REVIEW: Rundle Impact and Podium poles rock!

Fri, Feb  7, 2025 - By Mike Muha

I jumped on an opportunity to try a couple new ski pole models from Rundle Nordic, a company based out of Squamish, British Columbia and better known for their rollerskis. Rundle sent me a pair of Rundle Impact Poles sized for classic skiing and a pair of Rundle Podium Poles sized for skating. Both poles feature quick-release handles and straps, and Rundle's quick change basket system. Both have 100% carbon shafts, but with different construction.

The Impact poles are Rundle's high-end "World Cup" poles. The shafts are constructed with the stiffest carbon available to maximize power transfer and minimize swing weight. They come with a small/medium basket with aluminum spikes (ferrules). The aluminum spike is more expensive and lighter weight but less durable compared to a carbide spike.

The Podium poles are the next model down from the Impact pole. Podium poles use a high performance carbon layup designed for excellent power transfer at a lower cost compared to Impact poles. Podium poles are also more durable than the Impact poles, making them a great option for training, roller skiing...and mass start races! The basket spike is carbon steel - a little heavier, more durable, and less expensive.

I also received a pair of the large baskets and a set of size Large straps (the poles were sent with Medium straps). There was also an Allen screw driver and and screws - more on that later.

The photo below doesn't do them justice - the pole's simple modern graphics are elegant and really stand out.

Rundle Impact "World Cup" poles (top) and Podium cross country ski poles

I like these poles!

I trained and raced on both sets of poles for over a month. I also tried skiing with a Rundle pole on one hand and an existing Swix or United States Ski Pole Company pole on the other for direct comparison.

I really like these poles! First, the grip and strap combination provided excellent pole control - the best I've ever seen. The poles felt like an extension of my hand rather than something I was holding. The poles were always where I wanted them. This is because of the really well designed strap and handle: There's no play between the strap loop holding your hand and the handle:

The Rundle pole strap enters the pole handle in a way that eliminates any play between strap, handle, and hand.

The straps were comfortable and didn't move around my hand.

Rundle straps have an additional feature I really like. Have you ever tried to loosen your strap and the strap pulls out? The Rundle straps have a little tab at the end that prevents the strap from pulling out. This little bit of design is simply outstanding!

The tab at the end of the Rundle pole strap keeps the strap from pulling out.

Both sets of poles felt light in my hands. (I tried to weigh each pole, but the scale I used kept giving inconsistent results). During races, the shaft of each pole felt stiff; it felt as if all my energy were being transferred directly to the snow.

As I mentioned early, the straps on the poles were size Medium. They were a little short. I could use them with my regular ski gloves, but not with lobster mitts or mittens. In colder conditions, I used some of my existing poles...until I realized Rundle has shipped me an extra pair of Large straps!

Strap quick release feature

Swapping out the Medium straps for Large straps could not have been easier. Rundle has a quick-release mechanism that makes the task trivial:

1. The Rundle pole handle is in the locked position

2. Pull up on the top of the handle to unlock the strap. You can do this easily with gloved hands!

3. Pull the Rundle strap out.

4. Insert the new strap

5. Make sure the Rundle strap is fully inserted

6. Push the top of the handle down to lock-in the strap

7. OPTIONAL: Install an optional set screw to prevent accidental release of the strap from the pole. I did not do this but if you want maximum security, it only takes a few seconds to install.

Swapping ski baskets

Many moons ago, I bemoaned pole vendors who shipped their poles with tiny baskets (see "The Effect of Ski Pole Basket Size on Forward Momentum"). I argued that in soft snow conditions, small baskets just sank into the snow. Fortunately, vendors got rid of the super tiny baskets. Rundle has two basket sizes: Small/Medium and Large.

The Rundle Small/Medium size are OK but in really soft conditions, I'd want a bigger basket and recommend you buy a set. Yes, the larger basket weighs slightly more. But the potential loss of power in soft snow conditions if you only have the smaller baskets is huge. The large baskets work equally as well in soft vs. hard trail conditions. Me? I have better things to do than swap baskets - I always run with larger baskets if I have them.

Rundle considers their large baskets to be pretty race focused. Their design prioritizes light weight over durability. Pat McCarter at Rundle says most athletes can notice as little as a 2 gram difference in pole tip weight. The large baskets can totally be used in all conditions, but they're less likely to come away unscathed when getting stepped or planted awkwardly in an icy classic track when compared to our normal baskets.

Here's a comparison of the two basket sizes:

Comparison of Rundle Small/Medium and Large ski baskets.

Changing baskets is easy. I the photo above, you'll notice a small screw. Simply loosen the set screw on the back of the basket until you can slide the basket off. The screw doesn't need to be removed, just loosened. Slide the new basket on, use the screw to secure the basket to the pole. Note that the pole shaft has a "pole cap" on the end of it. The pole cap has an alignment guide that forces the basket to be properly aligned with the handle and strap. When installing baskets, just tighten the screw to be flush with the outside surface of the basket. You could theoretically tighten them more, but the system is most secure when the screw is flush.

Replacing a Rundle ski pole basket

(See the Rundle Basket Instruction Manual for full instructions, including how to convert non-Rundle poles).

Rundle also makes rollerski ski baskets (ferrules) that go on the same way.

Conclusion: Great poles!

I have a bazillion ski poles because (1) I've been skiing a LONG time and (2) I'm always looking for the perfect pole. Many of my poles are top of the line and some are recent acquisitions. But the more I skied on the Rundle Impact and Podium poles, the more I found myself automatically grabbing these poles rather than an existing pair as I head out to ski. They just feel natural in my hands. I can fully recommend either model for training and racing.

You can go to the Rundle Nordic web site to see more or to order poles. Rundle also sells through quite a number of (mostly) Canadian ski shops in case Rundle is out of your size. Just search for "Rundle Ski Poles".

The poles come fully assembled in a large number of fixed lengths, or you can buy a "kit" where you can cut the pole to a custom length.