Cross Country Ski Poles & Accessories

Are Cross Country Poles Necessary?

In cross country skiing, poles significantly influence your performance. Thus, it is essential to select poles that match your specific style and physique.

The elements that compose a cross country ski pole, such as grips, straps, baskets, tips, and shaft, collectively affect the poles' overall performance features. Here are considerations to keep in mind when choosing the perfect cross country poles for yourself.

Key Advice for Selecting Cross Country Ski Poles

The initial aspect to consider is the length. For classic cross country skiing, opt for poles approximately 30 cm shorter than your height, and for skate cross country skiing, select poles around 20 cm shorter than you.

Stiffness is another critical factor you should remember. A stiffer pole offers better power transfer with every stroke. If endurance is vital for your nordic skiing style, you might prefer poles made from slightly softer materials to cushion some of the impacts transferred from the ground to your hands and arms.

Comfort is greatly affected by wrist straps and grips. Appropriately fitting wrist straps will enable you to apply more force without overworking your hand muscles. To minimise the risk of blisters, ensure the pole has a soft and grippy grip that fits your hand size perfectly.

If you're pondering whether you can use regular downhill ski poles for cross country skiing, they are unsuitable. In cross country skiing, poles are vital for building momentum and transferring energy, whereas in downhill skiing, they are primarily for balance. Hence, you need poles specifically designed for cross country skiing.

Visit our Cross Country Ski Poles section to discover the right ones for you! If you're interested in new straps or other spare parts, explore our selection of Accessories for Cross Country Ski Poles.

For more detailed insights on poles for Nordic skiing, including backcountry variants, check out our Buying Guide for Cross Country Ski Poles.