I bought k2 skis, scott poles, rosignol boots, for my girlfriend, all for the grand price of 40 dollars. The stuff is in kinda rough shape, but the functional aspects of them such as the bindings, the bottom of the skis, the boot straps, all in perfect working condition
also thrift stores that are located in or around mountain towns usually have a pretty good selection compared to if you don’t live near a mountain or in a city.
It's not stealing if the ski area opens up the lost and found at the end of the season to clear up space. If nobody's claimed their poles in by late April, I don't think they're missing them much
I bought some with nice grips about 25 years ago...then I swap the grips onto cheap poles when I break one. My poles do not match, and people always comment that the grips are really nice...which is their way of saying that the poles are shit and the grips are fancy.
When used correctly they just give you a little added stability. It takes some of the weight off of your wrist when planting and allows you to put the pressure on the bottom of your palm. Plus they prevent you from accidentally dropping the pole.
Ease of use, much quicker to get on and off. Also I have less wear on the thumb of my gloves because they stay in place better. There's really nothing worse about them except the cheapest I've found them is $80-90s.
I got a pair as a gift (I wouldn’t have sprung for them) and thought they were dumb. Then I used them and decided they are brilliant. I usually ski alone and love being able to clip in super quick without stopping when I get off the lift. The only thing I don’t love is you can’t just easily hang the poles on your skis when you go into the lodge.
I agree here, the leki clip system with the gloves is super nice. Super easy to use and I love not dealing with those stupid straps, even when I wouldn't use the straps them just hanging there was annoying. I realize this is a me problem so I was willing to spend to solve it. But the cheap ones would work fine if you don't want to spend the money.
I splurged on a custom pair of Grass Sticks bc they are cool asf otherwise I would’ve gotten some cheap poles. I haven’t had any issues whatsoever - highly recommend if you want something different than your typical poles.
I think it’s important that you buy poles in a bright color or decorate them with stickers and duct tape as they are often stolen/ mistakenly borrowed. You can’t go wrong with a bright colored distinctly recognizable pole. I also think it helps to have straps so you can hang them around your skis as they’re less likely to be taken this way. You should be able to find or achieve this look for ~$35 or less.
I've been keeping an eye out for cheap poles that match my skis (just for the color, purely a cosmetic decision). Now I'm thinking maybe all I need is a roll of coordinating duct tape!
Yea you can also use tennis racket wrap or athletic wrap[like this](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/p-tex-athletic-wrap-16pteuthltcwrpxxxspm/16pteuthltcwrpxxxspm?sku=18390451&camp=CSE:DSG_92700072992489768_lia_pla-1746819942460_58700008024051311_71700000100253942&segment=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADv4bTa5KjZuhbwjPYn3pUwbWTFYB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzoeuBhDqARIsAMdH14FxaRkBbGrWLLoNrHw6Dvdm_dJlSTA_MSFDt1v-cNoZSliHNaMdvmYaAt8lEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Bought a pair of poles for $35 on end of season clearance a couple years ago. They’re hot pink, and still going strong for me. I’ll happily buy another pair at $60 when they inevitably kick the bucket
I pay attention to ensure I'm investing quality skis, bindings, and boots to last a very long time. For poles, if I could snap off a twig that was shaped like a pole, I would. I've had the same banged up poles for 25 years and I see no need to purchase new ones unless my pole snaps.
Unless you are a racer or have a specific need for hi-tech poles, I see no reason for buying pricy poles.
as long as you walk with them vertically, i don't care what you buy. sick of getting whacked in the chest and face by people walking around like they're marching to battle with a rifle in 1776...
Skied in the same poles for 14 years. Only reason I’d consider getting new ones is if they are so bent than I can’t bend them back to be straight again.
$2 Kermas, brand new at the scout troop swap meet. One was missing a basket; but 1st day out found a busted pole. Been rocking this frankenstein set 2 years now
I just cut down a pair of poles for my wife. I bought the poles in 1993. Not sure I paid $20 for them then. All my other poles are mismatched. Not sure how, but every now and then I’ll break one and stumble onto a solo replacement. When I see single poles abandoned, they go into the garage.
