Help with selection of ski poles.

Hi esumsea - IMHO, unless you race or spend a lot of time doing specialized stuff (eg, skinning, bumps, hiking etc), all brands are good, and probably made by the same two companies in China. Caveats: If you're not an accomplished skier yet, not sure I agree about carbon because you'll probably cut/fray it with your edges. If you're in a higher socioeconomic stratum, then yeah, get carbon composite for the slightly lower swingweight and springiness (but it sounds like you're not). So just a plain, reasonably light alu pole will hold up longer, especially at your price point. Some like Leki for the trigger grip, convenience and perhaps safety, but others dislike for equally valid reasons, and not sure what you'll find for your $ range. Length, you'll need to try them in a shop with someone who's willing to do more than glance at you while you hold them. Most people get them too long, but not sure of a 2" rule, as compared to a 1" rule, or some specific ratio based on your measurements; it'll depend on how you ski, where you ski.

 

Put another way, don't have to put as many research hours into this as you did into your other gear. Just my .02...

The old method of grip the pole upside down with basket under hand and extend to floor works pretty well.

For down hill skiing too short is better than too long, especially if you venture into bumps.

Don't wear the straps!

 

Pistol grips feel great, but apparently present added risk of wrist and shoulder injury as they don't release as easily from your grasp in a tumble.

 

Carbon and bamboo might give you some added shock absorption, but I wouldn't pay $$$ for it.  I would just get some poles from the local thrift shop.

 

That is all.

I will put in my obligatory Leki warning:

 

Beware of Leki: Good poles but predatroy pricing -- the Trigger replacement costs are insanely absurd if you lose a strap or glove. What Leki doesn't tell you is the hassle-free option of the trigger system does not apply if you lose the nylon strap or a glove. It's then a major hassle, not only because the system becomes useless and you are skiing without straps, but you will also get raped by Leki for the replacement cots of the nylon strap--$50. If you are near a resort- -$80.

 

Anyways, as others stated, you don't need to spend a lot on poles right now. It's something you can go cheap on, as at this point, it really won't affect your performance like boots or skis. No need to buy $120 poles right now--unless you want to. Anything will do, really.  Just find the right size.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Skiing without straps is a very good idea.  What do you use the straps for anyway, besides hanging the poles up on the wall by a hook?

 

 

Well, if you ski without straps, why would you even be looking at Leki anyways? Their main attraction is the quick-release option. Anyways, if someone wants Leki poles but doesn't want straps, maybe they can work a deal with Leki. Since the straps are $50, you can subtract that from the $120 price and only pay $70. :) 

 

Something tells me that won't flt and Leki would claim that's an unfair deal as they only shelled out $1.99 for production and material costs fror the straps in their Chinese factory.

My opinion? Buy the cheapest poles that feel comfortable in your hand. Spending up to $150 on poles is nuts for a beginner (heck, for most people). Aluminum will be much cheaper than composite, a little heavier, but they're fine, honest. Save your money for lift tickets.

Nail on the head.  I've got some fancyish K2 composite poles and they're okay, but I sure wouldn't shy away from aluminum.  The only reason I bought them was because it was all the shop had.  I do agree with the comment that most people do get them too long, and that too short is better than too long. 

 

And if you want them shorter... bend your knees some more.  A little shorter might be good for a beginner, so you don't use them

as any sort of crutch.

Another thing to think about is that expensive poles will be magnets for thieves on the hill.  You'll have to keep a close eye on them or some a-hole will snatch them.

 

Keep an eye on Tramdock and REI for poles on sale.  I use Leki triggers that I got for like $40 on Tramdock a couple of years ago.

 

As far as length goes, it's really personal preference, but erring on the side of short is a good suggestion.

 

Mike

I agree that this is a good starting point. One thing to consider, most people are saying to err on the side of being too short. However, it's easy to cut down poles if they're too long but you can't make a pole longer if it's too short. I'd start with the rule of thumb Ghost posted, and if you want to go shorter in the future, it's very easy to do so with a hacksaw.

I went to the local ski shop and I picked up $15 poles. Was that a bad idea? I ski blacks and double blacks moderetely well, I was really confused by the fact that they had $60 poles, let alone $150 poles. Someone told me that the poles were not that important for skiing at least at my level.

at your level, poles really dont matter that much, it's not nearly as important to have great poles as it is to have great skis and I never even used my poles (besides for balance) until I started skiing steeps and lots of powder. Dont make a big deal out of them, just find something thats comfortable looks cool

I can't confirm 'a lifetime' as I'm not dead yet...but I bought a set of Scott poles in 1979 and they're still going strong.  Bought them to match my Scott Superhot boots :)  Boots have been replaced many times since, and countless pairs of skis too...but the trusty Scott poles remain.  They look prety tired now, but I'm loathed to change them as thay have the sword-style grip so no strap.  I still see a few other folks with these grips on the hill and everyone I meet won't give them up either.  No idea why they fell out of fasion or stopped making them.  Anyway, assuming Scott still make aluminium poles like they used to, then they're pretty long lasting!
 

