Carbon or aluminum hiking poles? " Test for newcomers ✓

First things first: neither material is better or worse than the other. It depends much more on your personal preferences and areas of use. Whether you choose carbon or aluminum hiking poles is entirely up to you.

To make your choice 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?

Hiking poles made of carbon vs. aluminum 

Hardly any other topic causes more discussion in forums than the choice of hiking poles. While some prefer trekking poles made of carbon, for others only aluminum comes into question. But what is the difference between the two materials and what are the advantages and disadvantages of each model?

Are you more of a video person? No problem, in our buying guide to hiking poles we go into the subject in detail.

Video advice on hiking poles " How to find the right hiking poles

Carbon hiking poles 

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

Advantages: 

•  Lighter than aluminum poles: ideal for long hikes
•  Optimum vibration protection
•  High rigidity (does not twist easily)

Disadvantages:

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

Aluminum hiking poles 

Our aluminum hiking poles are made of super-light aircraft aluminum. Nevertheless, they are heavier than trekking poles made of carbon. As aluminum hiking poles are also slightly less rigid, vibrations are transmitted rather than absorbed. Unless they are spring-loaded.

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

Advantages:  

• Cheaper
•  Bend under load, therefore no risk of injury
•  More robust

Disadvantages:

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

What types of walking poles are there?

You already know that there are hiking poles made of carbon or aluminum. But it's not just the material that plays a decisive role when choosing 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 are these models all about? We have summarized the most important information for you: 

Telescopic walking poles

Sturdy telescopic poles are easy to push together. The lighter they are, the better. The individual parts are either screwed together or fixed in place with clamps. Thanks to their small pack size, telescopic hiking poles made of carbon or aluminum are also suitable for short-term carrying if you have to pass climbing sections.

Telescopic walking poles have proven themselves in practice, especially on demanding tours, due to their excellent stability.

Folding canes

Almost the same applies to the folding poles , except that they are folded rather than pushed together. The individual elements are connected with a thick cable and are simply threaded and tensioned during assembly.

In contrast to telescopic hiking poles, there are no clamps and no screw mechanism. This makes the hiking or trekking poles even lighter. Folding poles often take up less space and are therefore easier to stow away. The weight of folding poles is also somewhat lower, which makes this variant very popular. 

Telescopic and folding poles are available with different grips. Solid plastic and rubber make for sweaty hands and can quickly lead to unpleasant blisters . Some handles also have an unpleasant abrasion that blackens the hands.

This is another reason why the handles of the hiking poles should be made of at least foam, and preferably cork. ALPIN LOACKER hiking poles only have sustainable cork handles, the practical handle extension is made of foam. This makes the carbon or aluminum hiking poles very comfortable to hold. The palms remain dry and clean.

There is often a shorter and a longer version of the same model. The shorter version of the Alpin Loacker carbon folding poles is intended for people under 165 cm tall.

The ideal length setting is difficult to generalize. However, there are a few tricks for setting the perfect length for yourself. Basically, when the handle is held in the hand and the tip of the pole is on the ground, the elbow should be at an angle of approx. 90°. It is of course an advantage to wear the right shoes. When going downhill, the poles tend to be a little longer. 

Conclusion

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

FAQ on the topic: Hiking poles - carbon or aluminum?

What should I bear in mind when using walking poles when going downhill?

When walking downhill, you can tend to set the walking poles a little longer. It is important that the handle is held in your hand and the tip of the pole is on the ground while your elbow is at an angle of approx. 90°. It is also advantageous to wear suitable shoes to ensure optimum balance and support. The length of the poles can be individually adjusted to enable comfortable and effective use during the descent.

Which is lighter carbon or aluminum hiking poles?

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

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