Lean on green: German consortium creates 64% renewable hiking pole

In Germany, the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf and LEKI Lenhart GmbH have created a hiking pole made from hemp and other raw materials. They hope the concept will demonstrate sustainable materials’ suitability for demanding outdoor recreation markets. 

Using pultrusion, the hiking pole’s shaft was made from regionally harvested hemp fibers. The wrapping process delivers a stable, rope-like structure, and was developed in collaboration with Bio-Composites and More GmbH. The pole was then coated in epoxidized linseed oil.

The wrist strap is made of natural fiber and was affixed to the pole with a biobased plastic. All told, over 64% of the hiking pole is made from plant-based materials.