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how long should my ski poles be

by Jerod Rempel Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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Ski Pole Size Chart

Skier Height in Feet and Inches Pole Length in Inches Pole Length in Centimeters
3'4" and shorter 32 80
3'" to 3'8" 34 85
3'9" to 4'0" 36 90
4'1" to 4'4" 38 95
Sep 30 2022

If the angle is less than 90°, try a shorter pole.
...
Downhill Ski Poles Sizing.
Skier HeightPole Size (in.)Pole Size (cm)
5 ft. 4 in.46 in.115cm
5 ft. 6 in.46 in.115cm
5 ft. 8 in.48 in.120cm
5 ft. 10 in.50 in.125cm
15 more rows

Full Answer

How to choose the right length ski poles?

Sizing It Up: The Right Alpine Ski Pole Size

  • Ski Pole Length by Height Chart. If you don’t have a tape measure handy, check out the chart below for a quick guide to finding your correct ski pole size.
  • Extendibility. Some ski poles are adjustable, which means you can alter their length to suit your height or activity.
  • Shaft Material. ...

How to choose the right ski length?

How to choose the right ski length First off, there isn’t a hard and fast rule for choosing ski length the way there is for, say, buying a pair of shoes. You have to take into account several variables, from your height and weight to what kind of skiing you’re doing and even where you’re doing it.

How do you know what length skis to get?

Part 1 Part 1 of 2: Choosing Ski Length Download Article

  1. Determine the type of skiing. Cross-country, downhill, and trick skiing all use different ski designs.
  2. Compare the skis to your height. Stand the skis vertically next to you. ...
  3. Evaluate your skiing ability. Shorter skis are more nimble but less stable at high speeds. ...
  4. Add length for above-average weight. ...
  5. Consider terrain and skiing style. ...

How tall should your skis be?

The skis were also very long, and very narrow, and it was not uncommon for skiers of all sizes to use skis that were longer than 210 cm. At the time, a basic rule of thumb was that you should choose skis that were as long as the height of your body with your arms extended above your head.

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Is it better to have longer or shorter ski poles?

Adjustable ski poles Longer poles are more efficient for skinning up, since they let you take longer strides. Shorter poles are easier to manoeuvre around when you're skiing in deep snow.

How do I find the right size ski poles?

0:140:53Ski Pole Sizing - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipJust about at 90 degrees to right with your hand directly underneath the basket. Then it counts forMoreJust about at 90 degrees to right with your hand directly underneath the basket. Then it counts for the apportion of this pull that will be stuck in the snow. Or. If you don't already have a ski pull

Are longer ski poles better?

As skiers we inevitably encounter a variety of terrain. In pushing ourselves to greater extents, every advantage we can get increases our confidence and there by our performance. A longer pole will get you to your drop in quicker, and a shorter pole will keep you balanced and in rhythm when you get there.

Should beginners use ski poles?

New skiers and children tend to put too much weight on poles and rely too heavily on them for balance. So if you are a beginner, or if you are teaching your child to ski, consider starting without poles.

Why are ski poles curved?

When it comes to bent ski poles, it's really all about aerodynamics. Skiers want to go as fast as they possibly can in downhill events, and having folded poles allows skiers to match the shape of their poles to the shape of their bodies.

How do you know if your ski poles are too long?

With the poles upside down—grips touching the floor—grab the pole just underneath the basket so that the top of your thumb touches the basket. Your elbow should now be at a 90° angle. If the angle is less than 90°, try a shorter pole. If the angle is greater, get a longer pole.

Do ski poles make a difference?

Poles help your balance, rhythm, and timing of your turns immensely. It is important to make sure you put the time in to find the right pole for yourself. There are several factors to consider, such as sizing, the different terrain you may face, the materials of the pole, as well as the grips, straps, and baskets.

Are Salomon ski poles good?

Salomon Arctic Lady Ski Poles – Runner-Up Salomon Arctic Lady Ski poles are an excellent option for intermediate and advanced skiers. Specially designed for women, these poles have a high-quality aluminum shaft that makes them light, strong, and durable.

How tall should your poles be?

