How many poles?

[mca80]

After my Asnes pole broke with limited use I started wondering whether it makes sense to have a couple backup poles, or at least one set, although they aren't cheap by any means. How many sets of poles do you folks usually have? Is breaking of poles a thing that happens often? Many years of alpine skiing I got by with one pair. XC I was fine with the swix and they still work well. Just a little worried now that this one pole snapped so quickly.

[Johnny]

I have more than 60 pairs, spreaded in different pole racks...
I like poles *almost* as much as I like skis...

[mca80]

I have more than 60 pairs, spreaded in different pole racks...
I like poles *almost* as much as I like skis...

Wow.

What do you like about poles? I know they have different stiffness etc, but what else is there besides that? And adjustability.

P.S. if I want far fewer poles what should I get? Iove the big leather baskets on the swix. But so far as I know they fit only swix poles.

[DG99]

Black Diamond adjustable poles. Never have broken one. Looks very mountaineer too. Orange.

For at the ski lifts, Scott poles. They break only if you do something outrageous. Best in blue or black.

[Montana St Alum]

I have two pairs of adjustable poles. One with baskets about 3" and one with 4". The only reason I have 2 sets is that I got some of the last strapless poles I could find. I had gotten elbow tendonitis and for some reason, strapless handles prevent it. I would just get reasonably priced adjustable poles that have inexpensive baskets available in a couple of sizes.

[Rodbelan]

I have a few pairs too, adjustable and straight...

I realized, over the years, that I prefer straight ones, with the lower add on foam grip... Light and easy... No fuss.

[bauerb]

get in the habit of buying poles from the "pole bin" that is a fixture at most ski swaps. $10-$30 for good poles is normal. unless you are racing, don't be too picky about lengths when buying used. just get close. I do this and have a motley quiver for hiking, roller skiing, race backups, etc. bear in mind that modern carbon poles are very strong in an extremely limited range of motion. one good shot from the wrong angle and they snap like match sticks

[mca80]

@bauerb do you prefer aluminium then?

I really like the swix leather baskets but I think they only fit on swix poles. Plus mine are starting to get pretty worn after just a season and a half.

[Rodbelan]

At the ski resort, I prefer carbon fiber poles... The pole plant feeling, on boiler plate, with aluminium pole is kind of harsh...

[fgd135]

I have several pair of poles; nordic, alpine, and backcountry extendable types. The oldest is a 38 year old pair of Alsop shock absorber alpine poles that just refuse to die, even though I've replaced both grips and baskets a few times. The newest is a pair of Komperdell extendables that are nice and light, for bc touring. But if one skis in tracks, one also needs lightwt but stiff classic and skating length poles; mine are mostly Swix, but some Excels in there too. And why use extendables for rolling but not steep trail skiing? So I have a couple of fixed length poles for that purpose, which are heavier than the ultralight carbon fiber skate poles, but maybe more durable, and are mostly lighter than the extendables.
It's like golfing, you need more than a couple clubs.
A few of my extendable bc poles are left over from my time working at Alpine Research, where we made lots of them for retail, even with titanium shafts, and some heavy duty types for the military. And I think I have an old pair of Leki poles sitting around.
Here's one pair I don't use very often, but works well in spring and summer crust:

Ramer Self Arrest Extendable Poles