Please use the Fischer and Salomon Boot Size Charts to help you convert from US and Euro Sizes. Note that Salomon uses UK sizing. We know, it's confusing.

Poles:

The Critical Link

It is important to understand how crucial poles are to your cross-country skiing experience: they are one of only two ways for you to propel yourself across the snow. It is important that your poles are adequately stiff and have a low swing weight. Poles that are not stiff enough will absorb a significant portion of your energy—energy that would otherwise be propelling you forward. The longer the pole shaft, the stiffer and lighter it needs to be. Poles that are heavy have a high swing-weight that requires more energy to move the pole through the air and can throw off your timing, especially when skating. Cross-country skiing is all about efficiencies and having stiff, light poles makes a huge difference. Not all poles are created equal and it is important to find a pole that meets your needs.

Finding the Pole that is Right for You

When approaching a new pole purchase, it is best to keep in mind what your poling priorities are and what performance level you want. First, it is best to establish what category of pole shaft you are looking to find. The 100% “high modulus” carbon poles will be the choice for serious racers and for those seeking the highest performance, the 100%-80% carbon (non-high modulus) poles can work well for price-conscious recreational and high school racers. Composite (carbon and fiberglass) poles are a good option for recreational skiers and those looking for a pole that is more forgiving in a crash and for those looking to keep their setup affordable. Aluminum poles are most affordable and work well for children and for side country touring.

Keep in mind that as poles get longer, the weight and softness of lower-end poles becomes more pronounced. If you are a tall person (using 160cm or longer) it is recommended to find a pole with a carbon content of 80% or more. There are more nuances to these categories, so don’t be afraid to ask a salesperson if you have questions.

Once you have established your pole category, the discernible differences among your options will be strap and grip design, stiffness, swing weight and price. Keep in mind that though similar poles look the same on paper, each will have its own unique characteristics. Try each pole on, swing it back and forth and find a solid place to push down on the pole to test its stiffness. Pay close attention to how the strap and grip feel on your hand. Don’t forget that this is an important purchase and don’t be afraid to ask questions!

Finally, before you leave the shop, try the straps on to make sure that they are the right size. It can be very disappointing to try your new poles for the first time only to discover that the strap is too large or too small. Usually, it is possible to exchange for different sizes at the time of purchase.

Cross Country ski poles have different lengths depending on the technique (skate/classical) and style of skiing you intend to do (groomed trails/backcountry). Poles used in classic skiing are shorter than those used in skate skiing, and Poles used for racing or high-performance skiing are generally longer than those for recreational & backcountry skiing. We size poles with boots (or street shoes are fine) on.

Unfortunately, there are several ways to measure poles that makes it a little more confusing. The measurement system in place for a long time measured from the end of the pole tip to the top of the grip. Swix implemented a new measurement system for most of their poles that measures from the end of the pole tip to where the strap comes out of the pole. This makes sense as it is the functional length of the pole and makes it easier to comply with FIS rules on classical pole length (83% of height), but it is a new system that changes the pole length that we have all gotten used to. To convert from the old Swix length to new, subtract 4cm from the old length. For example, a 5'11" (180cm) tall skier would have an ideal (old system) length of 161cm. The new swix pole length would be 155cm. See this article for more details.

All other brands are still on the old measurement system, as are most Swix Junior poles. 

Skating poles should generally come up to the same height as your nose or bottom of your ears. Use this formula for a more specific fit: your height in cm x 0.89 (non-Swix length). For Swix poles, subtract 4cm from this length.

For classic cross-country skiing they should come up to shoulder height (where the shoulder meets the arm) or you can use this formula: your height in cm x 0.83. This will get the non-Swix length. For Swix poles, subtract 4cm from this length.

Touring poles or poles for more recreational styles of skiing should be shorter. Target the armpit for touring/recreational poles, and go a bit shorter for backcountry if you like. Adjustable poles for backcountry skiing are a nice option if you do a lot of steep terrain. Adjust the poles longer for flats and gradual uphills, a little shorter for steep climbs, and then shorten the poles to arms at 90-95 degree angle for descending.

If your ideal pole length is between two sizes, we recommend you choose the longer of the two. You can reduce the length of your pole by cutting it by a few centimeters at the top, underneath the grip, and we are happy to cut poles down for you. You can't make poles longer, though, so if you go too short, you are out of luck.

Pole Size Chart

Recommended Length of Madshus Skate and Classic Skis