Selection of ski poles. How to choose the right ski poles? Equipment from the brand Stayer

An athlete's height is one of the main factors to consider when choosing skis. This parameter determines the ideal length of this sports equipment as well as ski poles.

At the same time, it is important to take into account that modern models, which are made from new materials, are shorter than those used in previous decades.

Therefore, in that case if you want to buy skis for yourself or your child, you should not focus on numbers that were previously considered generally accepted.

How to choose the right skis and poles for height?

Usually, skis for classic move must exceed the height of the athlete by 20-30 cm. Skate models much shorter, here the excess is no more than 15 cm.

The ideal ski length for two different skiers of the same height can vary considerably- it depends on the weight, stiffness of the material and riding style.

The higher the weight, the longer and stiffer the skis should be.

Ski types

In order for skiing to be successful, it is important not only to choose the right size skis and poles.

The first step is to decide which skis to choose, what type of this sports equipment you need, and for this you need to know where and how are you going to ride.

For the classic move

Skis for classic skiing- the best choice for those who often go skiing. In the middle part of such models, special notches are made that provide excellent grip on snow.

For skating

These skis are designed to move in skating style. when an athlete walks along a wide snowy road, and the technique of his movement is similar to the movements of a skater.

Skating this way is somewhat more difficult than the classic style.

Mountain

Alpine skis are designed for downhill skiing from the slopes and for skiing. They come in several types, each of which is designed for a specific style of riding:

skis for carving;
for freeride;
freestyle;
ski touring and ski mountaineering.

Cross-country

Cross-country skis are perfect for country walks and easy hikes over short distances.

At the same time, it must be borne in mind that they are intended primarily for moving on already trampled snow, while tourist models are better suited for virgin lands.

For a child

If you want to involve children in skiing, the choice of children's skis and sticks needs to be approached even more carefully.

After all, the child does not have so much strength, and if the model is chosen incorrectly, he will probably not like skating.

Choosing ski boots and bindings

For newbies systems with automatic fastening of boots are well suited. Advanced skiers Prefer to use manual fixing.

First you need to find comfortable shoes, and then choose bindings that fit them. In order not to be mistaken with the size, you need to purchase thermal socks for skiing in advance and measure the shoes already in them.

It should be borne in mind that there are shoes for classics, shoes for skating and combined shoes that will go for both styles of riding.

Choosing skis is not such an easy task at all as it might seem at first glance.

However, if you arm yourself with knowledge in advance and approach the matter with all seriousness, making the right decision will not be difficult.

Zermatt, St. Moritz and others: for everyone!

With well-chosen skis by type and length your skiing or your children's skiing will be held with maximum comfort and safety and will definitely bring a lot of positive emotions.

How to choose the right skis, boots and bindings is described in the video:

Someone on winter snowy days prefers to stay at home in front of the TV with a cup of hot tea in their hands. Some people don't like this pastime. Many children and adults like to go skiing on their day off. To do this, it is not at all necessary to be a professional, the main thing is to choose the right and high-quality equipment. In this article, we will talk about how to choose ski poles competently.

How to determine the length of ski poles?

The length of ski poles is one of their most important characteristics and the main selection criterion. Choose them strictly for your height, otherwise you will simply be uncomfortable riding. In no case do not buy ski poles for children for growth, as this can create certain inconveniences and completely discourage the kids from doing this exciting winter sport.

Before making your choice, decide which riding technique is closer to you. For the classic style, the length of the ski poles is determined as follows. Just put them next to you. The inventory that suits you will reach armpit level, and the options above and below are not for you. There is another way to choose the length of the sticks: measure your own height and subtract 30 cm from it.

For skating skiing, the sticks should be longer (a separate section of the article is devoted to this).

What material should the sticks be made from?

In order for your ski poles to serve for a long time, pay attention to the material from which they are made. In stores you will see products made of carbon fiber, carbon fiber, fiberglass, aluminum. How to make a choice? There are two main points.

If you have been skiing for a long time, then the best choice is carbon fiber and carbon fiber. These materials are tough, but strong blow may bend or break. But such sticks allow you to avoid vibrations when ski run(this is important for professionals).
If you are new to skiing, choose aluminum or fiberglass poles. Fiberglass is a flexible material that will definitely not bend. True, when pushed, it can emit vibrations. But for beginners, this is not so important, since the force of their repulsion is much less than that of professionals. Aluminum ski poles are the most durable. Their only downside is big weight.

