Choosing the right pole length is important for good technique, efficient power transfer, and a natural feel while skiing. Poles that are too short cause you to lose power in your poling, while poles that are too long can make it harder to maintain good rhythm and technique.
In this guide, we’ll go through how to calculate the right pole length for roller skis, how poles are measured, and which lengths work best for classic, double poling, and skate.
How Pole Length Is Measured Today
It’s important to know how pole length is measured, as different manufacturers have historically used different methods.
Pole length refers to the length up to the strap attachment (this is how most brands measure today).
Previously, many measured the entire pole from tip to top. Since some models have different distances from the strap attachment to the top, two poles with the same marked length can in practice be different lengths.
When talking about pole length today, the standard reference is:
Tip → strap attachment
This is also the measurement used in competition rules.
Maximum Length for Classic Skiing
Since 2016, there has been a rule limiting pole length in classic skiing.
The maximum length is:
83% of body height with ski boots on, measured up to the strap attachment.
If you calculate based on body height without ski boots, this corresponds to approximately:
about 84% of body height.
This means that many skiers—both elite and recreational—use poles around this length, as it often provides good power in poling without significantly affecting diagonal skiing.
Recommended Pole Length
The following rules of thumb work well for most skiers:
| Skiing Style | Recommended Pole Length |
|---|---|
| Classic | body height × 0.84 |
| Double Poling / DP | body height × 0.85 |
| skate | body height × 0.90 |
Pole Length Table
| Body Height | Classic | Double Poling / DP | skate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 150 cm | 126 cm | 128 cm | 135 cm |
| 155 cm | 130 cm | 132 cm | 140 cm |
| 160 cm | 134 cm | 136 cm | 144 cm |
| 165 cm | 139 cm | 140 cm | 149 cm |
| 170 cm | 143 cm | 145 cm | 153 cm |
| 175 cm | 147 cm | 149 cm | 158 cm |
| 180 cm | 151 cm | 153 cm | 162 cm |
| 185 cm | 155 cm | 157 cm | 167 cm |
| 190 cm | 160 cm | 162 cm | 171 cm |
| 195 cm | 164 cm | 166 cm | 176 cm |
Pole Length Calculator
Pole length refers to the length up to the strap attachment (this is how most brands measure today).
Note that poles are often sold in increments of 2.5 or 5 cm, so you normally choose the nearest length.
Pole Length for Roller Skis
For roller skiing, you can in most cases use the same pole length as in winter.
While you stand slightly higher on roller skis, on snow the baskets often sink down a few centimeters. The effect is therefore quite similar in practice.
In competition rules for roller skis, poles are also allowed to be slightly longer:
The maximum length is 83% of body height with ski boots on + 2 cm.
This is because some roller ski tips build up slightly more than snow baskets.
Tips for Better Pole Grip on Roller Skis
On asphalt, pole tips wear down quickly. Dull tips can cause the poles to slip, especially during hard poling.
Therefore, it’s important to:
- check the tips regularly
- sharpen them when needed
- use tips designed for roller skis
With sharp tips, you get better grip on the asphalt and a more ski-like feel in your training.