While often overlooked when choosing gear, many skiers have experienced firsthand the significant impact ski poles have on their performance. Subtle details like weight, swing balance, length, and grip feel are crucial. In the backcountry, where nature is the primary field, poles are used in completely different ways than on groomed slopes, such as assisting with ascents. So, what kind of poles are best? Choosing the right poles isn't easy without sufficient expertise. That's where professional shops come in. Their advice, integrating extensive accumulated knowledge with user feedback to compare and evaluate products from multiple perspectives, is highly persuasive. Here, we introduce some of the poles recommended for the 2023-24 season, highly rated by discerning professional 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 manufactured using high-strength aluminum tensile drawing. The seamless aluminum shaft surface is shot-blasted, achieving the perfect balance of surface hardness and performance. They come with three colors of powder rings, three colors of genuine leather straps, and can even be customized by hand-bending. Each pole is made by a single craftsman, making them rare and limited in quantity. There are rumors that a titanium version will be released for the '23-24 season!
The craftsman who makes them is someone I know well. His thoughts are as follows: "I want to make poles that will make people I meet in various fields—skiers, telemarks, snowboarders, mountain ski racers, trail runners, hikers, walkers, and even alpinists—say, 'Ah! You're a freak too!' That's the feeling that started this pole brand. The maker is the player. The player is the maker. These poles are made with the smiles of the people who will use them 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. He was holding the same model of POLEFREAK skis 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 ski poles, but I personally feel that the quality of their backcountry poles hasn't yet been fully recognized in Japan. However, looking at the global market, their reliability is undeniable, as they are used by athletes who traverse the mountains, including my favorite, Marcus Custon. The model I'm introducing today is the HELICON LITE, which is in the middle range of their lineup.
It features a safety system that allows you to release the pole from your hand in the event of an unexpected fall. In the backcountry, releasing the pole from your body in the event of an unexpected fall is extremely important in terms of reducing injury. Many LEKI poles, although their shapes differ, are equipped with this release system. They also have a sub-grip, making them easy to use even for entry-level users.
Reviewer: Ishii Sports Yodobashi Kofu Store Staff / Yuki Amari
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/
I'm not trying to advertise our own products at all, but this PADDLE CLUB original pole is truly "simple is best." It's an adjustable telescopic pole that can be moved from 95 to 125 cm, and it's manufactured by SHINANO, a specialist pole manufacturer. The upper section is made of aluminum and the lower section of carbon, and it has a lever-type lock that tightens with pressure. It offers excellent cost performance and, above all, it works great.
The grip has a rectangular shape with a directional grip that feels comfortable, and the position of the lock lever is also exquisite, resulting in excellent swing balance. Even if it loosens, you can tighten it with a coin, so it's easy to use and trouble-free. It's been my favorite grip since I was a student, and I only use models that have it. The ring is also screw-type, so it can be changed to a powder ring. I recommend it for people who only ski in powder or BC (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 is a remade model of the popular "SONIC R1 DEMO" for both recreational and groomed skiing. The grip has been changed to a multi-handle that is easy to use even in the backcountry. It is a telescopic pole that uses a lightweight and durable carbon shaft in the upper and lower sections. The ring has also been changed to a 75mm wide basket. My first impression when using it was that it is very light. This is its biggest advantage. And yet, the shaft diameter is not extremely thin, so there is very little "wobble" in the shaft when using the pole, making it less stressful.
The powder ring also seems to reduce air resistance. Surprisingly, depending on the shape and mass of the powder ring, it can create air resistance when you swing the pole and make it feel heavy. The multi-handle grip is also not too large in diameter, so it is easy to use even for users with small hands. It is a little pricey, but considering that you will use it for a long time, I think it is a superb product that is not expensive at all!
Reviewer: Ishii Sports Yodobashi Kofu Store Staff / Yuki Amari
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
