Ever wondered what trekking would be like and how painful it would have been without trekking poles? These poles are one of the most essential items that complete the gear required when you are looking for some outdoor adventure. One among the many reasons why one should go trekking with a pole is that these can help you fix and help you maintain a steady beat, which eventually expands the rate at which you are moving around. This feature is especially visible on non-technical terrain. 

Permitting you to propel your arms forward and upward when you are walking on a steep hill or on a flat ground they help you maintain your average speed. Trekking shafts can and do diminish the pressure applied on the knees and decreases it by an impressive rate thus giving you a pleasant adventure. 

Pole Adjusting Mechanism

While choosing a pole it should be kept in mind that it should be easier to use and should have a nice adjusting mechanism. A few of pole adjusting mechanisms are listed below.

1. Twist Lock mechanism: This pole adjusting utilizes an expander and screw setup that is reliably solid and tough. The poles which come along with this mechanism are very light weight, they tend to need less adjusting over the time and are less bulky. These features add up to make it one of the best lock mechanisms and don’t feel like a lot of baggage and in turn don’t crush you down while en route.
2. Push-button Lock mechanism: Poles with this locking system fit properly and bolt with a solitary draw. Pressing the push button discharges the lock and collapses the poles. While this system offers no unnecessary extras and is pretty easy to use, it is very functional and extremely durable. 
3. External lever Lock mechanism: Being one of the most widely used lock mechanism, this one makes it easy to adjust, even when you are wearing gloves. It uses a lever-based, clamp like technique that makes it extremely fruitful and quick to use. These make the pole far more durable than others do. 

A few other lock mechanisms which cannot go unnamed and consist of almost same features are listed below.

• Speed Lock 2 external lever Lock mechanism.
• Flick Lock mechanism.
• Combination Lock mechanism.

Weight

If you are planning to go on a trekking adventure for a considerable amount of time, you are probably wondering to go with the least weight possible. And you are right that on these adventures carrying least luggage is the best option to choose. The weight of the poles is where you need to give a deep thought. When you are going uphill, every ounce matters. It is a very vital component while on the go. Fortunately for you there are a bunch of ultra light choices available in the market. But the best option is to go with the one which is collapsible and takes up less area when folded so that it doesn’t bother you when you are done with exploring the woods. Ultra light shafts offer the benefit of less swing weight, which makes it speedier for you to move. Through the span of a long climb, this implies less weariness. These poles are likewise simpler to pack and to adjust. 

Comfort

The strap of the handle of the trekking pole has everything to do with its handle. The comfort of these poles matter from very less to essential from people to people. Some say that it doesn’t matter if they are comfortable to trek with unless it is getting the job done. But for some it matters a lot. The pole which has a better ability to pack is preferred over the ones which are not. 

Ergonomics

The shape of the handle of the pole alone can make a difference. It is one of the most important and deciding factors of how comfortable a pole is. The material is important, yes. But it isn’t as important as the design and shape of the tip which will be vigorously used. This is where more personal preference comes into action. There are various styles of handles accessible essentially which are mainly made of these three materials; cork, foam and rubber. Out of these three, the ones made from cork are more favourable because of easily bent in capability and have many other advantages. 

Materials

• Rubber: Almost fighting with cork and having nearly same advantages it outruns the latter for cold weather. When you use a cork material in a hot weather, it feels great. It can be said that cork is the best material to be used for warm weather. But when it comes to cold, there is no better option than Rubber. It is best suitable for this circumstance and even for mountaineering. Rubber grips are more suitable for people who are going to use their poles for activities such as snowshoeing, skiing and many other winter sports.
• Cork: Any pole handle which fits with the shape of your hand has been made from this material. This is probably the best material from which the product should be made to ensure extreme comfort while using a pole. It is the most delightful material utilized. They are smooth and they are sturdy even when they are being mishandled a little. If you think that the sweat from your hand is going to cover it, you are wrong. This doesn’t accept much of the sweat and still it feels great and lovely even when it’s warm outside. And since it is comfortable to go with in the humid weather, it provides something more when it’s chilly in the woods.
• Foam: In case you are of the kind who wants to carry as less of weight as possible, you should go with the ones made from foam. It is the least heavy of all the three most commonly used materials. It has a great capability of moisture absorption. Foam grips also make you feel the least cold. It might not be an issue for most backpackers but it is a huge and determining factor for climbers.

Palmers

If you like to hold the top of the pole in the middle of your palm instead of the usual way of holding on the handle, then you probably know what I am talking about. People who hold it the other way are referred to as Palmers. And there are brands out there that significantly make poles that can be used by these users.

