These Trekking Poles Are an Avid Hiker’s Gear MVP

As someone who has been hiking since they were a kid, I knew that my first week-long, high-alpine hiking trip would be rough. Unsurprisingly, I found myself gasping for air 10,000 feet above sea level this past summer, hauling my hiking pack up the rocky scree of the Swiss Alps. Still, the extremes of high-altitude hiking—the bloating, the air pressure changes, air pressure drops, being packed like a sardine into a bunkbed with 10 other hikers—aren’t talked about enough, and I soon realized that I had underestimated the physical and mental toll of it.  

As quickly as I thought of quitting, though, I was soon pinching myself, mesmerized by the wild alpine ibex, the merging glaciers, and the heavenly snowcapped peaks. Through lush storybook valleys to steep falling rockslopes, I pushed ahead, cursing and panting and tearing up over the natural beauty during my multi-day hut hike through Switzerland’s Valais region. 

Alas, these are the intense highs and lows of hut-to-hut hiking in the Alps. What I learned, despite my many blunders, was that I got at least one thing right: I packed my Black Diamond trekking poles.

Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon Z Trekking Poles

Over rocks and steep gravel and through the edelweiss, these trekking poles were there for me. When I was ready to tip over from the weight of my pack, when I wanted to quit, they carried me forward. I couldn’t have done it without the support of these poles, and after holding onto that comfy cork grip for dear life all week, leaning on these sturdy carbon fiber poles like they were my bestie, I know they’ll be the first thing I pack for future hikes.

Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon Z Trekking Poles

I’ve tried a half dozen trekking poles in recent years, and my third pair was a charm. My first budget-friendly starter poles, a pair from Cascade Mountain, were a bit too bulky and stiff for my liking. Later, the aluminum Mountainsmith Halite 7075 trekking poles fell short for me, with a grip that felt too skinny in my palm as well as nonadjustable poles that were too long for my 5’2” frame.

Then, this past summer, I tested the Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon Z poles. I first took them for a spin in July on Austria’s limestone peaks and plateaus in the Leogang Mountains, then in August across Switzerland’s rocky high-alpine Valais region, and once again while back home in Maine, while traversing over rocks and roots cliff-side trails at Acadia National Park.

Black Diamond Pursuit Carbon Z Trekking Poles

I’ve now carried my Black Diamond trekking poles (well, really, they carried me) across a dozen different hiking and backpacking routes—but it only took one day for me to know they were the right choice. Ringing in at just 13 ounces, they were light as a feather and flexible, yet still incredibly supportive. Until recently, the carbon fiber of trekking poles could easily snap, but today, they’ve hit a sweet spots with stiffer construction and less vibration for better shock absorption across rocky, uneven terrain. I guess you get what you pay for.

These intuitive trekking poles collapse with the single push of a button into three fast-folding, 14-inch sections. This allowed me to access them quickly and without hassle—I was able to put them up quickly while crossing a suspension bridge and pop them back open during moments of steep elevation gain, as we climbed our way up to Swiss Alpine Club’s Almageller Hut. 

These poles have also helped me beat fatigue on long, chilly backpacking trails. They take snow like a ski pole, and their ergonomic, secure recycled grips (made from breathable algae biomass) kept my hands cool and dry all day while breaking a sweat up the Beehive Trail in Acadia. Bonus: They fold up small enough to fit in my checked bag, which is a major plus, considering most airlines won’t let you carry hiking poles on.

All in all, these Black Diamond trekking poles were the MVP of my Swiss Alps adventure. If you’re wondering if I would dare to attempt this hike again, the answer is yes—as long as these poles come with me. 

Curious to know what other gear I’d recommend for alpine treks? Keep scrolling for some of my other hiking must-haves, including a lower-priced trekking pole alternative, noise-canceling earbuds, and a storm-proof outer layer. 

More Hiking Essentials to Shop:

Kelty Range 2.0 Trekking Poles

For a cheaper hiking pole alternative, I recommend trying out the Kelty Range 2.0 Trekking Poles. They’re made with durable aluminum alloy and have cork and foam hand grips to keep you comfortable while climbing.

Apple AirPods 4 Wireless Earbuds

Block out the snoring hikers in your shared hut by bringing along these Apple Airpods 4 Wireless Earbuds Bluetooth Headphones. These earbuds are equipped with noise cancellation and personalized spatial audio, so you can tune out your neighbors’ late-night shuffles and snores.

Rab Protium Lightweight Daypack

You definitely don’t want to overpack for a high-altitude trek, but you’ll still want to bring a comfortable pack with plenty of room, like the Rab Protium Lightweight Daypack. This pack has a close-fitting back panel that provides additional support and flexibility for your frame while climbing uneven or difficult terrain. Plus, it has an external attachment specifically designed to hold your trekking poles. 

Finisterre Stormbird Waterproof Jacket

One hiker’s long trek is another’s short jaunt, especially for the Swiss, who are known to set out on the trail as toddlers. On a hike along the Aletch Glacier—the longest and, in my opinion, most beautiful in Europe-–I stood over an ant-sized family with two young children crossing where the glacier runs a mile-wide and the ice rises so high, you could get lost between ridges. Come prepared for anything with Finisterre’s Stormbird Waterproof Jacket. This waterproof, windproof will ensure you’ll stay dry and warm, no matter what hail, snow, or rain storm Mother Nature might throw your way.

Helly-Hansen LIFA Merino Midweight Crew 

The weather can change at a moment’s notice when you rise above 8,000 feet, so plan ahead to stay warm. Rab’s Xenair Alpine Light Insulated Jacket and Helly-Hansen’s LIFA Merino Midweight Base Layer are a winning combination.

Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED Sapphire

If you’re like me and have a hard time adjusting to higher altitudes, I recommend investing in a fitness smartwatch. The Garmin fenix 8 AMOLED 43 can help you keep track of your elevation gain, check the weather, look up your route, and monitor your heart rate and rhythm, and even your blood’s O2 saturation. Equipped with stamina tracking, 10 days of battery life, a built-in LED flashlight, voice assistance, and music storage, this one has it all. 

Sea to Summit Spark Ultralight Down Sleeping Bag

For a high-altitude, multi-day trek, you’ll want to bring a sleeping liner for extra warmth. I’m a fan of this ultra-lightweight Sea to Summit Spark Sleeping Bag, which already has a built-in liner and rolls up super compact to fit in your backpack. You’ll forget it’s even there until it’s time to crawl into bed.

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