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5 Best Snowshoeing Poles for Beginners: Top Choices for 2024

August 12, 2024 6 min read

Snowshoeing is an excellent winter activity that allows you to explore snowy landscapes with ease. Whether you're a novice or experienced in winter sports, having the right gear is essential for a comfortable and safe adventure. One of the most important pieces of equipment you'll need is a reliable pair of snowshoeing poles.

Snowshoeing poles arranged in a row on snowy ground, with a scenic winter landscape in the background

Choosing the best snowshoeing poles can significantly improve your stability and overall experience. With so many options on the market, it can be challenging to know where to start. This guide will help you navigate through the top choices, ensuring you find the best fit for your needs as a beginner.

1) Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork

A snowy trail winds through a forest, with the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork snowshoeing poles leaning against a tree, ready for use

The Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork snowshoeing poles are an excellent choice for beginners. These poles feature ergonomically shaped cork grips that provide comfort and reduce hand fatigue during long treks.

They have a natural cork grip that wicks away moisture, keeping your hands dry and comfortable. The adjustable wrist straps offer additional support and control.

The FlickLock mechanism allows for easy and quick length adjustments. You can effortlessly adapt to changing terrain without losing momentum.

The poles are made from durable aluminum, ensuring they can withstand rough conditions. The carbide tips offer great traction on snow and ice.

These snowshoeing poles also come with interchangeable baskets. This lets you switch between standard trekking and snow baskets, increasing versatility.

Weighing just around 1.2 pounds, the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork poles are lightweight yet sturdy. This balance makes them perfect for maintaining stability and reducing strain on your arms.

2) MSR DynaLock Explore

The MSR DynaLock Explore poles are designed with reliability and ease of use in mind.

One of the standout features is the DynaLock mechanism, which allows for quick length adjustments. This is especially useful when navigating varying terrain.

The poles are made from lightweight aluminum. This ensures durability without adding unnecessary weight, making them ideal for long treks.

A comfortable grip is provided by the ergonomic foam handles. Additionally, the adjustable wrist straps offer extra support and stability.

Another practical aspect is the telescoping design. This lets you easily pack the poles when not in use.

The MSR DynaLock Explore poles come with interchangeable baskets. This versatility ensures they perform well in different snow conditions.

Their reliability and practical design make these poles a great choice for beginners venturing into snowshoeing.

3) LEKI Micro Vario Carbon

The LEKI Micro Vario Carbon poles offer a blend of durability and lightweight performance. Their carbon construction ensures you get a sturdy yet manageable pole, ideal for long snowshoeing excursions.

These poles feature a reliable Speed Lock 2 adjustment mechanism, allowing you to easily tailor the length to suit the terrain.

The poles also boast ergonomic Aergon grips, providing a comfortable hold that reduces hand fatigue. This makes them particularly suitable for beginners who might be unfamiliar with long-duration hikes.

They can be conveniently collapsed down to a compact size, making them easy to stow in your backpack. This is especially useful if you anticipate switching between trekking and snowshoeing.

With interchangeable snow baskets, these poles adapt well to varying snow conditions, offering you versatility in your winter adventures.

The LEKI Micro Vario Carbon poles are an excellent option if you're looking for a balance of strength, weight, and ease of use.

4) Komperdell Highlander Cork

A snowy mountain trail with a pair of Komperdell Highlander Cork 5 snowshoeing poles planted firmly in the snow, surrounded by pristine winter scenery

Komperdell Highlander Cork trekking poles offer impressive durability and comfort. They are designed with beginners in mind, ensuring ease of use and a supportive experience on snowy trails.

The cork grips are one of the standout features. They provide a comfortable, non-slip hold which is crucial for maintaining balance. Additionally, cork minimizes sweating, keeping your hands dry during extended use.

These poles are adjustable, allowing you to find the perfect height for your needs. The adjustment mechanism is reliable, ensuring that the poles stay at your preferred length without slipping.

Made from lightweight aluminum, the Highlander Cork is sturdy yet easy to carry. This balance of weight and durability makes them a practical choice for long hikes.

The poles also come with strong snow baskets. These baskets prevent the poles from sinking too deeply into the snow, enhancing stability.

