Ultralight hikers count every gram, so trekking poles face a tough question: does a pair weighing 300 grams earn its place? For many hikers the answer is yes, but not for the reason they expect. Poles are not just walking aids, they are load-sharing tools, tent supports, and balance aids that change how your whole body handles a long day.

The biggest benefit is knee protection on descents. Studies of hiking biomechanics consistently show poles reduce impact forces on knees and ankles, because your arms take a share of each step. On a steep descent with a pack, that difference accumulates over thousands of steps, and hikers with sore knees often notice the relief within a single day.

Balance is the second benefit, and it matters more as trails get rougher. Stream crossings, muddy traverses, and rocky descents are all safer with two extra points of contact. A slip that would mean a twisted ankle without poles often becomes a harmless wobble with them, and that safety margin is worth weight on remote trails.

Poles also double as shelter supports in many ultralight systems. Trekking-pole tents and tarps eliminate separate tent poles, saving 200 to 300 grams elsewhere in the kit. Counted honestly, a pole-supported shelter often makes poles weight-neutral or even weight-negative, which changes the calculation completely.

Fixed-length poles are the lightest option, usually carbon fibre, and they suit hikers who know their ideal length and use a pole-supported shelter. The drawback is adjustability: they cannot shorten for steep climbs or lengthen for descents, and they are awkward to pack on public transport or in a small pack.

Folding poles pack down smallest and are popular with trail runners and travellers, but their joints add weight and a potential failure point. Three-section folding poles are a good compromise for hikers who only use poles on rough sections and want them stowed the rest of the time.

Adjustable telescoping poles are the most versatile. Twist-lock and lever-lock mechanisms both work, but lever locks are easier to adjust with cold or wet hands and are simpler to clean after muddy trips. Aluminium adjustable poles are cheaper and tougher than carbon, while carbon poles are lighter but can snap under a sharp sideways load.

Technique matters as much as the pole itself. Set poles so your elbow bends at roughly 90 degrees on flat ground, shorten them on climbs, and lengthen them on descents. Plant the pole slightly ahead and push back, rather than leaning on it, and use the wrist straps properly, coming up through the loop so the strap supports your hand.

There are trips where poles are not worth it. On flat, smooth trails with a very light pack, poles add little and can feel like clutter. Some hikers also dislike poles on scrambly terrain where hands are needed for rock, and in those sections poles should be stowed, not carried in hand.

Weight-saving tips help sceptics: carbon poles around 150 grams each are widely available, and cork grips absorb sweat better than foam on long days. Replace worn tips promptly, since a missing tip turns a pole into a skid on rock and damages the pole shaft over time.

Try before you buy if possible. Borrow a pair for a hilly day walk and pay attention to your knees, your rhythm, and your hands at the end of the day. Many hikers who resist poles convert after one steep descent, and many who love them still leave them home for flat canal walks.

The honest verdict is that poles earn their weight for most multi-day hikers, especially anyone with knee trouble, anyone using a trekking-pole shelter, or anyone walking rough or steep terrain. Treat them as part of your shelter and safety system, not as an accessory, and the grams make sense.