When it comes to backcountry skiing, poles are more than props to hold in your hands. They’re crucial tools for the skin track, the boot back, the exit, and of course, the run itself. It’s common to use adjustable-length poles in the backcountry as a skier, and nearly a requirement for splitboarders. Our backcountry ski poles are made from aluminum, which makes them both light and durable. Most of the backcountry poles in our collection also feature an extended foam grip, allowing quick, on-the-fly adjustments when bootpacking or skinning. Below, we’ll go into more detail on the specific features to help you settle on the ideal pair of poles to suit your backcountry needs.

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

LENGTH


What is the ideal length for a ski pole? This is slightly less crucial when buying a new pair of adjustable-length poles, but it is still important to size them appropriately. To find the right size for you, stand with shoes on and hold the poles upside down. Grab the pole under the basket and check whether your elbow forms a 90° angle. When in doubt, go shorter - it’s challenging and cumbersome to ski with ski poles that are too long.

CONSTRUCTION


Ski poles come in either fixed-length or adjustable-length designs. Our poles are designed for backcountry use and are adjustable. Within this category, there are 3-piece adjustable, 2-piece adjustable, collapsible, and z-pole collapsible designs. 3-piece adjustable poles offer the most versatility in length, while a collapsible or Z-pole design is ideal for splitboarding or travel with it's ideal pack-down size that is easy to stow inside a pack. Most other backcountry users will be fully satisfied with the adjustability of a 2-piece pole.

OUR POLES


EXPEDITION SERIES

The Expedition pole series includes poles designed for backcountry touring: the Expedition, Expedition 3, and Expedition Compactor. All of these poles are built with aluminum shafts and extended foam grips,making them an all-season workhorse pole. Other features include a rubberized beak for scraping snow off skis and an integrated PH3 screwdriver bit for field repairs.


TRAVERSE SERIES

This series contains the best-selling Traverse and the Traverse Pro poles, both designed for backcountry touring. The Traverse Pro is our lightest pole and is stacked with features. The Traverse is a bit more basic in terms of features, but it is a best-seller for its reliability and versatility. The Traverse Compactor is a great option for splitboarders and folks looking for a quality collapsing ski pole.

CONCLUSION

Picking a ski pole comes down to personal preference on features and technology. It is a good idea to think about what you need while touring—are you often in steeper terrain and need to grip lower on the pole? Or maybe you are a splitboarder with an avalanche airbag, so a pole that collapses small is important to avoid puncturing the airbag in case you need to deploy it. Whatever you need, there is a ski pole to complete your backcountry kit.

Need more help dialing in your kit? Find the best ski for your and learn how to choose the right gloves, or read more of our how-to-guides.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jane Jackson is a writer and editor based in the Sierra Nevada. She loves granite and being in the mountains, and has spent most of her adult life obsessed with rock climbing in all of its forms.