Your height vs. your ski pole length

[Edd]

I'm 5'11" and have been using 50" poles for years. This is the length size charts recommend for me. One problem I've always had with them is unintentional planting. I bought some 46" poles recently and, except for a recent powder day, this length has been working well. It's a bit annoying for skating though. 4" makes a big difference.

How tall are some of you vs the length of your ski poles? Anyone have a good argument against the size I've chosen?

 

[mattchuck2]

Why not split the difference and go with 48"?

I'm 6'1" or so, and I ski with 50", but I really like more like 49". Feels nice on the swing, good for steeps, and it's not too long for bumps.

I just heard that a good way to test the right pole size it to turn it over, and see if the tip comes up to the base of your sternum. That's just about the perfect height for a ski pole.

 

[mondeo]

5'10", 44". Thinking about cutting 'em down - they only make 42" poles in flimsy jr thicknesses.

 

[bvibert]

6'4" ~43" Those are for skiing in the big bumps (and may be just a smidge short). I have some ~50" poles that I use for general skiing, but they're too long. I'm gonna get some 46", or so, and try those for all conditions.

 

[roark]

5'10" 115 cm ~45in.

There's been lots of discussion here about how most people's poles are probably too long. And not just by the bumpers who want clown poles.

 

[o3jeff]

5-8, 46"

 

[RISkier]

I don't know my pole length but I think (actually I was told by a Level III instructor) that it's usually better to error on the short side. His rationale is that he wants you reaching down the hill for the pole touch.

 

[ski_resort_observer]

Size charts are worthless, we don't use them for sizing poles. Turn the pole upside down, put your hand right below the basket(above the basket is in the snow) the standard for the correct size yields a right angle at the elbow.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

5'11

50 inch poles

 

[andyzee]

I got adjustable poles.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

This is a reverse pissing contest..I should have said 30 inches..

 

[Grassi21]

5'7" 42" pole

i just cut down a pair of carbon fiber adjustable poles. they used to adjust from 48 - 56 (i think). once i reattach the tips i will have a range of 42 - 50.

 

[andyzee]

C.L.I.T.S. do not ski with anything bigger than 45

 

[Greg]

It's a bit annoying for skating though. 4" makes a big difference.

Put the palm of your hand over the top of the grip when skating. Problem solved.

6' 1" and 45". I've found that to be perfect for me in most conditions. Short enough for bumps, but I can still plant on the groomers.

 

[wa-loaf]

5'9" with 48" poles. I have a right angle at the elbow with them upside down and hand under the basket. I've been running this size for the last 20 years and they are fine all around for me. I did jam my my arms a bit in the mighty WA bumps last night, so maybe I should cut down my extra poles for some bump action.

 

[andyzee]

5'9" with 48" poles. I have a right angle at the elbow with them upside down and hand under the basket. I've been running this size for the last 20 years and they are fine all around for me. I did jam my my arms a bit in the mighty WA bumps last night, so maybe I should cut down my extra poles for some bump action.

You are not C.L.I.T. material.

 

[SkiDork]

Size charts are worthless, we don't use them for sizing poles. Turn the pole upside down, put your hand right below the basket(above the basket is in the snow) the standard for the correct size yields a right angle at the elbow.

right, except for bumpers. Donna Weinbrecht once told me she looks for a 30 degree angle down from horizontal for her pole length. Greg - take note...

 

[Geoff]

6'2" 52"

 

[Edd]

My new shorter poles have sort of a ...wing that protrudes from the top of the handle on the rear and arches down, about 3 inches. The first thing I tried to do is rip them off but they're in there good. They rest between your thumb and pointing finger when you ski, reducing the need to hold your poles tightly. Only problem is they settle in there so well that it's a bitch to get your hand out and on top of the pole for skating without using both hands. I wear mittens lately which makes it worse. Definitely going to cut those suckers off.

 

[drjeff]

6'3" - closer to 6'6" when clicked into the bindings, 54" of glorious carbon fiber between my hands and the snow