Tell me about poles

[PNWSkier]

I have always wanted to ask but always felt silly. When I bought my equipment, poles did not seem as important as the rest. I actually found poles for $25 and the only size they had was the one I needed. They are K2 6Karats and I was happy that I got a good deal. I have received many compliments from people, especially instructors, like "beautiful poles" or "oooh chrome handles." I was even told a couple of times to lock my poles since they might get stolen. I would be sad if my poles were stolen but if my Volkls are still there it will be ok! Maybe I am not an advanced enough skier to notice the difference but can someone please explain to me what the big deal is about these poles? They all look the same to me. I suppose I got lucky getting the deal that I did but what would someone look for in a pole?

 

[volklgirl]

The most important feature to look for in a pole is the correct length. Believe it or not, though, this will vary somewhat depending on the type of skiing you do.

Other features to investigate (varying in degree of importance):

• The size and general feel of the grip, particularly with gloves/mittens on.
• The adjustability and feel of the strap and any other special gadgets the strap may have - some have special connectors {Leki and Goode} that require a particular glove and some have an emergency release feature in case the pole gets hung up so you don't damage your hand/wrist/arm.
• The size of the basket - larger for powder skiing so the pole doesn't sink to the depths during the "plant" and smaller for racing so they don't break when hitting gates.
• The type of tip - really pointy teeth are great on the east coast when poling on "hard pack" .
• Material - carbon for durability, flexability, and super light weight; aluminum for rugged durability, general use, and racing (minimal flex means maximum push out of the gate).
• Weight and swing weight - how it feels during use. Some people really like the super light weight poles, others don't. Light swing weight makes it easier and more natural to swing the pole forward in preparation for the touch.
• Other, more specialized features like adjustable length, aerodynamically shaped or curved poles for racing, whatever.

And, of course, color and looks! (We are, after all, Divas!)

 

[Jilly]

Lock those poles too. They are a collectors item. My carbon fibre, 3 year old poles were stolen last winter. Different reason, but same result. No poles to ski as they were taken at the top lodge. I didn't wrap my cable lock around the poles. So don't lose those guys!

 

[PNWSkier]

Wow! Thanks for all of the info. I never put that much thought into my pole purchase. I do like the grip, length and swing weight on mine so I guess I have the right ones for me. Since I know that I have the right ones I will keep them locked up!

 

[SnowflakeADK]

ooooooo....those are gorgeous poles and you got them at an incredible price!! Lock 'em up or keep 'em with you.

 

[DawnSuiter]

I was "advised" that to determine the correct length for my poles, I should turn them upside down and grab the tip allowing my fist to rest on the basket... the correct length would leave my forearm nice & level to the ground, or a right angle.

Is this correct?
I've not perfected the use of poles, but plan to soon

 

[ski diva]

Yep, that's the correct way to determine pole length.

 

[skigrl27]

Never thought much about poles either - until I bought ones that I hated.

I would bring your gloves with you to buy poles because that's the only way you'll know how the strap and grip feel while you're skiing. I bought great nice carbon poles at a Pro sale and ended up selling them after 1 day.

But then some woman skied over me on my last day of the season last year and broke my pole so now I really need new ones.

 

[ski&bfree]

I was "advised" that to determine the correct length for my poles, I should turn them upside down and grab the tip allowing my fist to rest on the basket... the correct length would leave my forearm nice & level to the ground, or a right angle.

Is this correct?
I've not perfected the use of poles, but plan to soon

Yep, that's the correct way to determine pole length.

Interesting.....I never knew that!

 

[Jilly]

I've always determined length with the fist UNDER the basket. But that could be for groomer skiing - ie Eastern powder. With the shaped skis you might want shorter poles than longer. But if they are too long, you can always cut them.

 

[Robyn]

I've always determined length with the fist UNDER the basket. But that could be for groomer skiing - ie Eastern powder. With the shaped skis you might want shorter poles than longer. But if they are too long, you can always cut them.

I agree, I've always done under the basket as you want to see what the length would be when the tip is out of the equation since presumably it would be in the snow during pole plant.

 

[LilaBear]

I agree, I've always done under the basket as you want to see what the length would be when the tip is out of the equation since presumably it would be in the snow during pole plant.

It must be measured under the basket, otherwise there is no need to upend them. You would hold the grip if it's total length you are comparing.

The wrist straps should be checked for ease of access in gloves. I got new poles and the straps do not sit "open" so it takes me a fair amount of time to get a gap to insert my gloves into. Very frustrating and time wasting. I plan to use duct tape to wind around the middle section to create some stiffness in the straps, and I believe it will work but not interfere with performance cos I've been trying it out on my spare poles.

I like the idea of the Leki system poles where you keep the strap on your hand, but how would you lock these up?

 

[DawnSuiter]

I've always determined length with the fist UNDER the basket. But that could be for groomer skiing - ie Eastern powder. With the shaped skis you might want shorter poles than longer. But if they are too long, you can always cut them.

This clearly makes more sense... under the basket I mean...

maybe I was confused .. going to go check my poles :D

 

[PNWSkier]

I ordered mine online and when they arrived I stood on the stairs with the baskets on the edge of the stair that I was standing on. Does that make sense? I was trying to simulate standing and holding them with them in the snow.

 

[cinnabon]

Yep, that's the correct way to determine pole length.

I always though it was grab the pole right beneath the basket with the basket resting on your fist? Have I been doing it wrong all this time?

edit: OK, I was right. This is important because the other way and your poles will be way too short!

To find the Ski Pole with the Ski Pole Length suitable for you, do the following steps:


Turn the Ski Pole upside down, with the Ski Pole Grip touching the ground and the Basket resting on the top of your fist.

Put your body in a Skiing stance. Place the Grip in front of your feet. You hands must also be in a Skiing position.

At this point, your forearm and upper arm should be positioned at a 90º angle. When this is the case, the Ski Pole has the correct length for you. If not, try another one.

sorry - i see it's been covered!

 

[cinnabon]

The wrist straps should be checked for ease of access in gloves. I got new poles and the straps do not sit "open" so it takes me a fair amount of time to get a gap to insert my gloves into. Very frustrating and time wasting. I plan to use duct tape to wind around the middle section to create some stiffness in the straps, and I believe it will work but not interfere with performance cos I've been trying it out on my spare poles.

There are these little plastic devices you can sometimes find in ski shops that are designed to hold the pole straps open to make this easier. I have some & they definitely help. I tried to google and find out what they are called but all I could find is the patent info:
https://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7275768/description.html
which at least has a little diagram that shows what they look like.

 

[ski diva]

I agree, I've always done under the basket as you want to see what the length would be when the tip is out of the equation since presumably it would be in the snow during pole plant.

I work in a ski shop part time, and we're trained to measure with your fist over the basket, not under.

 

[ski diva]

There are these little plastic devices you can sometimes find in ski shops that are designed to hold the pole straps open to make this easier. I have some & they definitely help. I tried to google and find out what they are called but all I could find is the patent info:
https://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7275768/description.html
which at least has a little diagram that shows what they look like.

We sell those in the shop I work in, too. I can't remember what they're called; next time I go in (which will be next week) I'll check.

 

[DawnSuiter]

So... anyone know then where can we find the correct way to fit your ski poles? or are we going back & forth on the over/under thing

 

[cinnabon]

You can always google it to find a consensus. I found this chart a few different places:
https://ecom1.sno-ski.com/skipoles.html