Expert Poles

expert pole picture

STRAPS - A firm grip can improve the control and carving skills of a skier. And good grips come from secure straps. Innovations in strap designs have given skiers adjustable straps and glove-like straps that fit perfectly over the hand. All these designs are aimed at close-fitting contact with pole handles. But beginners beware! It is possible to get bogged down by "over-using" poles, which should be only used assist the skiers balance and "touch" on a carve.

Cross Section of Pole Handle

Pole Strap

LEKI has an adjustable strap which makes it possible to easily customize strpa lengths without the use of tools. LEKI also features a lock, which will enable aggressive skiers to keep the strap in place for tight control. The strap is narrow in the finger area to reduce the possibility of pressure points while the broad backside gives greater support.

WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION - Besides the lightness of the pole, expert skiers also pay attention to the "swing weight" or the balance of the pole. Balance is determined by the distribution of weight in the pole. Traditionally, designers used the pole handles to give pole tops more weight. This creates a high balance point in the pole. Tapered poles also produce the same effect, giving the tops more weight than the less massive bottoms. Another technique is making shafts out of different gradients of materials. This advance has given designers more freedom in weight distribution. Pole manufacturer LEKI designed such a pole in 1933. The top part of the shaft is aluminum (14mm) while the bottom is made out of lighter carbon (12mm). Combining different metals also allows designers to utilize favorable qualities of each material. Aluminum, because of its weight, is more shock absorbant than the lighter alloys.
SHAPE - The professional-looking bend on some poles are to make them more aerodynamic. By wrapping the pole around the skiers' body, he or she will have a smaller profile, and consequently less resistence to the wind. The shape of these poles have evolved over the years and is a favorite of racers. The angle in the pole also improves the skier's plant, or touch of the pole during turns. This more comfortable pole plant compliments carving ski movements and mogul skiing. Some poles are also elliptical, further reducing wind drag.

MANUFACTURE - Elaborately shape poles have made pole manufacture increasingly challenging. Pole Company SMITH has created an innovative technique, Atrigon® Gas Injection, to manufacture poles without internal templates, or "mandrels". By preparing molds out of "preforms" that will dissipate during extreme temperatures, poles can be molded into virtually any shape or wall thickness. Shafts can vary along their lengths, changing from solid to hollow. This technology gives engineeers a new freedom in pole pole design.

Most advanced poles are made out of aluminum, graphite, carbon or glass fibers. Pole companies distinguish themselves by their manufacturing methods. Bi-axial weaves and filament winding processes make voids and air pockets a thing of the past. Some companies emphasize the carbon cores of their poles which add to the overall strengh of their product. Other companies protect their poles with coatings to make their poles less brittle. Jenex uses an aramid wrap, the same stuff used in bullet proff vests. And as in all designs, there must be a compromise between strength and weight.

ACCESSORIES - With tips (baskets) and butts (handles) can tailor your poles to your personal preferences. There are many different accessories specialized for nordic or downhill skiing.

Carbide ice tips provide maximum grip on ice and hardpack, which will greatly help mountain skiers. Deep baskets with large surface area of baskets will stop poles from sinking in soft powder. Pole with ball joint baskets minimizes missing pole plants on ice.

Searching for that special tip?...Gabel Group has an extensive collection of accessories.

| expert skis | expert boots | expert poles |