Additional details when choosing ski poles

When choosing ski equipment and poles, pay attention to a few important details.

The stick can be straight or narrowed towards the bottom. The latter will be easier than the former. The strength of such sticks does not differ.
Paws. If you have been skiing for a long time, then choose models with small paws. For beginners, it is better to purchase ski poles with large, convenient these elements.
Pen. For expensive models, it is made of plastic with the addition of rubber or cork. More budget options are made entirely of plastic. Loops must be made of nylon or be belt. Put your hand in the loop, pay attention to how you feel. She shouldn't rub her hand. The length of the loop should be such that the palm rests on it, and not on the handle of the ski pole.

How to choose ski poles for skating?

When choosing sticks for skating, the classic formula for calculating their length does not work. More precisely, there are certain moments.

If you ride at low speed and for a long time, choose sticks 2 cm above the ideal formula.
Poles just below the ideal formula are suitable for skiing at high speed if the skier actively uses shoulder girdle, but less actively - the abdominal muscles.
When lifting diagonally, consider your height. tall people it will be convenient to work with sticks just below the formula. People of small stature, on the contrary, need longer sticks, as they will make it more convenient to push off the ground with their hands.

Choose ski poles slowly, and they will please you for a long time!

Do you want to go to the mountains or spend a day on fresh air, and have already looked after a pair of wonderful skis? But what about sticks? Without the right ski poles, fantasies will remain only fantasies! How to make the best choice of ski poles without risking ruining your vacation?

General information about ski poles

Perhaps ski poles are one of the most important elements in all ski equipment. When choosing them, you need to take into account key parameter - length.

It doesn't matter if these are lightweight sticks made of modern materials, with many comfortable and useful properties, for example, detachable handles or a unique point, as long as they fit the height of the skier. If this element of uniform turns out to be too long or too short, the rest of the pluses can simply be overlooked.

If the sticks are too long, the arms will have to be raised above the normal position, which means that there will be no prescribed bend in the elbow, and with it the necessary impulse for the correct entry into the turn will disappear. Using too short sticks, the skier simply reduces the time he needs to enter the turn and deprives himself of support, thereby forcing himself to lean more. The conclusion is simple and obvious - ski poles need to be selected wisely and according to height.

Ski poles

How to choose ski poles by length?

To pick up ski pole length optimal length, you need to squeeze the inverted stick into a fist under its stopper (ring), press the elbow to the body. Shoulder and forearm in this position will be at right angles to each other. Bottom part clenched fist will be located at waist level or slightly above it. Such a fitting is done in ski boots at home or in a ski rack if the poles are picked up in the snow.

Table for selecting the length of ski poles by height:

There are sticks straight and curved. If straight lines can be called universal, suitable for both beginners and experienced riders, then curves are needed for sports riding. So, on high-speed descents, or in the giant slalom, they somewhat improve aerodynamics.

Telescopic poles needed for ski tourists, and can be used even by beginners (provided that the skier agrees to assemble and disassemble them each time).

shaft material. The aluminum shaft is light and comfortable to use, strong enough to withstand all the mistakes of a beginner skier. A composite shaft breaks easily on impact or heavy loading, fiberglass and carbon fiber may not withstand even a small cut by the edge of the ski.

Hand strap on sticks is called a lanyard. It is used so that the stick is not lost, and to create support for the hand. It is good if the loop has a buckle so that it can be adjusted to fit the hand. With the correct selection of the lanyard and the length of the stick, when riding, the hand will rest on this particular strap, the wrist will move freely in it, and the hand clenched into a fist will not slip out.

Rings on the bottom sticks are needed to create additional support, hold the stick at the required level (so that it does not go deeper into the snow) and ensure safety. If ski poles are used only for skiing on a special track, you can get by with small rings, but for freeriding and skiing on freshly fallen snow, you need rings big size.

Tip- a metal (metal is not used in children's ski poles) part at the lower end of the stick, which helps to push off when riding. H tips for ski poles There are two types: in the form of an inverse cone (universal form) and in the form of a jagged point used for ice skating.

stick handle is selected individually, but the main thing is that it is not slippery or smooth.

