Guides
Are Cross Country Ski poles Necessary?
When it comes to cross country skiing, poles are incredibly influential in determining your performance. Thus, selecting poles that align with your body and specific skiing style is essential.
Different parts of a cross country ski pole, such as grips, straps, baskets, tips, and the shaft, all play a role in influencing the poles’ overall performance characteristics. Below, we delve into some factors you should bear in mind when choosing the perfect cross country poles for your needs.
Key Considerations for Selecting Cross Country Ski poles
The length of the poles is the primary consideration. For classic cross country skiing, you should opt for poles around 30 cm less than your height, while for skate cross country skiing, aim for poles around 20 cm shorter.
Another important factor is stiffness. Stiffer poles transmit power more efficiently with each stride. If stamina is vital to your style of Nordic skiing, you might prefer poles made from slightly softer materials to help mitigate the impact transmitted from the ground to your arms and hands.
Wrist straps and grips significantly influence comfort. Properly fitting wrist straps enable more forceful pushes without overworking your hand muscles. To minimise the risk of developing blisters, it is crucial to find poles with soft, comfortable grips that fit your hands well.
If you're considering using regular downhill ski poles for cross country skiing, it’s not advisable. In cross country skiing, poles are central to momentum and energy transfer, whereas in downhill skiing, they mainly aid in balance. Therefore, you require poles specifically crafted for cross country skiing.
Explore our Cross Country Ski poles to discover ones that perfectly suit your needs! If you need new straps or other spare parts, browse through our selection of Accessories for Cross Country Ski poles.
For more detailed insights on Nordic skiing poles, including those designed for backcountry, visit our Buying Guide for Cross Country Ski poles.
