2026 Trekking Poles Weight Comparison

The lightest on the shelf at 139 g (4.9 oz) is the Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair). The median weight for the seven models on this shelf is 370 g (13.1 oz). The reader gives up $195 to achieve that lightest weight at 139 g (4.9 oz), moving away from the median price of $170. Moving to the lightest model at 139 g (4.9 oz) reduces the weight, but requires a monetary trade to secure those ounces. The exact cost is clearly stated by the figures, leaving no room for assumptions.

RidgeNote measures seven models here. The register records the weights and prices exactly as published, placing them in order so you can measure what every ounce costs. We measure the numbers so you do not have to guess. The exact cost of dropping from the middle of the pack to the very top is calculated strictly from the figures. Every model is ranked by weight, ensuring you can see exactly where the money trades for less weight on your back.

Every ounce requires effort, and every dollar spent comes from your budget. The register lays out the figures so you can compare the Gossamer Gear FT3 Folding Trekking Poles at 178 g (6.3 oz) directly against the Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles at 540 g (19.0 oz). The difference is presented in the raw data you need to purchase a model that aligns with your specific constraints.

The picks, with their figures

1. The lightest on the shelf

   Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair)

   4.9 oz · #1 of 7 · lighter than 100% of the shelf · $195.00 · $39.77/oz

   The Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair) sits at 139 g (4.9 oz) and $195, lighter than 100% of the shelf. Achieving this weight costs $3.07 per ounce saved vs the median.

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2. The lightest under $150.00

   Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles

   1.19 lb · #5 of 7 · lighter than 33% of the shelf · $49.99 · $2.62/oz

   The Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles weigh 540 g (19.0 oz) and cost $50, making them the lightest under $150.00. They are lighter than 33% of the shelf at a price of $2.62/oz.

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3. The cheapest with a listed price

   TrailBuddy Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles

   1.21 lb · #6 of 7 · lighter than 17% of the shelf · $37.90 · $1.95/oz

   The TrailBuddy Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles cost $38 for 550 g (19.4 oz). They are lighter than 17% of the shelf and carry a price per ounce of $1.95/oz.

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4. The exact median weight

   Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles

   13.1 oz · #4 of 7 · lighter than 50% of the shelf · $159.95 · $12.26/oz

   The Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles match the shelf median exactly at 370 g (13.1 oz). They cost $160, coming in lighter than 50% of the shelf at $12.26/oz.

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How to read this shelf

The median on this shelf sits at 370 g (13.1 oz) and $170. That midpoint defines what a standard weight is for the category. The Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles sit exactly at that mark at 370 g (13.1 oz) and $160, landing lighter than 50% of the shelf. When we establish the median, we give you a center point to measure every other model against. The figures tell you exactly how far a model strays from the standard in either direction, mapping the exact trade.

The spread from the lightest model at 139 g (4.9 oz) to the heaviest model at 590 g (20.8 oz) is 451 g (15.9 oz). The "lighter than" figure shows exactly where a model sits against the group. The Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair) is lighter than 100% of the shelf at 139 g (4.9 oz), while the Leki Cressida FX Carbon Trekking Poles are lighter than 0% of the shelf at 590 g (20.8 oz). The spread reveals the numerical variance in the category. A wide spread means you have multiple choices regarding weight.

Understanding the shelf requires looking at the numbers without assumptions. The TrailBuddy Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles weigh 550 g (19.4 oz) and are lighter than 17% of the shelf. The Leki Makalu Lite AS Trekking Poles weigh 257 g (9.1 oz) and are lighter than 67% of the shelf. These exact figures show you precisely where your money goes when you shift from one rank to another.

The numbers also let you measure what you gain by spending more. The median price per ounce across the category is $12.26/oz. By looking at how each model compares to this median, you can judge the absolute financial cost of the weight reduction. The data remains rigid, offering you a clear lens to evaluate every single option provided on the spine.

The weight-for-money trade

Moving down the scale changes the cost. The lightest under $150.00 at 540 g (19.0 oz) is the Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles for $50. The lightest under $250.00 at 139 g (4.9 oz) is the Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair) for $195. These price ceilings define what you can acquire when your budget is strict. You can see the exact trade you make when you step from one price ceiling to the next.

The median price per ounce across the seven models is $12.26/oz. The TrailBuddy Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles carry the lowest price per ounce at $1.95/oz for a weight of 550 g (19.4 oz). Dropping from the median to the Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair) costs $3.07 per ounce saved vs the median. Reaching the Gossamer Gear FT3 Folding Trekking Poles at 178 g (6.3 oz) costs $11.08 per ounce saved vs the median.

Expanding on where the money stops buying grams requires reviewing the exact figures. The Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair) cost $195 for 139 g (4.9 oz). The Gossamer Gear FT3 Folding Trekking Poles cost $245 for 178 g (6.3 oz). Spending $245 against the $195 price point changes the weight from 139 g (4.9 oz) to 178 g (6.3 oz). Paying the higher price results in a heavier model, demonstrating exactly where the money stops buying grams on this shelf.

We can trace the financial trade further across the register. The Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles cost $160 at 370 g (13.1 oz). To go lighter requires spending $170 for the Leki Makalu Lite AS Trekking Poles at 257 g (9.1 oz) or $195 for the Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair) at 139 g (4.9 oz). Every step down in weight demands a higher payment from your budget, and the figures map that escalation exactly.

