question Looking for durable ski poles

[keenwesh]

I am tired of buying new lowers for BD expedition poles and bending/snapping them off multiple times a season. I'm tall, semi-uncordinated, and weigh 200 lbs, so I break a lot of gear. Big people out there, have you found a set of adjustable 2 piece poles that don't snap immediately?

[JasonG]

I know a guy your size who swears by the old version of these:  http://www.blackdiamondequipment.com/en_US/ski-poles/razor-carbon-pro-BD111553_cfg.html#start=7

The lowers on his are solid CF and nearly indestructible.  I've seen him crash so hard and bend them crazy angles.

[JasonG]

The other thing is to keep snow baskets on them during the summer.  I've found them to be less likely to getting buried in talus and broken.  And not using the wrist straps....

[keenwesh]

I don't use ski poles in the summer, because I'd snap 'em. Got some fancy running poles that actually hold up quite well. A little hesitant to go CF, as generally they don't bend, they just snap catastrophically.

 

To further establish myself as a destroyer: I'm the only person the Scarpa NA reps have ever seen who broke the shank on a pair of 6000's. I've loosened the head of (not exaggerating) 10 nomics. I broke the canting bolt clean off a pair of LS ski boots. Don't buy used hardgoods from me.

[JasonG]

Ah!!

Well, my friend (>200#) uses his exclusively for skiing both in and out of bounds.  He skis the most aggressively of anyone I know and I've personally seen him taco the lower sections of his CF poles.  They have never broken.

[genepires]

Never had them, never saw them, never heard of them.  But hell, how about bamboo ski poles?

If you need whippets, they say they are custom made poles.  so maybe if you mail them the whippet, they can attach it.

https://www.grasssticks.com/aboutpoles/

Edited September 1, 2018 by genepires

[Jason4]

I've seen a mid-weight friend break bamboo poles skinning with them, not falling, not flailing, just skinning.  And broken just below the grip, not at the normal spot near the basket.  I'd stay away.

I'm also in the Clydesdale class (>200lbs) and have had good luck with BD expedition poles.  You've got to be rough on gear if you go through those as much as you do.  I don't know what's tougher other than cheap, one-piece aluminum poles.  They won't be light or adjustable but they are tough and consumable.  I'd check thrift stores.

[keenwesh]

I got some panda poles that are super burley and came without straps, saving the hassle of cutting them off. There's some kind of warranty involved, so if I somehow destroy them it shouldn't be a problem. Not light, but should function great for everything besides big mountain skimo shredding. Cone shaped baskets don't grab the trees nearly as much as conventional. Happy so far. They're poley poles.

 

https://www.pandapoles.com/products/panda-pole

Edited November 28, 2018 by keenwesh

[montypiton]

Keenan, for a guy your size with your energy, theres no such thing as a "durable" ski pole.  Hell, even a little guy like me has broken at least one of every pair of trekking poles I've ever owned...  so I focus on buying poles whose components are compatible with my leftovers.  I probably have a lifetime supply of components now...

-Haireball