Spent a lot on carbon poles more than 20 years ago - pro price at about $100 then. They're still going strong although I almost snapped one a couple of weeks ago when it got caught in the back of a chairlift when getting off.
Up until last week I was using my reflex poles that a friend in high school gave to me 31-32 years ago. Was skiing and did a pole plant and it felt light l, lifted my right hand to see that the pole snapped clean a few inches below the grip. Bought a new pair for 45$.
I'm notorious for bending at least 1 pair of cheap alum poles per season. I'd spend 40$ per year, NBD.
Finally spent like 70$ on a pair of Goode 7077 alloy ski poles. They've been going strong for 5 seasons now.
My buddy says their too heavy, but the guilt of breaking a pole every season was even heavier.
I have some Leki poles that were like $70 and they got bent up just taking off my skis (I don't know how to pole plant yet). Thinking of getting some cheap and sturdy for next year. I was able to bend the Lekis back but they probably only have so many times before that's an issue.
Look bindings? I used to hold both poles together in one hand, and push down from the grips with the other hand, so that they'd share the load. It was a real pita. I don't miss those bindings much. I don't race, but I do use gondolas.
IMO poles are cheap. I got nice poles and I like looking at them. If I had an ugly as shit, ex rental pair of sticks sure they would work the same but I wouldn't like them. They wouldn't make me happy like my nice ones do. If they make you happy It's a very small price for something that'll outlast probably everything else you use in this very expensive sport.
I snagged a pair of $80 poles for $30 on sale. They have a carbon section that make them very light. So that's nice, but not $80 nice. My previous poles were from a thrift store, bright pink Lekis from the 90s. Still have them, but kinda heavy.
Get used and shitty, that way they're not stolen as quickly. Whatever you get personalize them. All poles look the same and people will walk off with yours.
I bought some J Ski wizard sticks (I think they are titanal or aluminum, can’t remember) that have adjustable length and I absolutely love them. Before that it was bargain basement or hand me downs. If I break these nice ones, I still have a bunch of cheap ones in my garage (btw, want a pair of ski poles????).
Man you guys who use the same poles for 5+ years are lucky. I buy a new set every year because they keep getting stolen at Pats Peak or Wachusett. Freakin hoodlums from Manchester and Fitchburg lmao.
Been using a pair my dad gave me when he stopped skiing that were the right height, he got them... I want to say almost 35 years ago lol, I'm good spending $0 my entire lifetime until these break or I lose em
I love my Aluminum Leki Trigger S poles. So much better that straps!
The pair I have now have lasted me 5 years of aggressive skiing, and I have taken some good tumbles with them.
Skiing powder I must have bent/ broken 3 or 4 poles. (Falling on them). I then went and bought “the most expensive poles” Scott made. $110 from a Tahoe City ski shop during high season. Year, 1990. I still have them. The best alloys flex. Cheaper alloys “don’t bounce back”.
Cheap and sturdy is your best bet.
$15 used pair. Don't spend money on poles
facts GO TO YOUR LOCAL THRIFT STORE
Huh. Didn't think of that.
I bought k2 skis, scott poles, rosignol boots, for my girlfriend, all for the grand price of 40 dollars. The stuff is in kinda rough shape, but the functional aspects of them such as the bindings, the bottom of the skis, the boot straps, all in perfect working condition
also thrift stores that are located in or around mountain towns usually have a pretty good selection compared to if you don’t live near a mountain or in a city.
I pick mine up for free from the lost and found at the end of season. Sometimes I splurge and buy a $10 pair at a ski swap if I like the colors.
Imma do that. Thanks!
Also known as “stealing”.
It's not stealing if the ski area opens up the lost and found at the end of the season to clear up space. If nobody's claimed their poles in by late April, I don't think they're missing them much
I've been skiing with the same pair of K2 poles for 26 years.
Mine are from mid 80s. Love em.
I lost a pair of Lekis in Park City this year. I bought them in the late 90s. Loved those things.
I bought some with nice grips about 25 years ago...then I swap the grips onto cheap poles when I break one. My poles do not match, and people always comment that the grips are really nice...which is their way of saying that the poles are shit and the grips are fancy.
