Of all the equipment skiers use, ski poles may be the most unchanging. Poles are usually straight, thin, lightweight pieces of metal with a basket on one end and a grip on the other. Changes over time have been incremental and for the general skiing public, it has been safe to mostly assume that a pole, is a pole, is a pole.
At least it’s just a pole, until it carries your skis. Then a pole is a convenience, and for families lugging lots of gear, it just might be a life-saver.
Quickpoles
This season, Quickpoles introduced a ski pole that does double-duty and can carry your skis. A specially designed grip fits into the heel piece of most bindings, while an adjustable clamp on the pole fits into the toe piece. Click the pole into place, where your boot would usually be, and your pole has just become a sturdy handle.
Quickpoles are the brainchild of Stuart Starry, a skier who in 2008 realized there had to be a better way to carry skis and poles. Starry, and his business partner Blake Pratz, spent three years developing the patent-pending Quickpoles mechanism.
I recently received a set of Quickpoles to review. Here’s my take on what Quickpoles calls their “rEvolution” ski poles.
The Good Stuff
1. No straps, no gadgets, nothing to lose or forget. To snap your Quickpoles onto your skis, all you need are your poles and your skis. Nothing else.
2. Easy to adjust. Quickpoles require 10 minutes of first-time set up using their easy to follow, illustrated instructions, skis, poles and a screwdriver. That’s all. Nothing else.
3. Easy to use. Once the poles are fit to the bindings, the poles snap in easily and securely. Here’s how to do it. A) Remove boots from skis. B) Unsnap the clip on the pole. C) Place the handle tightly against the heel piece. D) Click the clip into the toe piece. E) Stand up, pick up the skis and walk away.
To release the poles from the skis is even easier. A) Place the thumb on the clip. B) Pull the release trigger. C) Snap the clip back onto the pole. One minute, or less, and you’re ready to click in your boots and ski.
The Tricky Stuff
1. Carrying everything with one hand can be tricky. Quickpoles recommends that users carry one pole/ski per hand. To carry both skis and poles in one hand, Quickpoles suggests staggering the skis to keep the toe pieces from bumping each other and tilting the outside ski up as you grip the two handles. If you don’t like the idea of banging your edges, don’t try this. But if you have to carry a lot of gear, or hold a small child’s hand, you can do it.
2. Too long for tight spaces? No matter how you carry your skis, you have to be careful carrying your equipment horizontally. Walking with the tips forward and pointed down (as suggested by Quickpoles) allowed me to keep an eye on the entire assembly and avoid bumping into people. But if you’re in a busy, crowded place, you’ll need to be careful.
The Upshot: Great Idea, Great Design, Solid Pole
Checking out my new Quickpoles, my usually skeptical husband was impressed. “Someone really put a lot of thought into this design. It’s good,” he told me. I have to agree. The pole mechanism is easy to use. Moving parts are kept to a minimum, and constructed of industrial nylon, so there isn’t much chance of breakage or failure.
In addition, the standard ski pole features on Quickpoles are solid. The lightweight shafts are available in graphite or aircraft grade aluminum. The handle strap is padded and has a velcro adjustment, while the pole is tipped with a stainless steel concave ice tip and a 6 cm all-mountain basket. While the graphite poles cost $139.95, the aluminum poles have a mid-range price of $89.95. Not bad for a well-made pole that can do double-duty and carry your skis.
Coming Soon: Poles for the Entire Family
Of course, as a ski mom, I am intrigued by anything that will make it easier for kids to carry their gear. I’ve seen too many frustrated children (including my own) dropping skis, tripping on poles and ending up in tears trying to walk just a short distance on short legs. Quickpoles is currently designing children’s poles and updating their aluminum poles — all with an eye toward helping the entire family carry their ski gear safely and comfortably. The updated adult and new children’s poles will be available for next season.
Giveaway
Ready to try Quickpoles? Win a pair of aluminum Quickpoles in either black or white, by leaving a comment here. For an extra entry show Quickpoles some love on Facebook or Twitter (and let me know that you did). One winner will be chosen in a random drawing on March 27th.
Good luck!
To facilitate this review, I received a pair of white aluminum Quickpoles. As always, my opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Sondra!
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Bring The Kids says
That looks awesome. I’m up for any new idea that makes carrying all our ski gear easier!
braveskimom says
Isn’t that the truth? It will be interesting to see what Quickpoles designs for kids. Thanks!
Trish Mahre says
Those poles look awesome. We may need to check them out (or win some!) for our 12 year old that just outgrew his last poles. neat!
braveskimom says
Yes, you do! Thanks for commenting. Good luck.
