Ski Poles: The buyers guide

Ski Poles: The buyers guide according to Sports-Outlet!

Big basket? Aluminium or Graphite? Lightweight vs strength? Correct Length?  Why is nothing easy!  So what do you need to consider:

1. Ski Pole Material: most are made from aluminium: strong and affordable, but can snap on big impacts.  Composite ski poles can be more expensive (hang on - our Scott Composites are only £27 - that's 40% off RRP! ) but longer lasting
2. Ski Pole Basket size: bigger for softer off piste snow, smaller for hard packed pistes.  Are you more on than off?!
3. And most importantly Getting the Correct Ski Pole Length: too short and you will lean forwards too much; too long and the opposite.  When you ski with a pole that suits you well, you'll notice and feel an improvement in your stance and skiing...it all counts!

MEASURING YOURSELF

1. Stand with your arms at your sides and hold your elbows at a 90 degree angle.

2. Make sure that your upper arms are touching your sides and that your lower arms are held out in front of you. It's as if you were actually holding ski poles.

3. Make a fist as if you were gripping imaginary ski poles. Make sure you check that your lower arms are parallel to the floor. Look in a mirror or have somebody present to check for you.

4. Get a friend to measure the distance from the top of your thumb to the floor.

5. If you do not have someone to measure this distance for you, then repeat steps 1 to 4 facing a wall. Whether you use a pencil or a piece of tape, lightly mark the spot where the top of your thumb is. Then, measure from that mark to the floor.

6. The measurement that you come up with is the length of your ski poles. It is important to add 5cm to this length, because the combination of your ski boots and skis will make you slightly taller.

Tip: Ski poles are measured in centimetres.  Ski poles are sized by every five centimetres.  So, if you need to round your size, it's better to round up.

Our best buys:

Scott Ladies MJ Ski Poles: Just £22 (reduced from £36)

Scott Metric Ski Pole 2013: 20% off RRP - combination of bigger diameter 3.8 basket and P-core grip lets you ski everywhere.   In white, blue or black

Scott Pro-Taper Ski Poles: £48 - reduced from £70!  Carbon composite performance ski poles