 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi looking for your advice on a new set of ski poles which would be suitable for groomed pistes,powder days and off piste currently had in mind the K2 Backside Carbon poles so wold like to know your thoughts on these or any others you may recommend.[/img]
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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just get ones that match your skis or outfit 
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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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get those ones where you can put brandy in the handles.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Get the biggest baskets you can find.
And make sure they reach the floor.
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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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others will say different....
but my experience of carbon poles is that are expensive, break lots, and I dont like the way they flex when you plant them.
get a cheap aluminium pole in the right length.
(with big baskets as MM says). if nothing else they can be bent back into shape and cost 1/3rd less.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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buy cheap, buy often
but it's better than buy expensive, buy often which seems to be the alternative IME.
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I must admit, buy a semi-decent pair so they last, don't buy Carbon, unless you are like replacing your expensive poles or enjoying watching them being nicked from outside a restaurant.
Carbon splinter easily, I have 2 pairs for touring and on hard piste they will bend a lot more and maybe start to break. Both my pairs are essentially in need of replacing already!
A semi decent pair wont snap too easily like a Scott P3 pole, around £30, and isn't a diaster if they do break. I have 2 pairs of Scott poles, a P3 and the fatter P4 and they are both over 2 years old and despite looking like it they are great, albeit a slight bend in one!
Find the most comfortable grip too as each brand vary and there's nothing worse than an irritating grip to distract you from the enjoyment of skiing!
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Haggis_Trap, Hmm I have a pair of Goode Carbons, acquired in Whistler in 2001 I think, have done around 600 days, and are as good as ever, minus paint scratches.
BUt that's a sample size of one. Actually, it's not. A mate who skis about as often has a pair a year older while another who skis only slightly less frequently has a pair 3 years older. (I mean, 13 years out of a pair of poles?).
So staggeringly insignificant sample of 3.
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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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Black Diamond Fliklocks with powder baskets end of story.
Or cheapo rental alu jobs
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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I've got some Scott carbon poles (sorry don't know the model) and love them. Yes, they were expensive but very light, big basket and really comfy handle. If you don't want Carbon, an alternative would be the Scott Team Issue. Very highly rated and bomb proof.
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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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I've used my Rossi carbon ones for 6 years. Had to stick big baskets on myself though.
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I don't ski off piste, so can't advise from that perspective, but although I've only been skiing for a short time I have been through a huge assortment of ski poles (adult and child) and have had hands on many manufacturers poles - K2, Rossignol, Fisan, Scott, Komperdell and several 'unbranded' 'lesser' makes. I've gone through cheap ones - which tend to be thicker, maybe slightly heavier, to better grade metal ones, which tend to be thinner, lighter, and I'm now on some nice fancy ones which seem to be a combination of a metal core surrounded by a resin shaft with carbon shafts in them (K2 5-Karat poles) - which I am perpetualy concerned about walking when I'm in the restaurant and tie down with the skis as much as possible, and hang onto for dear life on the ski lift.
In terms of performance well they all work (at the end of the day a pole is a pole), but out of the metal ones, if you can put up with the slightly more solid feeling of them, the cheap ones seem pretty indestructible (as a beginner, poles get some welly in the early days as you get around on unfamiliar planks) and as mentioned above have a certain bendability about them to ease them back into shape (provided the tube isn't fundamentally folded) - they might also be less likely to walk outside a restaurant.
The finer more expensive ones seem to lack in a feeling of substantiality about them and although they might be as strong build wise (maybe better materials) they just seem to feel more fragile. Of them all the build quality of the K2 5-carots seems the best compromise so far. The central metal pole with the carbon fibre inserts inside the resin - they certainly feel strong enough and are not too thick. (The K2 Karats' also look damn good too if you are into all the gear no idea). How any of the above would perform off piste I don't know, but I'm surprised at the amount of variation in manufacturing materials and wondered if the above personal impressions would be of any use to anyone.
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You know it makes sense.
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Ditto (some of) the above.
Go cheap like the birdie; you will snap them... Spend your money on lift tickets and vino. 
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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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chelt881, very simple really. If you want all that you'll ideally want to get adjustable ones, but non-adjustable will still be fine, and a big basket as suggested. Make sure they're the correct length and spend what your pockets/conscience will allow. Anything else concerning poles is just guff.
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Poster: A snowHead
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If you tour then don't get adjustable ones as many Guides will not let you use them (in case the ajustment gives way in a remote location) I use alloy poles and have a longer grip added and get a pair of large baskets.
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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: |
(in case the ajustment gives way in a remote location
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sounds wise. I have adjustable (cheap) Decathlon walking poles and they're a pain. Took one pair back last week as the adjustment had packed up after a few days.
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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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Swing weight does make a difference -how much is debatable. Like most things -spend how much you can afford and the law of diminishing returns applies (strongly).
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Doesn't matter how unbreakable your poles are when you leave them in a car park or drop one in deep powder.
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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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| Dypcdiver wrote: |
| If you tour then don't get adjustable ones as many Guides will not let you use them (in case the ajustment gives way in a remote location) I use alloy poles and have a longer grip added and get a pair of large baskets. |
Depends on the quality as I know and use guides that have extendable poles, the Dynafit poles (about £135!) are great as they lock into the shaft of the pole and I only use them for touring.
For long tours you need the adjustment for the differing terrain, otherwise it can be uncomfortable.
However, it's a fair point and I can see why some guides wont take the risk. However, most good guides can tell if you have a decent pair or not.
I still think, as above, most people for everyday skiing are best of with a semi-decent £20-£40 that is well made and wont make you cry if they break or get stollen.
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FAQ
I might not ski as often as you 
