Racing poles are delicate pieces of equipment, and should be treated as such. Something to keep in mind when you’re standing in the track banging your brand new top of the line carbon race poles against your bottom of boots to get the sticky snow out of the grooves. Don’t.
While they are designed to withstand a lot of force in one direction, they are vulnerable to impact in other directions.
“Top-of-the-line racing poles are made from the lightest, most delicate carbon structures out there. They are designed to handle a lot of force in one direction, but they don’t take being hit on other things,” Jon Fewster points out. Fewster is the Global Category Manager for Poles and Boots at Madshus.
“While most people wouldn’t throw their nice carbon bikes carelessly into the back of their pickup or bang their bike shoes against the frame to get the mud out of the cleats, people often toss their poles into the back of their car or bang the pole shafts against their boots to get the snow out of the grooves and bindings,” Fewster says.
“Don’t whack your poles against your boots to get the snow out. If you do, you greatly increase the chance that they will break in a finish sprint,” he says. (Article continues below the images)
Use tougher pole for roller skiing
Roller skiing is particularly brutal on carbon race poles, as the repetitive pounding on pavement puts a lot of stress on the carbon fibers. Therefore, you might consider whether you want to use your best carbon poles for everyday roller ski workouts.
Snow is more forgiving than pavement, and doesn’t create the same kind of impact. Accordingly, you can use the stiffest poles more often.
Baby your poles
Fewster recommends placing poles in a pole bag when transporting them in the car and especially if checking ski bags with airlines.
“Take a little time to take care of your gear. Good poles are not cheap.”
Protect your poles with a padded pole bag in the trunk of the car. Photo: Inge Scheve