Picking the right ski pole is not difficult, so don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. First you need to determine what you want to use the poles for; skate skiing, classic skiing, touring or backcountry skiing. Remember about half of your forward momentum comes from your poles so they are important. 99% of the time if you have selected the right skis and boots then you just need to look for a pole in same range as your other gear.
Example: If you purchase base model skis and boots you should just get a base model pole. If you are buying mid-range or price point skis and boots get mid-range poles. Don’t over think it.
SIZE
Now the most important thing, pole length. Skate poles are longer than classic poles and if you have the wrong length pole you will be uncomfortable and inefficient skiing. The good news is we have a ski pole length calculator you can use to choose the correct length. For touring we usually recommend classic length and for backcountry always an adjustable length pole that can be adjusted based on terrain and snow conditions.
Depending on the pole material, if you shop at a reputable ski shop, they will be able to cut your poles to the correct length. If you are between sizes, we would usually round up 2-3cm or down only 1-2cm to the nearest size. Some companies also make adjustable length ski poles for children that can be adjusted as they grow or between skate and classic technique.
GRIP & STRAP
Ski pole grips have evolved over time and really there are few bad ones left on the market and certainly all the major pole manufactures have quality grips. You need to make sure the grip is comfortable and will not feel cold. Higher end grips are often made from a fake cork like material or plastic with a foam covering while mid-range and budget poles the grips are made from plastic and/or foam. Just make sure it is comfortable.
There are a few distinct types of straps. There is the traditional loop which you simply put you hand up through and then grab the handle (popular on entry level poles and with biathletes). There is the hand harness strap which provides a very snug fit and enhance comfort while skiing. It also allows for a little bit better control over your poles. We recommend these to anyone who is serious about skiing. And finally, there are quick release straps that may or may not require special gloves where the straps stay on your hands and unclip from the pole. These are great for coaches, ski instructors, skiing with young kids or anyone who finds they need to take their poles off and on frequently. On backcountry and touring poles, we often recommend just the loop strap since you maybe alternating between different thicknesses of gloves or mitts during the same ski adventure and the loops make this easy.
Pole Shafts
There are several different shaft materials. Entry level poles are usually made from aluminum or fiberglass. Aluminum has the advantage of being durable however they tend to by heavy and not swing as nicely. Fiberglass tends to be the least durable. There are some retro and older poles made from wood products, but we do not recommend these since they tend to break easily and are not very rigid.
There are lots of different options in the mid-range pole market with various composite and carbon constructions. As the price of the pole goes up there is more carbon and the poles tend to weigh less, and the shafts are more rigid. In this range there may be a tradeoff between how rigid or stiff the pole is vs its weight. This is a good time to consider the swing of the pole. As the pole gets lighter, they swing much easier and return the hand more smoothly. The more rigid the pole the more power is transferred from the pole to the snow to propel you forward. A pole that is not rigid enough for the skier will be uncomfortable and prone to breakage.
Higher end poles tend to push the limits of light weight and stiffness. They may also be tapered or shaped to be more aerodynamic (we have serious doubts if this makes a real-world difference to all but the absolute best skiers). These poles are made from carbon are extremely light and tend to be expensive. In addition to price they also tend to be more fragile and because of this they tend to be a poor choice for intermediate skiers who may crash often or clip their pole with their skis. These poles are often also optimized for an ideal swing in the hands of an expert skier.
Generally, backcountry or touring poles are aluminum or steal unless you go higher end where you can get carbon fiber.
Baskets
The basket or the tip that goes into the snow can have a dramatic effect on how well the pole performs. Usually there is no need to change the baskets from what is stock on the pole. Racing baskets tend to be smaller (since the trails are harder packed) and touring baskets tend to be a bit larger for softer snow. If you find you poles sinking into the snow you may want to invest in a slightly larger basket. Most poles come with a good-sized basket, its only if you ski in more extreme soft or extremely hard packed conditions you may need to change it from the stock so don’t worry too much about this.
Summary
To get the right ski pole is not rocket science, you just need to determine what style of skiing you will use them for, then determine the length (see length calculator), then look in your price range to find a pole with a comfortable grip and that stiff enough for your height and weight. Everything else should just work itself out.
