Ski pole size chart
Enter your height and get your alpine pole length in inches and centimetres, plus cross-country classic and skate lengths. The chart below shows what evo, Fischer, Leki, Salomon, Rossignol, Swix and Black Diamond each recommend.
Shop this size
Enter your height above to get shopping links for your pole length.
Affiliate links. We may earn a commission at no cost to you. See the disclosure.Alpine ski pole size chart
Alpine poles are sized in 5 cm steps. Nearly every brand lands on the same answer: about 70% of your height. The consensus column is what evo, Powder7, K2, Fischer, Leki, Salomon and Rossignol agree on. Black Diamond uses coarser 10 cm steps and Swix gives a 5 cm range and says to take the shorter one.
| Your height | cm | Pole length | inches | Fischer (height × 0.7) | Leki / Salomon | Rossignol | Swix | Black Diamond |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| under 3'5" | under 105 | 80 cm | 32 in | 70–75 | — | 70–75 | — | — |
| 3'5"–3'8" | 105–114 | 85 cm | 34 in | 75–80 | — | 75–80 | — | — |
| 3'9"–4'0" | 115–124 | 90 cm | 36 in | 80–85 | 85 | 80–85 | — | — |
| 4'1"–4'4" | 125–134 | 95 cm | 38 in | 85–90 | 90 | 90 | — | — |
| 4'5"–4'8" | 135–144 | 100 cm | 40 in | 95–100 | 95–100 | 95–100 | — | — |
| 4'9"–5'0" | 145–154 | 105 cm | 42 in | 100–105 | 100–105 | 100–105 | 90–100 (150) | 100 |
| 5'1"–5'3" | 155–161 | 110 cm | 44 in | 110 | 110 | 110 | 100–110 | 110 |
| 5'4"–5'6" | 162–169 | 115 cm | 46 in | 115 | 115 | 115 | 110–115 | 110 |
| 5'7"–5'9" | 170–176 | 120 cm | 48 in | 120 | 120 | 120 | 115–125 | 110–120 |
| 5'10"–6'0" | 177–184 | 125 cm | 50 in | 125 | 125 | 125 | 120–130 | 120–130 |
| 6'1"–6'3" | 185–191 | 130 cm | 52 in | 130 | 130–135 | 130–135 | 130–135 | 130 |
| 6'4"–6'6" | 192–199 | 135 cm | 54 in | 135 | 135 | 135 | 135 | 130 |
| 6'7" and up | 200+ | 140 cm | 56 in | 140 | 140 | 140 | 135 | 130 |
Where the brands differ: Vermont Ski & Sport's chart runs one size (5 cm) shorter than the consensus throughout. Swix says that if you fall between two lengths "take the shortest option." evo prints 125 cm as 49 inches; everyone else prints 50.
Adjusting for how you ski
| You ski | Change | Who says so |
|---|---|---|
| All-mountain / groomers | Chart length | All sources |
| Park / freestyle | Shorter, 5–10 cm or more; some ride 100 cm poles or none | evo "shorter to avoid interference when skiing switch"; Powder7 "even shorter poles (or no poles at all)"; Fischer "1-meter poles as standard" |
| Freeride / powder | About 5 cm shorter, or chart length with powder baskets | Fischer "subtract approx. 5 cm"; evo and Powder7 recommend larger baskets rather than a length change |
| Backcountry touring | Adjustable pole covering the chart length: longer for climbing, shorter for descents | evo, Fischer, Powder7, Leki |
| Racing | Slalom shorter; giant slalom about 5 cm longer than slalom; speed events longest | The Race Place |
| Kids | Same chart; an adjustable pole covers a few seasons of growth | evo, Fischer |
Cross-country ski pole size chart
Nordic poles are much longer than alpine poles and come in two lengths for the two techniques. Classic poles reach your armpit or shoulder, about 83 to 85% of your height. Skate poles reach between your chin and nose, about 88 to 90% of your height. The racing rule (FIS) caps classic poles at 83% of height measured in ski boots. Rossignol, evo and Swix broadly agree; Swix's skate lengths run about 2.5 cm longer and its classic lengths a little shorter.
