Skiing is an equally fun snow sports for kids as it is for adults. The standard remains the same, that in order to enjoy the experience; one should have the right gear and be appropriately dressed. Having a good pair of ski poles, for example, is important to maintain balance and proper movement when skiing.
Furthermore, to make sure your kid gets the most; their ski poles should be height and skill appropriate. They are especially ideal as kids begin to develop skills to maneuver and make skilful turns. Listed below are the 4 best kids ski poles in 2023, outlining various designs and types that are an excellent choices for your kid this season.
OUR TOP PICK
Volkl Phantastick
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Light weight aluminum alloy construction
- Enhanced plastic grip with comfortable feel on hands
- Available in a wide range of pole lengths
Materials: Aluminum alloy shaft and nylon grip
Size: 70 – 105cm
Weight: 3.5 oz
Type: Alpine and free styling
EDITORS CHOICE
Salomon Kaloo Junior
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Light weight and stiff aluminum alloy construction
- Enhanced plastic grip to fit small hands
- Hand strap for added protection
Materials: Aluminum alloy shaft and nylon grip
Size: 70 – 105cm
Weight: 4.5 oz
Type: Alpine and free styling
BEST VALUE
K2 Sprout Adjustable
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Adjustable pole length ideal for growing child and varying terrain
- Wide basket to prevent ski pole from sinking
- Adjustable straps for added protection
Materials: Aluminum alloy shaft and rubber grip
Size: One size (75 – 105cm)
Weight: 10 oz
Type: Alpine and back country
K2 Decoy
- Stand Out Features - Why We Love It
- Easy-to-grip rubber handle
- Nesting baskets for easy storage and carrying
- Durable aluminum shaft construction
Materials: Aluminum alloy shaft and rubber grip
Size: 70– 105cm
Weight: 10 oz
Type: Alpine
How To Choose The Best Ski Poles For Kids – Buying Guide
Material
Material is important to consider when choosing the best ski poles for kids. The three main shaft material commonly used are aluminum alloy, carbon fiber ad carbon composite. Aluminum alloy is the most common of the three.
Aluminum alloy boasts excellent anti-corrosive properties. The alloy is also known to be very sturdy and quite affordable. Different strength qualities exist for aluminum alloy shafts. Simply look at the series used to construct the shaft on your product series. A 6000 series aluminum alloy shaft for example, is stronger than a 5000 series one.
Carbon fiber is also quite a strong material for ski pole shaft. The material will not bend and is strong enough to withstand blows and harsh environment thanks to its natural shock-absorbent nature. Furthermore, carbon fiber is Ultralight weight compared to aluminum alloy but sit is stronger than aluminum. It is this fact that makes carbon fiber more expensive than aluminum.
Carbon composite is another used material. This material incorporate carbon blends such as fiberglass and thermoplastics. This construction makes the material stiff and rigid making them ideal for shaft construction. Carbon composite material is also very light-weight.
Weight
Weight is also an important feature to consider. The best ski poles for kids should be light weight so they are easier for your child to use all day and also to prevent strain and fatigue. Lightweight kids’ ski poles are also easier to for them to carry to the slopes.
Lighter ski poles are slightly higher on cost such as carbon fiber ski poles. Additionally, low quality ski poles can also be cheaper such as low quality aluminum ski poles which will not last long. Some good quality aluminum ski poles such as the Salomon Kaloo kids’ ski pole are built to be light-weight and still maintain excellent quality and durability.
Features
Some manufacturers incorporate within their construction features that add more value and functionality to the ski pole. Adjustable shafts on ski poles for example make them ideal for hiking because they can be adjusted to enhance performance and then readjusted to easily be carried.
If you can adjust the length of the ski poles, your child can keep using the same as they grow and children keep growing! Other features included nesting baskets with notches hat make it easier to pair and carry or store ski poles such as the K2 Decoy kids’ ski poles.
Size
Ski poles come in different lengths to be able to fit different kids. The kids’ ski pole length should be up to just above the waist, at the tip of their elbow. Measure the height of the later and the value in inches should be the size. Many manufacturers have slightly differing sizing charts, but the standard is to reduce 2 inches from the height value to get a perfect fit.
The standard sizing chart below provides an overview;
| Skier height (in inches) | Pole length to elbow (in inches) | Size (in cm) |
| Less than 40 | 40.8 | 80 |
| 40 – 45 | 40.8 – 45.6 | 85 |
| 45 – 50 | 45.6 – 48 | 90 |
| 50 – 55 | 48 – 52.8 | 95 |
Type
The three main types of kid’s ski poles are alpine, backcountry and racing. Alpine ski poles are the most common. Alpine kids’ ski poles are strong and straight. They also boast an enhanced grip handle due to the nature of their terrain and also boast a standard size basket.
Backcountry ski poles are built for snowy terrains and for hiking up. Backcountry ski pole shafts are thicker and wider to protect the pole on tough terrains. They boast a larger basket that effectively stops the pole from sinking into snow. Racing ski poles are more light weight and boast a bent finish. They are designed so to enhance speed and ease of use due to the nature of their function.
Comfort
The best ski poles for kids should be comfortable for they are used for a prolong period of time on the slopes. Sure, it is important that you kids ski poles are constructed with an enhanced grip handle. However, for the handle to be functional, it should fit the small hands and feel comfortable and not graze the hands.
Some manufactures even make girl ski poles and boy’s ski poles for ore practicality and function. This is because boys and girls have anatomical differences thus; gender specific poles are built to favor the gender’s body build – such as smaller hand grips with smaller ridge gaps on female ski poles.
Effectiveness
Along with the right features, the best ski poles for kids will function best if used the way they were intended. Alpine ski poles for example, are straight, sturdy and boast a standard basket. However, these types of ski poles will be quite limiting when used when hiking or on powdery terrains.
You might also like: Ski Boots For Narrow Feet
Use
Ski pole uses differ according to their construction. The type of a ski pole determines where it is ideal for use. Alpine ski poles for example make excellent tools for recreational skiing at ski resorts.
Basket
The shape of the basket determines where it is used. A wider shaped basket for example is excellent for use with backcountry and powder ski poles because their physique helps to stop the pole from sinking and getting trapped on snow. Narrow shaped baskets on the other end are better favored with racing ski poles which are aerodynamic and move very fast.
Strap
The best ski poles for kids also come with a strap attached near the handle. This helps to add more protection and attachment to the ski pole to prevent from losing the ski as your kid skis. Some straps are even adjustable to accommodate different hand sizes.
Grip
The two main sub features for grip when looking at the best kids ski poles are secure grip and fit for smaller hands. When looking for ski poles, it is important that these two are included. Going for gender specific ski poles also helps as they are designed to fit more accurately.
FAQs
Q: What Do Ski Poles Do?
Q: Does My Child Really Need Ski Poles?
Q: Are Child Ski Poles Adjustable?
Globo Surf Overview
Poles reviews provide a well-thought-out guide for parents and guardians to choose the right addition to your kids skiing gear list. And with the right know-how knowledge to choose just the right ski poles to fit their ski experience – whether they are learning to ski or racing for a trophy – you are just one step away from getting the best. And the final step you ask? Simply choose from the 4 best kids ski poles above.