Nordic skating is an adrenaline-fueled adventure and an all-time favorite winter sport when the lakes and ponds freeze over. Derived from cross-country boots and skis, Nordic skates along with a pair of poles allow people to enjoy some exquisite winter sights. The sport is a great way to explore the frozen expanses and greet the first icy blast. Nordic skating poles add better support to leverage your winter excursion, especially on uneven terrains. Since Nordic skates have detachable blades, they bring the convenience of traveling in your boots and attaching the blades at your destination. During the winter frost when people are forced into the cozy retreats of their fireplace, Nordic skating is the perfect outdoor workout to remain active.
Using Nordic skating and skiing poles, various techniques are used to glide effortlessly on ice. Playing with aerodynamics and balancing skills, skaters achieve more fluid movements that add grace, agility, and pure exhilaration. Wearing all the required protective gear and choosing the right skating equipment is crucial, as skater safety comes first – and so does the safety of those around you. There are machine-groomed trails across the Nordic regions, and they make the best learning curve – both in shape and context – for adventure-seekers. By venturing out into these winter wonderlands that stretch endlessly like a giant frosted mirror, you cannot help but feel obsessed with the freedom of simply gliding away.
Components and types of Nordic skating poles
Based on your preferred techniques of Nordic skating, there are different types of poles that you can use to achieve a more streamlined experience on the terrain. They generally differ in terms of materials, lengths, and ergonomics to suit your context. Also, the choice of pole grip is essential for smooth and comfortable skating on the ice, and it is all about individual preferences and skill levels. Nordic skating as well as skiing poles are often similar in design, and they both serve to create the perfect support as you keep yourself balanced.
Components of a pole
Shaft
Nordic skating poles are composed of 4 parts: grip, strap, shaft, and basket. Aluminum shafts are quite sturdy and reliable for skaters who prefer the added durability. Glass fiber shafts are more lightweight and flexible, and these are the go-to choice for beginner and professional Nordic skiers. Carbon fiber shafts deliver the best rigidity, sturdiness, and lightweight benefits for performance-driven competitors who like to take their skating and skiing to the next level.
Strap
These Nordic skating poles have two kinds of straps. Ergonomic straps offer exactly what their name suggests – good skating pole ergonomics. In terms of usability, the ergonomic straps do not require frequent adjustments with the pole. On the other hand, biathlon straps are designed for beginner-friendly purposes where the pole needs frequent removal, as required for backcountry skiing.
Grip
Your choice of grip should match your skating level and technique familiarity. Cork grips are a popular choice for their lightweight and robust performance. Rubber and plastic grips are more suitable for higher friction to create a secured grip while skating or skiing.
Basket
Basket sizes and symmetries vary across the different Nordic skating styles. Generally, the further you deviate from a groomed trail or a smooth icy terrain, the larger your pole’s basket needs to be.
Small baskets are preferable for even and hard landscapes; larger sizes help you navigate off the beaten path.
Types of Nordic skating and skiing poles
Nordic poles fall anywhere among the categories of classic, skating, and touring activities. They are chosen based on skater height and skill level – apart from the techniques they are compatible with. Two of the most commonly-used Nordic skating and skiing poles are discussed below.
Classic poles
Classic Nordic skating and skiing poles need to be stiff for ideal results. Classic racing and skating endeavors require greater arm strength getting transmitted to the poles. This is why carbon or fiberglass composite materials are the best choices, as these enable efficient transfers of energy from the skater to the ice. High-output skating demands durable poles so that they can be used reliably and last longer. The grips of these poles are usually made of cork material for comfortable ergonomics and superior energy transfers. Some designs are also equipped with quick-release straps for hassle-free adjustments on packed snow as well as machine-groomed trails. Classic Nordic ski poles should be around shoulder-length for maximum efficiency and effortless gliding. Their baskets are typically small in size for the poles’ specific use on smooth, even terrains. They are also asymmetric in structure.
Backcountry poles
Backcountry Nordic poles are designed to tackle off-trail journeys, and adjustable-height ergonomics are ideal for the uneven landscapes. You need to have the promise of sturdy, durable, and high-performance skating poles to keep you upright on the ever-changing icy terrain. Large powder baskets provide better flotation when you hit the snow, and so these make a good choice for added versatility.
A buying guide from our best Nordic hub
One-stop facility
Located in Newbury, New Hampshire, Nordic Skater is famous for its continental coverage of some of the best sports gear collections. It has products from various brands at the most competitive price ranges. The store provides a variety of Nordic skates, safety gear, and accessories to help you winterize your seasonal pursuit. Run by a team of passionate Nordic skaters, the store features popular brands such as Rossignol, Lundhags, Isvidda, Alpina, and Rottefella. Undoubtedly, these uplifting collaborations lead to a one-stop shopping experience for state-of-the-art winter sports equipment. Upgraded and ergonomic designs of Nordic skates, skis, protective apparel, and Nordic skating poles are all available under one roof.
Pole varieties
Lundhags Nordic skating poles can be purchased in different sizes, and these are fixed-length poles for ice skating and testing purposes. Swix Quantum 5 Ski Pole is an ideal choice for groomed trails, adding durability and impact strength to your winter sport. Yoko 7100 100% carbon snow poles are lightweight poles made of high-strength carbon fiber, with cork grips and Velcro straps that enhance their overall durability on ice. Exel Formula 95% carbon snow poles have been designed for winter racing and are equipped with carbon shafts for extra stiffness. Nordic skaters who prefer backcountry skiing can keep an eye out for fixed-length Fizan BC poles. The store has Swix Carbon CT3 TBS snow poles for cross-country racing; these reinforced carbon composite poles are designed to endure ski impacts and have screw-on Triac Basket System (TBS) snow baskets.
