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Durable Ski Poles

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JonasJuhler
Posts: 347 - Karma: 1,351
So I'm looking for some ski poles for my upcoming season in the French alps, and I have a bad history of breaking rental poles (they're usually shit I know, but still...). Let's just say I seem to be kind of aggressive on my poles.
So I am looking for some durable ski poles that won't break on me. Any suggestions are welcome.

Bonus info:
Height - 181 cm. (About 5'10 I think.. stupid imperial system)
Weight - 75 kg. (165 lb)

(Preferably pointy sticks and grips would be nice too)
Oct 21 2014 3:48PM
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jellomellow
Posts: 961 - Karma: 3,562
there is no such thing as an unbreakable pole but maybe try and look for a titanium one if people make them
Oct 21 2014 4:17PM
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snowpocalypse
Posts: 1036 - Karma: 3,525
Scott team Issue. Strongest Aluminum out there. Cost some cash but you won't have to replace them every trip.
Oct 21 2014 5:09PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
Go to a thrift shop, buy all the poles for 50 cents a pair, cut to size, use until they break.
Oct 21 2014 6:03PM
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JonasJuhler
Posts: 347 - Karma: 1,351
I'd rather spend a bit more than replace like 5 times in one season.
Thanks for the advice!
Oct 21 2014 6:17PM
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JonasJuhler
Posts: 347 - Karma: 1,351
omnidataGo to a thrift shop, buy all the poles for 50 cents a pair, cut to size, use until they break.


I have yet to come across a thrift shop in Val Thorens, but i'll be on the lookout
Oct 21 2014 6:20PM
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Laurent.
Posts: 10056 - Karma: 25,313
If you really want to spend some money get Panda Poles, a few friends have them and they rave about them all the time but they are not indestructible, much stronger then most poles though.
Oct 21 2014 6:23PM
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JonasJuhler
Posts: 347 - Karma: 1,351
Will definitely check them out. Thanks
Oct 21 2014 6:27PM
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TheSkiMonster
Posts: 155 - Karma: 327
SVmikeScott team Issue. Strongest Aluminum out there. Cost some cash but you won't have to replace them every trip.


Best pole.
Oct 21 2014 7:46PM
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shin-bang
Posts: 4100 - Karma: 6,997
omnidataIf you really want to spend some money get Panda Poles, a few friends have them and they rave about them all the time but they are not indestructible, much stronger then most poles though.


definitely not indestructible, but super durable. i take mine hiking over rocks in the summer, and have had no basket issues. tanner is also great to work with. super durable poles that help the environment.
Oct 21 2014 10:30PM
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DeRizzo
Posts: 3827 - Karma: 3,485
SVmikeScott team Issue. Strongest Aluminum out there. Cost some cash but you won't have to replace them every trip.


THIS
Oct 22 2014 12:36AM
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Literature
Posts: 13673 - Karma: 3,085
Like they say, either Scott Team issue (look for 7075 aluminum) or Panda, depending on your steeze.

Poles break. It's just a fact of skiing.
Oct 22 2014 10:17AM
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cydwhit
Posts: 5070 - Karma: 43,013
Panda poles are pretty sick and they have a warranty I believe. I haven't skied mine yet but I put a pair of yardsale bamboo poles through a lot last year and they did fine. In my opinion Panda Poles are worth it just because of their videos and the crazy antics of Tansnowman. That guy is crazy in the best way possible
Oct 22 2014 11:25AM
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Park.
Posts: 2480 - Karma: 4,582
I found some Leki park 7075 aluminum park poles for like $60 and god did i land on them almost every weekend. THey basically bent in half but never broke. Still got those suckers as trophy poles after accidentally stabbing every Inspired member with them when they came to my homme mountain for a hike park
Oct 22 2014 12:17PM
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division.bell
Posts: 2762 - Karma: 1,905
Aluminum poles are not worth spending money on, even the "durable" Scott Team Issues. Aluminum will eventually bend and/or snap, it's inevitable. Especially if you are riding in the park. Landing off balance can easily end the life of your pole.

I hate breaking shit that I spend good money on, especially poles. I've broken Scott Team Issues, Leki World Cups, Kerma, Smith Z Bends, Black Diamond Traverse, etc, etc, etc.

The only poles I have yet to damage are carbon or composite poles.

If you can find some Ice Usa Solids, those will be your best bet. The entire pole is one solid piece of carbon. The brand has been discontinued for awhile now, but they show up at ski swaps or online from time to time.

I've also had extremely good luck with K2's 6 speed composite poles.

