Poles

I read that we should all be using shorter ski poles nowadays (for the life of me I can't remember where I read this).

I was always told to work out the length of pole required you turn the pole upside down and hold it by the section that would be under the basket if the right way around.

So how do you work out the pole length suitable for yourself nowadays?

Am I skiing with poles that are too long?

Or is this just a pile pants and I should stick to the same length poles as always?

Hi Hirsty,

First I’ve heard of it (but that doesn’t mean anything!).

Thinking (briefly) about it I guess that changing pole length would only be applicable in response to a change in some other aspect of skiing: technique, environment, typical type of ski location etc.

So say you had changed your style to a much lower stance or you suddenly decided to ski on wildly steeper slopes you may want to consider how long your poles should be and not necessarily shorter …

Another possibility is that someone somewhere thinks that by suggesting shorter poles an improvement in technique will result. In my observation poles are by far and away the piece of equipment most likely to be used incorrectly (or not at all!) so perhaps just getting people to hold and use them properly would be a result.

Of course there is a third possibility and that is that a manufacture has miscalculated on a production run and now has hundreds of short poles. Step forward Mr Marketing Man – “This year short poles are an essential on the slopes!” :shock:

I’d stick with what works and wait till someone comes up with a sensible reason to change. Then review )

Jan

For many years I skied with 115cm poles. Last year I was told by a man who knows about this stuff, that I really should have about 118cm poles. Choice, either cut some poles down, make do with shorter/longer ones, or buy adjustable touring poles.

No contest :D.. Black Diamond Traverse Poles.
http://www.telemark-pyrenees.com/shop/product_info.php?cPath=1_66_94&products_id=1167

It does seem more comfortable when using them, though that may indicate a desire on my part to justify the spend :wink: