What is the difference between a walking pole and a trekking pole?

There are a lot of similarities between walking poles and trekking poles, but what are the key differences between a walking pole and trekking pole?

In this blog post, I will break down the difference between a walking pole and a trekking pole!

Grip type

Waking pole– The grip is comparable to skiing poles in that it is long and thin. This implies that a single size will fit a variety of users.

Trekking pole– Trekking pole grips are designed to suit the user’s hand as comfortably as possible (with finger grooves). As a result, unless you are already familiar with the poles, it is advised to test them out before purchasing.

Strap

Walking pole– The walking pole’s strap is formed like a portion of a glove and does not resemble a typical hiking or skiing pole strap. It’s because when you slide a walking pole rearward, you relinquish your grasp, whereas trekking poles are always in your grip. There should be a thumb hole if there isn’t a glove-like strap.

Trekking pole– A basic support is provided by a simple strap. Trekking poles are always in your hands; thus, the strap is intended to accommodate that.

Grip material

There are numerous grip materials utilised, each of which has a different quality and so affects the ultimate price of the product. The cheapest and simplest to maintain material is plastic, while rubber and neoprene offer excellent anti-slip properties, and then there’s synthetic or genuine cork. Genuine cork grips are found on the highest-quality walking poles, which is reflected in their price.

Pole

Walking pole– Walking poles are generally made of a single piece and cannot be folded. Two-piece or three-piece telescopic poles, on the other hand, are easier to store and move. At least a couple folding walking poles are in stock at every seller. Walking, on the other hand, is a very dynamic sport, and telescopic poles may not always be reliable in these situations. On the other hand, the poles can be utilised by numerous persons of various heights in this manner.

Trekking– Telescopic trekking poles are very universal. Walking on different terrain necessitates the changeable length (shorter poles for going uphill, longer for going downhill, etc.).

Pole length– By multiplying your height by 0.68, you can simply find the optimal pole length. As a result, every 180-cm tall individual should utilise walking poles that are at least 122 cm long. Your elbow should be bent at right angles when you place them on the ground.

Pole material

Aluminium, fibreglass, carbon, or a mix of these materials are among the options. Aluminium is both the heaviest and the least expensive of the metals. The most suited poles for a casual trekker who utilises them mostly as a support are aluminium poles.

Fibreglass poles are more lightweight, yet they’re best for soft ground. These are primarily intended for use by recreational hikers. Carbon poles are recommended for more demanding hikers. The proportion of carbon in these poles varies, as do their characteristics. The higher the proportion of carbon in a walking pole, the lighter, tougher, and more shock absorbent it is. In addition, the larger the carbon concentration, the heavier the user.

Shock absorbers

Walking pole– Shock absorbers are unnecessary since walking is a fast and dynamic sport, and adding them would merely reduce the amount of energy required. As a result, there are no shock absorbers or locking mechanisms on walking poles.

Trekking pole– Shock absorbers are included into most trekking poles to compensate for the constantly shifting and frequently difficult terrain. You may choose whether or not you want shock-absorbing poles. Poles with shock absorbers are frequently identifiable by the letters “AS,” which stand for Anti-Shock.

Pole tip

Walking pole– The tips of walking poles, in addition to the glove-like straps, are another defining characteristic. Walking poles’ tips culminate in paws, which are designed to give the most comfortable propulsion. The paws help reduce the annoying metal clicking noise that comes with hiking poles.

Trekking pole– Metal tips of trekking poles sink into the ground for improved propulsion. Trekking poles have paws as well, but they are spherical and have an equal surface.

Conclusion

I hope now you know the difference between a walking pole and a trekking pole! If you have any questions or concerns let me know below!

Ryan Anderson

Hey, I am the founder of Outside Origin! I love hiking in my spare time and have gone to various different hikes. You can check out our about us section to learn more about what our team and I do over at Outside Origin.