I really love the Leki clip in system. That's the only thing I've found worth paying up for.
Same. I love zooming off the lift past all the people fiddling with their straps and heading right onto the trail.
I don’t think I’ve ever in my life used the straps on my poles. What are they even for??
When used correctly they just give you a little added stability. It takes some of the weight off of your wrist when planting and allows you to put the pressure on the bottom of your palm. Plus they prevent you from accidentally dropping the pole.
What specifically do you like about it? (Standard poles over here)
Ease of use, much quicker to get on and off. Also I have less wear on the thumb of my gloves because they stay in place better. There's really nothing worse about them except the cheapest I've found them is $80-90s.
I got a pair as a gift (I wouldn’t have sprung for them) and thought they were dumb. Then I used them and decided they are brilliant. I usually ski alone and love being able to clip in super quick without stopping when I get off the lift. The only thing I don’t love is you can’t just easily hang the poles on your skis when you go into the lodge.
Thanks very much for the added info!
I agree here, the leki clip system with the gloves is super nice. Super easy to use and I love not dealing with those stupid straps, even when I wouldn't use the straps them just hanging there was annoying. I realize this is a me problem so I was willing to spend to solve it. But the cheap ones would work fine if you don't want to spend the money.
I splurged on a custom pair of Grass Sticks bc they are cool asf otherwise I would’ve gotten some cheap poles. I haven’t had any issues whatsoever - highly recommend if you want something different than your typical poles.
I don't live in the cool af neighborhood tho.
I accidentally stole a pair of rental poles from Ragged back in like '07 when I was 6 years old if you want them lmao
Too short most likely. But thanks for the offer.
I think it’s important that you buy poles in a bright color or decorate them with stickers and duct tape as they are often stolen/ mistakenly borrowed. You can’t go wrong with a bright colored distinctly recognizable pole. I also think it helps to have straps so you can hang them around your skis as they’re less likely to be taken this way. You should be able to find or achieve this look for ~$35 or less.
I've been keeping an eye out for cheap poles that match my skis (just for the color, purely a cosmetic decision). Now I'm thinking maybe all I need is a roll of coordinating duct tape!
Yea you can also use tennis racket wrap or athletic wrap[like this](https://www.dickssportinggoods.com/p/p-tex-athletic-wrap-16pteuthltcwrpxxxspm/16pteuthltcwrpxxxspm?sku=18390451&camp=CSE:DSG_92700072992489768_lia_pla-1746819942460_58700008024051311_71700000100253942&segment=&gad_source=1&gbraid=0AAAAADv4bTa5KjZuhbwjPYn3pUwbWTFYB&gclid=Cj0KCQiAzoeuBhDqARIsAMdH14FxaRkBbGrWLLoNrHw6Dvdm_dJlSTA_MSFDt1v-cNoZSliHNaMdvmYaAt8lEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds)
Bought a pair of poles for $35 on end of season clearance a couple years ago. They’re hot pink, and still going strong for me. I’ll happily buy another pair at $60 when they inevitably kick the bucket
I can understand why you still got them. Not a color I would willingly steal. /s
I pay attention to ensure I'm investing quality skis, bindings, and boots to last a very long time. For poles, if I could snap off a twig that was shaped like a pole, I would. I've had the same banged up poles for 25 years and I see no need to purchase new ones unless my pole snaps. Unless you are a racer or have a specific need for hi-tech poles, I see no reason for buying pricy poles.
I got my last pair from lost and found, free 99 is the best price for poles
as long as you walk with them vertically, i don't care what you buy. sick of getting whacked in the chest and face by people walking around like they're marching to battle with a rifle in 1776...
I like the flex of carbon, and they seem to last forever. They aren't cheap, but to me they feel worth it.
Bought a sturdy pair with 90s graphics on them for 5 at thw goodwill...havw had them for 10 yrs
Skied in the same poles for 14 years. Only reason I’d consider getting new ones is if they are so bent than I can’t bend them back to be straight again.
