 Poster: A snowHead
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Basically I need to buy a pair of ski poles and while extensive research has pointed me in the direction of 130cm long ones, there is very little out there on what the benefit is for spending more than £10 on the cheapest available.
I can see that being able to vary the length might be a good thing but doesn't appear to be so beneficial to me, it's worth spending loads on. I can see that having a safety release is a good thing but is it really simply about having a slightly cooler way to attach yourself to your pole? I'm quite drawn to the Leki Trigger S range but worry that I'm getting suckered into overpaying for a gimmick. Otherwise, there is loads of product information the benefit of which is not explained: e.g. the weight, does having lighter poles make a material difference? The diameter, what difference does that make? Better tip materials, are these worth paying extra for given that a pole plant is usually a tap, a brush on the surface or simply a swing through the air? The grip, does having a groove for each finger help you ski better than lining up the forefinger and letting the others arrange themselves?
I'm not averse to paying more because as so often stated, it's not a cheap sport. I just like to know what exactly it is I'm paying for.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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IME. Things to consider:
1. The size and material of handle.....soft grip is nicer than hard plastic.
2. Handle loop adjustment....and whether there is a safety quick release.
3. Glove/pole connection systems
4. Adjustability....I had Goode poles that had adjustment by twisting the handle.
5. Material of shaft. Graphite is often thinner (more aerodynamic) and gives less of a shock up the arms, when pole planting (due to the "give"). Thin Aluminium is also an option....and there are even poles that combine both materials.
6. Size of the basket (Piste vs Off Piste) and whether you can get interchangeable baskets.
7. Whether you want a degree of built in forward angle, to help with pole planting position.
IMO. You value these attributes, in which case it will cost you £80-100.....or you just get the cheapest poles you can find and not worry about them being stolen.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
IME. Things to consider:
1. The size and material of handle.....soft grip is nicer than hard plastic.
2. Handle loop adjustment....
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I know nothing about things but these two are really the only considerations I made when getting poles, need to be able to hold them, oh and matching my skis, that's important isn't it? 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I loose/break poles so often that I go for the cheapest I can find. 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Other considerations are:
8. Are you a crash test dummy when skiing. If you trash polesmon a regular basis, buy disposable ones.
9. Do you lose stuff, or skimin resorts with known, theft issues. If so, as above buy disposable ones.
4a. If you get adjustable ones, make sure they are the cam lock type, rather than the twist to lock type. Test them out by locking them, then leaning on them hard, they shouldn’t move.
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In this cold weather it’s worth investing in a pair with heated handles.
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If you're not buying flicklocks just buy the cheapies, lob pow baskets on them and jobs a good un. Then you're not arsed about them getting chipped, bent etc. Old skool Scott flanged pistol grips are worth having but you'll only find them on vintage used stock.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Rather than how hard/soft the grip is I'd suggest how moulded it is is more important. A lot of poles I pick up in shops seem to expect you to have much bigger hands that I do, so even with a glove on my little finger's reasting on the ridge between third and little finger mouldings on the grip, which isn't exactly comfortable.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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My missus uses basic aluminuium poles that she has had for 30 years.
Early in my skiing career I was notorious for bending and ultimately breaking poles. Obviously (?) I rarely fall these days so less of an issue. I currently use a pair of "Shocks" poles (made in US) that were purchased for a £1 in a charity shop!
I think all these fancy dan extras are just there to elicit extra ££££'s from the gullible.
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Honestly - your choice of pole will make no difference to your piste skiing. Big baskets are really helpful for powder but you can change them.
I wouldn't spend any time thinking about your choice. Get something cheap in a colour you like
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You know it makes sense.
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@Old Fartbag,
totally with you on this . . .poles that have no likeness to the brand / colourway of the owners skis are the sign of a complete imbecile and should be disposed of immediately.
