Hiker Hunger Trekking Poles: High Quality on a Budget

Amongst many non big brand names of trekking poles found on Amazon, the Hiker Hunger trekking poles stand out from the crowd. I prefer my trekking poles to meet certain criteria and these fit the bill, so I decided to give them a try. Now, with more than a year under my belt with these, it’s time for my honest opinion.

Are name brand Trekking Poles worth it?

I can’t answer this question for you, but I can tell you my experience.

Since I started backpacking, I have upgraded all my gear. My backpack, tent, sleeping pad, clothes, shoes, everything. However, the last thing I upgraded was my trekking poles. 

Why?

The cheap set of poles I initially bought served me very well. In fact, I still have them though they haven’t touched dirt in a long time. They even have features such as shock absorbing springs at the tips and removable compasses on top of each handle that can be replaced with a mountable camera. 

Ultimately, I discovered these features served little to no purpose for me. But I decided to upgrade to a new set of trekking poles because I did not like the foam handles and the twist locks were tedious. 

From this experience, I knew what I wanted in my next set of poles: Cork handles and lever locks.

There are many options in stores like REI that meet these qualifications, but why spend that much money when my previous set of poles held up flawlessly? I couldn’t conjure a good reason to spend a hundred plus dollars, so I decided to browse Amazon.

To no one’s surprise, there are many budget friendly options that meet my qualifications. Though I can’t recall why I specifically went with the Hiking Hunger trekking poles, they have sufficed in proving to me most big name brand trekking poles are overpriced.

But I’m not here to deter you from Leki, Black Diamond, or REI trekking poles. I’m here to tell you what I like about the Hiker Hunger trekking poles and how they have served me on the trails.

Aluminum versus Carbon Fiber

Let me begin by disclosing I ordered the standard aluminum trekking poles, but received the carbon fiber ones. Only after taking these out into the field and recognizing I didn’t receive the right color did I notice “carbon fiber” written on the middle shaft. 

If you aren’t aware, carbon fiber is stronger and lighter than aluminum. However, when they break, they snap, whereas aluminum is more likely to bend. 

With that said, other than the material and color options, the functionality of the carbon fiber and aluminum poles are the same. Same grips, same locks, same tips, same accessories included.

Hiker Hunger Trekking Poles Overview

The Hiker Hunger Trekking Poles cost around $45, or $70 for the carbon fiber version (check current prices). Each carbon fiber pole weighs 7.6 ounces, while according to Hiker Hunger, the 7075 aluminum poles weigh 9.5 ounces per pole. On average, this seems heavier than the bigger brands, but not by much.

Below is a table comparing the Hiker Hunger trekking poles with a set of top selling poles from the big brands. For a fair comparison, all trekking poles listed are made with aluminum.

Regarding cosmetics, there is nothing special here. The aluminum poles have a few color options while the carbon fiber is only available in black. The Hiker Hunger trekking poles look like most other trekking poles aside from the graphics along the shafts. Nothing here should make or break your decision unless you have a problem with your trekking poles not saying “Leki” or “Black Diamond” on the side.

Lastly, included with your Hiker Hunger Trekking poles is a durable carry bag that is worth not discarding. There is a set of mud and snow baskets, rubber feet (for slippery rocks), and rubber tips (for asphalt and pavement). The included accessories are enough to help you tackle various terrains in wet or dry conditions.

Get a grip

The grips are cork material, which is great for absorbing hand sweat, much like foam, but in my opinion feels and looks better. For my hands, they are ergonomically correct as long as the wrist straps are adjusted adequately. 

As for the wrist straps, they are padded well enough to prevent discomfort from rubbing along your wrists. They are also easily adjustable so you shouldn’t have any issue dialing in a comfortable fit.

Adjusting the height

The height can be adjusted from 24 to 54-inches, average for most trekking poles. This gives you ample adjustment for tackling steep climbs and descents, setting up your trekking pole tent, and fitting them inside your hiking backpack.

For information on properly adjusting your trekking poles (height and straps), I recommend reading my article on how to use trekking poles the right way.

To adjust the height of the poles, simply release the lever locks and extend or retract as needed. Flip the lever back down after you have reached your desired height.

The lever locks (also referred to as flip-locks) make it possible to quickly change your trekking pole height. However, I’m particular so anytime I need to adjust the height for long climbs and descents, I take my time to get it right. 

Be careful when closing your lever locks! If the tension is too high, loosen the screw alongside the lock to ease the tension. These screws can be loosened or tightened by hand and you may need to adjust these as you lock and unlock the levers.

Hiker Hunger Trekking Poles Performance

Having reviewed the features and specs of the Hiking Hunger Trekking Poles, how has my experience been using these poles and are these poles of good quality? Let’s do a quick breakdown.

Locking Mechanism

While there isn’t anything innovative about the lever lock design on these poles, not requiring a tool to adjust the tension of the locks is a plus. I have my doubts on this being as reliable as a screw requiring a wrench to torque down, but it’s quite convenient. I have had to readjust the tension on a few occasions between uses (possibly due to temperature changes), but nothing that has been a nuisance. Also, I haven’t had any slippage, which is key.

Note the lever of the lever locks will flex and possibly break with too much force. If this happens, loosen the thumb screw to relieve the tension.

Grips and wrist straps

The cork grips wick away moisture and work well, ergonomically speaking. However, if your wrist straps are not adjusted correctly, the handles will not fit in your hands properly, being either too loose or too tight. This is true for any trekking pole.

Adjusting the straps is quick and easy. A simple pull on the lower strap releases the black plastic “lock” and tightens the strap, while pulling the upper looped strap will loosen it. The plastic block doesn’t seem to unlock as definitively as the way you might see on other trekking poles, but it works and the straps stay in place.

Durability

And the most important thing about trekking poles is for them to hold up and not break or bend, and these Hiker Hunger Trekking Poles have not let me down yet. Are they indestructible? Absolutely not. Like any trekking pole, misuse and improper adjustment can damage them.

To help promote a long life for any trekking pole, it is critical to ensure your poles are adjusted correctly! There is more to proper adjustment than just height and straps. Again, check out my article on trekking poles here to find out more!

With that said, if you do damage your poles, replacement parts are available from Hiker Hunger. And while you cannot replace the tips alone, you can purchase the bottom shaft complete with a new tip. You can also purchase replacement baskets and rubber tips straight from Hiker Hunger’s website.

Conclusion

I cannot complain about my Hiker Hunger Trekking Poles. They are budget-friendly and function as designed, plus they are durable. What more can you ask for out of your trekking poles?

What does this all mean? 

Honestly, the Hiker Hunger Trekking Poles do not trump the name brand poles in quality, nor do they function any better. However, they get the job done and have proven themselves reliable. So, to me, it means you do not have to spend $100 on trekking poles.