Cross-country ski poles

To calculate ski pole length for skating, about 20 cm must be subtracted from the height of an adult. It is believed that the result of this will be the appropriate height of the sticks. If the skier has strong arms, he can use longer poles, but their top point should not be above the earlobe and not below the shoulder. For children the length of the stick is selected in a similar way.

For a classic course, ski poles are needed 30 cm shorter than the height of the skier, the same size of poles is needed for off-piste skiing.

Table for selecting the length of cross-country ski poles:

Cross-country ski poles are selected from any materials A: CFRP, aluminum and so on. Since the risks of breaking or bending the stick during such skiing are reduced, there is no need to rely on the skill of the skier. However, for off-piste skiing it is better to take aluminum ski poles. If you not professional sportsman, choose exclusively straight poles, curves will not affect the performance of the skier in any way.

Lanyard(hand strap) for such ski poles can be made of both leather and synthetic strap, but leather is preferable: this material is softer and will not rub your hand during prolonged skiing.

stick rings must be large: cross-country skiing suggest skiing on virgin soil and off-piste, which means that a large diameter of the rings is simply necessary so that the stick does not go deeper into the snow. Rings up to 5 cm in diameter are suitable for hard snow and knurled tracks, rings up to 8 cm are suitable for medium-hard snow, and rings up to 12 cm in diameter are used for skiing on virgin snow.

Pen for cross-country skiing should also not be smooth or slippery, and the best option would be a corrugated soft rubber handle with finger grooves and a ledge at the bottom.

Top 5 best stick manufacturers

HEAD is an American company famous all over the world for its sports equipment (skis and poles). It is considered the first in the world in terms of convenience and popularity.
Rossignol is a French company that manufactures skis, snowboards and winter sports equipment. It produces ski poles in the middle price category for men, women and children, mainly from aluminum alloy and carbon fiber.
Atomic is an Austrian manufacturer sports equipment in the "above average" price range. Produces sticks with a shaft made of aluminum alloy, carbon.
Fisher is a company whose skis and poles are often featured in various competitions. Their SWIX division is another popular brand with athletes. So, using sticks
SWIX and Fisher skis, Fillon Maillet became European Biathlon Champion in 2013.

Choose poles according to your height - poles that are too long or too short will only get in the way. The second factor to pay attention to is the riding style. In the end, you need to focus on convenience - all recommendations are universal, which means that they are not always suitable for certain people.
For beginners, it is advisable to choose the lightest poles, but avoid fragile carbon fiber and carbon fiber - by the evening, even the lightest poles will seem an incredibly heavy burden to a tired beginner.
After skating, it is enough to wipe the sticks with a damp cloth, and then wipe dry. But you don’t need to wash them under running water or try to dry them near heat sources.

Production of ski poles - video

And now we invite you to see how high-quality ski poles are made.

What kind of poles do you use? Tell us about how you chose them! This information will be useful for those who are just learning to ski and choosing their first ski poles.

According to the degree of hardness, skis are divided into soft, medium and hard. In addition, there are specialized skis for types of trails and sports. If you are a beginner and have not yet mastered the basics of technology, we recommend soft skis that will help you stay on the turns. You can ride them both on soft and on virgin soil. At high speed in a turn, these skis can carry you a little, and they are also uncomfortable on bumpy tracks and when skiing on ice.

Skis of medium hardness are universal and suitable for athletes with any level of training. It is more difficult to master the basic techniques on them, but on any slope they are indispensable. If you like fast descents and slalom with almost no turns, we advise you to choose hard skis. But to make a sharp turn in them, you will have to make every effort. If you decide on a type winter holiday and picked up the country where skiing will take place, you can purchase specialized skis for carving.

In particular, the slopes in countries such as Slovakia, Bulgaria, France, Austria, Italy are great for this style of skiing, which is becoming more and more popular in Europe.

What is the difference between carving skis and regular skis? They have a narrower waist, due to which the turning maneuver is easier and some mistakes made in skating become invisible.

Such skis also differ in price: they are an order of magnitude more expensive than straight skis.

Not less than important part ski equipment, with skis, are and ski boots. No wonder they say that having good ski boots, you can get even skiing of poor quality. Exactly correct selection The boot is your guarantee against injury and will give you a pleasant, easy ride. The inside of the boot is lined with insulation. External - plastic, it holds the leg and protects it from injury.