There are Rex Acadia Poles for classic skiing and Yoko 5400 fiberglass snow poles with quick-release Velcro straps. The Exel Formula shock-absorbing roller ski poles have special ferrules for shock-absorbing ergonomics. The Salomon S/Race Carbon Click Poles are extremely stiff and lightweight; their unique Ergoclick grip and Powerstrap 2 Click provide easy adjustment to support high performances on ice.
These are just some examples from the vast Nordic Skater catalog. Apart from Nordic skating poles and skiing poles, the store also provides accessories like ferrules, strap sets, quick-release grips, snow baskets, shock-absorbing pole handles, and pole lengtheners.
Virtual window shopping for the best Nordic skating poles
Leki Spin Nordic Walking Stick – Black, 39.3-51.1inch
These aluminum Nordic walking poles reach out to 130 cm in length and have classic click-in, click-out straps. These Trigger 1 V2 straps provide standalone adjustments for better usability. The aluminum structure creates great stability and durability along your Nordic excursions. The poles’ perfect ergonomics and clickable straps allow for medium intensity workouts during winters. With cardio elements that add to the overall versatility, these Nordic poles are the perfect tools to venture out into the cold. They are well-constructed and lightweight for streamlined transitions between terrains, with minimum vibrations along the journey. Using these all-purpose walking poles, Nordic skaters can take some time off the slick ice and go off the beaten track.
Madshus CT 20 Skate Skis
These skate ski poles have 10-mm soft snow baskets that are reinforced with tungsten carbide tips. The cork handles and biathlon straps create warmth, comfort, and user-friendliness for skiing adventures. The poles’ carbon-composite material facilitates better power transmissions and makes excellent touring poles for Nordic skating and skiing. They are available in silver color and different sizes based on your height.
Rossignol Ski Poles
Rossignol ski poles are multicolored, high-performance racing poles. They deliver superior Nordic racing contexts – thanks to the aluminum triangle racing shaft – and are equipped with a World Cup handle for better ergonomics. The Velcro straps lead to a sturdy shaft along with its triangular profile that ends in a carbide tip. These ski poles are 125cm or 49.21″ long and weigh around 480 grams. With an overall diameter of 18 mm, the stronger grip and performance-ready features make these poles ideal for Nordic enthusiasts.
Swix Excalibur Dark DD4 Adult Cross Country Ski Poles
These cross-country ski poles are available in different sizes to suit the skier’s height. Their DD5 foam handles enable prolonged Nordic skiing – with supports that are easy on the hand. The poles’ straps have a carbon twill webbing to prevent frayed edges and wear-and-tear issues. Their composite construction is designed to keep lightweight comforts and durability at the forefront of all cross-country sports. Swix Excalibur poles are known for their heavy-duty performances that stretch for long-term use. They have an alpine basket and are suitable for all kinds of recreational skiing.
Whitewoods Cross Trail Adult Cross Country Nordic Ski Poles, 120-160 cm
These cross-country Nordic ski poles offer reliable support to keep you focused on long skiing tours. Their adjustable padded straps and handles are ergonomically contoured to be easy on your hands for prolonged trips. The poles are reinforced with multidirectional fiberglass that keeps them lightweight as well as rigid. Higher lateral strength is achieved by aluminum tapered shafts, making the poles versatile enough for downhill riding, hiking, and backcountry skiing. Based on your height, you can choose sizes anywhere between 120 cm and 160 cm of Nordic ski poles. All in all, they are packed with power and beginner-friendly promises to optimize your time on the ice and the snow.
KV+ Tornado Pink Clip Cross-Country Ski Poles
These cross-country ski poles are available in varied sizes and have a carbon shaft. The Elite Clip straps and handles provide simple functionality to guide your trail as you navigate with ease. These straps enable complete control over the poles for maximum energy transmission all the way to the tips. Their clip system allows for hassle-free release to keep your movements unhindered. The poles’ shafts end in 7P324 Tornado quick-changing baskets that help you replace and install different basket attachments in just a few seconds. These overall design features list the ski poles as lightweight and durable World cup level products. Therefore, the poles are very conducive to all skiathlon and biathlon racing contexts.
The cold never bothered us anyway
Nordic skating and skiing are highly-anticipated winter sports to finally hit the groomed trails. Surrounded by white canopies and flawless icy landscapes – in your own personal, life-sized snow globe – it is a very liberating and free-flowing experience to simply glide away. With the help of high-quality winter gear, Nordic skating poles, and accessories, you can easily winterize your athletic scope and train for exciting maneuvers on ice.
The latest designs feature various click-on and quick-release systems for adjustable poles, and these add to the overall ergonomics of some of the top-tier skating poles. The handles are often contoured to match your grip, and the pole length plus its material decide the sturdiness and longevity aspects. As for the basket systems, most brands offer Nordic skating and skiing poles with detached baskets that you need to adjust on your own – usually in simple DIY steps. These basket ranges are popular in their quick-changing features to help you remove the existing system and install a new, larger basket based on the terrain.
Armed with your Nordic gear and remembering one crucial law for all winter sports – No one is ever too old for Disney – this is the time to skate away and ski away to a full blast of Frozen’s Let It Go!