| Your height | cm | Classic pole | Skate pole | Rossignol classic / skate | evo classic / skate | Swix classic / skate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3'11" | 120 | 90–100 cm | 100–105 cm | 90 / 100 | 90–95 / 100–105 | — |
| 4'3" | 130 | 100–105 cm | 110–115 cm | 100 / 110 | 100–105 / 110–115 | — |
| 4'7" | 140 | 110 cm | 120 cm | 110 / 120 | 110 / 120 | — |
| 4'11" | 150 | 120–125 cm | 130–135 cm | 120 / 130 | 125 / 135 | 115–117.5 / 127.5–130 |
| 5'1" | 155 | 125–130 cm | 135–140 cm | 125 / 135 | 130 / 140 | 120 / 132.5 |
| 5'3" | 160 | 130–135 cm | 140–145 cm | 130 / 140 | 135 / 145 | 125 / 137.5 |
| 5'5" | 165 | 135–140 cm | 145–150 cm | 135 / 145 | 140 / 150 | 130 / 142.5 |
| 5'7" | 170 | 140–145 cm | 150–155 cm | 140 / 150 | 145 / 155 | 135 / 147.5 |
| 5'9" | 175 | 145–150 cm | 155–160 cm | 145 / 155 | 150 / 160 | 140 / 152.5 |
| 5'11" | 180 | 150–155 cm | 160–165 cm | 150 / 160 | 155 / 165 | 145 / 157.5 |
| 6'1" | 185 | 155–160 cm | 165–170 cm | 155 / 165 | 160 / 170 | 150 / 162.5 |
| 6'3" | 190 | 160–165 cm | 170–175 cm | 160 / 170 | 165 / 175 | 155 / 167.5 |
| 6'5" | 195 | 165–170 cm | 175–180 cm | 165 / 175 | 170 / 180 | 160 / 172.5 |
| 6'7" | 200 | 170 cm | 180 cm | 170 / 180 | 170 / 180 | 165 / 177.5 |
Formulas published by the brands: Fischer classic = height × 0.84, skate = height × 0.89. Salomon classic = height × 0.83, skate = height × 0.89. Swix: classic = height minus 35 cm, skate = height minus 22.5 cm, with height measured in ski boots and poles measured to the strap exit. Swix also says to take the shorter pole when you are between sizes.
How to check the fit
- Alpine: the upside-down test. Flip the pole, put the grip on the floor and hold it just under the basket. With your upper arm at your side, your elbow should bend to about 90 degrees and your forearm should be level (evo, Powder7, Fischer, Scott, Black Diamond). If your forearm points up, the pole is too long.
- Alpine: the measuring tape. Stand in your ski boots, bend your elbow to 90 degrees and measure from the floor to the top of your hand. Swix uses that number directly; Salomon adds 10 cm and evo adds about 2 inches for the tip sinking into snow.
- Classic cross-country. Standing on the floor in shoes, the grip top (or strap exit) should reach your armpit to shoulder, or the middle of your collarbone.
- Skate cross-country. The grip should reach between your lower lip and your nose.
- In doubt, go shorter. A slightly short pole costs nothing; a long one throws your weight back.
Questions
How do I know what size ski poles I need?
Turn the pole upside down and hold it just under the basket with the grip on the floor. Your elbow should bend to about 90 degrees with your forearm level. In numbers, alpine poles are about 70% of your height, rounded to the nearest 5 cm: a 5'10" skier takes a 125 cm (50 inch) pole.
Are ski poles sized in inches or centimetres?
Both. Alpine poles come in 5 cm steps, which brands also label in 2 inch steps: 110 cm is 44 in, 115 cm is 46 in, 120 cm is 48 in, 125 cm is 50 in, 130 cm is 52 in.
Should I size down if I am between pole sizes?
Yes. Swix says to take the shorter option when you fall between two lengths. Park skiers go shorter still, and Fischer suggests freeriders take about 5 cm off the recommended length.
Related charts
- evo Ski Pole Size Chart, evo How to Choose Ski Poles and evo Cross-Country Ski Pole Size Chart
- Fischer, How Long Should Ski Poles Be and Fischer, Choose the Right Length of Cross-Country Pole
- Swix, Find Your Size: Alpine Poles and Swix, Find Your Size: Cross-Country Poles
- Leki, Salomon and Rossignol pole size charts as republished by their retailers Hardloop (Leki), The Trail (Salomon), Hardloop (Rossignol); the brands' own sites show an interactive advisor or no table
- Black Diamond pole sizing as republished by Whittaker Mountaineering
- Powder7 Ski Pole Size Chart, The Race Place, How to Size Ski Poles, Intersport Rent