Poles

A

alynch506

New member
Is it better to have poles that are too big or too small for you? I am 5' 7" and right on the edge between 46" and 48". I ski downhill and park. Which should I get?
 
i always go with smaller poles even for all mountain; bigger poles are just a bigger risk of getting hurt and their even more painful to use than poles that are too short.
 
I'm 6'3 and I was using 48", just broke them and got some 44" because I felt like they were a tiny bit too long but I think using toothpicks is ridiculous. So those poles are going to be really big on you. The recommended heights are ridiculous, they think you are using that weird technique where you stick your arms out to your sides or something.
 
People your height who ski all park will probably say you should be skiing with 36" poles, and racers will say to go bigger probably. If you do both you might want two sets really...
I'm 6' and I ride with 50" poles at the moment, which I personally find too big for anything but steeps and trees. I'm looking into some 42" ones for park/jibbing days.
 
Yeah im 6'2 and i have 47" poles right now and im thinkin about cuttin them down. So in my opinion your gunna wanna go shorter.
 
If you get poles that are too short to pole plant, just drop them. Don't even bother lol.

I usually try to do the hand-under basket thing, but I try to get my elbow between 35 and 40 degrees, not 90 because that's way too long. This way my poles are an appropriate length for park but still have a purpose aside from cosmetics.
 
id go short i am 5'8 5'9 is and ski with 39 inch poles i think i had 44s and cut them but didnt measure them after cutting
 
Not sure if anyone else does this, but when choosing poles, I always flipped them around, and gripped the point. If my elbow was at a 90 degree angle, I would get that size.

I'm not sure if that even does anything different from just holding it, honestly. But I'd say go for the smaller one. It can get uncomfortable with bigger poles.
 
That method is usually that you grab under the basket to compensate for how much tip goes into the snow. But the 90 rule makes for poles that almost everyone finds too long for park skiing. So, like someone above mentioned, pick a new more preferable angle and go off that instead.
 
just cut my poles today...they were too long. if they are too long they can get in the way when ur at the park so i'd go shorter
 
i was skiing on friday and came off a picnic table jib switch, pole planted in the snow, and then jabbed me in the side of the head... i was lucky it didn't take my i out - turns out that the poles were probably too long for me, so i cut em down! also shorter poles look a little more controlled when spinning etc. but don't get em too short cos when you are blasting pow and trees you want em loooooooong (ish)
 
I got asked soo many time why my poles are short but its easier to ride switch and they break less easily, i use bigger ones for pow
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top