What poles do you recommend for 8 - 10 yo?

[Ms Mia]

My 8 yo daughter's ski instructor suggested she try skiing with poles, to assist with her stance and balance. She's competent on blues, starting to ski parallel more consistently, but is a generally cautious and anxious kid, so spending a lot of time in the back seat and reverting to snow plough.

We borrowed a friend's super dooper old poles, and she instantly loved them and instantly got more forward over her skis and started becoming more adventurous. The only thing was these poles are quite heavy with enormous baskets (maybe they're trekking or x- country poles? Or maybe just from the 80s?) And because they're heavy, my daughter found her hands dropping low or even behind her and the poles crossed behind her a couple of times.

So now I'm keen to buy some for her, just wondering whether there's a brand that really has kids poles figured out! They all seem to be aluminium when I look online, is this light enough? I'm not looking for high end, as she'll grow each year, but grateful for any tips of what to look for or avoid.

I've read another thread with great interest about poles being a rite of passage. I have no safety concerns at all with my daughter (she is not waiving them around or brandishing them as weapons, and she was the one who asked me about poles and safety on chair lifts)

 

[newbieM]

I personally found that any cheap poles that fit her size work. You can invest in adjustable leki poles but I don’t think that’s needed.

 

[diymom]

How about a youth adjustable pole? https://www.corbetts.com/k2-sprout-purple-adjustable-junior-ski-poles-2022/

 

[marzNC]

What I've bought as Christmas presents for kids of my friends once they were skiing southeast blues and blacks confidently were junior adjustable poles. That way the poles would last more than a season or two.

Don't remember what brand I found. Whatever I got, they were on sale during late season or early season.

 

[Kimmyt]

We have the k2 sprouts and they are fine! (I'm one of those people that just thinks all ski poles are 'fine' so I'm not sure I would have a ringing endorsement for any). They come in cool colors, and over the years the models only really change in color so when you inevitably need to buy a new set bc your kid snaps one when they space out on a mid-loading chairlift, or they drop it in the trees because they are again spacing out, you end up with some fun mix and match color combos. Not that either of those situations have happened to us, of course....

 

[Ms Mia]

How about a youth adjustable pole? https://www.corbetts.com/k2-sprout-purple-adjustable-junior-ski-poles-2022/

Makes sense! But does being adjustable make them heavier? Also I saw a few comments in the "poles as a rite of passage" thread that adjustable were not ideal because they can't be trusted. They might come loose, or slip or snap if planted poorly/too hard, which is a safety risk for the kid

 

[brooksnow]

I don't have a specific pole to recommend, just some things to think about.

Grip size. Some "kid" poles have huge diameter grips that are hard for kid size hands to hold. I have had to swap them out for basic rental poles during lessons because of this.

Weight. Others have mentioned this. The heavier the poles, the more likely they are to be dragged behind with the hands hanging down. That's not a well balanced position.

Length. Lower arms should be horizontal when holding poles. Poles that are too long will send anyone (even adults) into the back seat when they're actually used in a pole touch. If in doubt go slightly shorter.

Adjustable can be great, just be careful about the grip size, weight, and minimum length.

 

[scandium]

Makes sense! But does being adjustable make them heavier? Also I saw a few comments in the "poles as a rite of passage" thread that adjustable were not ideal because they can't be trusted. They might come loose, or slip or snap if planted poorly/too hard, which is a safety risk for the kid

I have kids' adjustable poles and haven't managed to plant them too hard as a 120lb adult...

 

[marzNC]

Makes sense! But does being adjustable make them heavier? Also I saw a few comments in the "poles as a rite of passage" thread that adjustable were not ideal because they can't be trusted. They might come loose, or slip or snap if planted poorly/too hard, which is a safety risk for the kid

I'm the same size as many kids over 12. Have used adjustable poles at times. No difference in weight since the regular poles I've used aren't the expensive light weight type. Have lost poles more than once so not willing to pay much for them.

The two kids I've given adjustable poles to were good students in ski school from the start as tweens (ages 6-7). Never had any issues due to their poles. Only reason my daughter didn't get adjustable poles while she was still growing was that we found $5 poles at a ski swap when I bought her gear for the first time and then the next pair of skis bought used at our local ski shop came with matching poles.

 

[Jilly]

Whatever is $20 at Sport Experts! If you can't pass them on, then they are good for tomatoes stakes.

 

[LucieCZ]

My 5 & 7 year olds both have these. They're very light and adjustable.

Black Diamond First Strike Trekking Poles Fjord Blue | The BackCountry

Black Diamond First Strike Trekking Poles is an adjustable youth pole with versatility for skiing and trails.

www.thebackcountry.com

 

[Ms Mia]

Thanks everyone and just an update: I bought some adjustable Atomic Jnr telescopic poles, they seemed very good quality including the clip for adjusting the length. But they were heavy! My daughter is very slight and her arms were getting tired with the hand-me- downs we had borrowed, and these adjustable poles were even heavier than my adult length poles. So I returned them.

Then I saw these in a spring sale for $26: Volkl Phantastick. Very light, good grip size (thank you for pointing that out @brooksnow ) and easily adjustable strap.

She's super happy with them and I think the length will last her 2 seasons. Then we'll just look for the next size up on sale again!