Carbon composite rather than aluminium, which buys two things: lower swing weight and higher stiffness for the same mass. At the point where you are counting hundredths, the effort of swinging a pole through a slalom course is a real cost.
- Carbon composite shaft
- Patented ADD Tab grip system
- Stiff with low swing weight and impact resistance
- For slalom, giant slalom and free skiing
Carbon or aluminium? The honest trade: carbon is lighter and stiffer, aluminium is more forgiving. Aluminium bends and can often be straightened; carbon takes impact well but fails suddenly when it does fail. For a racer who breaks equipment, or a junior still growing, aluminium is the better value. For an athlete at a level where swing weight shows up in a result, carbon is worth it.
Guards are not optional in slalom regardless of shaft material — see pole guards.
Sizing: grip under the basket with the tip on the floor and look for roughly a right angle at the elbow.
See all slalom poles.
