Home / Trekking pole length
2 published charts · checked 2026-10-21
Trekking pole length by height
REI gives one fixed pole length per height band; LEKI gives a band in centimetres and a formula, height × 0.68. For a 5'10" hiker (178 cm) REI says 120 cm and LEKI 115–125 cm, with the formula landing at 121 cm.
- 1Hiker 5'10" · 178 cm
- 2REI, fixed length 120 cm
- 3LEKI band 115–125 cm
Pole length for each height
| Height | REI (fixed length) | LEKI band | LEKI formula | Both |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4'10" (147 cm) | 100 cm (39 in) | 100 cm | 100 cm | 100 cm |
| 5'0" (152 cm) | 100 cm (39 in) | 100–110 cm | 104 cm | 100–110 cm |
| 5'2" (157 cm) | 110 cm (43 in) | 100–110 cm | 107 cm | 100–110 cm |
| 5'4" (163 cm) | 110 cm (43 in) | 110–115 cm | 111 cm | 110–115 cm |
| 5'6" (168 cm) | 110 cm (43 in) | 110–115 cm | 114 cm | 110–115 cm |
| 5'8" (173 cm) | 120 cm (47 in) | 115–125 cm | 117 cm | 115–125 cm |
| 5'10" (178 cm) | 120 cm (47 in) | 115–125 cm | 121 cm | 115–125 cm |
| 6'0" (183 cm) | 130 cm (51 in) | 125–130 cm | 124 cm | 125–130 cm |
| 6'2" (188 cm) | 130 cm (51 in) | 125–130 cm | 128 cm | 125–130 cm |
| 6'4" (193 cm) | 130 cm (51 in) | 130–135 cm | 131 cm | 130–135 cm |
Sources: How to choose trekking poles and hiking staffs (table for fixed-length poles); LEKI UK walking pole length guide. Checked 2026-10-21. Heights are read in whole inches; LEKI's bands are in centimetres, so a height on a band edge reads both bands.
The two charts, as printed
REI's table has four rows: < 5 ft. 1 in. → 100 cm (39 in); 5 ft. 1 in. - 5 ft. 7 in. → 110 cm (43 in); 5 ft. 8 in. - 5 ft. 11 in. → 120 cm (47 in); 6 ft.+ → 130 cm (51 in). It is written for fixed-length poles; REI says to consult the maker's own chart for a specific pole. LEKI's UK guide prints six bands: Under 150 cm → 100 cm; 150 to 160 cm → 100–110 cm; 160 to 170 cm → 110–115 cm; 170 to 180 cm → 115–125 cm; 180 to 190 cm → 125–130 cm; Over 190 cm → 130–135 cm, and suggests the starting formula "multiply your height in centimetres by 0.68". Its own example: a 175 cm walker starts at about 119 cm, rounded to 120.
At every height in the table REI's single length falls inside LEKI's band; REI simply steps in 10 cm jumps where LEKI gives a 5 to 10 cm window. LEKI's own formula lands outside its band at 6'0" (124 cm), so the band and the formula are two separate readings of the same guide. A 4'10" hiker gets 100 cm from REI and 100 cm from LEKI; a 6'4" hiker gets 130 cm and 130–135 cm.
Fine-tuning an adjustable pole
Both sources end with the same test. REI: "Properly sized poles will put your elbows at a 90-degree bend" when the tips rest on the ground near your feet. LEKI says to fine-tune with the same elbow test, then shorten the poles for climbs and lengthen them for descents. That is why most adjustable poles span far more than the table: the chart number is where you start on flat ground. For winter hiking, pair them with snowshoes sized by load.
More sizes for the same hiker
Height also drives bike frame size and ski length; trip length drives pack volume. The base weight guide covers what goes in the pack the poles are carrying. Size poles with your own profile
These are published starting points, not a fitting. Exclusions (Black Diamond's chart could not be read) are listed on the methodology page.