POLE SIZING CHARTSKIERS HEIGHTDOWNHILL ski pole in INCHESDOWNHILL ski pole in centimeters4' 4” - 4' 5”38” - 40”90 - 95 cm4' 6” - 4' 8”40”100 cm4' 8” - 4' 9”40”100 cm4' 10” - 4' 11”40” - 42”100 - 105 cm25 more rows

What is the diameter of a ski pole?

Ski Poles have a length of 44”-52” (110-130 cm) and pole diameter of . 75” (19.1 mm). The mass of a Ski Pole is between 10.23-13.05 oz (290-370 g). Ski Poles, also referred to as sticks or stocks, are used by skiers to balance and pull themselves while skiing.

Do ski poles matter?

Poles help your balance, rhythm, and timing of your turns immensely. It is important to make sure you put the time in to find the right pole for yourself. There are several factors to consider, such as sizing, the different terrain you may face, the materials of the pole, as well as the grips, straps, and baskets.

What is the DIN setting on a binding?

The DIN setting is the release force setting of a ski binding. It is the value that determines the amount of force effect needed for a binding to release in order to keep the skier from being injured.

Why Ski Pole Length is Important

Ski poles play a critical role in providing balance, stability, and timing for alpine skiers. They are essential for making turns and can help you develop a rhythm that effectively helps you ski downhill.

How Long Alpine Ski Poles Should Be

The majority of skiers are alpine skiers. Alpine is also known as downhill skiing, and these types of ski poles are shorter than Nordic poles.

How Long Nordic Ski Poles Should Be

Nordic, or cross country skiing, is a traditional style of skiing that is also a lot of fun and an excellent form of exercise. If you haven’t tried this skiing style, I would highly recommend it. It’s not as popular as alpine, but it’s still a lot of fun.

FAQs

Here are a few quick answers to some of the most common questions about ski pole length.

Conclusion

Getting the correct ski pole length is essential, no matter what style of skiing you like to do the most.

What Size Ski Pole Do I Need?

Depending on your height, you can find the length that your ski poles need to be for you to enjoy skiing without feeling like you are hunching over or holding your shoulders too high up.

How to determine ski pole length?

If your shoulder is creating an angle that is less than a 90-degree angle, you may want to find a longer ski pole. This means that your arm is angling downwards from your shoulder. This method in combination with measuring your height to get a rough estimate of the length your ski pole should be are the most common ways to determine the length ...

How important is it to choose ski poles?

When choosing your ski poles, it is incredibly important that you get the right ski pole length for your height and body. If you get poles that are too short or too tall, you could have a lot of trouble controlling your path down the slopes, or even injure yourself. Downhill ski pole sizing can be a bit tricky and feel a bit daunting when all ...

How long does it take to find the right ski pole?

If that is not you, do not worry! You will be able to find the right ski poles. It just may take a couple more minutes than others. Like stated earlier, finding the right ski poles is all about finding a balance between your body and the ski poles.

What happens if you get ski poles too short?

If you get poles that are too short or too tall, you could have a lot of trouble controlling your path down the slopes, or even injure yourself.

How should your thumb be touching the basket?

Your thumb should be touching the basket and the ski pole itself should be straight.

Where is the basket on a ski pole?

The basket is usually a small rubber or plastic disc located somewhere near the tip of the ski pole. Once you have found it, make a fist directly under it. Your thumb should be touching the basket and the ski pole itself should be straight.

How to Choose the Right Length Ski Poles?

The traditional method of choosing the correct length ski poles is to turn the ski poles upside down and hold them underneath the basket. In this position, your arms should be at a 90 degree angle when your upper arms are at your sides. Some skiers may prefer to use longer or shorter poles.

Ski Pole Size Chart

This is evo. We are a ski, snowboard, wake, skate, bike, surf, camp and clothing online retailer with physical stores in Seattle , Portland , Denver, Salt Lake City, Whistler, Snoqualmie Pass, and Hood River. Our goal is to provide you with great information to make both your purchase and up-keep easy.

What if ski poles are too short?

One must look at the maximum distance from the center of gravity of your skis to the ground to determine the right pole length. If the pole is too short, you will not be able to keep your body in the correct position.

How do you take handles off ski poles?

