No brand is more closely associated with the development of trail running poles than LEKI. While not all trail runners fully appreciate the benefits of trail running-specific poles, the percentage of runners using poles is growing rapidly worldwide. In 2015, German-based pole manufacturing company, LEKI, introduced the world’s first fully collapsible trail running-specific pole. The design was lighter and more easily packable compared to more traditional outdoor recreation poles such as those used for skiing or trekking. Since their introduction, LEKI’s trail running poles have been used by some of the best athletes in the sport including Pau Capell, Courtney Dauwalter, Jim Walmsley, Francois D’Haene, and Katie Schide during their training, as well as aided them in victories at their most iconic race performances.
In 2025, the American Trail Running Association launched its inaugural Trail Running Pole Survey. The results from over five hundred respondents showed a rising appreciation for poles in the trail running community. Sven Brunso, marketing director for LEKI, said about the survey results, “The data lets us know not only who is using poles when running but also provides insight into what these runners are planning to buy in the future. It was great to see that 70% of runners from the survey are running with poles either while training, racing, or both.” (read more about the survey results here).
One step behind
In the United States, trail running is less developed than in Europe. The US’s lack of trail running pole usage when compared to Europe is one example of this, “In Europe, it is very rare to see somebody running without poles,” says Brunso. He continues, explaining that the US trail running community is only just beginning to understand the kinds of benefits using poles will have on training and racing performances, “At this point in the US, we’re still very much in the educational phase. We’re trying to teach people the benefits of running with poles, how you run with them and that not all poles are created equal.”
Several major trail races in the US are driving change and education about trail running poles. Brunso speaks about his personal experience attending the Hardrock 100 year after year, noticing an increasing acceptance of poles, “Five years ago, maybe a third of the field used poles. Last year, it was closer to eighty percent of the field. And most of the people who didn’t use poles realized first-hand the advantages their competitors had and will be using poles in their next race.”
Responding to the rising demand for poles, more running specialty shops and gear retailers are carrying trail running poles in the US than ever before. “Trail running and participation in races is growing, which means the use of poles is growing too,” says Brunso, “we are laser focused on being the best in class in this segment.”
Not hiking poles
While there are many options for recreational poles from companies in the outdoor industry such as those designed for skiing (cross country, alpine, touring, etc.) and trekking, there are still few options for trail running-specific poles—and arguably no comparable quality to LEKI. “Since the beginning of our trail running pole development, we never set out to only make a lighter version of a hiking pole,” said Brunso. He continues to explain how LEKI has pursued trail running specific designs differently from other companies, “To this day, we are the only brand in the world that has eight models of poles exclusively for trail running. Every other brand, and I won’t mention any names, markets trail running poles that are essentially lighter hiking poles.”
From different materials, weights, lengths and features such as locking mechanisms and grips, trail running poles are completely unique from any other poles on the market. They are not the same as trekking/hiking poles. “If you want to learn how to run with poles, then you don’t want to run with hiking poles,” says Brunso, “They are much too heavy. These kinds of poles will tire out your hands and they don’t offer the same propulsion when you’re running.”
Loop to trigger
One of the most interesting developments in trail running poles pioneered by LEKI is their revolutionary Trigger Grip system. In 2015, LEKI first designed trail running poles using this grip, allowing for increased power and energy savings. Brunso explains the benefit from the Trigger Grip compared to a more traditional loop strap used in other types of poles, “When running, a loop strap loses roughly 40% of the energy return when compared to the Trigger Grip.” He continues, “Another benefit of our trigger system is you don’t have to have a death grip on the pole all the time. If you’re running and you hit rocks or unstable terrain, you could easily lose the pole with a traditional loop strap. The Trigger Grip keeps the poles attached to your hands without any effort.”
Ninety percent of LEKI pole sales in the US utilize Trigger Grips.
LEKI poles on the podium
LEKI’s elite trail running athletes have dominated podiums worldwide, drawing attention to the brand and more broadly the use of poles on the largest stages of the sport. Brunso, who was asked to spearhead the Trail Running program in the United States in 2017, speaks on introducing talented athletes from across the world to LEKI, “In 2017, trail running was (and still is) a huge growth segment for us. I helped bring the product into North American markets.”
Thanks in part to Brunso’s efforts, LEKI’s trail running team has dominated the trail running world, “Ninety percent of the global podiums in key races that allow poles over the last three years have gone to LEKI athletes. If you’re running, or if your career revolves around running fast, you’re on LEKI.”
Speed or savings?
When it comes to the specific benefits of poles by trail runners, there are two primary benefits mentioned by most users: added propulsion from the upper body and ability to minimize soreness in the legs.
As stated on the LEKI webpage about the benefits of using poles for increasing speed in trail running, “lower muscle soreness and faster recovery have been observed, along with increased running speed when using poles. Essentially, when the legs are spared, this is compensated by more intense cardiovascular work.” Similarly, LEKI also says about energy saving, “The lower body has to do most of the physical work during running. Therefore, every percentage of load that can be distributed to the arms, shoulders, and core helps prevent the legs from tiring after countless kilometers and hours of running.”
Brunso supports these benefits, commenting on how racers can use poles to push themselves to run longer and faster when they might otherwise be completely exhausted, “When the legs are shot, poles will keep runners going. On the back half of 100 mile race runners are using poles religiously.”
Not magic power
Poles can increase propulsion and save energy during running, but only with proper understanding about trail running poles. To maximize the benefits of using poles, runners must first train with poles and learn about the various types, uses and techniques. Runners aren’t likely to become instantly faster and less sore the first time they use poles. “I tell people to never use polls for the first time on a race day, yet plenty of people make that mistake,” says Brunso. He explains in more detail how to use poles properly, “Studies show that using poles reduces about 40% of the energy costs to the legs. However, that energy comes from somewhere. It doesn’t miraculously go away. This energy comes instead through upper body strength, primarily muscles in your shoulders and upper back. People need to understand that they need to get their hands on poles before racing with them, in order to build proper upper body strength and become efficient at using this extra energy.”
Popular trail running races such as the Mammoth Trail Fest and Broken Arrow Skyrace have historically hosted specific clinics on trail running poles. Read our article (and watch videos) on how to use trail running poles more efficiently here.
Planting poles, growing roots
LEKI’s history in trail running pole development has encouraged trail running communities to explore new boundaries in gear in ways it never has before. Poles, similar to other types of gear such as shoes, running vests, or watches have become an integral part of the sport. Trail runners are running faster, more efficiently and stronger than ever before, all thanks to poles.
In 2026, ATRA committed to sharing stories that honor the organization’s theme for the year, “Roots and Horizons.” ATRA president Adam Chase speaks about the organization’s theme, “The 2026 theme is all about continuity and the fact that trail running is such a multi-generational sport, where the young inspire the old and vice versa. I used to say I only won races because the fast runners didn’t show up that day. But it could easily have been said that experienced runners hadn’t made an appearance, as the roots help drive the horizons.”
LEKI’s roots in establishing a culture around trail running poles will continue as the sport grows in the US and abroad. In the coming years, LEKI aims to increase awareness and education on pole use in trail running, as well as innovate with new materials and designs, “We are a company born from engineers,” said Brunso, “we will never stop tinkering.”
