Poles: Make, Model, Size... Discuss
It's that time of the year again when the entire family asks "What does Patrick want for Christmas?" What I really want to tell them is "Nothing... leave me alone", maybe this year I'll give a few ideas. My first ultra is in June 2019 in Germany/Austria. 100KM and a massive 4800M total of accent and decent. For those of you not on the metric system, that is 15,748ft of total climbing, so poles will be a must.
What poles have you used and like. Which ones do I avoid.
More importantly is sizing. These may be purchased online so I'd like to have a guide if not go into a shop and get sized.
Thanks all in advance for your input.
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@Patrick Large - I am no expert on pole length for trail running. For skiing you turn a pole upside down, hold it right under the basket and with the top of the grip now on the floor, your forearm should be parallel to the floor with your top half of arm forming a 90 deg angle.
this is the generally accepted length for skiing, then you can go long or shorter. For skimo i need an adjustable pole and for trail running I know from watching a lot of videos that the ones that are tri-folds are best for securing on a pack and running well. I found the MSR Dynalock poles & just bought them.
I am sure the oracle (Google) Might have better ideas. What does @Francis Picard, @tim cronk or @Gabe Peterson say on the matter?
@scott dinhofer
Thanks for the thoughts. I am an avid skier, so I was also thinking of that fit method, but wanted to make sure a general rule of thumb for trail running isnt a little taller or shorter than that.
Other than that I am not a one for re-inventing the wheel. If there is an overwhelming response or thumbs up for one make/model/system, changes are I'll just go that route.
Oh- and I thought that @Gabe Peterson @Francis Picard @tim cronk were "the oracles" in this space :)
race (poles are not allowed at Barkley and didnt have them for the 50 mile)
context. I used them in training only. What I like about these poles is
that I can fold them quickly, they are lightweight. They are stiff when I
climb, I am not comfortable running using poles yet, so I mostly keep them
in my hand or put it back in the vest (having poles that can be fold is a+)
Obviously will be able to comment more after a race but in training I could
definitely see a plus and this is the reason why I also decided to work on
upper body strength so I can use that power instead of legs when climbing.
Also, I tend to destroy my gear and Black Diamond offers a lifetime
warranty
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Thanks @Francis Picard
Other than being lightweight and stiff, I would assume that being foldable is key. I have seen youtube videos of people running with unfolding poles and it seems to be a bit awkward..
@Gabe Peterson also speaks highly of the Salomon quiver they fit into attached to his vest.
I am not sure I thrash my equipment like you do, but I tend to stand by companies like Black Diamond that have lifetime warranties.
Le lun. 26 nov. 2018 à 09:14, Patrick Large <
teamenforums+d25367-s6029573@gmail.com> a écrit :
> [image: Endurance Nation Community]
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> ------------------------------
> Patrick Large mentioned you in Poles: Make, Model, Size... Discuss
>
> Thanks @Francis Picard
>
> Other than being lightweight and stiff, I would assume that being foldable
> is key. I have seen youtube videos of people running with unfolding poles
> and it seems to be a bit awkward..
>
> @Gabe Peterson also speaks highly of the Salomon quiver they fit into
> attached to his vest.
>
> --
> Reply to this email directly or follow the link below to check it out:
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> https://endurancenation.vanillacommunities.com/discussion/comment/270840#Comment_270840
> Check it out
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@Patrick Large agree with everything ^^^. I have the Black Diamond Distance Z poles. Get the carbon ones not the aluminum ones. I removed the straps to save weight since I never used them.
The key to enjoying poles is having a quick storage system. I hated them when I had to wrap the miscellaneous cords on my Salomon vest around them. Late in a race I'd usually have to get another runner to help me stow them because I'd flexibility to reach behind my back. The Salomon quiver is a game changer. My buddy Justin, who did R2R2R with me, has an Ultimate Direction pack that stores the poles on the front next to the flasks, one on each side. That seemed to work well.
When I volunteered at Moab 240, there was an Leki rep at the aid station. He said they're they only company that makes running poles. He said the difference is the BD poles are designed for hikers and require you to move your wrists a lot. Since I basically only ever use my poles while power hiking up climbs, that wasn't a big deal for me. If you plan to use them while running, it might be worth checking out the Leki poles.
@Gabe Peterson
Thanks for the input. Interested to know what makes a "running" pole vs a "hiking" pole? Is there any real technology there or is it all marketing?
I believe that I am in the same boat as you, in that I would use them to power hike the steep(er) climbs. I dont see myself using them on the downhills.
@Gabe Peterson can the salomon quiver be retrofited onto other brands of packs? I have a UD skimo vest and a nathan hydration pack that is kind of unique thinking that might work?
@Patrick Large the Leki rep said the angle of the handles on his product are adjustable. I haven't tried it since the Leki poles are much more expensive than the BD poles and I have never had issues with my wrists.
@scott dinhofer the quiver attaches to the loops on the vest via the hooks shown in the below pic (with bonus R2R2R dust still on it). I met another runner at Wasatch 100 who had jury rigged the quiver to his non-Salomon vest. Saw him early in the race, so don't know how it worked out.
@Gabe Peterson what vest is that in the pic above??
@Patrick Large it's a Salomon S-Lab Sense Ultra 8. Great vest, the best of the three I have!