In all seriousness, I like my rossi carbon freeride telescopics because they -
1 - Are light but strong
2 - Can be adjusted in height for different conditions
3 - The baskets can also be changed
4 - Everyone is jealous of them when I plonk them on the table in their knock down form at luncheon which makes for an interesting 10 sec convo about getting better poles . . . .cough
5 - Match my skis
6 - Have never been nicked because they follow me everywhere
Admittedly, I don't like the straps that much and have considered Leki Varios but that would definitely mean buying another pair of skis to match . . .
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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I’d go for something quote cheap on as you willl scratch them, bend them and possibly lose them. As others has said getting a handle that suits the size of your hand is helpful. Don’t worry about wrist straps as in my opinion their only purpose is to hang the poles from a hook or ski tips - not to put aeound wrists while skiing as can cause nasty hand/wrist injuries in a crash.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Not sure Trigger S is worth the extra, my old man is still moaning of a thumb injury he picked up over new year when he bailed and they didn’t release.
I was given a set of Leki varios and really liked them up until they it trapped under a lift and bent. I now have 1.5 leki varios and not convinced that I want to spend another £45 to get the replacement half.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Belch wrote: |
@Old Fartbag,
totally with you on this . . .poles that have no likeness to the brand / colourway of the owners skis are the sign of a complete imbecile and should be disposed of immediately.
In all seriousness, I like my rossi carbon freeride telescopics because they -
8 - haven't yet demonstrated to me how abrupt carbon failure can be
9 - add crucially to any all the gear image I am trying to project
Admittedly, I don't like the straps that much and have considered Leki Varios but that would definitely mean buying another pair of skis to match . . . |
Only joking but snap a carbon pole once and you soon go back to as burly old school alu as you can find (not that I haven't destroyed many of those).
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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Well opinions here seem to be almost totally in accord. So much so, it made be double check whether I was on the right forum.
So cheap as chips it is, many thanks all. Unless there is anyone out there who has an opposite view...
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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I have a pair of Goode carbon poles which I acquired in 2001... more or less that means they’ve been skied for about 150 weeks... way, way, way longer than any other poles I have ever possessed.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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And I would never go back to the faff of wrapping the straps around your wrists having enjoyed the Trigger S attach/release mechanism.
That said, don't get the carbon vario ones ... I managed to break two sets in a fairly short time !
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Poles,
I've learnt my lesson.
I was treated to a top of the shop Leki carbon fibre a couple of Christmas's ago.
D profile S trigger in 115cm
I broke one of them ... but I still have the right one, yes there is a right and a left.
I think I compromised the construction by putting my ski bag on top of it in the boot of the car.
It took a couple of days to break after that.
Very nice poles, but I wont get another pair ... just the one will do.
I don't use straps and I even found the S trigger too much phaaf to use.
I think the best poles are (were) Goode Carbon Fibre very slim about 7mm diameter.
I had a pair given as a previous Christmas prezzie back in 1996 and they served me very well.
I forgot to bring them home from Soll a couple of years ago, but I'm sure someone is enjoying them still.
@Penry, If you are buying poles make sure you get them the proper length NOT the one that is probably recommended. @Dave of the Marmottes kindly pointed out that my poles were too long.
He was right, the recommended length poles for me are 125cm, but I ski much better with 115cm.
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| DrLawn wrote: |
...
@Penry, If you are buying poles make sure you get them the proper length NOT the one that is probably recommended. @Dave of the Marmottes kindly pointed out that my poles were too long.
He was right, the recommended length poles for me are 125cm, but I ski much better with 115cm. |
Are you sure he wasn't having you on? He responded up thread with talk of flanged flintlocks but no mention of reducing the recommended length. tbh I think I could use shorter poles right now but I'm determined to improve my posture, both frame and arms, so that the 130s work for me.