Still just can't let it go that you lost your glove and didn't have a spare strap on vacation can you?

I use very nice carbon adjustable probe poles from BD.  I don't think poles are very important and nice poles were the last piece of fancy gear that I acquired.  I have had many pairs of thrift shop poles and they work about as well as the fancy ones.  I like the adjustable aspect of my poles as I will lengthen them for touring and have played with different lengths for alpine and tele skiing.  I mostly just leave them at the same length for all downhill skiing in all conditions.  I don't necessarily  recommend probe poles for anyone and definitely the OP shouldn't pay extra for this feature at his stage of development.  Probe poles used as probes are basically too short to function as effective probes and too problematic to deploy as probes under pressure.

 

Mario should look for something with a grip that fits well and comfortably in their hands.  I wouldn't buy them too short.  It's easy to shorten poles and hard to lengthen them.  If the price point was right I would consider adjustable poles.  Look at these carefully though as not all locking mechanisms are equal.  I have had no problems with the BD system.

I question why a beginner even needs poles, except to help cross flat terrain and even then they should be skating.

 

The reason they stopped making them is the pole stays connected to your hand in a fall and can cause broken thumbs (nicknamed sker's thumb). That is the reason, doesn't mean you should give them up if it hasn't been an issue for you. A properly worn strap will cause the pole to fall away from your hand during a fall, and allow you to relax your grip, which relaxes your upper torso, which allows for better balance and less energy expended.

 

 

 

I didn't know the spare straps cost $50-$80 if you lose one on the road. If I did, I would never have even considered purchasing the Lekii's.

 

I am just warning consumers about the drawbacks--and will do so whenever a pole suggestion thread comes up and people look for honest advice or opinions. An informed consumer can consider all factors.  

 

Anwyays, as I already stated to the OP, I would save the money for more important things and go cheap on the poles. Expensive poles--regardless of the brand-- are really not worth it for the vast majority of skiers on the hill. When and if you do decide to upgrade and splurge a bit, choose wisely and consider all factors. This is already an expensive sport for most of us skiers. If I can help a fellow skier know where trouble might be lurking to make it even more expensive than it has to be, there's nothing wrong with that.

I understand your commitment to keeping the consumer informed, but you use very extreme words like being raped by the company over and over.  It's just not a fair and accurate approach, it's mean and vengeful - it is really you trying to get even with a company that even by your own words was responsive, just too expensive.

That's all.  Just too expensive.  Fine.  Let people know that.  But "predatory"  "raped" ?!!  Give it a break.  How'd you like people posting on the internet about your company using those kinds of words when in reality all it is is that they don't like your pricing structure?

 

No one forces anyone to buy something expensive.  It's a choice and skiing has a LOT of that.  So I guess as you see it as your duty to attack Leki on any thread having anything to do about poles, I see it as my duty to defend them and point out that they really didn't "do" anything to this guy defaming them.  And I have no connection to the company, except that I love their poles.

OK, maybe I'm not describing it correctly as a 'sword grip' - the old Scott grip isn't like the add-on slalom style hand protectors but is 'springy' vinyl with a gap in the bit that goes over the back of your hand.  Let go and the pole doesn't fall, so actually zero enery expended to hold the pole...it's just there attached to your hand - even your open hand.  But it just pulls off when needed incliuding straight 'thrugh' the grip i.e. if you push your hand forward it and your arm would just slip out the slot.  The only time I ever hurt my thumbs was with conventional poles with sculpted grips.  Anything that would take a conventional pole out of your hand (except gravity) would take one of the old Scott poles out your hand too.  There may be other designs that weren't so efficient (and that certainly includes the solid-round-the-back-of-the-hand affairs) but the Scott ones were/are really great as I can't be bothered 'holding' poles all the time, plus they're so convenient wiithout straps.

 

Interstingly re the Skiers' Thumb injury, we have a real large dry ski slope in Edinburgh called Hillend dating from the 60s (I started skiing there as a kid in about '64) and thumb injuries were sufficiently common that 'Hillend Thumb' was the general medical term.  They even started selling special gloves with the thumb joined to the first finger!  Not sure now, but the pokes there never ever had straps, just a grip stuck on a cheap aluminium tube so the thumb injuries were 100% from folks putting their hand out front to stop themselves in forward falls and nothing to do with the strap or pole retention - there was neither.

