HOW TO CHOOSE YOUR CROSS-COUNTRY SKI POLES?

At first glance, poles do not seem to be the main piece of equipment for the cross country skier. Yet they play a major role in balance and impulse. Choosing your cros-country ski poles is therefore not as simple as it seems. To make the right choice, Ekosport has listed for you the essential criteria.

Anatomy of a cross-country ski pole

In order to properly choose your cross-country ski poles, you need to look at the various parts that make them up:

• The handle: depending on your practice, the material will vary
• The strap: the wrist strap and its shape are important
• The shaft: its size but also the material
• The basket: the circular piece of plastic at the tip of the pole

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The handle of the cross-country ski pole

The choice of handle will condition your grip. Depending on your level of cross-country skiing, you will be looking for comfort, lightness or even robustness. For intensive use, we will turn to rubber grips. On the one hand, the foam absorbs vibrations and on the other hand, this material has the advantage of being durable over time and resistant to wear & tear. They are also smoother when touching the material than plastic grips, which are the cheapest.

For a more natural grip, you can choose cork handles. These are divided into two categories: cork-filled thermoplastic and 100% natural cork (the latter being lighter). Both provide better insulation and are particularly flexible (and therefore very pleasant to use). In addition, cork limits friction with the hand, so it's perfectly recommended for long cross-country skiing outings. Unfortunately, being made of natural materials, the lifespan of these handles are shorter.

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How to choose your cross-country ski pole strap

There are two types of straps: the belt strap and the ergonomic strap. The first is the most common, and looks very much like an alpine ski pole strap. It is particularly useful if you are skiing with mittens or thick gloves. So it's the perfect choice if you're new to cross-country skiing or if only do it occasionally.

For those who enjoy long outings or are passionate about cross-country skiing, an ergonomic strap will offer better pushing power. Nevertheless, once attached, it is not always easy to remove. It is therefore a strap that is aimed at people who do not need to remove their poles often.

For more ease in the field, some models of cross-country ski poles are now clip-on directly to the handle. So there's no need to remove your cross-country skiing gloves, just unclip your strap.

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The shaft of a cross-country ski pole: quality and model

The majority of cross-country ski poles are made of aluminium. This is indeed a material that is both solid and robust while being cheap to buy. It is therefore suitable for beginners but also for regular practitioners who rely on reliability.

For competition enthusiasts, the carbon stick ensures better performance, being very light while remaining sufficiently rigid.

At the halfway point, there is the carbon fibreglass cross-country ski pole, a good compromise between the simple pole and the competition pole. It is indeed less heavy and more flexible than its aluminium counterpart, while guaranteeing good strength and durability over the long run.

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Telescopic cross-country ski poles

Single-strand, 2-pieces, 3-pieces: poles are constantly getting folded to take up less and less space and become lighter. Generally in classic cross-country skiing and skating, there is no point in opting for a foldable pole, as you will be using your poles from start to finish. On the other hand, if you are looking for a versatile pole, which you can also use during the summer season for hiking or trail running, then you might think about it!

The single-strand is a one-piece pole, and is of course the most common. The 2-pieces is designed to fold in two so that it can be stored in a backpack for instance. Technically above, the 3-pieces can be stored in even smaller spaces.

While these new models are proving to be quite strong in the long run, it should be noted that it is primarily the diameter that gives them their robustness. The larger the diameter, the stronger the pole. Note, however, that this adds weight.

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The size of the basket of a cross-country ski pole according to practice

The size of the basket at the end of the pole depends heavily on the type of terrain you intend to use it on. Its role is to prevent the pole from sinking too deeply into the snow. It is therefore understandable that you need a small basket on hard, groomed slopes, whereas you will get a large basket if you are venturing into virgin terrain, off-piste or powder.

The ideal is therefore to have several baskets available and to change them according to snow conditions.

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Choosing the size of your cross-country ski poles

Choosing a cross-country ski pole in your size means aiming for better propulsion and therefore a more moderate effort. Several criteria are taken into account including size, discipline practiced and the skier's level to choose the size of his cross-country ski poles.

Generally speaking, skating poles are longer because this practice requires reaching further to push better. Conversely, cross-country touring poles are smaller as they should not hinder the skier on the way down.

Some simple formulas can be used to quickly estimate the ideal size for cross-country poles:

• Skating = height x 0.89
• Classic = height x 0.84
• Touring = height x 0.78

Note that a slightly shorter pole will be chosen for a novice and a longer pole for an experienced skier.

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Size guide for classic, skating and touring cross-country ski poles

Aluminium or carbon, rubber or cork, belt strap or ergonomic, you will have to decide on several levels to find the pole that suits you best and, of course, fits your budget. These are compromises between comfort, quality, durability of materials and price. For all that, it is not an accessory to be neglected, it brings a real support and will allow to lighten the effort on long outings or in prolonged unevenness.