The handles of the ski poles should be placed in a pot of boiling water. The poles need to be removed from the water. Pull down on the grips with a towel. If they don’t come off, put them back in the water and repeat. Remove the skis from their bindings and place them on a flat surface. Use a pair of tweezers to remove the bindings.

How long should skis be for height?

You don’t have a magic formula for determining the right size ski. The correct ski length is between your chin and the top of your head. A skier that is 6′ tall will want to look for skis that are at least six inches longer than his or her chin.

How do you determine ski boot size?

If you take a tape measure and measure the length of your foot in centimeters, you will get a Mondo size. Ski boot shells are only in full sizes. An example of this is a size 27.0 and 27.5 both have the same shell size and have the same inside length.

Can you make ski poles shorter?

A big pot of boiling water, a hacksaw, and some glue are all you need. If you cut the pole too short, you’ll have a hard time filling the extra space to glu e the handle back on. Before you buy a new handle, you should think about how long you want it to be. Cut a piece of 1/4-inch plywood to fit over the top of the pole.

Are shorter or longer ski poles better?

A variety of terrain is encountered by skiers. We can increase our confidence and performance by pushing ourselves to greater extents. A shorter pole will give you more time to get to the top of the hill, while a longer pole will get you to your drop in quicker.

What to do with powder baskets on Salomon pole?

These powder baskets will keep your pole from sinking away into a snowy abyss , never to be seen by humans again... Or, if you mostly ski on groomed runs and east coast hardpack, you'll be fine with resort baskets, such as the baskets on the Salomon Arctic pole.

Can you carry two poles down?

When you're going down, you still want a standard pole length. Rather than carrying two poles, you can choose between an adjustable pole or a fixed pole with an elongated grip. Many skiers prefer adjustable poles because they are especially comfortable and compact.

Do you need a pole for backcountry skiing?

When you're going up, you need a shorter pole due to the pitch of the slope. When you're going down, you still want a standard pole length.

How to know what length ski pole to use?

To make sure you ski pole length is correct, turn your alpine ski pole UPSIDE DOWN and grab your pole under the basket or on the grip side of the basket. Your lower arm should be parallel to the floor. Pole length can vary for people the same height because of different arm lengths.

How to measure ski pole length?

Extend one arm out to your side making it parallel to the floor. Check your ski pole length by putting your pole UNDER your arm pit. Your pole should fit under your arm comfortably.

What is the best ski pole for beginners?

Aluminum Shaft: Cheap ski poles will use a lower cost aluminum alloy which will cause them to be a little heavier and break easier. Aluminum poles are a good inexpensive pole for beginners, the aluminum pole is preferred by trick skiers and many racers because it will not bend with the pressure they require. Pay a little more and you will get stronger, lighter alloys.

What is a composite shaft ski pole made of?

Pay a little more and you will get stronger, lighter alloys. Composite Shaft: Manufactures are now producing ski poles made of fiberglass, and other specialized materials. Lightweight composite materials are used to reduce weight and increase the strength of the pole.

How much does Alpine Accessories cost?

Alpine Accessories offers a wide range of price choices, starting at the basic $29.00 and ending with the Leki Trigger Grip Ski Poles at $100. Why such a wide range of price you ask?

Why do you need a longer pole?

A longer pole will help keep your body in better balance and allow you to put your weight on the proper ski easier. Advanced skiers, expert skiers and racers - If between sizes, you may go shorter. This is due to the aggressive stance which is normally lower than intermediates. When in doubt, always go longer.

What is the tip on a starter pole?

The Tip: On the starter poles you will get what is simply called an ice tip. But on the pricier poles you will get a carbide ice tip made of a stronger material. The Grip: On the low cost poles you will find an extruded plastic grip, a woven nylon strap and a plastic buckle for adjustment.

How high should telescoping poles be for downhill skiing?

If you choose telescoping poles, make sure they adjust from waist height for downhill skiing to just above your armpit for effective striding.

What is a good ski pole?

If you're a beginner, a good ski pole is any pole that fits. As you become more experienced, you may want to try different materials for a better strength-to-weight ratio. Shop ski poles.

How to use wrist straps on ski poles?

