The 7 Best Cross Country Ski Poles for Nordic Ski Racers - A Review

The Best cross country ski poles in the category racing are extremely light and stiff. 

Testing the best cross country ski poles for racing was quite challenging, especially when rating top pole models. In the end, we have chosen seven high-end models from 7 different ski pole manufacturers in the Category Racing.

The field of the World Cup XC pole makers is rather crowded and there are still a few pole manufacturers that aren't mentioned here. There are also other cross country ski pole companies like (Rex, SixTen, USSPC, Start and RCS that produce top quality 100% UHM carbon poles. But they don't sponsor neither World Cup nor Visma Ski Classics athletes. 

So here in this test, two models came with the click system, but this hardly ever occurs in the racing sector today. Because a fixed connection to the grip/pole and the associated improved power transmission is much more important than the quick release of the strap from the handle.

The best cross country ski poles for Nordic skiing are made of 100% carbon and very stiff and robust. Furthermore, the material convinces with its low weight and therefore offers an ideal swing behavior.

Cork offers optimal conditions as grip material. It is very flexible and retains heat better than plastic. The comfort of plastic grips are often increased by a bend and finger recesses.

All seven models are equipped with a basket changing system, with which you can quickly switch between two to seven different baskets.

In terms of weight, the Swix Triac 4.0 Aero is 34 grams (per pole) lighter than the the heaviest of all the best cross country ski poles. Unfortunately, we cannot judge how this affects the fracture stability.

The selling prices given below for each ski pole model pair is only a reference and changes all the time.

So here is a review of the best XC ski poles in the Category Racing:

KV+ Tornado Plus

The KV+ Tornado Plus is a very good racing XC ski pole with top swing behavior and rigidity

As said above, The KV+ Tornado Plus from the Swiss KV+ manufacturer is the second heaviest of all the best cross country ski poles tested here. Other minor points of criticism are also the grip and strap, but even this doesn't prevent it from achieving an absolute top result.

And also there isn't anything to complain about the swing behavior. Many top XC ski cracks performing in the World Cup use this ski pole model. So the KV+ Tornado Plus is a real rocket for racers in the summer and winter.

The tube is made of 100% carbon and is extremely light at 56g/meter (less than 2 ounces), which compares to all the other top race ski pole models. The Elite Clip straps, Falcon grips and quick-changing baskets with Titanium tips makes the pole a bit heavier but still qualifies as one of the best ski poles.

Technical Specifications

Test Result

Stiffness/Vibration Behavior

9 of 10

Swing Behavior

9 of 10

Grip and Strap

8 of 10

Single Pole Weight

8 of 10 / 157g/152.5cm

Overall Grade

Leki HRC Max F (Pink Edition)

The Leki HRC Max F (Pink Edition) has a pretty color combination which also suits advanced women skiers

Compared to all other racing ski poles, the Leki HRC Max F registers a higher weight. This had an impact on the evaluation of the swing behavior.

The weight of the shaft per meter is similar to all other of the best cross country ski pole models. What registers a higher weight are the grip/strap as well as the basket system.

The Trigger Shark 2.0 system has an anti-twist device and allows the handle to be released in a flash. However, I found the strap a bit too thick and chunky.

The HRC Max F is made from high-strength and highly rigid HMC Worldcup 100% Carbon and scores with perfect power transmission and swing behavior. Therefore, I rated the stiffness of this ski pole as very good.

With the Fin Vario system, the basket size can be changed in seconds for different cross-country trail conditions. Changing from the winter baskets to the summer roller ski pole tips are very easy and requires no tools.

Technical Specifications

Test Result

Stiffness/Vibration Behavior

8 of 10

Swing Behavior

7 of 10

Grip and Strap

8 of 10

Single Pole Weight

7 of 10 / 169g/152.5cm

Overall Grade

Madshus Redline Pole

The Madshus Redline Pole is perfect for double poling long distances like in the Visma Ski Classics serie

The new Redline ski pole features a truncated tube to reduce drag, allowing you to ski faster and more efficiently. Like all ski poles, the shaft is made of 100% ultra-high modulus carbon with the best stiffness-to-weight ratio.

The race grip is molded with natural cork and the new race strap offers a secure hold and outstanding power transmission that the best athletes expect.

The TBS basket system allows you to change baskets quickly and without tools. The basket tip is of Tungsten Carbide.

Overall, I found it a good pole with excellent swing behavior. This is very helpful in strong side wind conditions.

