#9 on this list
Crows Furtis
Black
The Black Crows Furtis is an uncompromising fixed-length freeride pole engineered for skiers who demand a blend of lightweight feel, exceptional stiffness, and robust impact resistance. Renowned for its distinctive, bold graphic styling, the Furtis uses a massive 22-millimeter diameter 100% composite carbon shaft that provides immense structural rigidity without the hefty swing weight typical of thick aluminum tubes. Clocking in at roughly 1 pound 1.6 ounces per pair, the Furtis excels in big-mountain environments. The carbon shaft does an outstanding job dampening vibrations when charging through crud, wind-buff, and tracked powder, saving fatigue in your wrists and forearms. Despite being made of composite material, the extra-wide tube diameter gives it far greater resistance to shattering or breaking than standard thin-walled carbon poles. The pole features an extra-long foam grip sleeve that lets skiers adjust their hand placement when climbing brief bootpacks or traversing steep ridgelines, paired with flexible articulated powder baskets. Its major limitation is the price: approaching $200 for a fixed-length pole is a major investment. Furthermore, it cannot collapse for splitboarding or tight packing. But for dedicated big-mountain freeriders who value raw stiffness and low swing weight, the Furtis is top-tier. **Highlights** - Oversized 22mm carbon composite shaft delivers incredible stiffness - Natural composite damping absorbs chatter in rough, choppy snow - Long foam choke-up sleeve provides multiple hand positions - Flexible, high-surface-area articulating powder baskets - Low swing weight paired with robust big-mountain durability **Watch-outs** - Premium price point for a fixed-length design - Non-collapsible profile makes travel and pack stowage inconvenient - Large shaft diameter can feel unusual for skiers used to slim poles
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#10 on this list
Dynalock Ascent Carbon
MSR
The MSR DynaLock Ascent Carbon is a three-piece folding pole built specifically with splitboarders, snowshoers, and fast-moving backcountry travelers in mind. Unlike traditional two-piece telescoping poles that remain long even when collapsed, the DynaLock Ascent folds down into a tiny, packable footprint using an internal tension cord, allowing it to slide cleanly inside or lash flush to the outside of a backpack during descents. Weighing 482 grams per pair, the pole is built from Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber, ensuring that weight is kept to a minimum while maintaining structural resilience against rock abrasion and impact. The upper section retains length adjustability through the DynaLock aluminum cam clamp, which features a tool-free tension wheel that makes on-the-fly tightness adjustments simple, even with cold fingers. The extended EVA foam grip provides plenty of purchase for steep skin-track sidehilling. The inevitable trade-off with any three-piece folding pole is a slight reduction in absolute rigidity compared to a rigid one-piece or beefy two-piece design. While MSR's joint ferrules are solid, high-load pole plants will exhibit a hint of flex. However, for splitboarders who need reliable poles on the ascent that vanish entirely from their packs on the ride down, this remains one of the most reliable folding options available. **Highlights** - Compact three-piece folding design collapses small for splitboard pack stowage - Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber shafts maximize strength-to-weight ratio - DynaLock aluminum lever with tool-free tension adjustment - Extended EVA foam grip for ergonomic hand placement on steep traverses - Includes interchangeable winter powder baskets and summer trekking baskets **Watch-outs** - More shaft flex under heavy loads than fixed or two-piece poles - Folding internal cord systems introduce more moving parts that require care - High price point compared to aluminum options
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Specs side by side
| Spec | Crows Furtis | Dynalock Ascent Carbon |
|---|---|---|
| Shaft Material | 100% composite carbon | Kevlar-reinforced carbon fiber |
| Shaft Diameter | 22 mm | — |
| Weight Per Pair | 1 lb. 1.6 oz. (499 g) | 482 g (17 oz) |
| Pole Design | Fixed length | — |
| Grip Style | Extended foam choke-up sleeve | — |
| Basket Type | Articulated powder basket | — |
| MSRP | Approximately $200 | — |
| Design Type | — | Three-piece folding with upper adjustment |
| Locking Mechanism | — | DynaLock aluminum cam lever |
| Baskets Included | — | Winter powder and summer trekking |
| Estimated Price | — | Around $190 |
What our reviewers liked and didn't
Crows Furtis
- Exceptional stiffness and stability from the oversized 22mm carbon shaft
- Composite construction absorbs vibrations in rough, choppy snow conditions
- Extended foam grip allows fast hand adjustments on steep sidehills
- Noticeably low swing weight despite heavy-duty downhill build
- Fixed-length design cannot collapse for travel or pack storage
- Expensive investment near $200 for a non-adjustable pole
- Thick 22mm diameter may feel unwieldy for skiers with small hands
Dynalock Ascent Carbon
- Folds small enough to store inside a mid-sized backcountry pack
- Kevlar reinforcement enhances carbon durability against rock scrapes
- Tool-free DynaLock cam allows easy tension tuning with gloves
- Extended foam grip sleeve facilitates quick hand adjustments on sidehills
- Noticeable joint flex under heavy lateral downhill loads
- Internal tension cord system introduces more moving parts to maintain
- Higher initial cost compared to standard aluminum options
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