I need help! Pole size?

[Acadia07]

Hi Divas!

I'm buying Scott Team Issue poles for DH for his birthday. He saw them at a shop on our VT trip and fell in love with them - I gagged, because I think they are hideous! But I'll buy them for him anyway. :ROTF:

So, he's about 5'9.5", maybe 5'10" - no one is sure. I don't know if I should get him 48" poles or 50" poles. He has 48s now, but has said that he thinks he might be a 50. On size charts, he falls right in the middle! Up to 5'9" is a 48, 5'10" and up is a 50".

What do you think??? He's an aggressive skier - likes to rip and mess around in the park a bit. Added note: I've found the 50" cheaper than the 48". Help!

 

[Jilly]

Don't know the poles, but could they be cut if too long?? If so go longer.

 

[Solincia]

The correct way to measure a pole is to stand it upside down, and place your hand around it under the basket. At this point, your arm should be at a 90 degree angle, and that's the correct height.

I'm 5'8"... I use a 48" pole, my boyfriend is 5'10", he uses a 50".

Better to err on the side of caution and get the 50's. Consider that even though he may be in between, by time you add boots and skis to the equation, his height increases just a bit.

I hope that helps.

 

[MaineSkiLady]

Go longer. Very easy to cut aluminum poles in small increments if that's needed. (not as easy to cut composites, though)

 

[Acadia07]

Thanks ladies!

I went with the 50s. I figured, like Solincia said, that once in hos boots and on his skis, he'd be at least 5'10" if not taller. Plus, he's mentioned wanting longer poles, and I read on another sizing guide to go longer when in doubt, because they can always be cut. Phew! Thank goodness - the 50s were a whole $30 cheaper, so I'm a happy camper. AND he thinks I'm getting him something completely different, so he'll be surprised and elated to get these poles. I can't wait to see his face!

 

[Jilly]

Diva's score again.!! And MSL you can cut composites. My Goode say "de"!! They were 120 cut to 108!

 

[SkiTux]

Okay...super old post, sorry for dragging it up again! But I had a question about sizing and figured I wouldn't start a new topic.

I'm in the market for some new poles. I only became a decent skier last year, and I was using a pair of my husband's poles from God knows when. They felt fine to me, but I'm sure they weren't.

To measure, I stood with my elbows at a 90-degree angle, parallel to the floor, as if I were holding poles. (I found this technique online somewhere...maybe this is wrong?) My husband measured from the top of my thumb to the floor and came up with 42, so 44 if I add the two inches for boots/skis (which this website also said to do...again, maybe wrong.) The weird thing to me is that I'm nearly 5'10"...that doesn't seem right to me. Am I measuring incorrectly? In general, I have a shorter torso and my inseam is 33-34". Anybody have any help for me?

ETA: Oh God, never mind. My husband just measured me wrong. 49" it is, so I guess I'll go with 50". ;) Sorry!!!

 

[Jilly]

You can always cut poles if they are too long. So go for the 50".

 

[SkiTux]

Thank you!