Lots of love for Goode poles. I went onto Amazon https://www.amazon.co.uk/Goode-Products/b/ref=bl_dp_s_web_4491728031?ie=UTF8&node=4491728031&field-lbr_brands_browse-bin=Goode+Products&tag=amz07b-21 to find some very negative reviews based on the fact that they are supplied singly and not cheaply, although the cost is mainly postage and import duty.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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No I wasn't having him on I'd seen him ski. Many people drop back 5cm or so when they've had chance to experiment with length. Gets you more forward and a massive help in bumps as it reduces " door opening".
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Door opening?
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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A flanged Scott grip
Advantages
i Leverage
ii Old skool cool
iii Women will want to have sex with you
not all advantages proven. Ts &Cs apply.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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| Penry wrote: |
| Door opening? |
When you leave your poleplant behind such that your upper body ends up rotating slightly back rather than getting forward for the next turn.
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@Penry,
Door opening ... its swinging your arm out and around rather than just the twitch of the wrist.
I was, and probably still am a bit of a "door opener" ... I had too many lessons following a french instructor who was a very stylish "door opener" ... in the manor of a waiter showing you to your table with a flourish.
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You know it makes sense.
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Ah, that rings a bell. My left is like opening a door in a gale, my right more a light breeze.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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@Penry I think good poles are really important,
and Goode poles are even better.
I just feel that heavy poles just disappoint.
The down side is you have to split your poles up in the same way as you leave your skis in two places when you pop into the Mooserwirt.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Colour
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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| Quote: |
@Penry I think good poles are really important,
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reread that and try not to be embarrassed! Of course they aren't important. They might be nice 
I still have a pair of carbon poles which come out when the snow is hard (they have little baskets). They are quite nice. Most of the time I use some fairly ugly ally ones with big baskets and an extended foam grip down the shaft which is useful when traversing and general fiddlearsing off piste. Beyond that the choice makes no difference to my skiing.
I did have another pair of carbon poles that sheared 10cm above the basket leaving the tip in the piste and sharp fibres in the snow.
As for straps and clip mechanisms - I don't use them anymore. Unwise to use them off piste so trained myself not to use them at all - really just needs a little tightening of your grip as you plant. I do occasionally put them on for a long skate and they are handy for hanging the poles.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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@jedstar why don't you use straps and clips mechanism for off piste?
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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| jedster wrote: |
| As for straps and clip mechanisms - I don't use them anymore. Unwise to use them off piste so trained myself not to use them at all - really just needs a little tightening of your grip as you plant. I do occasionally put them on for a long skate and they are handy for hanging the poles. |
Same here minus using them for a long skate.
It's funny with gear... some things I think are genuinely worth spending a bit/lot of money on... other things are not... currently for me....
Spend - boots (customised by CEM - definitely worth the £), jacket (I go out in all weathers and need that protection), skis (of course, it's the wheels man)
Mid-price - goggles (need good peripheral and no fogging), mid-layers
Cheap - poles (charity shop!), socks (Aldi), sunnies (Bolle protective glasses from Tool Station)
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Who knew Lange made skis?
I had some (SLS, I think) and hated them, as they were much too stiff...but at the time were what the SCGB recommended to me...anyway, what has this got to do with Poles? Well I got shot of the skis (to a heavy friend in the early 80s), but still have the matching Poles (Navy Blue, with orange grips, leather straps with safety release system and big, old school (orange ) baskets.
I wonder if these are the only ones still in existence?
(They don't seem to be getting me more sex, for some reason).
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Hmmm, in limited sampling, a Uni chum (1985) had too short poles which encouraged bending forward from the waist.
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| Old Fartbag wrote: |
(They don't seem to be getting me more sex, for some reason). |
A lack of flange?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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| Penry wrote: |
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
(They don't seem to be getting me more sex, for some reason). |
A lack of flange? |
Nope. They have an even bigger flange than those photographed....maybe it's too imposing. 
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| Penry wrote: |
| Old Fartbag wrote: |
(They don't seem to be getting me more sex, for some reason). |
A lack of flange? |
You have to be careful when insinuating about the size of your pole and your skills in using it. Pole use is a dance not a simple in out transaction 
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FAQ