Technical Specifications

Test Result

Stiffness/Vibration Behavior

8 of 10

Swing Behavior

9 of 10

Handle and Strap

8 of 10 (Strap - Race Curve)

Single Pole Weight

9 of 10 / 146g/152.5cm

Overall Grade

One Way Premio 30 Kit

The One Way Premio 30 Kit XC ski pole doesn't have any particular strengths and weaknesses. But it's noticeable that the pole isn't as stiff as the other high-end racing poles

It's the first time that I used a pair of ski poles of One Way and I'm pleased. I have skied on roller skis for skating from One Way and also like them.

The One Way Premio 30 Kit has no particular strengths and weaknesses. However, I found them not as stiff as the other XC race ski poles.

In terms of weight, this ski pole is right up there, but just barely makes it to the five-star rating. The tool-free Exchange Basket quick-change system bring clear advantages in terms of lightness and handling.

Technical Specifications

Test Result

Stiffness/Vibration Behavior

7 of 10

Swing Behavior

8 of 10

Grip and Strap

8 of 10

Single Pole Weight

9 of 10 / 143g/152.5cm

Overall Grade

Rossignol WCS

The Rossignol WCS is a top XC ski pole with minor weaknesses in strap and handle

Rossignol is one of the first companies that produced all equipment (skis, bindings, poles and boots) under the same label.

One of the best cross country ski poles that Rossignol offers is the WCS pole with a double-wall of 100% ultra-high modular carbon shaft. It delivers a good strength to weight ratio and offers amazing responsiveness to power your skiing.

In terms of weight, the Rossignol WCS is among the lightest tested here. However, the combination of strap and grip didn't entirely convince me. I think that the strap is a bit too soft and also the grip in the index finger area is too pointed.

Technical Specifications

Test Result

Stiffness/Vibration Behavior

8 of 10

Swing Behavior

8 of 10

Grip and Strap

7 of 10

Single Pole Weight

9 of 10 / 145g/152.5cm

Overall Grade

Salomon S/LAB Carbon Click

The only criteria that prevented the Salomon S/LAB Carbon Click pole a five-star rating, was the slightly higher weight. On the positive side, it's by far the cheapest high-end XC ski pole in the category racing

The Salomon S/LAB Carbon Click was developed for World Cup athletes. This pole isn't as light as I thought. Despite that, the pole is nevertheless very stiff.

It features the non-glued Power-strap 2 Click system to trim the strap to the perfect length as needed. Like all others of the best cross country ski poles, the shaft is made of 100% carbon. 

The (16/9mm) top-to-bottom shaft ensures maximum power transmission and minimum vibration with every pole use.

The high-performance design has an injected Cork Ergo-Click grip. The Power-strap 2 click-strap ensure an optimal position of the hand on the handle.

This betters power transmission and enables one-finger latching and unlatching.

Because of its higher weight, the Salomon S/LAB Carbon Click doesn't make it to a five-star rating. But on the plus side, it's by far the cheapest of all the best Nordic ski poles in this test and was consistently rated by us as good to very good.

Technical Specifications

Test Result

Stiffness/Vibration Behavior

9 of 10

Swing Behavior

8 of 10

Grip and Strap

8 of 10

Single Pole Weight

7 of 10 / 170g/152cm

Overall Grade

Swix Triac 4.0 Aero

The Swix Triac 4.0 Aero is the lightest and stiffest ski pole that Nordic ski racers can get. It's definitively the winner of all the tested top racing ski poles

The company Swix has done it again! Through continuous research, endless testing and  analysis, this race ski pole has become stiffer, more aerodynamic and an even better pendulum.

The new tube has received a completely new cross-section.  This provides optimal stiffness properties and less wind drag.

The stiffness of the Triac 4.0 has increased by more than 15% compared to the predecessor Triac 3.0. Wind tunnel tests confirm a drag coefficient reduced by up to 20% in critical areas of the tube compared to tubes with a cylindrical cross-section.

I was very happy with the Triac 4.0 Aero! The pole is incredibly light and perfectly balanced and no I wasn't surprised at how well it behaved in cross winds.

In training and especially when roller skiing, I often use the Swix Quantum 2.0 or the Swix Roadline pole which isn't as stiff. The Triac 4.0 Aero is the leader of all the best cross country ski poles in the high-end market section.

Technical Specifications

Test Result

Stiffness/Vibration Behavior

9 of 10

Swing Behavior

9 of 10

Grip and Strap

9 of 10

Single Pole Weight

10 of 10 / 136g/152.5cm

Overall Grade

As you can see, the best high-end ski poles mentioned here aren't cheap. But then again, they are the best on the market.