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

Skier
Height (in)
Skier
Height
Skier
Height (cm)
Old Skate
Length
New Swix
Skate Length
Old Classic
Length
New Swix
Classic Length
40 3' 4" 102 90 86 84 80
41 3' 5" 104 93 89 86 82
42 3' 6" 107 95 91 89 85
43 3' 7" 109 97 93 91 87
44 3' 8" 112 99 95 93 89
45 3' 9" 114 102 98 95 91
46 3' 10" 117 104 100 97 93
47 3' 11" 119 106 102 99 95
48 4' 0" 122 109 105 101 97
49 4' 1" 124 111 107 103 99
50 4' 2" 127 113 109 105 101
51 4' 3" 130 115 111 108 104
52 4' 4" 132 118 114 110 106
53 4' 5" 135 120 116 112 108
54 4' 6" 137 122 118 114 110
55 4' 7" 140 124 120 116 112
56 4' 8" 142 127 123 118 114
57 4' 9" 145 129 125 120 116
58 4' 10" 147 131 127 122 118
59 4' 11" 150 133 129 124 120
60 5' 0" 152 136 132 126 122
61 5' 1" 155 138 134 129 125
62 5' 2" 157 140 136 131 127
63 5' 3" 160 142 138 133 129
64 5' 4" 163 145 141 135 131
65 5' 5" 165 147 143 137 133
66 5' 6" 168 149 145 139 135
67 5' 7" 170 151 147 141 137
68 5' 8" 173 154 150 143 139
69 5' 9" 175 156 152 145 141
70 5' 10" 178 158 154 148 144
71 5' 11" 180 161 157 150 146
72 6' 0" 183 163 159 152 148
73 6' 1" 185 165 161 154 150
74 6' 2" 188 167 163 156 152
75 6' 3" 191 170 166 158 154
76 6' 4" 193 172 168 160 156
77 6' 5" 196 174 170 162 158
78 6' 6" 198 176 172 164 160