Gear Guide: How to Select the Right Walking Pole for You

If you're lost wondering amongst the large selection of walking poles on offer; then the Head to the Hills Walking Pole Selection Guide should set you on the right path.

Head to the Hills Walking Pole Selection Guide

At Head to the Hills we believe that we have a pole here for everyone . This guide is designed to help you make your choice of walking pole depending on your priorities and what you intend to use your poles for.  We hope you find what you need!

1. About LEKI Walking Poles
2. About Mountain King Walking Poles
3. Walking Pole Selection Chart

1. LEKI Walking Poles

Leki has an unrivalled heritage dating back to the 1940’s and is still a family run company based in the German town of Kirkheim. All Leki poles are made with the finest quality 7075 Aluminium or Carbon available. The strength of the aluminium poles is further enhanced through a tempering process exclusive to the Leki manufacturing process, resulting in an incredibly strong but flexible alloy.

Leki Carbonlite poles are constructed using and optimal combination of cross-linked carbon fibre resulting in one of the lightest expedition strength poles on the market, in our opinion... the best.

Quality of manufacture and the strength of Leki poles are what really sets Leki apart from other brands and they are one of the few manufacturers who offer any kind of guarantee against pole breakage. They are also the only pole manufacturer in the world to carry the coveted TUV standard for the strength of their locking mechanism (the German version of our Kite Mark).

Recent additions to our Leki range include the lastest Speed Lock Poles including the award winning Khumbu walking pole, the new 4 Section Compact poles and the latest Nordic Walking Poles.

Leki have won countless international awards for their poles and manufacturing innovations over the years and perform consistently in UK magazine gear tests.

2. Mountain King Poles

Mountain King are based in Newcastle-upon-Tyne and design and manufacture all of their poles on-site in UK. We are very impressed with the construction quality and value of Mountain King poles and the UK heritage. 

We are proud to support a brand that still manufactures in Britain and produces great gear at good prices.

Mountain King Poles sit well along-side our Leki range and allows us to offer a comparable home grown alternative to the international market leader.

Mountain King have developed a cult following over the last 5 years and always get very positive reviews in all of the outdoor press with many “Best Buy” and “Best in Test” awards. The Mountain King Compact Super Trekker has just been awarded "Best in Test" by Trail Magazine in their trekking pole review for March 2012 

TRAIL MAG... “Just about perfect”

COUNTRY WALKING...”A joy to use”

THE INDEPENDENT ON SUNDAY...”The pole for serious trekkers”

TRAIL MAG... “Best in Test, March 2012"

3. Walking Pole Selection Chart

Choose the section that best describes your main use of poles. (All Poles are 3-section adjustable poles, unless stated)

Classic Expedition Trekking Poles:

BUY THESE IF YOU WANT: The strongest lightweight poles available with expedition strength shafts and silky smooth anti-shock mechanism. The perfect choice for hill walkers and trekkers.

• LEKI Khumbu Speed-Lock. RRP £39.99 each. Click here for H2H Web Price. The pole for winter walkers/mountaineers operating in freezing conditions. Leki’s Speed-Lock external adjustment mechanism has quickly established itself as the best of its kind on the market and is easy to use even whilst wearing heavy gloves. A future classic. Voted “Best in Test” by Country Walking magazine in March 2011 for the second year in a row after scoring an amazing 20/20. They rated this pole “the strongest in any test”.Code: 633-2025. Length: 70-145cm. Weight: 290g/pole.

• LEKI Jasper Anti-Shock. RRP £37.50 each. Click here for H2H Web Price. The pole for serious Trekkers and Long Distance Walkers. Everything about this pole is dependable from the super comfortable Aergon Handle to the smooth Soft Anti-shock System. Just like the Khumbu but with the lightweight internal Super Lock adjustment System. Built to last a lifetime and never let you down. Code: 635-2033. Length: 70-145cm. Weight: 278g/pole

• LEKI Makalu Trail Antishock. SRP £29.99/each. Click here for H2H Web Price. Still our best-seller. An expedition strength Leki anti-shock pole updated for 2011 and still at a very good price. The obvious choice for first time pole buyers. Code: 633-2030. Length: 69-140cm. Weight: 278g/pole

• LEKI Makalu Trail. SRP £24.99/each. Click here for H2H Web Price. The Trail was voted “Best in Test” by Country Waking Magazine recently and offers great value for money. A real workhorse that will give years of dependable service. Code:635-2021. Length:65-145cm. Weight: 265g/pole.
  

• MOUNTAIN KING SuperTrekker. SRP £35. Click here for H2H Web Price. A great value for money lightweight pole with a narrower grip which offers a good alternative to the Leki grip.

Lightweight Trekking Poles:

BUY THESE IF YOU WANT:  a genuinely dependable lightweight pole that will not let you down during hard or prolong use. These poles are really light and pack smaller than the Classic range, but have all of the features you expect from a Leki pole. The perfect choice for the active walker and those who like to pack light.

• LEKI Tundra XS Anti-Shock. RRP £42.50. Click here for H2H Web Price. These poles are so cool! At last... Leki do a full-spec, 4 section anti-shock pole; it’s what all you climbers, international walkers and parascending pilots have been asking for. The smallest pack size of any Leki trekking pole. Stick them in your day-sack and go! Code:633-2078. Length: 54-120cm. Weight: 265g/pole

• Leki Ultralite Thermolite Anti shock RRP £47.50 each. Click here for H2H Web Price. Voted as “the ultimate for fast moving hikers” on the Best in Test page of the December 2010 issue of Adventure Travel magazine. This is a deceptively tough little pole, full of user friendly features. Code: 635-2146. Length: 66-135cm. Weight: 227g/pole

• LEKI Ultralite Softlite Anti shock. RRP £37.50 each. Click here for H2H Web Price. A well priced version of the Thermolite with an indestructable rubber Aergon handle. The Softlite AS is our best weller in this category and has been upgraded again for 2011. Code: 635-2143. Length 66-135cm. Weight: tbc.

