Aluminium or carbon poles?

Aluminium or carbon? Here is a comparative table to help you choose the material of your walking, hiking or trail poles.

The choice of materials in the composition of your poles is essential. Not all materials are equal and not all materials are suitable for all sports. Among other things, they affect the weight of the poles, their strength and their ability to absorb vibrations. Therefore, it is important to choose your tube material carefully, depending on your needs and the requirements of the activity you intend to practice with it.

Below you will find a table summarising the characteristics, advantages and disadvantages of aluminium and carbon, to help you decide between the two. 

We remind you that when we talk about carbon poles, we mean either poles with a 100% carbon shaft or poles made from a composite of carbon fibre (at least 50%) and fibreglass. For aluminium poles, if possible use 7075 aluminium. This is the lightest aluminium on the market and the one that offers the best quality. It is a good option for light and strong trail poles.  

In summary, aluminium is generally more suitable for hiking trips. It is an excellent material that remains light but strong. It can bend, but hardly ever breaks. It can withstand low temperatures and bad weather, so you can easily use it for snow outings, provided your poles are equipped with winter washers.

Carbon is the material of choice for Nordic walking because it is extremely light and reduces ground vibrations very effectively, which is essential for the comfort of walkers who need to preserve their joints as much as possible. The higher the percentage of carbon, the stronger your poles will be.