Best Walking Poles for Seniors: A Practical Buying Guide

The best walking poles for most seniors are a light, adjustable pair with a comfortable grip, a strap you can clip in and out of, a lock that is easy to work with stiff hands, and rubber paws for pavement. For Nordic walking, the LEKI Spin is a simple beginner pair, the LEKI Traveller Carbon is lighter with an external clamp lock, and the Exel Nordic Walker is a fixed-length pole with nothing to adjust. For light support on trails, the budget TrailBuddy trekking pole has lever locks and rubber tips.

Our Picks

Specs Compared

Specs from leki.com, exelsports.com and TrailBuddy’s maker Wise Owl Outfitters, checked October 2026. LEKI does not say whether its weight is per pole or per pair. Check length options on the Amazon listing before you buy. Note that the Amazon listing for the LEKI Spin (titled “Spin TR”) describes a Speed Lock Plus external lock and a cork Shark 2.0 grip, not the Super Lock and Trigger 1 grip listed on leki.com, so check which version is being sold.

Nordic Poles vs Trekking Poles vs a Cane

These three tools do different jobs. Our guide to trekking poles vs Nordic walking poles goes deeper; here is the short version.

• Nordic walking poles have a glove-like strap and an angled rubber paw. You plant them behind you and push, so your arms help drive you forward. They suit people who already walk steadily and want a brisker walk.
• Trekking poles have a simple loop strap and a taller grip. You plant them in front of or beside you for a light extra point of contact on slopes, gravel or wet grass.
• A cane (or a walker) is a mobility aid you lean on. If a doctor or physiotherapist has given you one, walking poles are not a like-for-like swap. Ask them before changing.

What Matters Most for Older Walkers

Grip comfort

The LEKI Traveller Carbon and TrailBuddy use cork (TrailBuddy’s maker describes it as moisture-wicking); the LEKI Spin uses LEKI’s CorTec material. With Nordic poles you hold the grip loosely, so the strap matters more.

Strap type

For hands with arthritis this is the biggest comfort feature. LEKI’s Trigger straps work like a fingerless glove that clicks into the grip, so the pole hangs from your hand without squeezing. Exel’s Fusion strap fits S, M and L hands in one frame. Check sizes: the Traveller Carbon’s strap comes in M to XL. Our guide to Nordic walking pole straps shows how to adjust them.

Adjustable vs fixed length

Adjustable poles can be fine-tuned, shared and packed for travel. Fixed-length poles such as the Exel Nordic Walker have no lock, so there is nothing to slip or set wrong. If you know your size and walk from your front door, fixed is simpler.

Locks for weaker hands

Twist (internal) locks need a firm grip and a turning motion, which can be hard for arthritic fingers. LEKI describes its Speed Lock 2 plus as an external clamp designed for easy adjustment, even with gloves on, and TrailBuddy uses flip-lever locks. Lever and clamp locks still need some thumb pressure, so try one in a store. The LEKI Spin’s Super Lock is internal; LEKI says it has high holding force and resists turning back once set.

Weight

Listed weights here run from 191 g (LEKI Traveller Carbon) to 9.7 oz, about 275 g, per pole (TrailBuddy). Carbon is generally the lightest material; aluminum is generally more forgiving if a pole gets knocked or dropped.

Rubber paws for pavement

On sidewalks, rubber paws are essential. LEKI says its Powergrip Pad grips well on asphalt. Paws wear down; Exel sells replacement asphalt paws, but the listing warns they may not fit every pole, so match the paw to your tip.

Shock absorption

None of the poles here lists a built-in shock absorber. With good Nordic technique the pole is planted at an angle and pushed, not jabbed, so a rubber paw and a light shaft usually matter more.

Getting the Length Right

For Nordic walking, a common starting point is a pole that puts your elbow at roughly a right angle when you hold the grip with the tip on the ground next to your foot. Beginners often go a little shorter, because a shorter pole is easier to control. Trekking poles are usually set with the elbow near a right angle on flat ground, shortened for uphill and lengthened for downhill. Enter your height in our pole length calculator, then fine-tune on your first walks.

What the Research Says (and Does Not Say)

• A 2018 systematic review and meta-analysis of 15 studies in adults aged 60 to 92 found that, compared with staying sedentary, Nordic walking improved dynamic and functional balance, upper and lower body strength and aerobic capacity. Static balance results were not favorable (Bullo et al., Rejuvenation Research).
• A small 2019 randomized trial in 33 untrained older adults found that both Nordic walking and ordinary walking improved walking speed, balance and quality of life over eight weeks, but the poles did not produce greater improvements than walking without them (Gomeñuka et al., PLoS One).
• A 2021 review of adults 50 and older at higher risk of fractures concluded Nordic walking may improve physical function (very low certainty evidence) and that there were not enough data on falls or fractures (Rodrigues et al., Journal of Aging and Physical Activity).
• Technique matters: in a small 2018 study of 17 middle-aged and older Nordic walkers, those who pushed harder and longer on their poles gained more walking speed and energy expenditure over ordinary walking (Fujita et al., PLoS One). That suggests a lesson or two may be worth it.

On arthritis (more in our Nordic walking and arthritis article), two findings matter before you buy. In a trial of 152 people over 60 with hip osteoarthritis, four months of supervised Nordic walking generally improved functional performance more than supervised strength training or home exercise (Bieler et al., 2017). But in people with knee osteoarthritis and varus (bow-legged) alignment, walking poles did not reduce the knee adduction moment, a measure linked to inner-knee load; the authors advised against using reduced knee load as a reason for pole use (Bechard et al., 2012).