I have no helpful opinions or experience with any of the bamboo pole manufacturers, but if you are looking for a pole to be durable, aluminum is not the answer.
Oct 22 2014 12:36PM
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amieastcoastyet
Posts: 172 - Karma: 173
I bought some leki's last season their really good solid pole. Made with fiberglass so its sturdy. or like someone else said thrift shop or in the woods or under the lifts at your local mountain.
Oct 22 2014 12:52PM
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.lencon
Posts: 6753 - Karma: 17,183
Go panda poles. Super durable. Not unbreakable but pretty close! Also they have a sick warranty! Also check out their durability vids.
Oct 22 2014 12:55PM
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kim_jong_ill
Posts: 1019 - Karma: 3,147
Royal shaft poles. They're like 25$ and are carbon fibre. I've used mine for 2 seasons and am yet to break them. As a bonus, you can switch out baskets very quickly
Oct 22 2014 12:58PM
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Jooky
Posts: 1239 - Karma: 37
Komperdell
Oct 22 2014 3:09PM
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JGWI
Posts: 2842 - Karma: 7,812
Oct 22 2014 3:37PM
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nikkinopoles
Posts: 72 - Karma: 159
Sometimes breaking a pole instead of a rib is a good thing. My boyfriend had a few burly aluminum pole related injuries last year. Bamboo poles look cool, and theoretically a composite like bamboo would be idea for a pole because it has a higher elastic strain limit then most metals.
Oct 22 2014 5:06PM
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steezy_doge
Posts: 781 - Karma: 1,718
armada makes some solid poles
Oct 22 2014 6:43PM
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JonasJuhler
Posts: 347 - Karma: 1,351
.LincolnGo panda poles. Super durable. Not unbreakable but pretty close! Also they have a sick warranty! Also check out their durability vids.


Haha, just watched some of their vids, and those guys are high as fuck
Seems to be a pretty solid pole though. Only problem is that I am from Europe, so I won't really be able to make use of that warranty
Oct 22 2014 8:00PM
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Romi158
Posts: 2 - Karma: 10
Recently bought these https://www.ebay.com/itm/173072418488 , some of the best I've ever used. Carbon definitely does you much better, trust me ;)
Jan 31 2018 3:56AM
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Zypher
Posts: 2337 - Karma: 2,268
Romi158Recently bought these https://www.ebay.com/itm/173072418488 , some of the best I've ever used. Carbon definitely does you much better, trust me ;)


Dude...this is from three years ago...why...
Jan 31 2018 2:41PM
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search4freshies
Posts: 358 - Karma: 1,335
ZypherDude...this is from three years ago...why...


because poles are becoming fashionable again DUH.
Feb 1 2018 11:25AM
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YabaDabaDoobie
Posts: 6 - Karma: 17
Just order myself some of the J Skis Titanal poles. He's got a long video on the site comparing them to other poles. They seem pretty badass. Cool black on black graphics too
Feb 1 2018 5:21PM
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MessesBedim
Posts: 1 - Karma: 6
I have a pair of ICE USA poles. I just also switched to leki peak vario. So what's the going rate on selling ICE USA poles?
Feb 12 2020 11:12PM
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WoFIowz
Posts: 9790 - Karma: 72,421
MessesBedimI have a pair of ICE USA poles. I just also switched to leki peak vario. So what's the going rate on selling ICE USA poles?

I'll give you about $3.50 shipped
Feb 13 2020 1:11AM
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GayWolf420
Posts: 37403 - Karma: 120,331
Hard to say whats durable and not; ive had free poles from a lost and found bin at work last longer than swix's or something. Its all luck.

Also check out some online retailers. They might have their own "branded" gear like evo or backcountry does and can be pretty cheap

**This post was edited on Feb 13th 2020 at 10:47:16am
Feb 13 2020 10:45AM
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FaunaSkis
Posts: 608 - Karma: 6,579
I have panda poles and definitely rate them. Once you add ok shipping etc it can be expensive though.

For a bamboo pole from a euro company check out poleplant.com they’re made in Tignes. I can’t speak to their durability personally but they claim to be 2x stronger than aluminium poles and they have a warranty that covers a one season shaft replacement for snapping them while skiing (I.e. not for falls where you break them under your ski or breaking them on a chairlift etc)
Feb 13 2020 3:14PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6900 - Karma: 24,610
JonasJuhlerHaha, just watched some of their vids, and those guys are high as fuck
Seems to be a pretty solid pole though. Only problem is that I am from Europe, so I won't really be able to make use of that warranty


what did you end up doing OP? Did you end up skiing without poles?
Feb 13 2020 3:26PM
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JonasJuhler
Posts: 347 - Karma: 1,351
OregonDeadwhat did you end up doing OP? Did you end up skiing without poles?

Went poleless for a while but then realized it wasn’t cool. Then got a pair of Scott Team Issue that lasted an entire season before breaking along with a couple of ribs. Since then I’ve been using a pair of rental poles that I accidentally kept, which have lasted surprisingly well!
Feb 13 2020 5:09PM
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OregonDead
Posts: 6900 - Karma: 24,610
JonasJuhlerWent poleless for a while but then realized it wasn’t cool. Then got a pair of Scott Team Issue that lasted an entire season before breaking along with a couple of ribs. Since then I’ve been using a pair of rental poles that I accidentally kept, which have lasted surprisingly well!


Full circle and back to the renal poles. I like it!
Feb 13 2020 5:12PM
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