• LEKI Thermolite. RRP £40.99 each. Click here for H2H Web Price. Widely recognised as the toughest lightweight aluminium pole on the market, combined with a small pack size makes it the perfect choice for the roving international hill walker or speed hiker. A great alternative to the Carbonlite series, this is one of our personal favourites. Code: 635-2136. Length: 62-135cm. Weight: 220g/pole

• MOUNTAIN KING Compact SuperTrekker. SRP £35.00/ each. Click here for H2H Web Price. Our favourite lightweight pole; a real hill walkers pole, sturdy and compact.  The Mountain King Compact Super Trekker has just been awarded "Best in Test" by Trail Magazine in their trekking pole review for March 2012

Ultralight Trekking Poles:

BUY THESE IF YOU WANT:  the lightest poles available. These poles are a dream to use and are designed for those who know exactly what they want from their equipment. The perfect choice for ultra-light backpackers, lightweight trekkers, hill runners, adventure racers and mountaineers.

• LEKI Microstick Compact Z Pole. SRP £95.00/ Pair. Click here for H2H Web Price. What would you expect from a pole co-designed by Ueli Steck, the Czech super-mountaineer with the  solo speed record for the Eiger, Matterhorn and Grandes Jorasses! These poles are the business... Tiny pack size of 39cm, ultralight and easily deployed, these are our new favourite trekking poles and are a "must have" for any serious mountain fan. Made from tempered 7075 Alloy for the ultimate in strength and durability they are also the most solid Z poles we've used. Code: 633-2071. Lengths available: 39-110cm / 39-120cm / 39-130cm. Weight: 250g/pole (for 120cm pole).

• LEKI Carbon 4 Compact Trekking Pole. SRP £130.00/ Pair. Click here for H2H Web Price. The lightest 4 section pole in the Leki walking pole range packing down to only 55cm. This pole is a wee beauty and is a welcome addition to our range; sold in pairs, it comes with a free pole bag which is a nice touch and provides the perfect solution to storing your poles when not in use. Code: 633-2073. Length 55-130cm. Weight: 210g/pole.

• LEKI Makalu ultralite Carbonlite. SRP £60.00/ Each. Click here for H2H Web Price. Yes... they are expensive, but they are the best! Super light, strong and sleek - worth packing for every trip into the mountains.

• LEKI Makalu Carbonlite Anti Shock SRP £137.50/ Pair. Click here for H2H Web Price. Superlight, stiff, strong and sleek... and now with antishock. Worth packing for every trip to the mountains. These poles are the best and are a real joy to use! Updated for 2011 with an XL extended grip for use on steep mountain terrain. Code: 633-2150. Length: 66-135cm. Weight: 204g/pole. 

• LEKI Carbonlite XL. RRP £65.00 each. Click here for H2H Web Price. Super light, stiff, strong and sleek - worth packing for every trip into the mountains. These poles are the best and a real joy to use! Updated for 2011 with an XL extended grip for use in varying terrain conditions and on steep ground. Code: 633-2126. Length: 62-135cm. Weight: 197g/pole

• MOUNTAIN KING Expedition Carbon Compact. SRP £40.00/Each. Click here for H2H Web Price. An affordable alternative to the Leki Carbonlite that delivers the same performance at the expense of a few grams more weight.

Leki Nordic Walking Poles:

BUY THESE IF YOU WANT: The most reliable and effective Nordic Walking poles available, featuring comfortable Trigger Shark handles and quick release straps. The perfect choice for Nordic Walking Instructors, fitness walkers, mountain runners and cross-training enthusiasts.

• LEKI Traveller Carbon. RRP £120/pair. Click here for H2H Web Price. A staff favourite at Head to the Hills. The Traveller provides all of the convenience of trekking poles with the performance and comfort of the best Nordic Walking poles on the market. In our opinion, this is the perfect Nordic Walking pole. Code: 635-2603. Length: 62-130cm. Weight: tbc

• Leki Traveller Alu Nordic Walking Poles RRP £95/pair. Click here for H2H Web Price. A staff favourite at Head to the Hills. The Traveller provides all of the convenience of trekking poles with the performance and comfort of the best Nordic Walking poles on the market. In our opinion, this is the perfect Nordic Walking pole.  Code: 635-2601. Length: 62-130cm. Weight: tbc

• LEKI Instructor Nordic Walking Pole. RRP £95.00/pair. Click here for H2H Web Price. The cornerstone of the Leki Nordic Walking pole range. It has a great feel in the hand and is perfect as a dedicated training pole. Code: 633-2634. Length: 100-130cm. Weight: tbc

• LEKI Prestige Nordic Walking Pole. RRP £75.00/pair. Click here for H2H Web Price. A new addition to our range in response to requests for a good quality, reliable and adjustable Nordic Walking pole. This makes the perfect pole for Nordic Walking classes, group hire or basic fitness walking. Code: 633-2624. Length: 100-130cm. Weight: tbc

Please note: By their very nature, carbon poles (& ultralight alu poles)  are more susceptible to breakage following prolonged abuse in rocky environments, so they carry a shorter guarantee against breakage.

Related Links

Shop Online: Leki Walking Poles >>

Shop Online: Mountain King Poles >>

Article: Why use Walking poles? >>

Article: How to use Walking & Trekking Poles >>

Article: Adjusting & Maintaining your Trekking Poles >>

Article: Nordic Walking : An Introduction >>

Article: Nordic Walking Equipment >>

View: Site Map >>

View: Customer Satisfaction Guarantee >>

View: Customer Testimonials >>