What are the ski poles and how to pick them up?

Choosing ski poles is not that difficult compared to buying the skis or boots themselves. But despite this, there are still certain difficulties. It is necessary to decide for what purpose the sticks are purchased, and then understand their quality and other parameters.

Some people mistakenly believe that Nordic walking poles and ski poles are the same accessory that can be used in both sports. This statement is fundamentally wrong, since the functions of the two shells are different. Externally, the sticks are really similar, but there are several significant differences. They are as follows.

• The length of the sticks. The Nordic walking equipment needs to be selected less in length for the same person.
• Nordic walking sticks have a special graphite tip. It is very durable, therefore, it assumes a fairly long-term operation.
• Poles always come with special rubber attachments. They are designed to reduce noise levels when the projectile is used on a hard surface such as asphalt.

There are several types of ski poles. First of all, they are divided into four large groups by purpose. Differences appear in both appearance and size.

Sticks from this category are generally used by professional athletes. They differ from others in high cost, quality, extended set of characteristics. This sports equipment is used by biathletes, skiers, as well as some other athletes.

Such ski poles are used by tourists to move along tourist routes. The main requirement for shells from this category is durability. Sticks are made of high quality materials, since they are initially designed for high loads during operation.

The most popular variety here are telescopic poles. Their peculiarity lies in the fact that the user can change the length of the sports equipment rather quickly during the passage of the route. For example, when using a traverse, it is recommended to set the height at which a person's hands will always be at the same level. When descending or, conversely, climbing the slope, it is recommended to shorten the sticks.

Ski poles are used as a complete set of exactly the same skis. They are purchased by both professionals and amateurs. It is recommended to use them exclusively on the ski slopes.

This subgroup includes the so-called plain sticks. They are designed to move the skier on a straight surface. Ideal for regular skiing. In this category, the simplest shells. They are durable, comfortable, standard appearance and relatively low cost. They are purchased in most cases by amateur skiers.

Ski poles are available in a variety of materials. The most common of these is aluminum. Sports equipment made from this material has the following characteristics:

• strength;
• low cost;
• heavy weight.

The main advantage is that such sticks are difficult to break. Even if they do bend, they can be easily straightened and used as new. The disadvantages include weight and insufficient rigidity for sports riding.

A relatively new material is fiberglass. The shell is light and inexpensive, but too brittle. Such sticks are categorically not suitable for professional use, since they will not withstand excessively powerful repulsions. They are recommended for amateurs for regular skiing. Made from carbon fiber ski poles. They differ in such characteristics as:

• strength;
• rigidity;
• ease.

Each projectile is complemented by accessories. These primarily include pens. They correspond to the level of the projectile itself. On inexpensive models, the handles are either rubber or plastic. More expensive accessories come with cork options. Lanyards are very important components. They can be roughly divided into two broad categories.

• Straps. Mounts are installed exclusively on recreational skis. Not used by athletes.
• Lanyards-traps are suitable for sports skiing. They fix the hand well and contribute to the quick mastery of riding techniques.

The legs can be removed and replaced, if necessary. For walks on virgin lands, you need to choose specimens of a larger diameter. For prepared trails, medium or small accessories are suitable. Also, all skis are supplemented with bundles. As a rule, these are Velcro, which fix the sports equipment during transportation. They can be made of plastic.

In order for the shell to be as convenient as possible to use, it must be correctly selected for the height of the person. If the sticks are too long, the load on the upper torso will increase, and the legs will not be very comfortable either. Excessively short sticks do not allow the shoulder girdle to work correctly and at full power. As a result, walking quality and speed are reduced.

The ideal length of skating poles should be 15–20 cm shorter than the height of the skier. So, if a person's height is 165 cm, then the sticks should be 145–150 cm. If we talk about the classic course, then the height of the sticks should be shorter than the height of the skier himself by 25–30 cm.

There are also the rules of the International Ski Federation. It is on their basis that sports equipment is selected for competitions of various levels. Here the criteria are distributed as follows:

• classic move - no more than 83% of the athlete's height;
• skating course - no more than 100% of the height.

According to these principles, it is possible to carry out the selection of sticks for adults, adolescents and children. The indicators are clearly shown in Figures 1 and 2.

If too short sticks were bought by mistake, then nothing can be done about it - the projectile will have to be replaced with a new one. And in the case when the sticks were acquired too long, they can be shortened at home. In order to carry out this procedure quickly and efficiently, it is recommended to prepare all the necessary tools and materials:

• building hair dryer (can be replaced with boiling water);
• hot melt glue;
• hacksaw;
• good quality duct tape or masking tape.

Cutting the projectile is permissible only from the side on which the handles are located. The fact is that, regardless of the variety, all the sticks are narrowed downwards. If you cut them on the other side, then it will be almost impossible to put the foot in place.

It is recommended that you make accurate marks before trimming the projectile. In this case, one cannot be mistaken. Further, the process consists of several stages.

• Remove the handle. If it is fixed with hot melt glue, it needs to be slightly warmed up. For this, either a building hair dryer or boiling water is used. In the second case, the handle must be wrapped in polyethylene and dipped in a container of boiling water for a few minutes.
• Saw off a piece of the desired length. Then rewind this place with masking tape or electrical tape. It is best to use a metal hacksaw for trimming. As a result of using such a tool, you will get an even and neat cut. Plus, the hacksaw can handle just about any material. You need to finish off to the end, not break.
• Replace the handle. In order for it to be securely fixed, it must be treated with hot melt glue and pressed well.