HOW TO CHOOSE SKI POLES
10 Nov 2023
The ski pole is the essential accessory for skiing but which no one pays attention to when purchasing.
The length:
To measure the right length of the ski poles , just turn the pole and grab it under the wheel:
- If your arm forms a 90° angle, then the ski pole is the right size.
- If the arm is too open (angle more than 90°), the pole is too small.
- If the arm is too closed (less than 90°), the pole is too big.
Many alpine and telemark skiers reduce the length by 5cm for greater comfort and ease
Structure of a ski pole:
The stick has various parts: the handle, the strap, the axle and the washer. Each part must be chosen with the utmost care.
What is the best material for a ski pole?
The different rods can be made of various materials which each guarantee specific physical properties. The most common are aluminum alloy sticks with zicral or dural for greater elasticity. They are lightweight without being too expensive. We also find sticks made of carbon fibers or glass fibers (composite). They will be even lighter, especially the carbon ones. Another advantage: comfort, because the fiber has the advantage of absorbing vibrations.
Which washer to choose for your ski pole?
The washer forms the lower end of the stick before the tip. Its purpose is to prevent your pole from sticking too deeply into the snow when you plant it. There are various types of washer:
- track washers: They are narrow and offer less exposure to the wind while being more robust. They are perfect for use on hard snow and groomed slopes.
- floury washers: Wider, they are essential off-piste to avoid seeing your pole disappear under the snow, but are unfortunately more fragile.
Be careful, each brand offers its own washers and they are rarely compatible with other brands of poles.
Which strap to choose for your alpine ski pole?
The strap is generally a strap that is placed around the skier's wrist to prevent the loss of the poles in the event of a fall or release of the hand. It also provides additional support during the support or pushing phases. There are three large families of straps.
- The classic strap with strap : It is the most common, a simple strap attached to the handle forms a ring where you will insert your wrist. Although the straps have different styles depending on the models and brands, they are used in the same way. The different ergonomics can offer comfort and finish to your pole.
- The safety strap: It is a strap with the possibility of release. These high-end safety straps provide many advantages in terms of tightness and comfort. The fact that they can detach in the event of a violent impact allows you to avoid sprains of the wrist or thumb.
- The musketeer strap: Without strap but with plastic flaps. More exotic than strap-on straps, the musketeer grip offers incredible grip as well as unmatched insertion speed. However, you need to differentiate your left stick from your right stick. This handle is not very common as it is not adjustable.
What is the best grip for a ski pole?
The grip will give you an extra touch of comfort on your ski pole. But remember that you are wearing gloves, the different consistencies of the foam will therefore be absorbed by these. However, soft foam grips will be lighter and more pleasant. Finally, thin hands will generally be more comfortable with index-plus-three-finger grips than four-finger grips.