Boots can be one-piece or split. The latter are more comfortable to wear, and inner part can be taken out to dry if necessary. It is obligatory to fit the boots according to your height and figure.

Related videos

Let's say you were invited to a ski trip, but there were no skis at hand, and you have to go to a sporting goods store. In order to competently choose the right pair, carefully read this manual.

You will need

Ski catalog
Ruler

Instruction

First decide on the area where you will ride. If it is a plain, you will need racing skis.

Consider the concept of braking when choosing skis for classic skiing. The basic formula for choosing skis: height + 15 cm. Next comes the adjustment: weight is over the norm - plus 5 cm, less than the norm - subtract 5 cm, confident skiing style in short arcs - subtract 5 cm, confident skiing style in long arcs with good speed - add 3 cm

Related videos

note

And, finally, advice - do not buy cheap skis in hypermarkets, so as not to spoil your pleasure from ski trip. The most popular ski brands today: Atomik, Salomon, Fischer.
The length of the slope also makes adjustments: for low gentle slopes, we choose the length of the skis 5 cm shorter than for steep alpine slopes.

Helpful advice

Skis for classic skiing on the track should be softer - on them the push is carried out due to friction between the block and the track. The optimal ski length is determined by the formula: height + 18-28 cm.
For skiing on carving (“fitted”) skis, speed up is the formula: height - 5-10 cm.

Sources:

How to choose ski length (carving and classic)
choose ski length

If before buying skis and boots quite a lot of people still think about which ones are better, then with ski poles everything is a little different. Most people think that any ski pole will do, as long as there is something to lean on and how to push off. For children, sticks are often chosen for growth - this is a big mistake. When buying ski poles, you need to pay attention to the following characteristics.

Instruction

The material must be strong and light. Ideally, the stick should be made of carbon or, but they are much more expensive than the rest, as athletes use them. For suitable ski poles made of aluminum alloy, they are quite durable and lightweight.

The shape of the shaft should be narrowed down, this makes the ski pole itself more stable. But the fact is that they are mostly used by professionals. Therefore, for starters, cylindrical sticks are suitable for you.

Ski pole handles can also be made from different materials. For example, cork, leather. For an amateur, plastic handles are suitable, and for professionals they try to make them from non-slip materials. The main thing is that the hand should be comfortable on the handle. For this upper part the handles are made large, and the handle itself is bent forward. To relieve the load from the hands, the handles are made anatomically shaped, and a small ledge is made in the lower part.

The tips of ski poles are made of metal or hard alloys. They are of several types in shape: conical, reverse cone (the most common and safest), “toothed crown” (they are convenient on icy slopes).

Related videos

IN last years winter views sports have become popular again. Snowboards, cross-country and mountain, skates - before winter, this product does not stay in stores for a long time. Older people prefer jogging skis, youth buys gear for more extreme species sports. The most difficult remains right choice ski length. Previously, this problem was solved quite simply, however, at present, with the development of various styles of skating, the selection of sizes skis complicated.

Instruction

There are only a few ways to choose the length of cross-country skis. Proven over the years - stretch your arm up, the ski should be 10 centimeters lower than the resulting height, or add 30-35 centimeters to your own. There are also many special tables on the Internet with already calculated ski sizes and lengths, in accordance with them, the height of 160 - 170 centimeters corresponds to the length of the skis 195 - 200 centimeters, and the poles must be at least 130 - 140 centimeters. This method of calculating the size cross-country skiing is only suitable for classic skiing. For skating, the length of the skis should be approximately 20 centimeters shorter than the usual size. The sticks for the move, on the contrary, are chosen 10 centimeters longer than usual. So 160 - 170 centimeters skis should be no higher than 175 - 185 centimeters, and sticks - 140 - 150 centimeters.

When choosing the length of alpine skis, the following nuances should be taken into account: when choosing a size, one should take into account, in addition to the height itself, also its weight and degree of preparedness. Beginners are best to choose skis based on the height of the skier minus 20 centimeters; for those who are already confidently standing on, - growth minus 10 centimeters; riders and pro riders select skis equal in length to their height. At the same time, the choice of skiing depends on the preferences and riding style of the rider. For example, long skis suitable for riding on virgin ground, on natural wide tracks, and short ones due to their maneuverability are preferable on icy uneven tracks.

