While ski poles tend to be an afterthought when choosing gear, many skiers know firsthand that they have a significant impact on skiing performance. Small details like weight, swing balance, length, and grip feel are crucial. In the backcountry, where nature is the natural environment, poles are used in completely different ways than on the slopes, such as to assist with climbing. So, what kind of poles are best? Without sufficient expertise, it's not easy to choose the perfect poles. This is where pro shops can help. They combine their extensive knowledge with user feedback to offer persuasive advice, comparing and evaluating products from multiple perspectives. Here, we introduce the poles recommended for the 2023-2024 season, highly rated by discerning pro shop staff.
INDEX
Recommended ski poles for the 2023-2024 season
SINANO ｜FAST BC Carbon
Ultra-lightweight, well-balanced, and cost-effective backcountry poles
FAST BC Carbon | 100-135cm Weight: Approx. 293g/piece Load capacity: 41.4kgf ¥15,400
The distinctive T-grip allows you to grip the pole firmly with your middle, ring, and pinky fingers, making it easy to apply weight and maintaining control of the pole. Its design also makes it easy to apply weight to your palm. The tip of the grip is made of a hard material, making it easy to operate the climbing support. The combination of ultra-lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber, combined with a design that places the center of gravity at the hand, provides excellent swing balance, making these poles the best value for money backcountry poles!
These ultra-lightweight poles are crafted from high-strength aluminum using tensile drawing techniques. The seamless aluminum shaft is sandblasted for optimal surface hardness and balance. Customization is available with three-color powder rings, three-color natural leather straps, and even hand-bent construction. Because they're crafted by a single pole craftsman, they're rare and limited in number. Is there a chance that titanium will be released for the 2023-2024 season?
I know the craftsman who makes them well. His vision is this: "I want to create poles that will make skiers, telemarkers, snowboarders, mountain ski racers, trail runners, hikers, walkers, and even alpinists say, 'Wow! You're a freak, too!'" This pole brand was started with that in mind. Crafters are players. Players are craftsmen. These poles are made with the smiles of their users in mind."
Last season, when I went skiing privately, I was approached by a stranger in the pouring rain in front of the Chamingo Inn in Hakuba Norikura, who was holding the same model POLEFREAK as mine.
KANG poles are made from environmentally friendly materials, including flax, bamboo, and recyclable aluminum. The FLAX ALL-MOUNTAIN poles I chose this time are made from 100% flax. The previous model used 30% carbon fiber, but by switching to 100% flax, they further reduce CO2 emissions and are more environmentally friendly. I also recommend KANG poles because each model comes in a wide variety of colors and has a sophisticated, Scandinavian design. We enjoy playing in nature, so when choosing tools to use, I want to choose ones that contribute to the environment in some way
Equipped with a safety system that allows you to release the pole from your hand in case of an unexpected fall
HELICON LITE | 110~145cm Shaft: Aluminum 16mm diameter ¥16,500
LEKI is a long-established manufacturer of poles, but I personally feel that their backcountry poles have yet to be fully recognized in Japan. However, looking globally, their products are trusted by athletes like my favorite, Marcus Custon, and others who race through the mountains. The model I'll be introducing this time is the mid-range "HELICON LITE." It features a safety system that
allows you to release the poles from your hands in the event of an unexpected fall. In the backcountry, releasing the poles from your body is extremely important to minimize injury in the event of an unexpected fall. While the shapes of various LEKI poles vary, many models feature a release system. The grip is also equipped with a sub-grip, making it easy to use even for entry-level users.
Reviewer: Ishii Sports Yodobashi Kofu Store Staff / Amari Yuki
PADDLE CLUB | Paddle Club Original Pole
It's the best value for money and works great. Recommended for those who only ski in powder or who prefer backcountry skis!
PADDLE CLUB original pole ￥17,600
◆Official website: https://www.paddleclub.net/
Without any intention of promoting our own products, these original PADDLE CLUB poles truly embody the motto "simple is best." They're adjustable telescopic poles from 95 to 125 cm, manufactured by pole specialist manufacturer SHINANO. The upper section is made of aluminum, the lower section of carbon, and features a lever-type lock that tightens with pressure. They offer excellent value for money and feel great. The
rectangular grip shape provides a comfortable, directional grip, and the perfect positioning of the lock lever provides excellent swing balance. If they become loose, you can easily re-tighten them with a coin, making them easy to use and trouble-free. These have been my favorite grips since I was a student, and I always use models with them. The rings are also screw-type, so they can be converted to powder rings. Recommended for powder lovers and backcountry skiers.
Reviewer: PADDLE CLUB Staff / Koji Kato
FACTION ｜Prodigy
The affordable price is also a plus. Perfect for aggressive freestyle skiers
Prodigy poles feature adjustable straps, rubber grips, lightweight aluminum construction, and five color options for aggressive freestyle skiers. We believe they offer reliable and affordable options
This model is a remake of the popular "SONIC R1 DEMO" model, popular in both basic and on-piste skiing. The grip has been changed to a multi-handle for ease of use in the backcountry. This telescopic pole features lightweight, durable carbon shafts on both the upper and lower sections. The rings have also been updated to a 75mm wide basket. My first impression after using it was how light it is. This is its greatest advantage. And yet, the shaft diameter isn't extremely thin, so there's very little shaft wobble during pole work, making it less stressful.
The powder rings also seem to offer less air resistance. Surprisingly, powder rings, depending on their shape and mass, can create air resistance when swinging the poles, making them feel heavy. The multi-handle grip isn't too large, making it easy to use even for skiers with smaller hands. While a little pricey, I think it's a great product for long-term use!
Reviewer: Ishii Sports Yodobashi Kofu Store Staff / Amari Yuki
ARMADA｜TRIAD BB
ARMADA's aluminum poles are perfect for powder freaks!
This aluminum pole is great value for powder lovers. It's a single pole with a built-in powder ring. For those who want to ski down powder with a lift, there's no need to extend it, so you can use it freely without any worries. The design is also stylish, as expected from ARMADA, so be sure to check it out
