Mad Owl ski poles are short and sweetMad Owl ski poles are short and sweet

Mad Owl ski poles are short and sweet

September 21, 2012

What makes one ski pole better than another? The founders of Mad Owl think they know the answer to that and they’re putting their money where their mouth is. While riding through the park at Mt. Bachelor, founders Sterling West and Chris Lewis noticed that kids were hacking up their poles–cutting them down and putting different grips on them. They decided that if other pole manufacturers weren’t going to give the people what they wanted then they would.

The freestyle line is available in four different lengths–35”/37”/41”/43”–to accommodate what the owners see as a need for shorter poles that aren’t just cheap, kids sizes. The three models–Revolt, Parkore, and Coalition–weigh in at 24 ounces and come with powder and park baskets that are interchangeable. A quick-switch mechanism allows you to easily twist the basket and pop it on or off. The grip design blends that of a traditional ski pole with a BMX grip for an ultra-grippy, yet minimalist handle and they are available in blue and black as well as fluorescent green and pink for those with a flair for neon.

Also in the works is a backcountry line of poles from Mad Owl that should be available in the near future with more features and lengthier sizes. The features have not yet been released but a statement from the company says that they will “blow our competitors’ minds.” We look forward to seeing what that means, exactly.

To check out the poles, head on over to skimadowl.com where you can pick from one of the three available models for $84.95, shipping included.

Pros:

Quality poles for those who like shorter sizes, quick-changing baskets, good grips.

Cons:

Too short for some folks, a little pricey for aluminum poles.