When choosing skis, both cross-country and mountain, one should take into account their stiffness. The longitudinal stiffness of the skis is checked as follows: put skis on the floor and stand on them. The second takes an ordinary sheet and holds it back and forth between the skis and the floor. Ideal rigidity is when the sheet freely moves forward by 35-40 centimeters, and back by 10 centimeters. Next, transfer your body weight to one ski and again draw a sheet of paper back and forth, in this case the gap should not exceed 10 centimeters in one direction and the other. Alpine skiing also has torsional rigidity, which is responsible for ensuring that skis did not wrap while driving (the higher this figure, the better). Unfortunately, it is impossible to somehow check the torsional stiffness. Here, the “price-quality” ratio works rather, i.e. the more expensive skis, all the better.

note

When choosing alpine skis, you should also not forget about the geometry, i.e. the width of the waist, toe and heel. Everything is quite simple here: stability is directly proportional to width, but inversely proportional to maneuverability. For icy slopes, it is better to choose narrow skis, for virgin lands - wide ones.

Helpful advice

When choosing skis for children, it should be remembered that they or sticks cannot be taken “for growth”, as the child simply cannot control them.
And in terms of stiffness, it is better to take soft skis.

Sources:

ski length should be in 2018

Rigidity- an important parameter when choosing skiing. If you choose a stiffness that is inappropriate for your level and style, then control skiing ami will be more difficult, and you will get much less comfort and pleasure from riding. Rigidity skiing calculated taking into account the properties of the bow skiing, as well as middle and heel.

Instruction

Rigidity skiing can be of those types: soft or soft, medium or medium, as well as hard or hard. The tougher skiing and the more speed they can develop with less effort. Soft skiing and more convenient to manage. Their middle will usually be pressed against the snow cover, which causes additional feedback, so on the one hand, the speed will be less, on the other hand, the control is simpler and more convenient.

Rigidity also depends on how much you weigh and how long your skiing And. The greater the body weight, the more rigid skiing and he should choose. For each skiing manufacturer, the ratio of stiffness and body weight is different, so when buying skiing and, be sure to read the recommendations specified in the company's product catalog.

Length skiing, also called growth - important indicator when choosing stiffness skiing. For classical style skating, it is generally calculated by the formula: height in cm + 25-30. For a ridge style, you need to add 10-15 cm to it. This indicator is adjusted depending on the purpose of the acquisition skiing: For fast running or slow walking.

Differ skiing and and according to the preferred type of snow cover. If you usually ride at positive temperatures on hard and fairly wet snow, then skiing and it is better to take more rigid. Soft and medium skiing and are suitable for dry, fresh and fluffy snow.

If you prefer skating skiing running, then tougher skiing And. The fact is that when repulsion occurs with the foot, between the middle part skiing and snow should remain a small distance. If skiing but will be pressed through, and this gap will disappear, the running speed will decrease significantly. For a classic style, usually softer skiing And.

note

In order to purchase the perfect ski for you, be sure to consult with a specialist. You can determine the stiffness of skis using a special device - a flextester.

Helpful advice

The size and stiffness of the skis are adjusted based on each specific case. For example, for those who are short and heavy, slightly longer and stiffer skis are needed. High growth and low weight - choose shorter and softer ones.

There are three types of skiing: classic, skating and universal, and universal skis great for riding in any of the first two styles. When choosing universal skis, keep in mind that all skis can be divided into several groups.

Instruction

amateur skis. If you are just starting to ski, opt for this type of ski, they are also suitable for experienced skiers who have not yet reached a professional level. amateur skis have a heavier weight compared to professional ones, but their price is much lower.

Tourist skis. Here everything is clear from the name. If you have planned a tourist trip on skis, this type of ski is ideal for you. They are distinguished by a significant width, greater rigidity, and also have special notches on the lower surface (in order to skis did not slip).

Pleasure skis. Also very wide, have notches, but lighter than tourist ones, suitable for short walks.Children's and juniors skis. Most often they are made of plastic and have fasteners for ordinary shoes. They are specially designed for the weight and power category.