To correctly use wrist straps, your hand should go up through the strap and then the thumb and hand grip over the strap and around the pole. Tip: When trying on wrist straps in a store, wear ski gloves to ensure they’ll be easy on/off when you’re on ...

When trying on wrist straps in a store, should you wear ski gloves?

Tip: When trying on wrist straps in a store, wear ski gloves to ensure they’ll be easy on/off when you’re on the mountain.

What angle should your elbow be?

Your elbow should now be at a 90° angle. If the angle is less than 90°, try a shorter pole. If the angle is greater, get a longer pole. Most poles are sized in 2” increments. If you’re in between sizes, go with the shorter pole.

Can you buy a basket separately for poles?

Some poles come with interchangeable baskets or additional baskets can be purchased separately.

Why do you need a pole in skiing?

The purpose of the pole in skiing is to assist us through the transition between turns. Planting your downhill pole between turns provides a third reference and balance point when changing edges, it assists with the commitment of your body to cross the skis to change edge (and ultimately end up down the hill of the skis at the start/top of the new turn), and also helps with the timing of the edge change. On certain terrain such as steeps and bumps, or performing short turns, it can also be used in a blocking or stabilising way to provide discipline and strength to the upper body.

How to determine the right pole length?

To determine the right pole length, one must look at the maximum amount of inclination during the turn. Now days, skiers are increasing the amount of inclination and edge angle to get as much rebound out of the turn as possible. This also affects the transition. High level skiers are trying to cross the skis without any unnecessary rising of the Centre of Mass (CoM). With the extreme edge angles we are striving for, the CoM has further to travel from a heavily inclined position on one side of the skis to a heavily inclined position on the other side of the skis. Unnecessary rising sees the CoM take a less direct route from one side of the skis to the other, thus slowing down the edge change and delaying entry into the new turn. Rising to a high position can also reduce stability at high speeds. As such your inclination/edge angle at it’s greatest will determine the height of the CoM during the transition. As you know, the pole plant occurs during the transition so a better understanding of your height through the transition will better define a suitable length of pole.

Why do you need a longer pole?

Of course there are benefits to a longer pole. A racer needs all the help he/she can get pushing out of the start gate and as such will require a longer pole for leverage and a longer push. A beginner will spend time on the flat and will rely on their poles heavily for balance in an upright position thus requiring a longer pole. The upside down pole/right angle in the elbow trick is great for beginners as they will be standing on their skis in this position which is why most rental shops use this method to determine pole lengths. For advanced skiers it should be rare to transition at this height and you will need to start to look at your pole length in relation to your ability and type of skiing.

Why is my pole plant so poor?

One of the biggest contributors to a poor pole plant is using a pole that is the incorrect length. Too long and the pole can catch on the snow when swinging it forward. It can also disrupt balance when planted causing rotation of the body and/or affect the fore/aft balance of the skier. Too short and it won’t provide the necessary stabilisation at edge change.

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1.How Long Should Ski Poles Be? Here’s What to Look For!

Url:https://mountaintreads.com/how-long-should-ski-poles-be/

28 hours ago 14 rows · 38 inches (95 cm) 3’9” to 4’0”. 36 inches (90 cm) 3’5” to 3’8”. 34 inches (85 cm) 3’4” and under. 32 ...

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Url:https://theskigirl.com/how-long-should-ski-poles-be/

33 hours ago  · Each of these styles has a slightly different way of figuring out the proper length, and they are both considerably longer than alpine pole lengths. Classic cross country ski poles …

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5.How To Choose Ski Pole Length & Ski Pole Size Chart | evo

Url:https://www.evo.com/guides/ski-pole-size-chart

1 hours ago The ski pole‘s length is usually measured in cm from the top of the grip to the end of the tip. The poles are available in 5 cm lengths. The height of the person using the ski pole needs to be …

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3 hours ago For CROSS COUNTRY Ski Pole Sizing Extend one arm out to your side making it parallel to the floor. Check your ski pole length by putting your pole UNDER your arm pit. Your pole should fit …

9.Alpine Accessories Ski Pole Sizing Chart

Url:https://alpineaccessories.com/SkiPoleSizing.html

31 hours ago Your elbow should now be at a 90° angle. If the angle is less than 90°, try a shorter pole. If ...

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