The best trekking poles can do wonders for casual walkers, backpackers and thru-hikers alike. More than just a fancy set of sticks, trekking poles provide stability and support on rough terrain, ...

If you’ve never used a pair of trekking poles for hiking, you’re in for a treat. They’re useful for so many things: They help improve your balance when you’re picking your way along rough or unstable ...

In 2002, on day eight of my first-ever thru hike of the Appalachian Trail, I descended to the Nantahala Outdoor Center at mile 138 with a deflated spirit, a crushingly heavy pack, shin splints, and ...

TREKKING POLES ARE a polarizing topic for athletes in a wide variety of sports and outdoor adventures. Some think they're every bit as essential as a good pair of hiking boots, sunscreen, and a first ...

Hiking poles aren’t just for older folks with cranky joints. A good pair of hiking poles is essential gear for the trail—just like hiking boots, hiking socks, hiking pants, and hiking packs. Not only ...

Whether you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail or doing a loop around your local park, trekking poles can provide stability and balance on the trail. Over time, that extra support can help reduce fatigue ...

Our testers put everything from budget aluminum to the fanciest carbon through the wringer. These are the best trekking poles of 2026.

The time to start hiking with trekking poles was yesterday. This simple piece of outdoor equipment extends your limbs, giving you more power and stability on the trails. They lessen the impact on your ...

Forest never gives away all its secrets at once, often keeping the dangerous or adorable creatures hidden. Sometimes, they ...

When 27-year-old Sumitra Acharya took on a job as a trekking porter in 2019, she had a mountain to climb. With Nepal’s outdoor industry a male-dominated field, she defied societal expectations, ...