Decide on your preferred building skis. By building type skis can be divided into classic and carving. You can distinguish them by their appearance, classic skis they look straight, and carving ones seem to be fitted (narrowing towards the center, expanding towards the ends). Choose the latter, if you are a beginner, they will be more stable.

Choose a material. Do skis from wood and plastic. Plastics are extremely popular these days. skis, and wooden ones are almost nowhere to be bought. Skis are stronger, more durable, not subject to delamination and getting wet, they are lighter and faster than their wooden brothers.

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Helpful advice

If it’s a thaw outside, and you suddenly want to go skiing, just use liquid lubricant (apply it to the part of the plastic skis that is under the boot) and ride on health. Please note that in other cases it is not necessary to use lubrication. Wooden skis can come in handy if you are just starting to ski or if you decide to teach your child to ski.

Sources:

How to choose skiing?

The choice of ski length largely depends on your experience in general. There are a number important factors, which should be considered when choosing this equipment correctly: type of skis, your level of training and your weight. Let's figure out what are important rules ski selection by length.

You will need

- Specialized ski shop;
- Accurate height and weight data.

Instruction

Tell your customer service representative which type of ski you prefer to ride. There are different types of skis: for classic riding, professional or recreational. And they all differ in length, notches and structure. All this must be taken into account. This data will help you quickly choose the length of your skis.

Be honest with the seller about your abilities. You need a ski length that matches your current level of skiing. This is necessary so that you feel the track well and control the course. Beginner skiers are generally advised to choose shorter skis. While experienced - longer.

Tell the consultant in the store your actual body weight at the moment. This will be necessary for the exact selection of the supporting structure of the skis. You may be acceptable skis longer or shorter relative to your weight and height. This is already taken care of by the staff in the store.

Look at the condition of the skis in the store and try them on right there. Put on, insert them into the mounts, twist your legs in place. It is very important that you feel comfortable and fit your feet well in them. In fact, this is one of key points when choosing a pair of skis that suits you according to length.

Related videos

note

For your current height and weight.

Helpful advice

Rent skis if you are not sure that they will be pleasant for you to use already on the track. Most specialty stores now provide this service. You can rent skis, boots and equipment. This is the best option. You will have the opportunity to ski different brands, widths, lengths. Then you will know for sure whether they will suit you or not.

Pick up your skis at the end of the season. A lot of stores are having a sale towards the end. winter season. In this case, you will be able to pick up an excellent pair of skis that will suit you in length and at a very reasonable price.

Sources:

How to choose skis in 2018

In order to please yourself with a walk in a snow-covered park in winter or get a boost of energy by sliding down a high mountain, you need to have special equipment: and sticks. And if choosing sticks is usually not a big deal, with skis the situation is much more complicated.

You will need

skier

Instruction

Pleasure skis are purchased by those who like to take long walks in the winter forest, keep fit, on the ski track, or simply prefer skiing down the mountains to all other types of recreation. Therefore, the choice of skis for such activities should be tailored to the needs of the individual. Pay attention to the width of the skis - this parameter often escapes the attention of ordinary people. Pleasure skis should be wider than usual, as they involve sliding on loose snow without. For the same reason, such skis have heavy weight. On thin sports cross-country skis, you will simply drown in the first snowdrift, but walking skis are able to cope with such a test.

Be sure to choose notched skis. This will protect them from possible slippage and add stability in a variety of ways. Indeed, for skiing, it is not so much speed that is important as endurance and strength. This does not mean that your skis should be wide and short, like hunting ones, but you should not opt for unnecessarily long and light skis either. Think again about what exactly you are going to use this device for and feel free to choose exactly what you need.

The length of skis is often the subject of mass disputes between professionals and amateurs. There are special tables and formulas for calculating their length depending on the height and weight of a person. In fact, you should not bother with formulas. Remember a simple rule: if you have no problems with being overweight, you need to choose skis of medium width and approximately the same height with your own height. If you are a heavy person, narrow and long skis may simply not withstand you. Therefore, choose them a little shorter and wider.

Related videos

note

If you need walking skis solely to ski down the mountains, it is best to buy ones that are 10-15 cm shorter than yours. If you are going to ski, you need to choose long skis.

Helpful advice

If you choose skis for a child, there will be nothing wrong with purchasing them 5-6 cm taller than his height. After a while, he will grow up to them, or even outgrow them altogether, so you can make such a purchase in reserve.

