 Poster: A snowHead
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I'm thinking of getting a pair of adjustable ski poles and am looking for recommnedations as well as general advice tips on what I should be considering when looking for an ideal pair.
A couple of things to consider:
1. I want adjustable poles as much for ease storing and carrying as much as I want them for any benefit regarding skiing;
2. I would like poles that would also double quite well as hiking/trekking poles, so something durable with removable baskets would be good. In fact, chances are they will spend more time used for hiking in Hong Kong than they will be for skiing.
Cheers...
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Black diamond flicklocks. Do not get the regular walking pole shims - they will collapse under heavy pressure.
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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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Yep, Black Diamond flick lock poles are the bees buttocks.
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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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I use the Black Diamond Traverse poles skiing but would recommend getting hiking specific poles for hiking as they tend to be better shock absorbed for use on harder ground.
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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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+1 BD FlickLock
I'd go for ones with an extended handle too - gives more gripping options.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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BD Flicklocks here too (Traverse, I think - whatever the standard model is). Used them for lots of hiking too (couldn't be bothered to remove baskets though), no problems.
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Ordinary_Skiier,
I've got a pair from Lidl that are OK. They are only just long enough for me, but then I am quite tall.
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Agree, Black Diamond flick locks work well
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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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I've got a pair of Black Diamond Expedition poles. They're more collapsible than the Traverse cos they're made in 3 sections, but that means there's more things to break, they're heavier, and you can't swap the top out for a whippet grip. That aside, they're great bits of kit. All black diamond poles fit the same set of interchangeable baskets and ferrules, so there's no problem getting some little mud baskets for hiking with.
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Thanks for the fantastic responses everyone! Looks like BD Flicklocks are pretty clear favourites in this crowd.
So far I'm considering the Expedition & Compactor models. I'm leaning toward the Compactors at this stage due to their portability and easy storage...
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Leki disadvantage heavy
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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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| Cynic wrote: |
| Leki disadvantage heavy |
The Leki mechanism breaks (EVERY time we ski I have to sort my gf's leki adjustable poles out, 'cos the mechanism keeps slipping and making them shorter). The BD flicklock system is by far the most reliable.
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[quote="clarky999"]
| Cynic wrote: |
| The Leki mechanism breaks (EVERY time we ski I have to sort my gf's leki adjustable poles out, 'cos the mechanism keeps slipping and making them shorter). The BD flicklock system is by far the most reliable. |
+1
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You know it makes sense.
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The big broblem with twist-locks on a ski pole is that we tend to swing round the poles after we've planted them (especially if, like me, you have 'barn doors disease'). This has the effect of loosening the left hand pole and tightening the right.
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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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The most fatal flaw with twist locks is that when they're frosted/iced, they can be near enough impossible to twist to lock or unlock anyway.
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Poster: A snowHead
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Walking poles and ski poles are similar only in outward appearance. Many walking poles are heavier than ski poles and also have spring loaded shock-absorber systems in them. Also, the tips are designed to be replaced more easily on walking poles as they will be used on different surfaces.
Apart from that, I'm another Black Diamond flicklock user and very happy with them. Another subtle point to note is that my black diamond poles have the markings to set the correct pole length so you can quickly and easily ensure the three sections are at the right position for your length. That's not something I've seen on walking poles
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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Walking poles ARE generally cheap and nasty. I would not use expensive Ski poles for Hiking. re the grip options ski poles Are not gripped they are swung delicately between thumb and finger. Walking poles should be gripped by the the leash in the palm looped over the back of the hand. MUCH better than actually gripping the handle! have fun Gandi
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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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Differences between Ski & Walking poles noted. If the BDs turn out to be unsuited for walking I can always go back to the tried and true walking stick I've used to date:
Bamboo...
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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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| Gandi wrote: |
| Walking poles ARE generally cheap and nasty. |
I paid £40 for my Lekis (and that was in a sale) so not sure how much you think expensive one should be !
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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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| dsoutar wrote: |
| Gandi wrote: |
| Walking poles ARE generally cheap and nasty. |
I paid £40 for my Lekis (and that was in a sale) so not sure how much you think expensive one should be ! |
They're not cheap and nasty.. There ARE cheap and nasty products of any kind.
Saying they are crap because they weren't designed as ski poles is a misleading
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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I paid a fiver for my hiking poles, considerably more for my Flicklocks but I wouldn't sully my flicklocks on UK bog, hill or heath.
To be fair I've noticed rental poles (Gipron?) that seem to have a similar closure to BDs.
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They are selling the z version of the BD's as a hiking and skiing pole in outdoor shops - just bought a set with exchangeable baskets as they have a fliclock as well.
fatbob, I think those work differently but look similar. I know I've seen them 'pop' for renters on the slopes!
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Well I've decided to get the BD Compactors.
Unfortuntately Black Diamond seems to have geographical limits in place regarding where online resellers can deliver to, so now the trick is finding one that is allowed to send their products to Hong Kong, or find a proxy order fulfillment service to relay them to me.
BD's China distributor either went out of business or fails to comprehend the need to renew internet domains and DNS hosting each year.
I've sent a query to their International info email address and await their response.
Wish me luck!
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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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| Ordinary_Skiier wrote: |
| Well I've decided to get the BD Compactors. |
You know those aren't recommended for skiing? Stick to the Traverse if you insist on an adjustable pole.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Well after 6+ weeks of waiting I finally have a pair of the BD Compactors. Now all I need is a mountain with snow on it...
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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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Interesting thread. I have had a number of pairs of walking poles which just give up after a while - seize up, need tools and strong men to shift them, generally a PITA. Some were quite expensive, some Decathlon.
I might look at getting a pair of the ones recommended here.
By the way, NOT all walking poles (not even all expensive ones) are spring loaded.
My ski poles came with a pair of nice old wooden skis which a friend bought in a house sale for £50 and now adorn the walls of our apartments. I have been using them for 9 years and they are still fine but then my elderly style of skiing doesn't subject them to much trauma.
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You know it makes sense.
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Well so far the poles are working fine for hiking, and it looks like I'll get a chance to test them at Niseko come early Feb...
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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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Just remembered this thread today.
So far the poles have proven their worth both in skiing and hiking. They're pretty versatile and easily packed away, which is exactly what I was after.
Thanks for your tips everybody...
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Poster: A snowHead
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Was going for BD Traverse and then found Komperdell Titanal poles with flick locks for CHF40 in sale. Excellent, powder/piste baskets, touring grips and light.
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FAQ
I now have a severely bent ski pole, guess where - yes on the bottom aluminium section, they dont retract properly now. Have had one piece 
