Exel Nordic Walking Poles: What to Know Before Buying

Exel comes up constantly in Nordic walking pole searches, and for good reason: it is a long-established Finnish brand closely associated with Nordic walking poles, sitting alongside names like Leki, Swix, and Komperdell in the sport’s history. If you are trying to decide whether to buy Exel poles or look at an alternative, the short answer is that Exel is a solid, well-regarded mid-range choice, but it is not the only option worth considering — and the right pick depends on your budget, how often you walk, and what you value in a strap and shaft.

Exel and the Alternatives, Side by Side

None of the independent tests we drew on singled out an Exel pole as the single top pick, but the Exel Nordic Walker Carbon consistently placed as a credible mid-pack option. Here is how it compares with the alternatives, using the specs and scores from our pole guides.

What Exel Is Known For

Exel’s reputation comes from consistently offering carbon and carbon-aluminum blend poles that land between entry-level aluminum and premium full-carbon pricing. In one price-tier breakdown, the Exel Nordic Walker appeared in the budget aluminum tier with an improved glove strap, an “Exel Premium” model appeared in the mid-range aluminum/composite tier with a good glove strap, and an “Exel World Cup” model appeared in the premium high-modulus carbon tier — showing the brand covers a wide span of the market rather than a single niche.

In our pole guide, the Exel Nordic Walker Carbon specifically used a carbon-blend shaft that “absorbs vibration effectively,” and its 65mm rubber asphalt paws were called out as ideal for urban surfaces. That same review recommended it for walkers averaging 50–80km monthly who want carbon-like performance without paying full premium-carbon prices, and one comparison separately rated the Exel Nordic Walker a solid carbon-aluminum blend offering “a great balance of performance and affordability.”

How to Choose Between Exel and the Alternatives

The reviews we drew on agree on the factors that matter most, regardless of brand:

• Strap system first. A glove-style strap — used by Exel, Leki, and Swix — lets you push through the strap with an open hand rather than gripping the handle, which is the technique that actually engages the triceps and shoulder stabilizers. Traditional loop straps, common on budget poles, limit this.
• Shaft material second. Aluminum poles (like TrailBuddy) are heavier but more impact-resistant and generally cheaper. Carbon and carbon-blend poles (like the Exel Nordic Walker Carbon, Leki Micro Flash, and Swix CT5) are lighter and damp vibration better, which matters most on walks longer than 30 minutes or for those with wrist or elbow sensitivity.
• Weight for frequency of use. Among the poles in our guide, the fully carbon Leki (138g) and Swix (152g) were the lightest, the Exel carbon-blend (178g) sat in the middle, and the aluminum TrailBuddy (252g) was the heaviest. If you walk daily or do long sessions, the weight difference compounds over time.
• Tip and paw design. Rubber asphalt paws, like the 65mm paws on the Exel Nordic Walker Carbon, matter for pavement and urban walking; carbide tips underneath matter for trail and soft ground grip.
• Pole length. Regardless of brand, the standard sizing formula is your height in cm multiplied by 0.68, rounded to the nearest 5cm. Getting this wrong is a more common cause of discomfort than the pole brand itself.

If you have joint pain, arthritis, osteoporosis, or a recent injury, check with your doctor or podiatrist before starting a Nordic walking program or choosing poles based on shock absorption alone, since the right pole and pace depend on your individual condition.

Bottom Line

If you specifically want to try Exel, the Nordic Walker Carbon is the model with the clearest published specs in our guides: a carbon-blend shaft, 178g weight, and asphalt-ready 65mm paws, scoring in the 8.3–8.5 range across two independent write-ups. If outright lightest weight and the strongest lock mechanism matter more to you than brand, the Leki Micro Flash Carbon and Swix CT5 scored higher on those specific measures. If budget is the deciding factor, the aluminum TrailBuddy is the honest starting point before upgrading to a carbon or carbon-blend pole like Exel’s.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Exel known for in Nordic walking poles?

Exel is a Finnish brand long associated with Nordic walking poles, known for carbon and carbon-aluminum blend models that span from mid-range aluminum options to high-modulus carbon “World Cup” poles at the premium end.

Is the Exel Nordic Walker Carbon better than a Leki or Swix pole?

On published specifications, the Exel Nordic Walker Carbon (178g, carbon blend) is heavier than the fully carbon Leki Micro Flash (138g) and Swix CT5 (152g). It is positioned as “carbon performance at near-aluminum prices,” which makes it a reasonable mid-range alternative rather than a top-tier pick.

Is Exel a budget brand or a premium brand?

Neither exclusively — Exel poles have appeared across price tiers, from a budget aluminum Nordic Walker to a mid-range Exel Premium composite model and a premium Exel World Cup carbon model.

What strap system does Exel use?

Exel poles use a glove-style strap, the same category used by Leki and Swix, which lets you push through the strap with an open hand rather than gripping the handle — the technique that properly engages the triceps and shoulder during Nordic walking.

Should I buy carbon or aluminum Exel-style poles?

Aluminum is the reasonable choice for occasional walkers or tight budgets since it is more impact-resistant and affordable. Carbon and carbon-blend poles, including the Exel Nordic Walker Carbon, are lighter and reduce vibration, which benefits walkers doing longer or more frequent sessions, or those with wrist or elbow sensitivity — check with your doctor or podiatrist first if joint issues are a factor.

Can I use trekking poles instead of dedicated Exel or Nordic walking poles?

Technically yes, but with real limitations: trekking poles are typically longer, use loop straps rather than glove straps, and are not designed for the push-through grip technique that drives upper-body engagement in Nordic walking. Dedicated Nordic walking poles are worth it if you walk on pavement regularly.