When it comes to choosing the right ski pole, there is a war of opinions. While some people only go up the mountain with their aerodynamically curved racing poles, others only consider 3-piece poles and others don't use anything that doesn't at least meet the standard requirements for commercially available poles - everything else breaks anyway. Personally, I've tried many different types of poles and have now found happiness with the Komperdell Carbon Freeride Vario.
Although I'm not usually a weight fanatic - which would be ironic given my figure - I've realized that a lightweight pole is very important to me. I simply bring my shoulder forward much more easily and quickly when riding, as I should. With a heavy pole, I often turn in and use it as a snow anchor.
In addition, an all-round pole must now clearly be height-adjustable for me. A longer pole is always very welcome on the ascent and for all uses where there are no skis on my feet. On the descent, on the other hand, I like to keep them quite short. Of course, 3-piece poles are the measure of all things when it comes to pack size, but to be honest this has never really been an issue for me. As a rule, the skis are bigger on my back and even with snowshoes, the poles are rarely on my backpack. It's a different story for boarders, of course. But a 3-piece weighs more, adjusts more easily and has more weak points. That's why I now prefer 2-piece poles.
And the Komperdell Freeride Vario is clearly the one I would take again in a heartbeat. Even though the pack size of 110 cm is not exactly small, the pole scores points for functionality. Very grippy plastic grips that sit well in the hand, soft hand loops, a really grippy and light grip zone on the upper shaft if you need to grip shorter, and soft, large powder plates, which on newer models can even be easily pivoted for crossings in hard conditions. In addition, the lowest part of the shaft has a Titanal coating to protect the edges. A real life extension for a carbon pole in tough freeride use. And all this at only 240 grams per pole. Unfortunately, like all carbon poles, not the cheapest of course.
But I would take it again in a heartbeat.
The Komperdell Carbon Freeride Vario at our partner Bergzeit in the shop
