Ski pole handles

[snowgem]

Have been shut out of skiing until March! When I can get back, need handles that are least likely to pull my arm/shoulder back and release well when I fall. Would like to keep the same poles, but will buy all new if need to. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[Kimmyt]

How about just cutting the straps off of your current pair? That way the only thing keeping them in your hand is... your hand, and you can let go at any time.

 

[volklgirl]

Look for a pair of higher end Goode poles. They are super light, hold up really well (I've had mine since 1980-something) and have a really nice release feature that you can set for "releasable" or "locked down". Plus, the grip is really comfy.

How about just cutting the straps off of your current pair? That way the only thing keeping them in your hand is... your hand, and you can let go at any time.

I know a lot of people don't use their straps, but trying to hold onto your poles without straps can lock-up your pole swing and cause stiffness and tension in your arms.

 

[snowgem]

Thanks for the suggestions. Voklgirl - I checked out the internet for some Goodes that have that release feature you mentioned, and can't seem to find anything with that description. Do you have a specific model, link or store you could suggest? Here or in a pm? No hurry. Still at least a month before I can even try again. Thanks.

 

[Jilly]

I don't know much about these poles, but a friend had a spill this weekend and they released - Leki with the triggers.

 

[Kano]

I don't know much about these poles, but a friend had a spill this weekend and they released - Leki with the triggers.

Yup, they do work! I've got some of those, and like them most of the time. This weekend I had a bit of an issue: got snow in one of the gizmos and it froze up, so I had trouble securing the widget in the gizmo. After lunch, poles indoors for half an hour, all was well again.

Lesson learned -- make sure the snow's out of the gizmo on the handle before plugging in the widget!

Karen in Boise

 

[volklgirl]

"Inter-loc" is their name for the system. Here's the description of what it is and how it works:
https://www.goode.com/skipolesinterloc.html
You don't have to use their glove....they all come with the releasable strap.

Here's the chart with all their models and features. Any of the models with the Inter-loc logo can be releasable.:
https://www.goode.com/skipolemodel.html

 

[snowgem]

The Lekis might do the trick. Thanks so much for the tips. Must prevent my arm and shoulder from getting pulled back as much as possible. Also my SO has a tweaked thumb. Am having a bit of a time trying to figure which model would be best - advanced skiers, blacks, not double blacks! I'm fairly aggressive - he's more. Any suggestions on which models and where to buy?

Can't ski till March, so plenty of time:(. What a winter to be grounded. But I am grateful I am here and will be able to ski!

Also, Kano, maybe you can answer this: despite researching photos and descriptions, am not clear how they work - does something attach to your gloves - can it attach to any glove? Do you find they release too easily sometimes?

 

[w.ski]

despite researching photos and descriptions, am not clear how they work - does something attach to your gloves - can it attach to any glove? Do you find they release too easily sometimes?

I have Leki trigger poles and love them. Yes, a velcro strap thing attaches to your glove - it has a little loop that clicks into the pole. It can attach to any glove or mitten. I haven't found that they release too easily.

 

[snowgem]

Thanks w.ski and all. I had no idea something like that exists. They look like they might just do the trick - keep my arm and shoulder (and SO's thumb) safer. Would you tell me: What model you have? How you decided? Where you get/got them? Am still stuck there. It's difficult to tell just reading descriptions and looking at pictures.

 

[volklgirl]

The Lekis might do the trick. Thanks so much for the tips. Must prevent my arm and shoulder from getting pulled back as much as possible. Also my SO has a tweaked thumb. - can it attach to any glove? Do you find they release too easily sometimes?

Do make sure that you are both using your straps correctly, too. The strap needs to go inside your hand to protect your thumb.

 

[snowgem]

Thanks Voklgirl. I think we're holding our pole straps correctly. Will mention it to my SO. For me, the fear is that, on falling, with the pole attached, it's more likely my arm/shoulder will get pulled/wrenched back, which could cause a major problem that I have to prevent. If the pole releases the way the Leki does, it may stop that happening. Need to take every precaution I can!

 

[w.ski]

Thanks w.ski and all. I had no idea something like that exists. They look like they might just do the trick - keep my arm and shoulder (and SO's thumb) safer. Would you tell me: What model you have? How you decided? Where you get/got them? Am still stuck there. It's difficult to tell just reading descriptions and looking at pictures.

I have the flair. I like a women's model because it has a smaller grip and is easier for my small hands to hold. My husband bought them for me at a ski shop.

 

[snowgem]

Thanks again, w.ski! The Flairs should do the trick and to protect that shoulder! Am going for them! I researched them online - no bargains, but they're there. Will wait a bit - can't quite believe I'll be back on the slopes in a month, but sure am looking forward to it (written as beautiful snow is silently falling outside)!

 

[snowgem]

More questions!!

Voklgirl, thanks for the links. I researched the Inter-loc system a bit more. Which model of pole would you suggest? Need advanced - expert but not race. I can't find one for women that is Inter-lok ready. Do you have the ones with adjustable height? The Leki women's model looks nice, but the poles are aluminum which might be heavier than the Goode carbon. Anyone know both the Goodes and the Leki poles and have a preference? Need something that releases well, and prefer lightweight. Confused again!

 

[snowgem]

Bought some poles! The Leki Flairs online at skis.com. Am luvin them (and being back on the slopes!). They are lightweight and the release works well, so my arm won't get pulled on falling. The one downside is I'm afraid will lose the strap thing-y worn on your glove that attaches to the pole. One already fell off once when I had my gloves off. (I am someone who always loses something!:( ) But, aside from user scatterbrainedness, the system is great. Thanks for the help!

 

[MaryLou]

Bought some poles! The Leki Flairs online at skis.com. Am luvin them (and being back on the slopes!). They are lightweight and the release works well, so my arm won't get pulled on falling. The one downside is I'm afraid will lose the strap thing-y worn on your glove that attaches to the pole. One already fell off once when I had my gloves off. (I am someone who always loses something!:( ) But, aside from user scatterbrainedness, the system is great. Thanks for the help!

Hubby just bought similar Leki's a month or so ago, he loves them (and they've only released once when he needed it to). His straps are pretty tight on his gloves, I don't see them falling off easily. He just leaves them on the same gloves all the time (until this weekend when he switched to warmer weather gloves - yahoo!). Maybe just tighten them up? I'm sure Leki would sell a replacement...but at what cost lol?!

I think I should get a pair - following my 8yo through some tight and icy woods this weekend (I want kid skis so I can snow plow through them too!) I caught a basket on a tree, luckily I was going slow so it didn't hurt me but it was a wake-up call - it was stuck good and would have caused problems if I was going faster.

 

[snowgem]

Thanks MaryLou for the tip on the straps. I found if I really tightened them up the gloves were difficult to remove, but that was the closest to a solution.

Definitely feel safer with the poles and would recommend them - could only find the women's Flair at skis.com. It's a good site with a wide selection and good prices. The neg's are that it's especially difficult to get customer service if you need it sometimes, and their delivery is a bit slow - but I still buy from them!

 

[Kano]

Thanks MaryLou for the tip on the straps. I found if I really tightened them up the gloves were difficult to remove, but that was the closest to a solution.

Snowgem, I kind of use those velcro straps from the leki poles as the secure-er for my gloves -- and don't tighten the one that's on the glove. I've found that the strap does a pretty good job of hanging onto the glove when I need to take the glove off for some reason too!

Karen in Boise

 

[snowgem]

Thanks for the tip Kano. Guess the straps just take a bit getting used to because they are different. Still love the poles and how the system works! Another example of how great the recommendations from this site are!