Safety: Balance and When to Ask a Physiotherapist

• Ask first if you have fallen in the past year, use a cane or walker, feel dizzy when walking, or have had a recent joint replacement. A physiotherapist can say which poles suit you and check your technique.
• Start on flat, familiar ground with short sessions.
• Click out of the straps before stairs if you feel unsure, so your hands are free for a rail.
• Check the paws and locks before each walk. A worn paw can slip on wet pavement, and a lock that is not fully closed can collapse under load.
• Wear supportive shoes; see our best walking shoes for seniors.

For technique, routes and pacing, read our Nordic walking guide for seniors.

The Poles in Detail

LEKI Spin: simple beginner Nordic poles

LEKI calls the Spin “the ideal companion for Nordic walking beginners.” It is a two-section aluminum pole with a click-in Trigger 1 strap, a Flex Tip for trails and a Powergrip Pad for asphalt.

• Pros: click-in strap, covers most heights, rubber pad included, aluminum shaft.
• Cons: the leki.com version’s internal lock is set by twisting, which needs a firm grip (the Amazon listing describes an external Speed Lock Plus instead, so check before buying); about 97 cm packed; tops out at 130 cm.

Buy on AmazonOpens the product page on Amazon, where you can see the current price and delivery options.

LEKI Traveller Carbon: light, packable, easier lock

A three-section carbon pole with the external Speed Lock 2 plus, a cork grip and the Trigger Shark strap. It packs to 66 cm for travel, and its 90 cm minimum suits shorter walkers.

• Pros: lightest listed weight here, external clamp lock, cork grip, packs small.
• Cons: premium price tier; strap starts at size M; carbon is generally less tolerant of hard knocks.

Buy on AmazonOpens the product page on Amazon, where you can see the current price and delivery options.

Exel Nordic Walker: fixed length, nothing to adjust

Finnish brand Exel lists the Nordic Walker with a fiberglass shaft, Evo grip, Fusion multi-size strap and Aero 2 tip, sold by length in 5 cm steps. Choose your length up front, and add Exel asphalt paws for pavement if the listing does not include them. The Amazon listing is titled “Nordic Walker Trainer,” so confirm the length option before ordering. More in our Exel poles overview.

• Pros: no lock to fail or fiddle with, light shaft, one strap frame fits several hand sizes.
• Cons: length cannot be changed or shared; does not collapse; rubber paws may be extra.

Exel Nordic WalkerBuy on AmazonOpens the product page on Amazon, where you can see the current price and delivery options.

TrailBuddy: budget trekking poles with lever locks

Its maker lists 7075 aluminum, cork grips, lever locks, padded straps and a fit for walkers from 4 ft to 6 ft 4 in, with rubber tips and baskets in the box. There is no Nordic glove strap. OutdoorGearLab measured the pair at 20 oz, found the grip less comfortable than pricier poles and broke a plastic lever on first use, so check the locks when yours arrive.

• Pros: budget price tier, lever locks, wide height range, rubber tips included.
• Cons: heavier than the Nordic poles here, plastic levers, grip shape divides opinion.

Buy on AmazonOpens the product page on Amazon, where you can see the current price and delivery options.

Looking for the Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork? Black Diamond no longer lists this cork-grip trekking pole in its current US range (checked October 2026). If you find remaining stock, check its specs and return policy first.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Nordic walking poles good for seniors with arthritis?

They can be, if you choose a strap that removes the need to grip and a lock your hands can operate. A trial in people over 60 with hip osteoarthritis found supervised Nordic walking improved function, but poles did not reduce inner-knee load in a study of knee osteoarthritis. Ask your doctor or physiotherapist what suits your joints.

What are the benefits of walking poles for seniors?

Studies of Nordic walking programs in older adults report improvements in dynamic balance, strength, aerobic capacity and quality of life. One trial found similar gains from walking without poles, and there is not enough evidence to say poles prevent falls.

Should a senior use one pole or two?

Nordic walking always uses two poles, and trekking poles are usually used in pairs too. A single cane is a different tool; if you were prescribed one, ask before switching.

How We Chose

This guide was written by Evgen Polishchuk, a Nordic walking athlete from Kyiv, Ukraine (club Nordic Brovary, 1st sports category). He is not a coach or a physician, and this article is general information, not medical advice. Picks are based on manufacturers’ published specifications, an independent review where one exists (OutdoorGearLab for TrailBuddy) and peer-reviewed studies on PubMed. We do not show prices or scores.

Sources

• Manufacturer specifications: LEKI Spin, LEKI Traveller Carbon, LEKI Speed Lock 2 plus description, Exel Nordic Walker, TrailBuddy Original, Black Diamond trekking poles (checked October 2026).
• Independent review: OutdoorGearLab, TrailBuddy Gear Aluminum Cork.
• Bullo V, et al. Nordic Walking can be incorporated in the exercise prescription to increase aerobic capacity, strength, and quality of life for elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Rejuvenation Res. 2018. PMID 28756746.
• Gomeñuka NA, et al. Effects of Nordic walking training on quality of life, balance and functional mobility in elderly: a randomized clinical trial. PLoS One. 2019. PMID 30699211.
• Rodrigues IB, et al. The effects of walking or Nordic walking in adults 50 years and older at elevated risk of fractures: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Aging Phys Act. 2021. PMID 33571958.
• Fujita E, et al. Proficiency in pole handling during Nordic walking influences exercise effectiveness in middle-aged and older adults. PLoS One. 2018. PMID 30481199.
• Bieler T, et al. In hip osteoarthritis, Nordic Walking is superior to strength training and home-based exercise for improving function. Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2017. PMID 27129607.
• Bechard DJ, et al. The effect of walking poles on the knee adduction moment in patients with varus gonarthrosis. Osteoarthritis Cartilage. 2012. PMID 22944522.