The choice of the first skis is not a very simple matter. It is necessary to take into account your needs, parameters and decide on the manufacturer. And if almost everyone has heard about the ratio of the length of the ski and the height of the skier, then such an indicator as stiffness is completely bewildering for most sports fans. How to choose the right ski stiffness and what is it responsible for?

Instruction

First of all, decide for what purpose you are purchasing skis. If you are a beginner and not very good at skiing, you need to choose soft or medium skis. The stiffer the ski, the more it slides and the less spring it has. Rigid skis suitable only for those who are skiing professionally or have extensive experience in this matter. For everyone else, it's simple - the worse you ski, the softer your skis should be.

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note

If you buy skis for a child, do not take hard models, given that your baby will soon grow up to them. To learn how to ride, you only need soft skis! They allow the child to enjoy the process, glide softer and reduce falls. On hard skis, children constantly fall, and this can once and for all discourage any desire to practice skiing.

Helpful advice

You should not focus on the equipment of professionals if you are going to buy skis for amateur skiing or ordinary walks. Good professional skis do not have to be suitable for everyone and in all situations, it is best to choose what you need.

Sources:

How to choose skiing?

With the onset of winter, it becomes possible to engage in sports such as skiing. In order for such an active sport to bring only benefits and a lot of positive, you need to choose the right skis for yourself. You need to choose them based on your riding style and your own preferences.

Instruction

Peculiarity classic skis- the softness of their sliding on the snow. At classical skating the push is carried out due to the friction force, which is between the snow track and the ski block. It is important to note that skis of this type should be long, with a sharp toe.

Skis for skating are hard. When skating, the block springs and pushes the skier forward. Such skis have a blunt, not bent toe, and their length exceeds the height by 19 cm. You can check how skating skis fit you as follows: put them vertically, sliding surfaces to each other, put your hands on the blocks and squeeze them tightly. If there is a gap of 3-4 mm between the skis, then they are suitable for you. If the clearance is 1-2 mm, then such skis are too soft for skating.

It is worth mentioning the material from which the skis are made. You can purchase plastic or wooden ones. The advantages of plastic skis are their lightness, thanks to which they can move remarkably along the track and mountain serpentines. Choose plastic skis if you are skating. Another advantage of such skis is that they do not need to be constantly lubricated, they can even move on melted snow. It is also worth paying attention to the presence of plastic skis corrugated surface. You will have to get used to this the first time you ride.

Wooden skis are much cheaper than plastic ones. But before you get on the track, they need to be well tarred so that they serve for a long time.

Great attention when choosing skis should be given to boots. Ski boots for skating should be high, hard, with shin fixation and. Low ones are only suitable for classic skis. The size of the boot must match the size of the foot, no stocks are needed for woolen socks. Modern ski boots are very soft and designed to be worn with one regular sock.

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With the advent of winter, goods for winter sports. Ski equipment is especially popular. Below will be considered what should be the length of the skis for various types skating.

Rules for selecting inventory for a classic move

The first point is correct length There are two ways to find out which skis are the right size. The oldest and most common way is to stretch your hand up. The tip of the ski should reach the palm of your hand.

You can add 30 cm to your own height. This is another way to choose the length of skis for a classic move.

Beginners should stop at models with notches in the middle. They hold the ski and prevent it from slipping backwards. Skiing will be much easier. If you have some riding experience, then the presence of notches can interfere, since they also do not allow you to accelerate much, they slow you down.

Rules for selecting skis for skating

If another type of skating is used, then the rules for selecting equipment change. The length of skis for skating is slightly less. This is due to the fact that the heels can overlap or cling to one another, thereby interfering with the movement.

The length of skis for is determined by the following rule: your height + 10-15 cm. Beginners can purchase more short models. Maximum size skating- 200 cm. They also differ from the classic ones in appearance: a blunter toe and the absence of notches on the sliding side.

Skis "combi" or recreational

There is some intermediate option for those who have not yet decided how they will skate: classic or skate. Combi skis combine the features of equipment for both types of movement. They have a reduced length (maximum 195 cm), but may have notches, and are also softer. In this case, the length of the skis is also determined by height. To choose the size of this type of ski, you need to add 15-20 cm to your height.

