Pro Tips & Buyer Info for Folding Z-Poles

Why You Need Poles

Poles reduce joint stress on the descent, take the sting out of steep climbs. After extended use, you get so accustomed to hiking with poles that it can almost feel like you have a second set of limbs, acting as a balancing aid on tricky terrain. The best z-poles can help you move faster and more smoothly on or off the trail, and as more and more hikers opt for a lighter base weight setup, trekking poles have taken the place of structural tent poles for a tarp-tent shelter setup, as opposed to the classic freestanding or semi-freestanding tent options.

How To Choose The Best Z-Poles

Choosing the best Z Poles for your needs depends on what type of terrain you’ll be crossing through. Hiking on an established, well-maintained trail calls for different z-poles than if you’re planning a journey through off-trail terrain like talus or other loose rock and debris. A carbon shaft is more expensive but lighter weight, and while they’re strong with a vertical load, carbon poles have a tendency to break when shock-loaded from the side.

While aluminum poles are heavier, they are less expensive and are often more durable. The lightest weight poles are ideal for fastpacking on established trails, or for endurance runs where every gram matters, but won’t be ideal for more rugged off-trail travel.

The basket attachments on the end of your poles are also important, and can be switched out depending on tread. Wider baskets are ideal for staying more on top of snow, but will be frustrating on rocky or rooty ground.

If you will be using the your z-poles with a trekking-pole supported shelter, make sure to choose an adjustable height pair.

Why Lighter Z poles are Better

Lighter Z-poles reduce arm fatigue, are easier to swing, more accurate to place, and more fun to use. The problem is that many of the lightest poles are also weak. That’s why this buyer’s guide focuses on models that are both strong and ultralight. While heavy poles tend to be stronger, they will add unnecessary fatigue to your arms, and are less accurate and less fun to use.

Aluminum Vs. Carbon Fiber Folding Poles

Carbon fiber poles have been trendy for over a decade, and they have a lot of things going for them. When well-made, they are lighter and stiffer than the aluminum poles. And the weight savings are important because choosing Z-poles implies a desire to pack them. But when you look at the weight and durability (durability is different than stiffness), and when compared to the price point, there’s much to be said about using good old-fashioned aluminum.

Carbon poles are made of some of the lightest material available for poles, and the material can actually reduce vibration and jarring on the trail. While strong, carbon is more fragile than aluminum if it gets a sharp load from the side like the edge of a rock. We’ve broken a number of UL carbon poles in talus. And oftentimes you’re only saving a few ounces vs. aluminum if you compare and shop carefully.

Aluminum poles are made with super tough materials, making them even more durable than carbon. They also weigh just a few ounces more than comparable carbon poles, and you can often find them for a fraction of the price. When overloaded, aluminum poles are more prone to bending than snapping, and will still be somewhat useable after the damage is inflicted.

Overall, carbon poles are great for saving weight, and they’re our preferred material. But if you’re on a budget, a solid pair of aluminum poles are okay too.

Cork vs Foam Handle Grip

When shopping for the best z poles, you may need to decide between cork and foam handle grips. Cork is considered more choice by the general hiking populace, but foam works great too. Both have upsides and downsides.

Cork grips feel better and grippier in the hand. They are natural. However, cork grips don’t absorb moisture and your hands might feel sweatier. Cork grip is slightly heavier, likely to add as much as half an ounce per pole. Cork grip is less durable in the long term. You don’t need to baby it, but it will accumulate micro abrasions and small gouges over time. One other occasional downside is that marmots like to chew on sweaty cork.

EVA foam grips have a good hand feel, but less so than cork. They do wick and absorb moisture off your hand. This is more pleasant in hot dry weather, and less pleasant in wet/rainy weather. Foam is slightly lighter weight than cork, often saving as much as 0.5 oz per pole. EVA foam is more durable and long-lasting, and more resistant to small scrapes and gouges.

Old vs New Z-Poles

Based on our testing with one brand new one heavily used pair (400+ miles) of the same exact poles, the old pair measured about 10% more deflection. As your poles age, expect them to weaken slightly and get bendier.

Z Pole Maintenance

Often an ignored part of gear maintenance, it’s important to clean the pole segments between hikes. Wipe or rinse debris, sand, grit off the shafts, pole ferrules, and any adjustment hardware such as flip locks and twist lock mechanisms. If your poles get wet, dry them out as much as possible before using them to set up your tarp-tent, and certainly before long periods of storage. Additionally, loosening and tightening any pole-adjuster hardware on a semi-regular basis prevents them from seizing/locking in place. If your poles keep collapsing, don’t panic. Chances are you just need to tighten a screw on one of the locking mechanisms.

Tip Replacement

Replacing the tips is an easy, inexpensive way to extend the life of your poles. Most of the best  poles have metal or carbide tips, which provide good traction on looser trails and ice. Rubber caps for your pole tips can serve as both shock absorption and traction for more certain terrain, but both will end up wearing down after prolonged use. The more technical and rugged the trail, the faster the metal and rubber around the carbide will wear down but expect to replace your tips after around 500-700 trail miles. Once you lose the “edge,” it becomes more difficult to plant your poles and maintain traction, especially on extended sections of rock. The manufacturer of your poles almost certainly sells replacement tips.

When Using Your Poles for a Shelter

About half of Z-poles have adjustable height, which is desirable for shelters that use trekking poles for support. If you use a trekking pole supported shelter, make sure the adjustability range accommodates both you and your tent. Z-poles tend to have narrower useable height ranges than their telescoping brethren, so shop carefully.

Tips for Traveling With Z Poles

Traveling to your hiking destination? You’ll need to pack your z-poles; which is somewhat easier said than done. TSA does not technically allow poles in  carry-on luggage. Adding rubber tip protectors may help. Carbon fiber may ring fewer alarm bells then aluminum. But the safest method, and only guarantee, is to pack them in a checked bag.