Trekking poles carbon or aluminum? » Test for beginners ✓

First of all: Neither of the two materials is better or worse than the other. It really depends on your personal preferences and areas of use. Whether you choose trekking poles made of carbon or aluminum is entirely up to you.

To make your selection easier, we have compiled the most important features and criteria for you. You will learn about the advantages and variants of the individual models and receive all the information you need to make the right choice. Are you ready?

Carbon vs. Aluminum Trekking Poles

Hardly any topic generates more discussions in forums than the selection of trekking poles. While some prefer trekking poles made of carbon, for others only aluminum is an option. But what is it about the two materials, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of the models?

Are you more of a video type? No problem, in our buying guide for trekking poles, we go into detail on the topic.

Video Consultation Trekking Poles » How to Find the Right Trekking Poles

Carbon Trekking Poles

Telescopic trekking poles made of carbon are, as the name suggests, made of carbon. We rely on high-quality 3K carbon for production. Compared to conventional trekking poles made of carbon, all models from Alpin Loacker are significantly more robust. Trekking poles made of carbon are all more expensive than aluminum poles. However, they are also lighter and, especially on long hikes, an ideal companion. 

Advantages: 

•  Lighter than aluminum poles: therefore ideal for long hikes
•  Optimal vibration protection
•  High stiffness (does not twist easily)

Disadvantages:

• Breaks more easily under high loads compared to aluminum
• Lower notch toughness
•  More expensive than aluminum poles

Aluminum Trekking Poles

Our Aluminum Trekking Poles consist of super lightweight aircraft aluminum. Nevertheless, they are heavier than trekking poles made of carbon. Since aluminum hiking poles also have slightly less stiffness, vibrations are more likely to be transmitted rather than absorbed. Unless they are cushioned.

This can get on your nerves quite a bit on long hiking tours. Aluminum poles are generally cheaper than trekking poles made of carbon. However, they have a decisive advantage: under high loads, aluminum bends and rarely tends to break.

Advantages:  

• Cheaper
•  Bends under load, thus no risk of injury
•  More robust

Disadvantages:

•  Heavier than trekking poles made of carbon
•  Bends more easily

What types of hiking poles are there?

You already know that there are hiking poles made of carbon or aluminum. But not only the material plays a decisive role in the selection of trekking poles. The type of pole is also an important criterion. In addition to telescopic hiking poles, foldable poles are also becoming increasingly popular. But what is it about these models? We have summarized the most important information for you: 

Telescopic Hiking Poles

Stable telescopic poles can be easily collapsed. The lighter they are, the better. To fix them, the individual parts are either screwed tight or fixed with clamps. Thanks to their small packing size, telescopic hiking poles made of carbon or aluminum are also suitable for short-term carrying if you need to pass climbing sections.

Especially on demanding tours, telescopic hiking poles have proven themselves in practice due to their excellent stability.

Foldable Poles

For the foldable poles almost the same applies, except that these cannot be collapsed but folded. The individual elements are connected with a thick cable and are simply threaded and tensioned when assembled.

In contrast to telescopic hiking poles, there are no clamps and no screw mechanism. Thus the hiking or trekking poles are even lighter. Often, foldable poles are somewhat more space-saving and therefore easier to store. Also, the weight is slightly lower in foldable poles, which makes this variant very popular. 

Telescopic and foldable poles are offered with different grips. Full plastic and rubber cause sweaty hands  and can quickly lead to unpleasant blisters . Some grips also have an unpleasant abrasion that blackens the hands.

For this reason, the grips of the trekking poles should be made of at least foam, even better cork. ALPIN LOACKER Trekking poles exclusively feature sustainable cork grips, the practical grip extension is made of foam. This makes the carbon or aluminum trekking poles feel very comfortable in the hand. The palms stay dry and clean. 

There is often a shorter and a longer version of the same model. In the case of the Alpin Loacker carbon folding poles , the shorter version is intended for people with a height of under 165 cm. 

The ideal length setting is difficult to generalize. However, there are a few tricks to find the perfect length for yourself. Basically, when the grip is held in the hand and the pole tip is on the ground, the elbow should be at an angle of approximately 90°. It is, of course, advantageous to wear the appropriate shoes as well. For downhill walking, you generally make the poles a bit longer. 

Conclusion

As mentioned at the beginning, neither of the two materials is better or worse than the other. It depends more on your personal preferences and the areas of use. Whether you choose trekking poles made of carbon or aluminum is entirely up to you. The choice depends on various factors, including weight, robustness, vibration protection, and price. Carbon trekking poles are lighter, offer optimal vibration protection, and are stiffer, while aluminum trekking poles are cheaper and more robust. Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages, and it's up to you to make the right choice.

FAQ on the topic: Trekking poles - Carbon or Aluminum?

What should be considered when using trekking poles for downhill walking?

When walking downhill, you can generally set the trekking poles a bit longer. It is important that the grip is held in the hand and the pole tip is on the ground while your elbow is at an angle of approximately 90°. It is advantageous to wear suitable shoes to ensure optimal balance and support. The length of the poles can be individually adjusted to allow for comfortable and effective use during descent.

Which is lighter, carbon or aluminum trekking poles?

Carbon trekking poles are generally lighter than aluminum trekking poles. Carbon is a lightweight material with high strength, making carbon trekking poles weigh less. This makes them particularly suitable for long hikes or activities where every gram counts. Aluminum trekking poles are somewhat heavier in comparison but offer a good balance between weight and robustness.

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