If you're new to snowshoeing, you'll appreciate the comprehensive design of the Komperdell Highlander Cork. They offer the essential features needed for a safe and enjoyable outdoor experience.

5) Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber

The Cascade Mountain Tech Carbon Fiber snowshoeing poles offer a combination of durability and lightweight construction. Made from 100% carbon fiber, these poles ensure strength without adding unnecessary weight. This design makes them ideal for long snowshoeing trips.

The adjustable length feature allows you to customize the poles to your height and the terrain. You can easily extend or shorten them using the reliable quick-lock mechanism. This adaptability is perfect when traversing varied snowy landscapes.

Equipped with tungsten carbide tips, these poles provide excellent grip on icy surfaces. Each pole also comes with a set of snow baskets to prevent sinking into deep snow. This feature guarantees stability and support during your adventures.

The ergonomic cork grips are designed for comfort and moisture management. They reduce fatigue by providing a natural feel and good thermal insulation. Paired with padded wrist straps, you have enhanced control and comfort throughout your journey.

For easy transport, these poles collapse down to a compact size. They come with a carrying bag for convenient storage and portability. This practicality ensures you're always ready for your next snowshoeing trip.

Understanding Snowshoeing Poles

Snowshoeing poles provide significant support and stability during snowshoeing. They are designed to enhance your experience by improving balance and reducing strain on your body.

What Are Snowshoeing Poles?

Snowshoeing poles are specialized poles used in snowy landscapes to aid with balance and mobility. They feature adjustable lengths to accommodate varying terrain conditions and user heights. The poles typically have wider baskets on the bottom to prevent sinking into snow.

Materials like aluminum and carbon fiber are commonly used to ensure durability and lightweight handling. Additionally, many poles include ergonomic grips and wrist straps for increased comfort and efficiency during use.

Benefits of Using Snowshoeing Poles

Using snowshoeing poles can make your snowshoeing experience more comfortable and enjoyable. Poles help distribute your weight more evenly, reducing strain on your knees and hips. This added support is especially beneficial on uneven or steep terrain.

Poles also improve your balance, making it easier to navigate challenging paths and deep snow. They can even assist with maintaining a steady rhythm and pace. Furthermore, the use of poles can enhance your upper body workout, engaging muscles that would otherwise be less active.

Features to Look for When Choosing Snowshoeing Poles

When selecting snowshoeing poles, consider factors like length, adjustability, material durability, and grip and strap types. These elements directly impact your comfort, stability, and endurance during snowshoeing.

Length and Adjustability

The length of your snowshoeing poles should match your height and the type of terrain you’ll be navigating. Adjustable poles are particularly useful as they can be shortened for uphill climbs and lengthened for downhill descents.

Having the correct length ensures that you can maintain proper posture and reduce strain on your body. A general rule is to have your elbows at a 90-degree angle when holding the poles upright on flat terrain.

Locking mechanisms like flip-locks or twist-locks enhance the reliability and ease of adjustments. Flip-locks tend to be easier to manipulate with gloves on, which is beneficial in snowy conditions.

Material and Durability

Snowshoeing poles are typically made from aluminum or carbon fiber. Aluminum poles are sturdy and less expensive, making them a good choice for beginners. They are also more resilient to rough handling, which is common in snowshoeing.

Carbon fiber poles are lighter and provide better shock absorption, reducing fatigue over long distances. However, they can be more expensive and prone to breaking under heavy load.

The construction quality and materials used influence the pole's durability and weight. Both factors are crucial as they affect how you handle different terrains and conditions.

Grip and Strap Types

Grips are usually made from cork, foam, or rubber. Cork grips are comfortable as they conform to your hand's shape and wick away moisture. Foam grips are soft and offer good insulation against cold, while rubber grips are durable and provide a secure hold, even when wet.

Straps help keep the poles attached to your hands without needing a continuous grip. Padded adjustable straps offer better comfort and can be tightened or loosened easily. Wrist straps are generally preferred for their simplicity and ability to bear some of your weight, reducing fatigue.

Selecting the right grip and strap type is crucial for ensuring comfort and efficiency during snowshoeing excursions.