Best Wood for Hiking Stick: A Complete 2025 Guide
Whether you’re trekking rugged mountains, exploring forest trails, or simply walking through your local park, having a sturdy hiking stick can make all the difference. But not all woods are created equal. Choosing the best wood for hiking stick ensures your walking aid is reliable, durable, lightweight, and comfortable for long treks.
In this guide, we’ll explore the top types of wood for hiking sticks, compare their pros and cons, and help you pick the perfect material for your next adventure.
Why Choosing the Right Wood Matters
Your hiking stick isn’t just an accessory—it’s a critical piece of hiking gear that supports your balance, stability, and endurance. A poor-quality stick can snap at the worst moment, while a properly chosen one can serve you faithfully for years.
When selecting the best wood for a hiking stick, you want wood that balances:
- Strength: Can withstand pressure and occasional impacts
- Weight: Light enough for long hikes but not so light it’s weak
- Workability: Easy to carve, sand, and customize
- Availability: Accessible depending on your location or sourcing ability
Top Types of Wood for Hiking Sticks
🌳 Hickory
Strength Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Weight: Medium-Heavy
Hickory is often considered the king of walking stick woods. Known for its incredible strength and shock resistance, it’s ideal for those who want a truly rugged hiking staff. It absorbs impact well, making it perfect for steep, rocky trails.
Pros:
- Very strong and impact-resistant
- Excellent for rugged conditions
Cons:
- Heavier than other options
- May require conditioning to prevent cracking
🌳 Oak
Strength Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Weight: Medium
Oak is another traditional favorite. Red oak and white oak both offer a great mix of strength, flexibility, and ease of working. It’s widely available and affordable.
Pros:
- Durable and tough
- Readily available
Cons:
- Slightly heavier than other woods
- Needs proper sealing to avoid moisture issues
🌳 Maple
Strength Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Weight: Medium-Light
Maple wood is a lighter alternative to hickory and oak, yet it still offers excellent strength. It’s a beautiful wood that finishes well, ideal for custom or decorative hiking sticks.
Pros:
- Strong but lighter than oak and hickory
- Smooth finish
Cons:
- Not as naturally weather-resistant as some hardwoods
🌳 Ash
Strength Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆
Weight: Light-Medium
Ash is often used for tool handles for a reason—it’s strong, flexible, and relatively lightweight. These same properties make it an excellent choice for hiking sticks.
Pros:
- Lightweight yet strong
- Flexible (good shock absorption)
Cons:
- Needs protection against moisture over time
🌳 Dogwood
Strength Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Weight: Medium-Heavy
Dogwood is a highly dense, durable hardwood that’s also known for its beautiful finish. It’s an excellent choice if you want a slightly heavier but extremely tough walking stick.
Pros:
- Very dense and hard
- Attractive grain
Cons:
- Heavier to carry
- More challenging to carve
Best Hiking Stick Wood Comparison Table
| Wood Type | Strength | Weight | Best Feature | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hickory | Excellent | Medium-Heavy | Impact absorption | Heavier, needs care |
| Oak | Very Good | Medium | Durability | Needs sealing |
| Maple | Very Good | Medium-Light | Smooth finish | Less weather-resistant |
| Ash | Good | Light-Medium | Flexibility | Moisture sensitive |
| Dogwood | Excellent | Medium-Heavy | Extreme toughness | Heavy, harder to work |
Tips for Selecting and Preparing Your Hiking Stick
- Dry It Properly: Always allow your wood to dry and cure for several months before carving.
- Remove Bark Carefully: Bark can trap moisture and insects.
- Sand It Smooth: Start with coarse grit sandpaper and work toward finer grits.
- Seal It: Use tung oil, boiled linseed oil, or polyurethane to protect against moisture and cracking.
- Add a Rubber Tip: For urban hiking, a rubber tip can prevent slipping on hard surfaces.
Frequently Asked Questions About Hiking Stick Wood
What is the absolute best wood for hiking sticks?
Hickory is often considered the best due to its unmatched strength and impact resistance, but if you need a lighter option, maple or ash are excellent choices.
Is hardwood or softwood better for hiking sticks?
Hardwoods (like hickory, oak, and maple) are generally better because they offer strength and durability without excessive weight.
Can I use a branch I find on a hike?
Yes, many hikers love crafting sticks from naturally fallen branches. Just ensure the wood is dry, straight, and free from deep cracks or rot.
How thick should a hiking stick be?
Typically, a good hiking stick should be about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter for a comfortable and strong grip.
How long should a hiking stick be?
A general rule is that your stick should reach about chest height (for walking sticks) or shoulder height (for staffs).
Should I treat my hiking stick?
Absolutely! Properly sealing the wood protects it from rot, weather damage, and cracking.
Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Wood, Hike Stronger
Choosing the best wood for your hiking stick isn’t just about looks—it’s about performance, durability, and making your hikes safer and more enjoyable. Hickory and oak offer unbeatable strength, maple and ash are great for lighter adventures, and dogwood provides heavy-duty toughness for serious outdoor enthusiasts.
Craft your own walking stick from nature’s best resources, and you’ll not only enjoy a better hike—you’ll have a walking companion that tells its own story with every step.
Happy trails!