By the way, in many sports shops usually there are special tables where the length of skis and poles for classic or skate is already calculated.

Stick selection rules

A necessary piece of equipment is ski poles. Their length will depend on the chosen type of skiing. For the classic move, shorter sticks are used. Their value is calculated by the formula: height minus 25-30 cm. As a result, they are obtained at the level of the armpit or shoulder. Sticks used for skating are usually 10 cm longer. Their maximum height is up to the ears.

How to choose the length of skis for children

IN in general terms all these rules for selecting the length of the inventory are applicable to the child. However, it should be borne in mind that children's skis are softer, since the repulsive force and weight of the baby are significantly inferior to those of adults.

You should not buy equipment “for growth”, the stock should not exceed 5 cm, because it will be difficult and uncomfortable for the child to ski in too long skis, and excessively high sticks will interfere with repulsion. In addition, the risk of injury increases significantly. As a result, the child will not receive pleasure, and his interest may disappear.

in the shop

Before going for equipment, you need to decide what kind of skis you need: skating or classic. If there are no preferences yet, then you can choose walking ones, on them, albeit with difficulty, you can master the skate. If you buy suitable ones for the last move, then it is impossible to master the classics on them, because, due to their rigidity, they will not allow you to perform a push on the track. So, the main points when choosing skis:

How to choose skis

For some reason, when choosing skis, they are guided by the height of the skier, as for cross-country skis. Some even use the same calculation formulas. However, this approach is wrong, because downhill and a walk in the forest are completely different things. And when choosing inventory, you need to take this into account.

First of all, you need to remember that alpine skiing provides downhill, so good control is necessary. As a rule, their length reaches the nose or equal to the height of the rider, and maybe even less. The growth rate is not the main thing here. First of all, you should pay attention to the type of skiing and the track.

Professional slalom skiers use 165 cm skis (the minimum size allowed). This is due to the fact that there are many sharp turns on the track, entering them is quite difficult. Good maneuverability is necessary for the successful execution of figures, which is provided by a small turning radius. And it is determined by the length of skis: the shorter they are, the smaller the radius, the more maneuverable the skis. If the rules allowed the use of shorter equipment, then the athletes would use it. The turning radius is indicated on each pair (it is indicated by the Latin letter "R"). The smaller it is, the shorter and steeper the turns can be.

On the other hand, on short skis with constant sharp turns you can’t accelerate much. Therefore, for downhill in a straight line or with wide turns on the track, you will need a longer pair.

For ski lovers and beginners, shorter skis are suitable, as they are easier to control and accelerate less. Longer models are suitable for experienced riders: they quickly develop high speed, make wider and smoother turns. They are also good for wide snowy slopes. You will have to maneuver on narrow or icy ones, which means that short ones will come in handy.

Alpine skiing is also divided into men's, women's and children's. And the difference is not just in color. The category affects the rigidity and the ability to carry a certain weight.

for a child

To properly equip a child, first of all, you need to take into account his weight and age. This will affect how long the skis should be. Also an important factor is the experience of skiing both downhill and cross-country skiing. If there is one, then the preferred method of descent must be taken into account. All this will affect the length.

Alpine skiing for children is selected based on the following correspondence tables:

with a weight of up to 20 kg, the length of the skis is up to 80 cm;
up to 30 kg - up to 90 cm;
up to 40 kg - up to 100 cm;
from 40 kg - the ski is no longer than from the floor to the nose or even the chin, if there is no skiing experience.

Otherwise, the same rules are followed as for the selection of equipment for adult riders.

Tourist skis

They are not intended for Sunday walks, but for winter hikes in places untouched by civilization. On them you can go through the virgin lands, deep snow, where there are no specially equipped tracks. They are quite rigid and wide (more than 6 cm), often have a reinforced base.

To determine what the length of the skis should be, you need to know the weight of the tourist along with the backpack: up to 80 kg - 160 cm, up to 100 kg - 190 cm, 120 kg or more - 200 cm. If the trip is light, then the skis should be equal to height or even be 5 cm shorter. Also, their socks are longer and higher than those of the running ones. This is necessary so that the skis do not bury themselves in the snow. Another difference is that in many of them the notch is applied almost to the entire length in order to ensure the most reliable grip on the snow.