Skiing With Poles That Are Too Long??

[Magnatude]

I'm 5ft8 and my poles are now 45in (115cm), so they must have originally been 47in (120cm) or more. I was thinking about how they felt longer, and I think what happened was that when I would reach forward to pole plant, the longer length would prevent me from reaching as far as I should, and when the tip did make contact with the snow, there was more impact than there should have been, causing reverberation through my arm and twisting my shoulder back, causing my upper body to twist.

 

[contesstant]

I'm 5ft8 and my poles are now 45in (115cm), so they must have originally been 47in (120cm) or more. I was thinking about how they felt longer, and I think what happened was that when I would reach forward to pole plant, the longer length would prevent me from reaching as far as I should, and when the tip did make contact with the snow, there was more impact than there should have been, causing reverberation through my arm and twisting my shoulder back, causing my upper body to twist.

Yes, yes yes! This quite describes what I am feeling. All last week, I just felt like my poles were getting in the way, not helping me!

 

[Allie]

Not all of us are built the same

I agree that the flip the pole grip under the bowl is the best method to determine the correct pole size for you.

One of my friends is 6'1" but has really short legs and a long upper torso (think Homer Simpson). His pole size is not the "average" for a man his height. It is much much shorter. Similarly one of my girlfriends has unusually long legs and relatively short upper torso. She is 5'4" and her pole size is longer than average for a person of her height.

I am 5'6" and my pole size is 115cm or 46". I am thinking of trying a 110cm or 44" pole just to see if I can feel a difference. According to the flip the pole method I currently have the right sized poles but I have been reading that poles much shorter than traditionally recommended are better. Going down a steep I often think to myself a shorter pole would work better...but that may not be a pole issue but a technique issue.

 

[contesstant]

I agree that the flip the pole grip under the bowl is the best method to determine the correct pole size for you.

One of my friends is 6'1" but has really short legs and a long upper torso (think Homer Simpson). His pole size is not the "average" for a man his height. It is much much shorter. Similarly one of my girlfriends has unusually long legs and relatively short upper torso. She is 5'4" and her pole size is longer than average for a person of her height.

I am 5'6" and my pole size is 115cm or 46". I am thinking of trying a 110cm or 44" pole just to see if I can feel a difference. According to the flip the pole method I currently have the right sized poles but I have been reading that poles much shorter than traditionally recommended are better. Going down a steep I often think to myself a shorter pole would work better...but that may not be a pole issue but a technique issue.

Does your friend know you compare his body to Homer's? That made me laugh! :ROTF:

But you are correct. Lots of different body types out there. I am long legged in relation to my torso. But then so is my husband, who is using the 48" poles and skies like a maniac (he is rather advanced.) Anyway, I'm definitely getting new poles before my next outing. I'm anxious to see how it goes and will let y'all know!

 

[snow addict]

I am 5'6 and my poles are 115cm. First the shop measured me for 120cm even that I told them that my previous poles were 115cm also. I ended up swapping them for a shorter length. I could ski with them but it felt kind of weird. And off-piste I had to lift my hands quite high up to avoid them being caught. I am back with 115cm and the difference is huge.

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

I'm 5'4" and use 44" poles. I was trying to decide between the 44" and 46" in the shop, as both were measuring within the proper range, but I went with the 44" as it is easier to reach downhill with the shorter poles.

 

[Liquid Yellow]

I'm 5'7 and have 115cm poles, I think my previous poles were too long (120cm). I can pole plant much better with these ones.

 

[ski now work later]

I'm just under 5'7" and my standard pole size is 48" (120 cm). A few seasons ago I switched to 46" poles (115 cm) and I am soooo much happier with that length!

 

[KatyPerrey]

I'm 5'9" and use 48" poles.

 

[contesstant]

Thanks for all the feedback, ladies. You rock!!!

 

[frenchgirl]

Now I am wondering if my poles are too long! I am 5'5" (165cm) and I have 120cm poles. If I inverse them they come to a 90 degree angle with my arms. I wonder though if I should go to a shorter length.

 

[smartjingle]

Are shorter poles better then? I'm 5'5'', supposed to use 115cm, but maybe 110 will work too.

 

[bounceswoosh]

Are shorter poles better then? I'm 5'5'', supposed to use 115cm, but maybe 110 will work too.

Not necessarily. And it's somewhat a matter of preference and what you're doing. If you get a chance, watch some video of pro racers and pro mogul skiers, and look at the difference in their ski pole length.

 

[snow addict]

Are shorter poles better then? I'm 5'5'', supposed to use 115cm, but maybe 110 will work too.

Maybe You should try to see what works better for you. If you were compairing 120cm and 110cm then 110 would be closer to what you need from a third person perspective. But between 110cm and 115cm only you will be able to tell. It is not an insignificant difference but it depends on individual to a greater extent.

 

[litterbug]

I'm 5'3" and am now using 110cm/44in poles. I started with 115cm/46in, which I didn't realize were too long until I asked for the 115s and that rental guy, who's my height, said he skis on the 110s. I felt the difference the first time I planted my pole and realized it worked a whole lot better.

The guy who gave me the 115s measured me in boots, the one who recommended 110s, who's much more of an advanced skier, measured me in street shoes. Either way, my pole plants are much more helpful now.

On the other hand, an expert or someone skiing steep black terrain or powder might need a longer pole, but on my steep blues the shorter ones were much, much better.

 

[geargrrl]

I'm 5'3" and am now using 110cm/44in poles. I started with 115cm/46in, which I didn't realize were too long until I asked for the 115s and that rental guy, who's my height, said he skis on the 110s. I felt the difference the first time I planted my pole and realized it worked a whole lot better.

The guy who gave me the 115s measured me in boots, the one who recommended 110s, who's much more of an advanced skier, measured me in street shoes. Either way, my pole plants are much more helpful now.

On the other hand, an expert or someone skiing steep black terrain or powder might need a longer pole, but on my steep blues the shorter ones were much, much better.

Me, same height, same size poles.

Actually an expert might like SHORTER poles as they force you to reach further down into your turns. I think shorter would be great for the steeps.

 

[Pequenita]

Actually an expert might like SHORTER poles as they force you to reach further down into your turns. I think shorter would be great for the steeps.

Yeah, especially if you have a bad habit of not reaching down, like me.

 

[litterbug]

Actually an expert might like SHORTER poles as they force you to reach further down into your turns. I think shorter would be great for the steeps.

A little shorter has definitely helped my turn initiation, so I can see where faster, more articulated turns would make even shorter poles more useful.

 

[mountainxtc]

A little shorter is definitely more helpful than a little longer. And yes, it's more based on your leg length:torso length ratio than your height.

But FWIW 5'11" and 125cm (50") here...

 

[pinto]

5'9" and 48". Although I bought new poles this season, and they are marked 48" but are a little longer than my old 48s. I think I want them a tad shorter, but haven't gotten around to sawing them off. Seems like a pain for such a little half inch or so...