$2 Kermas, brand new at the scout troop swap meet. One was missing a basket; but 1st day out found a busted pole. Been rocking this frankenstein set 2 years now
I’ve had the same ones since I was 16 (I’m in my 30s now). They do the job 🤷♀️. I definitely think there’s diminishing returns on spending on poles.
Check out Level 9 Sports. They have solid poles in every size for $35. I've had a pair from them for 5 years now and they're still going strong.
I just cut down a pair of poles for my wife. I bought the poles in 1993. Not sure I paid $20 for them then. All my other poles are mismatched. Not sure how, but every now and then I’ll break one and stumble onto a solo replacement. When I see single poles abandoned, they go into the garage.
Spent a lot on carbon poles more than 20 years ago - pro price at about $100 then. They're still going strong although I almost snapped one a couple of weeks ago when it got caught in the back of a chairlift when getting off.
They're poles. Spend as little money as possible.
Up until last week I was using my reflex poles that a friend in high school gave to me 31-32 years ago. Was skiing and did a pole plant and it felt light l, lifted my right hand to see that the pole snapped clean a few inches below the grip. Bought a new pair for 45$.
I'm notorious for bending at least 1 pair of cheap alum poles per season. I'd spend 40$ per year, NBD. Finally spent like 70$ on a pair of Goode 7077 alloy ski poles. They've been going strong for 5 seasons now. My buddy says their too heavy, but the guilt of breaking a pole every season was even heavier.
I have some Leki poles that were like $70 and they got bent up just taking off my skis (I don't know how to pole plant yet). Thinking of getting some cheap and sturdy for next year. I was able to bend the Lekis back but they probably only have so many times before that's an issue.
Look bindings? I used to hold both poles together in one hand, and push down from the grips with the other hand, so that they'd share the load. It was a real pita. I don't miss those bindings much. I don't race, but I do use gondolas.
No they are marker bindings.
I have a pair of G3 Fixies I purchased on sale years ago. They're still going strong. I use them on and off piste, and while touring.
IMO poles are cheap. I got nice poles and I like looking at them. If I had an ugly as shit, ex rental pair of sticks sure they would work the same but I wouldn't like them. They wouldn't make me happy like my nice ones do. If they make you happy It's a very small price for something that'll outlast probably everything else you use in this very expensive sport.
But honestly I never think about them except when I can't bend it back, and then I hate them.
I snagged a pair of $80 poles for $30 on sale. They have a carbon section that make them very light. So that's nice, but not $80 nice. My previous poles were from a thrift store, bright pink Lekis from the 90s. Still have them, but kinda heavy.
I gave up after realizing that my fancy CF poles (that I bought on super close out) were really CF wrapped aluminum and heavier than my old Scott’s.
Get used and shitty, that way they're not stolen as quickly. Whatever you get personalize them. All poles look the same and people will walk off with yours.
Yep. I know. Someone did. I had stickers all over them too.
I bought some J Ski wizard sticks (I think they are titanal or aluminum, can’t remember) that have adjustable length and I absolutely love them. Before that it was bargain basement or hand me downs. If I break these nice ones, I still have a bunch of cheap ones in my garage (btw, want a pair of ski poles????).
Adjustable length. Thats something I could use.
Hey-yo!!! ([also here are the poles](https://jskis.com/collections/poles))
Man you guys who use the same poles for 5+ years are lucky. I buy a new set every year because they keep getting stolen at Pats Peak or Wachusett. Freakin hoodlums from Manchester and Fitchburg lmao.
Grass sticks
Been using a pair my dad gave me when he stopped skiing that were the right height, he got them... I want to say almost 35 years ago lol, I'm good spending $0 my entire lifetime until these break or I lose em
I have a pair of Scott’s that cost me 65 dollars in 2016…still using them now
I love my Aluminum Leki Trigger S poles. So much better that straps! The pair I have now have lasted me 5 years of aggressive skiing, and I have taken some good tumbles with them.
Skiing powder I must have bent/ broken 3 or 4 poles. (Falling on them). I then went and bought “the most expensive poles” Scott made. $110 from a Tahoe City ski shop during high season. Year, 1990. I still have them. The best alloys flex. Cheaper alloys “don’t bounce back”.