The middle of the shelf

The Leki Makalu Lite AS Trekking Poles land at 257 g (9.1 oz) and $170, lighter than 67% of the shelf. Stepping one rank down to the Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles changes the weight to 370 g (13.1 oz) against the Leki Makalu Lite AS Trekking Poles at 257 g (9.1 oz). The price moves from $170 for the Leki Makalu Lite AS Trekking Poles to $160 for the Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles. This demonstrates the exact cost of a single rank transition.

Dropping another rank down reaches the Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles at 540 g (19.0 oz) and $50. Moving from the Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles at $160 to the Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles at $50 changes the weight from 370 g (13.1 oz) to 540 g (19.0 oz). The Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles are lighter than 33% of the shelf at $2.62/oz, mapping the middle section cleanly.

The middle ranks define the center of gravity for the entire category. The models clustered near the 370 g (13.1 oz) median show what you can expect without spending the maximum amount. The Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles at $160 and 370 g (13.1 oz) sit exactly in this middle space, representing the standard option before moving toward either end of the register. You can use this anchor to evaluate every other model.

The numerical differences between ranks dictate the purchasing decision. The Gossamer Gear FT3 Folding Trekking Poles sit at 178 g (6.3 oz) and $245, lighter than 83% of the shelf. Stepping down to the Leki Makalu Lite AS Trekking Poles at 257 g (9.1 oz) and $170 brings the price down but increases the load. These middle transitions are where the budget decisions occur.

Who should not buy the lightest

The numbers measure exactly what the register reads. They do not say how these models perform in use. The Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair) are the lightest on the shelf at 139 g (4.9 oz) and $195. That weight metric cannot verify how much pressure the model can take on a descent. If you require assurance of stability, the numbers alone cannot provide it.

The register simply reads the weight and price. The TrailBuddy Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles weigh 550 g (19.4 oz) for $38, while the Leki Cressida FX Carbon Trekking Poles weigh 590 g (20.8 oz) for $232. You must decide if the numbers align with your budget and what you demand on a hike, as the figures alone cannot promise a specific outcome on the trail.

The lightest models at 139 g (4.9 oz) require compromises the spine does not track. Choosing them means prioritizing weight reduction above all other attributes. If you require features outside of weight, the lightest model on the shelf at 139 g (4.9 oz) may not be the correct purchase for your specific needs. The data only speaks to the scale and the wallet.

The Gossamer Gear FT3 Folding Trekking Poles weigh 178 g (6.3 oz) and cost $245. This places them at the high end of the price spectrum and the low end of the weight spectrum. However, a hiker seeking the lowest financial cost at $38 would prefer the TrailBuddy Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles. You should not buy the lightest if the price exceeds what you are willing to spend to drop those ounces.

Every model on this shelf, lightest first

7 trekking poles. Median 13.1 oz, median price $169.95, median $12.26 per ounce.

The whole category, every model placed: the trekking poles measured.

What we did not measure

RidgeNote measures weight and price based on published figures. We do not test these models on the trail, and we do not claim field experience. We do not measure durability, weather resistance, or how a grip feels. We do not track if a model will hold up under physical pressure.

The register knows nothing about construction, design, or materials. It does not record whether a model uses single-wall or double-wall structures, freestanding setups, or fabrics like DCF, Dyneema, silnylon, silpoly, or nylon. It does not track denier, season ratings, doors, vestibules, packed size, headroom, fill, frames, or canisters.

If a question needs one of these attributes, you must look beyond the spine, as our figures alone cannot answer those questions. The register simply does not carry that attribute. We read what the scale and the price tag state, and leave the unmeasurable properties out of the comparison.

Questions people ask

Which trekking poles are the lightest on the shelf at 139 g (4.9 oz)?

The lightest on the shelf at 139 g (4.9 oz) is the Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair). They cost $195 and are lighter than 100% of the shelf. Achieving this weight costs $3.07 per ounce saved vs the median.

What is the median price for trekking poles?

The median price for models on this shelf is $170. The Black Diamond Distance Z Trekking Poles cost $160 and weigh 370 g (13.1 oz), placing them near that median price.

Which model carries the lowest price per ounce at $1.95/oz?

The TrailBuddy Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles sit at $1.95/oz. They cost $38 and weigh 550 g (19.4 oz), making them the cheapest with a listed price at $38.

What is the spread between the lightest at 139 g (4.9 oz) and heaviest at 590 g (20.8 oz) trekking poles?

The spread is 451 g (15.9 oz) between the lightest and heaviest. The lightest on the shelf at 139 g (4.9 oz) is the Gossamer Gear LT5 Three Piece Carbon Trekking Poles (pair), and the heaviest on the shelf at 590 g (20.8 oz) is the Leki Cressida FX Carbon Trekking Poles.

Which trekking poles are the lightest under $150.00 at 540 g (19.0 oz)?

The lightest under $150.00 at 540 g (19.0 oz) is the Cascade Mountain Tech Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles. They cost $50 and carry a price per ounce of $2.62/oz, coming in lighter than 33% of the shelf.

Does RidgeNote track packed size or durability?

No, the register does not carry that attribute. RidgeNote only records exact weight and price figures from the spine. We do not measure durability, materials, design, packed size, or other features a spec sheet cannot convey.

The picks, head to head

• Distance Z Trekking Poles vs Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles
• Lightweight Aluminum Trekking Poles vs Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles
• Distance Z Trekking Poles vs Trekking Poles – Lightweight 7075 Aluminum Hiking Poles