There are two main types of construction in ski pole shafts: heat-treated aluminum and carbon fiber. Aluminum shafts are lightweight, durable, and economical, while carbon fiber shafts are featherweight, stiff, more fragile, and come at a higher price. Both materials provide a high-performance shaft, so the decision usually comes down to weight. If you want to minimize weight at any cost, carbon is the best option, but aluminum is ideal if durability and price are your main concerns. If you are skiing at the resort, carbon fiber poles tend to be better for frontside/groomer skiing, while all-mountain aggressive skiing pairs better with a beefier aluminum shaft.

Fixed-length poles are made from a single piece of material, resulting in a stiffer and lighter pole shaft. They are ideal for lift-served skiing, where skiers rarely adjust their pole length. On the other hand, adjustable poles are perfect for skiers in the backcountry, as the pole length can be modified during the day to accommodate skin tracks, bootpacks, and various skiing options. If you are searching for a single pole that can be used for resort skiing, sidecountry, and backcountry, you will likely find an adjustable pole to be the ideal tool.

Traditional “collapsible” poles have levers that allow them to be shortened, like a telescope, so they can be adjusted as needed to meet changing needs while climbing and skiing. As the name implies, folding poles fold into three sections, allowing them to be stored outside or inside your pack when not in use. This is especially beneficial for snowboarders who are using a split board for the uphill and need to stow their poles for the down.

If you are looking for a versatile pole that can be used for all your adventures year-round, consider choosing a four-season pole with interchangeable baskets. These poles allow you to switch out the snowflake basket, which is used in winter for skiing or snowshoeing, with a trekking basket for when the snow melts. For a year-round four-season pole recommendation, we suggest the SHERPA series.

LEKI is at the forefront of innovation, and we believe that one grip doesn't fit all when it comes to ski poles. The flagship of LEKI’s grip engineering is the Trigger system, which allows users to click into the pole using a loop sewn into either the breathable mesh strap that comes with our Trigger poles or the Trigger loop sewn into most LEKI gloves and mittens. The pinnacle of the Trigger collection is the Trigger 3D, which provides a 220-degree release angle, offering exceptional security. The Trigger 3D collection includes the Trigger 3D ProG with its low profile, individual finger channels, and a tacky grip ideal for power transmission and precision pole plants. The LEKI World Cup ski racing pole collection features our Trigger 3D SL grip ideal for unrivaled power out of the starting gate. LEKI also offers the ProG grip with a traditional loop strap called the ProG PAS. The EVOCON grip system is a traditional grip with an adjustable loop strap. The Aergon Air grip can be found on most of our backcountry pole series, offering all-day comfort from the skintrack to the steep and deep. The straps on the Aergon Air grips, as well as most of our other poles with loop straps, are fully adjustable, allowing skiers to cinch them down as needed to ensure a solid grip on their poles. Our SkiMo racing pole, the Mezza Race, and most of our Nordic ski poles feature the Shark system, which is similar to the Trigger system mentioned above but on a much smaller, minimalistic grip specifically designed to save weight and maximize speed.