How to choose ski poles

Skiers use poles not only during the descent to manoeuvre and maintain balance on steep turns and bumpy slopes. Ski poles are an indispensable tool for starting acceleration, overcoming flat areas and climbing a mountain in the absence of a lift. They significantly reduce tension in muscles and joints. Sometimes sticks can come in handy to assess the condition of the snow, unfasten the mount and get back on your feet after a fall.

A correct and timely thrust with a stick is often used to complete a turn, set a new trajectory of movement, and prevent rotation of the body. Competent work of the hands sets the pace of movement along the track.

The design and material of ski poles

The rod is the central element of the ski pole. In most cases, it is made of aluminium alloys: such sticks are relatively inexpensive, but at the same time they have sufficient rigidity and strength. To increase these parameters, titanium alloys are used. Lightweight sticks are made from composite materials (carbon and fibreglass), but they are also more expensive and fragile. Athletes usually do not use them. The «coolest» ski poles are made from pure carbon fibre or various combinations of metal with composite plastics. The criterion for the strength of the rod is the stiffness index (on a scale from 1 to 10). The higher it is, the greater the strength of the rod. For beginners, a stiffness of 4-5 units is enough, for more experienced skiers - 5-6 units. Professionals prefer an indicator of 6 units or more.

The ring serves to prevent the stick from falling deep into the snow mass. The size (diameter) of the rings is selected based on the density of the snow cover. For skiing on virgin snow with loose snow, poles with large rings (100 mm or more) are more suitable: they will not fall too deep. On prepared (rolled) tracks, the snow is almost always dense, and poles with a small diameter of the rings (50-70 mm) will be more appropriate because they will not touch the boots.

Some models of ski poles are equipped with interchangeable rings «for all occasions». On other models, a conical nozzle is installed instead of a ring.

The tip, which comes into direct contact with the slope, is made of corrosion-resistant steel. In shape it is most often cone-shaped but there is also a specific form in the form of a “toothed crown” - it has proven itself well on icy slopes.

Handle - the upper part of the rod, by which the skier holds the stick while skiing, climbing or walking. The material from which the handle is made plays an important role: it depends on how securely the stick «sits» in the hand. The most economical material is plastic but a stick with such a handle tends to slip out of your hand every now and then due to poor grip with the glove, especially when wet. For ski poles, this option is not suitable. Suitable solutions include materials such as cork, rubber (natural or artificial - neoprene), EVA. Due to the roughness and porosity, these materials make the handle «grip» and «warm» in all weather conditions. Handles made of frost-resistant rubber have a good reputation: they are not slippery and retain their properties in the cold (they do not «tan»). The shape of some handles is made curved in order to provide a better grip.

Lanyard - this specific term in skiing refers to a special strap attached to the stick handle. It seems to unite the hand with the rod and at the moment of push it provides an even distribution of the load on the shoulder girdle. The lanyard is also needed so that the stick is not lost when accidentally slipping out of the hand - when the fingers are unclenched, it simply hangs on the wrist. The strap is adjustable so that the hand has support from below. This gives additional support and allows you to get additional acceleration at the start. There are quite a few types of this device, differing in size, method of attachment, material and other features.

The main thing is to achieve a comfortable fit of the palm and wrist so that the hand can move freely in all directions. For skiers the lanyard trap is the best option: it not only holds the hand well, but also contributes to the development of the correct skiing technique with releasing the stick after repulsion. In fact, a trap is a half-glove that is fixed on the wrist with a strap-fastener and has a quilting function. Thanks to this design feature, the safety of using sticks when driving on steep slopes at high speed is increased. It would not be a big exaggeration to say that the lanyard in ski poles is no less important than the material or shape of the handle itself.

The choice of ski poles by length

The length of ski poles is the main selection criterion. It is selected individually and is tied, first of all, to the height of the skier. For an initial estimate you can focus on the fact that a suitable length for an adult athlete is about 3/4 of his height. Children's sticks are made from 70 to 100 cm long.

The dependence of the length of sticks on growth is shown in the table

You can use the table offered by the reputable German company LEKI. For some people it may seem more convenient although in fact it once again confirms the previous indicators.

The above parameters are not the ultimate truth and can be adjusted in one direction or another taking into account the build of a person, the ratio of the sizes of individual parts of the body (in particular, the torso and legs), the length of the arms and other individual characteristics. Usually, the adjustment is within 3-5 cm. It should be borne in mind that the height indicated in the tables includes the thickness of the sole of the ski boots.

There is one more nuance: the length which is indicated on the stick, corresponds to the distance from the reference point of the tip to the «crown». However, according to the rules of the ISF (International Ski Federation), this length is measured to the place where the lanyard is attached to the handle,  in fact it will be several centimetres less. So, if you have any doubts you should get the advice of a competent store seller and even better - an experienced skier.

If the ski poles are chosen correctly there will be no problems with throwing them forward and applying an injection and the poles themselves will reliably «cling» to the slope helping the skier to maintain balance and move forward confidently. But too long or too short ski poles lead to an imbalance of loads on the shoulder girdle which will either work with increased stress or be completely or partially inactive.

Ski pole configuration

The classic form of ski poles is straight. In principle, it is suitable for any type of skiing and is the best option for amateurs and beginners who ski on prepared slopes and do not claim to record results. But for those who are fond of downhill or slalom and strive to reach the heights of skill, ski poles with a bend are more suitable. The bend is most often done after the handle but is sometimes laid into the shape of the handle. In both cases the same goals are pursued: creating an effective support on the stick during a sharp turn, reducing stress in the shoulder joints and minimising the risk of injury to the hand.

The curved shape of the stick removes the rings from the torso which reduces (albeit slightly) its aerodynamic characteristics. Slalom pole handles are often fitted with guards for kicking goalposts. There are sticks with a bend in two planes but this is already the lot of professionals. For an arbitrary smooth ride, you should not choose curved sticks: apart from discomfort and unjustified costs, this will not work.

Conclusion

Ski poles, unlike skis, are consumables. Therefore, it makes sense to purchase not one but two or three pairs, which can be changed depending on the style of skiing, track conditions, weather conditions. This approach, although it entails additional costs, is justified by the fact that skiing is associated with risk and does not forgive mistakes in the selection of equipment. Any missed trifle including incorrectly chosen ski poles can lead not only to a spoiled mood but also to injuries; skis and sticks are a single organism that must be in harmony.