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 |