Best Ski Poles and a Simple Sizing Guide (2026)
Five alpine and touring ski poles, a quick size chart and how materials, grips and baskets differ.
Why Ski Poles Matter
Ski poles help with timing, balance and rhythm in turns, and they push you along flats and lift lines. The right length makes a big difference: too long and you'll sit back, too short and you'll hunch forward. Then choose a material (aluminum or carbon), a grip and strap you like and baskets for your terrain. Here are five poles from Leki, Black Diamond, Zipline, Atomic and Rossignol.
Leki Detect S
Best for big mountains
- 16mm aluminum tubing
- Built for all conditions
- Durable
Zipline Lollipop Carbon
Best carbon pole
- Carbon shaft
- Lightweight
- Damps vibration
Black Diamond Traverse
Best adjustable touring pole
- Adjustable length
- For touring
- Backcountry ready
Ski Pole Size Chart
| Skier Height | Pole Length |
|---|---|
| 4'6"–4'9" | About 95–100cm |
| 4'10"–5'1" | About 105cm |
| 5'2"–5'4" | About 110cm |
| 5'5"–5'7" | About 115cm |
| 5'8"–5'10" | About 120cm |
| 5'11"–6'1" | About 125cm |
| 6'2"–6'4" | About 130cm |
| 6'5"+ | About 135cm |
A common rule of thumb is your height in centimeters multiplied by about 0.7, rounded to the nearest 5cm. Check the fit by turning a pole upside down and gripping under the basket: your elbow should be near 90 degrees.
Ski Poles Compared
| Pole | Material | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Leki Detect S | 16mm aluminum | Big mountain, durability |
| Zipline Lollipop | Carbon | Light, vibration damping |
| Black Diamond Traverse | Adjustable | Touring and backcountry |
| Atomic AMT | Aluminum | All-mountain value |
| Rossignol Electra | Aluminum | Women's fit |
The Best Ski Poles
1. Leki Detect S
Leki's Detect S uses sturdy 16mm aluminum tubing, built for big mountains and all conditions.
Good to Know
- Very durable
- Trusted pole brand
Watch Out For
- Heavier than carbon
2. Zipline Lollipop Carbon
Zipline's Lollipop poles use a carbon shaft, which is light and helps damp vibration.
Check Price on Amazon3. Black Diamond Traverse
The Traverse is an adjustable pole for touring and backcountry, so you can change length for climbs and traverses.
Check Price on Amazon4. Atomic AMT
Aluminum all-mountain poles from Atomic, a solid value choice for resort skiing.
Check Price on Amazon5. Rossignol Electra
Women's alpine poles from Rossignol with an aluminum shaft.
Check Price on AmazonHow to Choose Ski Poles
- Material: aluminum for durability and price; carbon for low weight.
- Fixed or adjustable: adjustable for touring; fixed for resort.
- Grip: ergonomic shapes reduce hand fatigue.
- Straps: adjustable and easy to release.
- Baskets: small for groomers, larger for powder.
How to Hold Ski Poles
- Put your hand up through the strap from below.
- Grip the pole over the strap.
- Plant the pole lightly at the start of each turn, using wrist movement.
Complete your setup with ski bindings, ski boots and goggles. Cross-country skier? See cross-country skis.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I size ski poles?
Turn a pole upside down, grip it under the basket and stand straight. Your elbow should be at about 90 degrees. Many charts suggest roughly your height times 0.7.
Aluminum or carbon ski poles?
Aluminum is durable and affordable and bends rather than snaps. Carbon is lighter and damps vibration but can break under a hard impact.
Do I need adjustable ski poles?
Adjustable poles help for touring and backcountry, where you shorten them for uphill and lengthen them for traverses. Fixed poles are simpler for resort skiing.
What basket size do I need?
Small baskets suit groomed runs; larger powder baskets keep poles from sinking in deep snow.
Do kids need ski poles?
Young beginners often learn without poles. Add them once balance and turning are solid.