Many hikers use hiking sticks (also known as hiking poles) to aid them in providing extra support and stability while out on the trail. If you’ve never purchased a pair before, you may be wondering: what size hiking stick do I need?
Look for a hiking stick that is approximately 22 inches shorter than your total height, or .68 times your total height in centimeters. This will allow you to put your elbows at a 90-degree bend when you hold the poles with the tips on the ground near your feet.
What Size Hiking Pole Do I Need?
Aim for a hiking pole that is roughly 22” shorter than your total height – this ensures that you can put your elbows at a 90-degree bend when holding the hiking poles near your feet. (Note that this guideline may fluctuate a little based on if you are at either extreme of the height spectrum).
There will also be some variations here, as each person’s arms and legs are not the same length based on their height, so making sure your arms have that 90-degree bend is the main thing to pay attention to.
Although some hiking poles are sold at fixed lengths, fortunately many manufacturers offer models that offer height adjustments so you can dial in the size of your hiking stick to perfectly match your needs.
How To Size Hiking Poles – Alternate Method
Use this option to size hiking poles using an inches-to-centimeter conversion:
- Step 1: Get your height in centimeters (convert the inches to centimeters)
- Step 2: Multiply your total height in centimeters by 0.68 (height in cm X .068)
- Step 3: The answer is how long your hiking poles should be in centimeters
- Step 4: Convert the answer back to inches to know how long your hiking poles need to be
Hiking Pole Size Chart
Use the chart below as a reference to see what size hiking pole you need.
| Your Height (ft in) | Your Height (cm) | Suggested Hiking Pole Length (ft in) | Suggested Hiking Pole Length (cm) |
| 4’0″ | 122 | 33.5″ | 85 |
| 4’2″ | 127 | 35″ | 90 |
| 4’4″ | 132 | 35″ | 90 |
| 4’6″ | 137 | 37.5″ | 95 |
| 4’8″ | 142 | 39.5″ | 100 |
| 4’10” | 147 | 39.5″ | 100 |
| 5’0″ | 152 | 41″ | 105 |
| 5’2″ | 157 | 43″ | 110 |
| 5’4″ | 163 | 43″ | 115 |
| 5’6″ | 168 | 45″ | 115 |
| 5’8″ | 173 | 47.25″ | 120 |
| 5’10” | 178 | 49″ | 125 |
| 6’0″ | 183 | 51″ | 125 |
| 6’2″ | 188 | 51″ | 130 |
| 6’4″ | 193 | 53″ | 135 |
*Note that the conversions between inches and centimeters aren’t exact here, which is intentional.
Hiking Pole Size Guide
Follow these rules of thumb to make sure you get the right size hiking pole you need:
Above all else, make sure your elbow is at a 90-degree angle when holding the hiking poles near your feet.
The hiking sticks should run from the top of your palm to the ground when your arm is at your side and your forearm is held out in front of you.
For hikers with longer legs, you might find that setting the height to the top of your upturned thumb is preferable.
For hikers with shorter legs, setting the pole height from the bottom of your palm may result in a better fit.
Adjusting Your Hiking Sticks For Inclines And Declines
If your hiking poles are adjustable, you will also find that it’s helpful and more comfortable to adjust them during periods where you’re climbing or descending slopes for longer periods of time.
Follow these guidelines:
- Sizing Hiking Poles For Uphill Hikes: Adjust the hiking poles shorter by 2”-4” (5-10cm)
- Sizing Hiking Poles For Downhill Hikes: Adjust the hiking poles longer by 2”-4” (5-10cm)
For contouring, or walking around the side of a hill rather than straight up or down it, make one hiking stick shorter than the other, using the shorter length pole on the side facing uphill.
Wrapping Up What Size Hiking Stick Do I Need
We went over a few easy ways on how to size hiking poles to ensure the best fit for you, so just follow any of the above methods, grab yourself a new pair of hiking sticks, and hit the trail!
What hiking poles did you end up selecting, and what method did you use to size them? Let us know in the comments below!
If you’re planning a hiking trip far away, check out our guide where we answer the question “Can you bring hiking sticks on the plane?” for some great tips to bring your new poles with you.