Ski touring pole

Ski touring poles on Ekosport

Ski touring poles are essential tools for the ski touring practice. Still, very little attention is paid to the purchase of ski touring poles in general, even if, in fact, this accessory often proves to be inseparable from proper practice.

Criteria for choosing your ski touring poles

For the record, the ski pole has its origins in the middle of the 19th century. In the beginning, each skier was equipped with a pole around two meters long which was mainly used to move on flat terrain. Over time, as the practice evolved the poles got modified as well. The ski poles we know today are meant to be used downhill as well as uphill or on flat terrain.

You should know that a ski pole meets several criteria (balance, ease of movement, etc.) and that it is composed of 5 distinct parts. Each of them has a variable influence according to your practice:

• a wrist strap
• a shaft
• a basket
• a tip

First of all you have to think of the material of which your ski touring poles will be made. Aluminum one-piece ski poles are by far the most popular on the market. They can be used both for professional or amateur practice and adapt more or less to each situation (piste, off-piste, etc.). Otherwise you can also find carbon ski poles which absorb shocks more efficiently. You can also find adjustable ski poles and telescopic ski poles.

Then comes the choice of the handle, in addition to your personal preferences, you should pay attention to certain details:

• The plastic handle: these are the most rigid handles on the market and they’re relatively uncomfortable. On top of that, hands will sweat easily when in contact with plastic. Their only advantages are the price and durability.
• The cork handle: made of this ultra-light and insulating material, it provides great sensations but is relatively less durable over time (also, be careful where you store them, mice like to nibble on cork!).
• The rubber handle: rubber being relatively resistant it feels good in hand as well. It’s a material that will be much more pleasant in hand than hard plastic.
• Foam handle: it will absorb shocks perfectly while allowing your hands to breathe. Even when the practice becomes intense you will always have a perfect grip.

Don’t forget to take into account the size of the basket. It should be larger if you ski in deep snow. The wrist wrap can either be fixed to the handle or removable.