Packability

Ever heard the phrase the shorter the better? Well it fits right in when you need to select a pole for trekking. This is more important to some than others. If you don’t want to keep the pole in your hand all the time then probably you should think about its packability once. If it can get into your bag when you don’t need to use it, go for it. The main point of packablilty of a pole is that how easily it can get folded, how many times it can get folded, and how easily can it fit everywhere and take up the least space possible. 

Durability

Many poles manufactured by certain brands are labelled as break proof. But sometimes they too break if you get it stuck in frozen water in a deep blank. Sure, some offer and do provide more durability than others. The durability totally depends upon the material with which the shaft has been prepared from. 

Shaft Material

Basically two materials are used for shafts. One is Aluminium while the other is carbon fiber. The advantages of both of them are listed.

1. Aluminium: The weight of Aluminium poles is usually somewhere in between 18 and 22 ounces per air. And sometimes from 16 to 22 ounces per air. Though the actual value can vary a bit based on the gauge of the pole. The reason why it is a good choice is because it is very unlikely to break even under high stress. It will bend reacting to that extremity but it won’t break. This non-breakability feature makes it more durable. And also buying a pole whose shaft is made from Aluminium is highly economical. 
2. Carbon Fiber: These are lighter than the Aluminium ones and range somewhere between 13 to 18 ounces per air. Unlike the ones made from Aluminium, Carbon Fiber poles are breakable under high stress. They don’t possess the bending capability that the other one does. The only reason these are preferred is because these are really good at minimizing vibration while walking with it. Furthermore these are more expensive. 

Shock Absorbers

Wonder how nice it would feel if you are in your tent after trekking all day and are not as tired as you usually get after burning so many calories. Shock absorbing technology helps you with that. Not all poles offer shock absorbers because it doesn’t carry much significance. But it is important to some. So it doesn’t matter if you are trekking on a plain land or land covered with mountains, this feature can be helpful after a day finishes. This here reduces vibration every time you take a step forward. This in turn doesn’t make you feel weary and tired and boosts you up for the remaining part of the journey. So if you are going on a trekking trip with your friends or your family or even alone, it wouldn’t hurt to get a pole which has this feature. 

In the recent years, trekking posts have gone from an uncommon seen and utilized thing to a practically obligatory one for trekkers and mountain dwellers. The principle reason for them being used by many is that they provide better flexibility amidst all the more difficult and rough backwoods travel. They also decrease weight on your body amid both the drop and in addition the rising. So when you are looking for some adventure, choose a trekking pole which is lightweight but is strong and nearly unbreakable. 

Furthermore get one which is highly durable, comes with a strong locking mechanism, saves up space for other stuff and is comfortable even after a long time usage. Choose the one which is suitable according to the weather of where you are going. 

Some good brands to look out for

There are many brands in the market that manufactures Trekking Poles. Some of them are mentioned below.

• Montem: They build trekking poles that are meant to last longer than usual. The brand makes these poles out of Aluminium 7075 – the same material used to build airplanes. If the Aluminium is good enough for a huge thing has an airplane, it surely is good enough for us. Furthermore this brand ensures us to give the sturdiest trekking experience which is perfect for you, your backpack, and your gear.
• High Trek: This brand offers strong, lightweight poles. Same as Montem this one also is made with Aerospace-grade 7075 aluminium for lightweight strength. Shock absorbing coils are available with the poles so that it doesn’t hurt your joints. This comes with a twist lock mechanism which ensures perfectness and smoothness for everyone from short to tall. The poles manufactured by High trek are suitable and can be used in all kinds of terrain.
• Leki: The brand’s trekking poles offer ease of use and stability. Being extremely lightweight and having grips made from cork and latex, it gives you the ultimate experience in the wilderness. The products from Leki are highly durable. The poles feature Speed lock 2 external lever lock mechanism which is super easy to use and offers a secure hold. Older hikers especially like this locking system as it requires lesser force to adjust the pole.
• Black Diamond: When lightweight and durability is of paramount importance, the brand that can be trusted blindly is Black Diamond. Most of the poles from this brand offer 100% carbon fibre shaft construction. It comes with a three-section foldable shaft which doesn’t take up much of your space. Whether on a deep-winter mission or high Alps, the products from Black Diamond provide robust support.

The brand’s trekking posts offer usability and strength. Being to a great degree lightweight and having holds produced using stopper and latex, it gives you a definitive involvement in the wild. The items from Leki are exceedingly tough. The shafts highlight Speed bolt 2 outside lever bolt instrument which is super simple to utilize and offers a protected hold. More established explorers particularly like this locking framework as it requires lesser constrain to alter the post.