Graphite or aluminum ski poles?

[Geoff]

I've been reading a few comments about "cold metal ski poles" on the lift. I've been on graphite poles for a jillion years. I swapped over after Allsop stopped making those shock absorber poles with the spring in the grip. Graphite poles are lighter. They transfer much less shock so you don't get sore wrists on bullet-proof. I break one every 10 years or so. At this time of year, you can find them half price so cost really isn't much of an issue.

 

[Greg]

I've been reading a few comments about "cold metal ski poles" on the lift. I've been on graphite poles for a jillion years. I swapped over after Allsop stopped making those shock absorber poles with the spring in the grip. Graphite poles are lighter. They transfer much less shock so you don't get sore wrists on bullet-proof. I break one every 10 years or so. At this time of year, you can find them half price so cost really isn't much of an issue.

Composites all the way. Would never consider alums again. I bought a pair of el cheap alums for the Sundown bump comp last year. After that day and AZ day at Sugarbush they were all bent to crap. Easier to cut composites to clown pole length too. Yeah, when they are ready to go, they just snap, but I haven't even broken a pair yet.

 

[Greg]

K2 V8s

BTW, I have these K2 V8s. If you can get over the green grips and work with a 46" or less (by cutting them), here they are for 30 bucks:

http://www.thedailysteal.com/product/107903

Old school K2 graphics on the shaft is rad!

 

[wa-loaf]

I've got a pair of aluminum Leki's from the early 90's. They work just fine, I don't notice any weight issues and I'm not going to replace them until they break. Then I'll find a deal, doesn't matter what they are made of.

 

[mondeo]

BTW, I have these K2 V8s. If you can get over the green grips and work with a 46" or less (by cutting them), here they are for 30 bucks:

http://www.thedailysteal.com/product/107903

Old school K2 graphics on the shaft is rad!

I would, but this copycat street only goes one way...

7075-T6. Much stronger than 6061-T6. Only reason I'd go to CFRP is weight.

 

[drjeff]

Composite for me - Swix Vipers

My 3rd season now since making the conversion and I wouldn't go back to aluminum. Swing weight with composite is soooo much better, and with the stiff of modern generation composite poles you get great performance AND durability!

 

[deadheadskier]

I've had two sets of Black and Gold Scotts over the past 15 years, which I'm pretty sure are aluminum. Never an issue with them. I tired my father's Goode's at one point and really didn't care for how light they were.

 

[eastcoastpowderhound]

alum...always a 7000 shaft..ie 7075. good alum poles don't bend, cheap ones with a 5000 series shaft will bend and crimp easily. I prefer the swing weight of a alum pole, like to know I've got something substantial there...also like the sound alum poles make when you clink them together...its my early warning system, lets you know I'm there. I've used composite poles many times, too light...(guess I've got enough upper body strength to swing an alum pole :razz and I've had a few pair break, ferrules (the tips/baskets) fall off, etc...and these weren't cheap composites, they were expensive models from Swix and K2.

 

[GrilledSteezeSandwich]

I have both..my graphites are heavier and my aluminum poles bend easier so now they look like racing poles..

 

[Glenn]

I picked up a pair of Rossi G20's up in VT around Labor Day $20...brand new too.

I like the lightness of the composite poles. I don't always like the flexibility of them. It's not that bad when you click off you're skis, but I've had some odd experiences when I used my poles to slow myself down or stop in the lift line. I drag my poles like crazy when I'm zipping along, so these composites do have a bit a different feel to them.

 

[tjf67]

I've been reading a few comments about "cold metal ski poles" on the lift. I've been on graphite poles for a jillion years. I swapped over after Allsop stopped making those shock absorber poles with the spring in the grip. Graphite poles are lighter. They transfer much less shock so you don't get sore wrists on bullet-proof. I break one every 10 years or so. At this time of year, you can find them half price so cost really isn't much of an issue.

I have had a few pairs of graphites and they alway snap. I am brutal on poles. I get the cheapest I can find.

 

[deadheadskier]

I get the cheapest I can find.

....same, then again, you know me

 

[bvibert]

I've had a few pairs of cheap aluminum poles in the last few years, they get bent up pretty easily. I just purchased a pair of composites, we'll see how I like them.

 

[Euler]

I get the cheapest I can find.

Me too. I'm the guy who thinks 50% off new equipment is way too expensive and waits to get the Atomic Beta Ride 11-20s for $35 at the ski-skate sale.

In that same vein, I just scored a brand new pair of Solomon 1080 Fish Jr. Twin Tips for my 8 yr old from Ebay for $30 + $25 shipping. It's a 2007 model, but brand new so I thought he'd like that for next year.

 

[Beetlenut]

Composite for me - Swix Vipers. My 3rd season now since making the conversion and I wouldn't go back to aluminum. Swing weight with composite is soooo much better, and with the stiff of modern generation composite poles you get great performance AND durability!

I have pair of Swix graphite poles too. Jeff, what do you think of the yellow ad-tabs on the handles? Best poles I've ever had.

 

[KevinF]

I had a pair of graphite ski poles (Kerma's) for years... finally snapped one just leaning on it in the lift line at Burke. I picked up a pair of mid-priced aluminum poles; they felt ok in the shop, but on the mountain I felt like I was swinging lead weights around. I finally mail-ordered a pair of Goode ski poles, which are crazy light. I love 'em. I'll never go back to aluminum.

 

[drjeff]

I have pair of Swix graphite poles too. Jeff, what do you think of the yellow ad-tabs on the handles? Best poles I've ever had.

I would have never believed that such a small piece of plastic could be such a GREAT idea. That tab combined with the proper use of the strap basically makes it impossible to loose your grip while skiing.

I'll second the best poles I've ever had line!

 

[drjeff]

I have had a few pairs of graphites and they alway snap. I am brutal on poles. I get the cheapest I can find.

In all seriousness, WTF are you doing to be breaking multiple pairs?? Using them as "baseball bats" to trees and/or lift towers?? Forgetting to lift them going through a mid-station??

 

[Greg]

In all seriousness, WTF are you doing to be breaking multiple pairs?? Using them as "baseball bats" to trees and/or lift towers?? Forgetting to lift them going through a mid-station??

Passive aggressive personality.

 

[deadheadskier]

In all seriousness, WTF are you doing to be breaking multiple pairs?? Using them as "baseball bats" to trees and/or lift towers?? Forgetting to lift them going through a mid-station??

If you ski a lot of trees, it's not uncommon to bend or break poles pretty frequently.