the two sections of trekking pole in opposite directions to lock in the desired height.
This type of locking mechanism has been around a long time and tends to be pretty reliable, however, they can be prone to giving away over time if you don’t twist the pole together tight enough. Also, this type of locking mechanism tends to be more cumbersome as well as it takes more time to lock in place compared to the lever lock system.
The next choice when it comes to locking mechanisms and trekking poles is the level lock, this is the most modern form of locking mechanism on trekking poles and is far as I am concerned a definite upgrade to the old twist locking system.
For one the level lock system makes it super easy to make quick adjustments while on the trails and secondly when the level lock is engaged it tends to lock the pole a lot better than the twist-lock system.
In my opinion, when choosing a locking mechanism for your trekking poles there is one clear winner and that is the level lock system due to all the benefits mentioned above.
The Tip
The last piece of the trekking pole is the tip at the bottom that strikes the ground. All trekking poles have a little metal tip or carbide tip to start out with but where some trekking poles differ is that they offer several different options that you can place over the carbide tip depending on what terrain you are traversing.
Some of the most popular options when it comes to trekking pole tips accessories include the rubber boot which is great when hiking over asphalt or hard-packed gravel, baskets which help to keep your trekking poles from sinking into the ground in muddy or rocky conditions, or powder baskets which are even larger which are great when hiking in snow to keep your trekking pole from sinking too far.
When choosing the best cheap trekking pole I wouldn’t base my decision solely on which trekking pole has the most tip options. But I will say that I would want to see at least some sort of rubber boot and small basket option included with the poles in order to cover you for 90% of the different terrains that you might encounter while hiking.
If you still need a little help picking out the best trekking poles for your needs I would recommend the below quick YouTube video which describes all the varying options to help make sure you pick the best cheap trekking poles for your needs.
The Best Cheap Trekking Poles Conclusion
I hope after you have read this article you now know enough about trekking poles, their benefits, and different features and options that you will be able to pick out the best cheap trekking poles for your needs on your hiking journey.
Just remember though when choosing the best trekking poles for your needs that there are no right or wrong answers and the most important thing is to choose a pole that feels good in your hands and helps you be comfortable while on the trails.