I think if you are getting poles then you should get poles that will work for you as you improve.  I find that for some pole plant situations, such as on bumps, I can jar my hands with aluminum.  Of course, it is not relevant in pole swing situations, which are more usual.  I find the modestly priced Goode poles work well for me,  Your mileage may vary.

 

 

Well, I am not tryig to fight with anyone. They are strong words from me- I agree. But it's hard not to see being charged $50-$80 for something that probably costs $1.99 to manufacture as getting raped.  It certainly cannot be classified as a deal or Leki caring about retaining their customer base. I see it as predatory and Leki taking advantage of their customers who are in a bind.  

 

I also agree that I do have a choice and don't have to buy the straps. That's why I dumped the Leki's. I only got $40 at the swap but it was still more cost-effective than purchasing the straps--whose to say one won't get lost again?  I already spent $120 on the poles. When I went to the counter at Copper and was told it would cost $50, my thought was someone at Leki is smoking crack if they think I am going to give them another $50-$80 for the nylon wrist strap. I just skied without straps.

 

 

mm, if you were on vacation and lost a ski, say you fell in deep powder - what do you think you'd be able to do?  First off do you think you could buy 1 ski?  You couldn't.

 

What do you think you would have to pay for a replacement pair of skis on vacation?  Possibly in the range of $1,000 dollars.  Would this be predatory and rape?  Certainly the local dealer at the ski hill are charging more then they could, but is the manufacturer to blame?

 

Finally, the straps you reference are two entire units with velcro that attach to your gloves, so your $1.99 is a bit of an exaggeration.  They can be bought for less then your stated prices.  When I go to Colorado for 2 weeks I bring extra things to protect against this type of mishap, not losing a glove, but a glove/pole strap unit breaking on me.  Buy them in advance online = less money and being prepared.

 

All in all I object to your overboard singling out Leki campaign and blaming them for your loss and lack of backup equipment - and the local stores charging full price.

a mid priced Scott is all anyone needs who doesn't need a probe. why fix what isn't broken, and pay a bundle for it. all these brands are new compared to Scott poles, the classic of them all.

If I lost a ski, I could always rent one, then claim the loss on my Homeowners policy.

 

If I lose a strap on a trip, I can do what I did and ski without straps then sell the poles and go with close-out poles that don't have accessories that are easily lost and cost a fortune to replace.

 

My point was not just about the cost of the straps. It's the entire system. It works, it's convinient, but is it worth it? I can't make that decsion for anyone. Just giving my own opinion from personal experiences. They are convinient but keeping track of the parts can be a major hassle and losing a strap or glove makes the trigger system entirely obsolete and worthless.

 

These are things for anyone to consider if they decide to splurge on high-end poles. Long-term costs of ownership for Leki is going to be much much higher than other brands. As you stated, you should stock up on replacement straps in the event that you lose one. IMO, that's a lot to pay for just poles.

 

Back to the OP, it's probably not worth it for new skiers to spend any considerable amount on ski poles--or most skiers, for that matter. There are times you might consider splurging, as I did. But you should consider wisely when deciding to splurge. If you look for the best price/performance ratio, it's going to be more cost-effective to get poles with straps that don't come off and can be lost. If cost of ownership is not something you consider, you won't worry about any of these factors.

 

One can spend the money on the poles themselves and a stockpile of expensive straps in the event one gets lost. Or one can just buy close-out poles of equal quality with stuff that doesn't come off and get lost and you dont have to keep track of while on vacation.

 

Leki makes nice poles but so do other brands. You can find poles of equal quality and feel for much less. Most people, as with myself, pay to get the convinience of the strap system. Unfortunately, that convinience turns into a major hassle and expense should you lose a part-which is relatively easy to do.

 

Anyways, no sense in going back and forth about it. I gave my opinion. Nobody has to agree with it.  

MojoMan, reasonable comments.  Let's see if you continue your campaign of attacks on Leki, or possibly moderate your comments to your objection to the cost of ownership, rather then to being nasty attacks on a company for their pricing strategy.

 

I've used Leki poles for a lot of years, never lost a strap, but have broken one or two.  I love the convenience, not to mention the feel of the placement of the connection to my hands of the poles.

 

btw talk about predatory companies, claiming a small loss on your homeowners insurance is going to cost you big time in future policy costs.