Thread: Poles?

Well I haven't bought poles in 15 years but I broke mine last spring and I'm using the $15 used rental ones, I guess it could be time to upgrade.

All I want is a reasonably priced one-piece aluminum pole with breakaway straps and powder baskets.

Doesn't seem like it should be too hard to find but the search function and google are not up to the task, and I can hardly make sense out of the Scott site, so your advice would be appreciated.

Why not a composite?

I usually snap poles every other year, but I've had these for 5 years:

http://www.life-link.com/llpoles.htm

Originally Posted by Buster Highmen

Why not a composite?

I usually snap poles every other year, but I've had these for 5 years:

http://www.life-link.com/llpoles.htm

Well, composites are expensive for one thing, and I keep thinking about that guy at Jackson who snapped his composite pole and managed to stab himself in the thigh, severed his femoral artery and bled to death.

I guess I should just stop being such a pussy.

Just get some old shitty ones. I inevitably break a pair a season, so whats the point of spending alot of money on a pair?

I pretty much agree, Adam, but after almost having my arm yanked out of the socket more than once I'd like some breakaway straps, and after having my poles shoot straight into the snow up to my armpit after a fall when trying to get up I would like some powder baskets. I know I can buy the baskets seperately but I'd rather just buy a cheap decent pair of poles with these two features. That is all.

Originally Posted by adam

Just get some old shitty ones. I inevitably break a pair a season, so whats the point of spending alot of money on a pair?

The point is you get what you pay for. If you're concerned about breaking poles you are obviously hard on them. Buying a cheap pair of poles is just guaranteeing you another visit to the shitty pole store. Of course, you can still break a good pair of poles but a high quality pair will tend to bend instead of snap... most of the time. I've tried the cheap pole route and it didn't work out for me. Oh ya... composite poles suck!

or you could just not use the pole straps, period.

leki should have some that fit the bill.
and bustermadnes showed me how to wrap my straps to savemy arm.
You can have my old Barecrafters.....

Originally Posted by schuss

or you could just not use the pole straps, period.

Yeah I guess, but I like 'em for some reason, just stuck in my ways I suppose.

Thanks for the offer Woodsy, you'll have to show me Buster's trick.

Speaking of Powder Baskets, fuck those Pieces of shit that Life Link sells. All those holes in the basket snag on trees and rip the pole outta your hand.

I have life link AEC poles, but the powder baskets are now from Scott.
No more tree hangups.

Just curious -- under what circumstances are your poles breaking? Snagging on a tree/branch? Landing air? Falling on 'em?

I seem to kepe my poles for quite some time. I use Life-link carbon pro probe poles (though I don't recommend using them as a probe -- they take way too long to set up to be useful in a situation where seconds count). I love the ability to adjust the length -- a little longer for touring, a little shorter for down-hill mode. They do have break-away straps if that's your thing.

I'm a big fan of poles with low swing-weight.

I'm OK with the powder baskets Life-link makes...but, coincidentally, today they did snag on some deadfall just below the surface. I wasn't wearing my straps (rarely do), so it was all good.

-e

8/10 times my poles will snap after a big landing.

Originally Posted by Woodsy

leki should have some that fit the bill.

What he said. I love my Lekis. I have non trigger poles now cause I got sick of the the mechanism freezing up, but some people love the triggers and swear by them.

Indigo makes some nice poles too, and they're supernice people to deal with. I tried using polestraps again a couple of seasons ago, and after straining the hell out of my wrists a bunch of times, I don't think its worth it. Only thing that sucks is finding them in pow.

You people hurting your thumbs and wrists are perhaps holding your poles wrong, IMO. Your hand should come up thought the loop and down sandwiching the strap between the grip and your hand. If you drop your pole it sould just hang from your wrist. Plus, it's a good system for pushing.

Originally Posted by Foggy_Goggles

You people hurting your thumbs and wrists are perhaps holding your poles wrong, IMO. Your hand should come up thought the loop and down sandwiching the strap between the grip and your hand. If you drop your pole it sould just hang from your wrist. Plus, it's a good system for pushing.

Foggy's got it right. I used to always hurt my thumbs until someone showed me this. Like he said, it drastically reduces injury and really helps with pushing.

I agree with both of you. I used to be a stubborn bastard about this, but then I realized the power it adds to your push/skate. Also, it will help prevent injury.

i just stick my four fingers through the strap and leave the thumb free (sandwiching one of the straps between my palm and the grip). this still gives something extra to push on while skating and if they get caught on something they won't yank on my arm/wrist. give it a whirl some time it works for me.

or not, see if i care

Well I've been with Foggy and Arty on this issue for like my whole life, but House has brought something new to the party, maybe I'll try that out if my quest doesn't work out.

http://www.rei.com/online/store/Prod...=OUTLET_SEARCH

those might fit the bill. otherwise, i saw some hardly used neon (its back you know) scott Al poles for cheap at goodwill. picked up a pair for myself actually. and the pink grips/baskets show that down with current fashion.

I used to break at least one set of poles a season till I got ICE USA poles. They are hard to find nowadays, but I think skiershop still carries a couple of them.

You could always get some ICE poles and then get these to swap out: http://www.rei.com/product/47970811.htm


I have had the magnum cigars for like 5 seasons now and they are still in great condition. They don't have powder baskets though.

I break poles quite often. I usually just scan garage sales for cheap poles and I have a stash of about 7 or 8 pairs in my garage now. The most expensive pair of poles I scored at a garage sale are some Goode composite 48" for 5 bucks... they still had their orig. price tags on them.