choosing poles

[Caly]

hi there - you divas have been just awesome helping with my ski and bindings choice. i did search before resorting to leaning on you again, but I'm asking one last bit of help on this.

I'm short, it's tough to find ski poles in my size. I know that I can have aluminum poles cut down, but what apparently carbon or fiberglass composites will splinter if cut.

any recos for alum vs composite and brands? I've always been a renter - so exciting to have my very own women specific poles (small hands here).

thank you!

 

[ride_ski]

I just went through the great pole quest. I bought a pair at a ski swap last fall. Me and DH felt them and they seemed to be good(nicely weighted, light, etc). They needed to be cut down by 1" or so. Come to find out, they couldn't be cut .Well I skied with them one day and they were horrible- not just too long, but awful in every way. So DH made the mistake of swapping poles with me. He has a pair of LEKI carbon and AL that he has had for about 10 years. Well that was the end of that. I FINALLY knew what poles were supposed to feel like. I loved his. Unfortunately, there was no making him give them up- selfish of him, huh

So fast forward a few weeks. End of season, stop at ski shop to look again. They only have 1 REALLY LOOOONG pair of "inexpensive " carbon poles left. Well, just my luck, the owner of the shop walked by. He offered me a pair of SWIX carbon fiber for the same price as the LOOONG pair....So, I got a pair of poles that MSRP for $225 for GASP ----$75.00....I LOVE them I did have to have them cut down by 1".

 

[Jilly]

My carbon fibre poles were 120cm. They are now 108cm. Just need the right tools/shop. My friend that owns the shop wanted to get rid of the long poles after mine were stolen. So he cut them. Not sure what he used, but it wasn't a pipe cutter like he'd use on alum poles.

 

[Caly]

thought I'd mention that before posting the above I had called REI to ask about cutting carbon poles and they said no they'd splinter, which I now realize means either they didn't know or their in-store shops don't have the tools. I just phoned Calif Ski Co, a small specialty shop and they do cut any material poles.

 

[volklgirl]

I'm a big fan of Goode carbon poles. I've had my Tiger 9002 poles since 1980 something and they've been indestructable so far. I love their smaller slightly sticky grip and their super light swing weight.Plus, I always use the straps, so their safety release is a great feature.

Mine are micro-adjustable in height (like 48-52 in), so I I'm pretty sure they couldn't be cut down.

 

[Daria]

I personally like a shorter pole than the standard 90 degree from elbow measure, especially doing alot of bump skiing - so my advice would be to go short if you can cut them down! Good luck! It is great to buy equipment now to look forward to next season

 

[Shellski]

Get a new pair.. I have two pairs of K2 poles, they are terrific. I have the yellow pair with the flowers and ladybugs (matches my old Burnin's) and a pair of white 5 carats (matches my Lottas).

 

[SouthernSkier]

You might want to check out some poles that adjust in height. For instance, you could get some Goode 8602 PHA poles for $39 from Levelninesports.com (there are other colors and poles to choose from as well) These are carbon fiber poles with an adjustable length. Their longest length is the stated 46", but you can shorten them to 43". At your height of 5" 1', something in the 43" to 44" would probably work.

 

[SouthernSkier]

Oh, and according to the Level Nine site, they will cut poles that you order in 1" increments for $5, so if you find a pair you love but are a bit long you may want to check into that. I've never tried that though - you might only be able to do that with some that are not adjustable in length. The non-adjustable poles with the same carbon fiber material are $10 cheaper ($29) to boot.