Io says
I love the double-duty function. It’s cool when you can call it a gadget even tho it has no extra gadget
braveskimom says
I agree. Nice to not have to carry/remember anything else. Thanks!
jenny yoakum says
Those would be VERY helpful!
braveskimom says
Good luck! You’re in the drawing.
jenny yoakum says
I liked them on facebook!
braveskimom says
You are good at this Jenny! Once again, you’re in twice. Cheers!
Kellie Caldwell says
As a lifelong skiier who has fumbled and stumbled (and fallen more than once!) trying to carry everything and more to make it to the hill on time, I can appreciate these. As a ski mom with little growing skiiers, these are a MUST! 🙂 Thank you Brave Ski Mom, for all you’ve done to develop this blog and bring amazing people – and things to make their skiing lives easier and more fun – together. You’re an inspiration!!
braveskimom says
You are so kind! I appreciate the warm words and I’m happy to hear that you enjoy the blog! Good luck!
Also EVERYONE! If you like Burgers, Beaches or Bars, check out Kellie’s new blog! http://burgersbeachesbars.com/
Summer is always just around the corner at BBB!
Kellie Caldwell says
Thank you Brave Ski Mom … And, I know for a fact that there are incredible gourmet burgers and great bar drinks (even for the kiddies too!) & snacks at ski resorts across the nation and all over the globe. Let’s discover them together and get the word out there so everyone can enjoy them while flying down the mountain!! … PS: I “liked” Quickpoles on Facebook too 🙂
braveskimom says
Oooh! I’ve got some good ideas. Right now, my fave apres ski bar is The Nest at The Viceroy Snowmass. Until 6:00 p.m. sushi is 1/2 price and their specialty cocktails are only $7! (Cocktails are named after either Bond Girls or Bond Villians!) Seating is outdoors on a slope side patio, with super comfy couches, tables and a warm outdoor fire. It’s perfect on a sunny spring afternoon! No burgers, though.
http://www.viceroyhotelsandresorts.com/snowmass/dining-and-nightlife/poolside-cafe.php
braveskimom says
You’re in twice! Good luck.
Michelle Melgares says
Finally! I can’t wait for the kids version to come out… I have always struggled with the trek from the car to the lodge with kids and ski’s in tow.
braveskimom says
Isn’t the “trek” the hardest part of each ski day? Good luck!
Michelle Melgares says
I liked them on facebook also!
braveskimom says
You’re in twice! Thanks!
sondra says
This would really make carrying the little guy to/from the car easier.
braveskimom says
Yes, they would definitely help. And anything that makes the to/from the car easier is awesome! Good luck!
Carrie says
My kids would be all over those — pretty ingenious!
braveskimom says
Kids, parents…we can all use a third hand. These kind of give you that! Good luck!
Melissa says
These look awesome!
braveskimom says
Thanks! Good luck!
Holly S. says
These would be great–and not just with kids! Thanks–and I tweeted as well.
braveskimom says
You’re in twice. Thanks for spreading the word. Cheers!
Brenda says
Already like their FB page, they were at our expos last fall, definitely hoping they come out with kids’ poles, mine are getting big enough that they’ll be using poles soon, would love to get them these.
braveskimom says
I hear the poles were super popular at the Expos and SIA! Kids’ poles should be out in the fall. Thanks!
And thanks for the like on FB. You’re in twice!
Amelia says
These would be PERFECT for solving our struggles juggling gear and kids!
braveskimom says
Thanks for commenting and for sharing my tweets about the poles!
Amelia says
I follow them on twitter and retweeted your tweets! 🙂
braveskimom says
You’re in again! Appreciate the help getting the word out!
Kyle Heintzelman says
Is it really that hard to carry skis? Throw them over your shoulder. If you can balance them right you dont even need hands.
braveskimom says
Alright Kyle! I do the shoulder carry too, but I use my hands. And sometimes I need three or four hands. I understand and appreciate your sentiment! Thanks for commenting.
Lyndon cooper says
If you give me a pair for my girlfriend then I can use my hands for more important things like holding beer…the opportunities are endless, I need a pair now!! 😀
braveskimom says
Funny! I thought of the walking and drinking angle too. Ski gear in one hand, cold one in the other. But will you also carry a beer for your girlfriend? Good luck!
David Knott says
Those would totally help me with schlepping my 2 li’l girls ski junk all over.
braveskimom says
No kidding! Good luck.
Ashley Kowalski says
Genius! Yes, please! 🙂
braveskimom says
You’re entered! Good luck!
Shona Norman says
Great idea! Could have done with these for my son when we were skiing in France a couple of weeks ago. Are they available in the UK? And if so, where?
braveskimom says
I’m not sure about availability in the UK, but will forward your question onto Quickpoles! Thanks!
braveskimom says
Quickpoles are not currently available in the UK and Europe, but will be soon! You can always check their website for more information. http://www.quickpoles.com/