Your height vs. your ski pole length

I'm 5'11" and have been using 50" poles for years. This is the length size charts recommend for me. One problem I've always had with them is unintentional planting. I bought some 46" poles recently and, except for a recent powder day, this length has been working well. It's a bit annoying for skating though. 4" makes a big difference.
How tall are some of you vs the length of your ski poles? Anyone have a good argument against the size I've chosen?

Ah, but, most of us can touch the ground if we sit on the floor, so aren't you really asking about leg length, not height?


Not in bumps or -in- powder.

But, how's this:

It's going to make jump turns on steeps require a longer reach and more upper body to/fro wobble meaning it will be harder to rebalance and link recoveries.

6' 130cm/52" - I switched two years ago from 50-inchers, and I like them better in bumps

I am about your same height. Since I am so cool I have a "pole quiver" . I have a pair of 50" that I use on hard snow days and a pair of 52" that have large powder baskets for the soft days. Really theres no reason why they are different sizes, just what was on sale. I do like the longer poles when I am pushing along a traverse.

5'10.5 and 48" seems to be the best fit for groomers.

I'm 6'5" and just switched from a 54" down to a 52". So far its worked out well, I much prefer the shorter length.

189cm tall, 135cm poles. 1"=2.54cm

I'm much taller than my poles.

SJ

the jibber told me that my poles were too long so I got some 36" poles the other day. I pretty much put my hands together at my waist and point the poles out the side (this also helps hold my tall tee down).

5'11" - 50"

5'9" - 48"

I'm 6'5" and also switched from 54" to 52" alpine poles quite some years ago. The poles I use for tele skiing at the area are 51".

Somewhere between 5'7" and 5'8". I prefer 46" poles over 48" poles (have both, don't use the 48" poles).

I'm 6' and usually don't use poles

Thats, unusual. Most bumpers have been going way shorter for bumps to get more forward. I know 6 footers with 40" poles.
Pole length has also gone shorter in general. I think due to shape skis and higher edge angles.

5'7" - 5'8" 48s or 50s

but then again i race and stick mainly to the groomers seeing as i ski (and train) mainly on smaller hills in the east. When I get to freeski a lot on bigger mountains with a lot of non-groomed terrain (usually during spring break) i usually use 48s, or if skiing mainly bumps ... 46.

yes, i have at least 3 pairs of poles.

I just broke my poles which were what I like to ride, 48", i'm 5'9" so now i'm riding with 50" and they seem way to long.

I'm 5'11" and use 48" poles.

Recently I've been thinking about trying some different lengths, not because I'm unhappy, but to experiment with how it would affect my skiing.

5' 11", 50 inch poles
seem to work

5'9" with 48" poles.

I don't have an arguement with your reasoning about pole length. It's a personal preference with what you are comfortable with.

Dennis

I have several poles all are the same height, the "correct" height (forearms level when on skis). The exception are my GS race poles, they are about 4" longer than correct to make for strong hard starts and not much else.

perfect for me

just get em bigger and modify.

i like a 48 3/4 " so i get a 50 and modify . it supposed to be arm at side, bend up to make a right angle and measure to the floor.

I'm about 5' 10. USe 120 cm poles that I think are mismarked, they're shorter than my other 120's. That's 47 or 48" I think. Like a short pole.

I can't comment on a short pole since the only pole I have any experience with is my own and it is quite long. I'm pretty sure my wife prefers my long pole over a shorter one as well.

dude i think anyone cares how long yours is when its as thin as my pinky

5' 11" and my regular poles are 125cm/50". But I've been coveting a pair of Komperdell 130cm/52" GS poles that are in the bargain bin at my local shop....

Judging on my "race" ...lol... performance last night I don't deserve GS poles!

I don't think that just using your hight can correctly determine pole length at all. Every ones body is different. Some people have longer legs but are the same hight. Also somes upper arms are longer than others at the same hight ect..Not only that these days binding systems seem to have more lift than others also. An example would be the difference of hight from a flat mount to a duke for instance. Also risers on your skis will effect the pole length. The old way was standing in your shoes grip the pole UNDER the grips on the shaft. Your arm should be at a right angle. That was the old way for old school skiing but still to me holds true depending on bindings. My new skis this week have a system binding and the sole hight on the ski is higher than my flat mounts. I noticed a difference and adjusted my pole length almost 2 inches longer to feel right for the added hight and the way these skis ski compared to my other ones.
So I think there a lot more to it than just saying if your 6ft then a curtain size pole is the right length for you. Personally I like a bit longer pole for steeps. I tend to hang my poles at an angle back and when I make plants there sutler off to the side more than right in front of me anyway. In deeper snow my arms are higher for less drag and a shorter pole might work better but theres times when you need that length so I keep them at the max length for all conditions. Mine adjust also witch is a nice kind of pole to have. Worth the little extra to me.

I'm incredibly picky and can notice a 1cm difference.

Length determines my stance. Too far forward = too short. Am I riding my tails? Could be my poles are too long.

Yup. I'm nuts like that. I'll take them home and hacksaw until perfect. 47.5" and I'm 5'9"

I'm not so retarded about length in pow, though. Baskets, however must be small. I HATE heavy baskets carrying a load of snow every time I pick up my pole, or dragging behind me. How people actually prefer powder baskets is completely beyond me.

I'm really picky about baskets too. I like them medium sized, which is difficult to find. Too small (race baskets) and they dive in powder. Too big (standard offpiste baskets) and I can feel the drag, particularly skiing bumps. I buy big baskets and trim them. Strapped in for bumps, strap-free in powder, sort of half-strapped (palm only) anywhere else.

LEKI adjustable. Wait...what was the question??