Les Batons d'Alain
The Chamonix ski mountaineering pole. Coming to us from across the pond and made in the shadow of the great and icy Mont Blanc, these unorthodox ski poles offer many small yet meaningful solutions to many small yet meaningful problems ski mountaineers face in the mountains. Made by mountain guide Alain Desez, the 18mm aluminum poles feature long ribbed foam grips which extend nearly halfway down each pole. Alain's Sticks are durable and allow you to grip anywhere along the top half of each pole without slipping. Also, no wrist straps! Straps can make ordinary falls rather dangerous and can make activating your airbag difficult in the event of an avalanche. Without them, you can more easily plunge the tops of the poles into snow. Proven by Chamoniard mountain guides on steep north faces and by American ski alpinists on routes like Foraker's Archangel Ridge, the highest level of pole design is now available to the powder-hunting, couloir-dropping, European-flag-loving masses.
- 18mm 7075 anodized aluminum makes up the shaft for great strength.
- The pommels (the plastic caps on the top) have a strap attachment point.
- Reflective strips adorn these poles for improved visibility at night.
- Includes easily swappable powder and piste baskets.
- Tungsten carbide tips are slightly flexible.
- Comes in lots of fun grip colors.
| Specifications | |
| Lengths (cm) | 105, 115, 125, 135, 145 |
|
Weight |
201g [125] 225g [135] |
| Weight (pair) | 402g [125] 450g [135] |
|
Collapsed |
N/A |
| Sections | 1 |
| Grip | 70cm long extended foam |
| Basket & Tip | 85mm powder baskets and 38mm mini baskets, carbide tip |
| Diameter | 18mm just below the grip |
| Specs Verified | Yes |
| Design | |
|
|
7075 aluminum, EVA foam, polymer, carbide |
| Strap | Sold separately |
| Skimo Co Says | |
| Usage | Steep skiing, mountain running |
| Notes | Infinite handle position |
| Bottom Line | Fixed length aluminum with limitless grip options |
| Compare to other Fixed Length Ski Poles | |
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Questions & Reviews
1/29/2022
Hello! I was just wondering how long do these poles take to ship?
1/31/2022
Hi Jack,
That would depend on where you live! For more information, reach out to us at help@skimo.co, and we are happy to give you a more precise estimate.
That would depend on where you live! For more information, reach out to us at help@skimo.co, and we are happy to give you a more precise estimate.
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1/21/2022
Are the poles measured from above the baskets or does that include the tip as well?
1/21/2022
Hey Peter, the length labeled is the full length of the baton, inclusive of the tips!
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1/8/2022
I have broken tips on these a couple of times. Oops. Alain sent me some replacements once before but I am wondering if there is an easier option out there. Any ideas? Thanks!
Only bummer about these poles is that the tips do some to have the propensity to break when rotating dynafit heel pieces.
Only bummer about these poles is that the tips do some to have the propensity to break when rotating dynafit heel pieces.
1/8/2022
Hey Nick, we occasionally get a few of those tips from Alain and are able to send them out as a replacement. We don't have them listed on our site, however, since supply can be limited. Feel free to continue reaching out to Alain or warranty@skimo.co if this happens again and we can check if some tips are available.
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11/29/2021
6'3" tall. 135 or 140 length? Thanks.
11/29/2021
Hey Bucky, I am right around 6ft and I own the 135cm and they are just about perfect. With that being said I think the 140cm would be great. Let us know if you have anymore questions!
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11/10/2021
M Del
(used product a few times)
Immediately became my favorite touring poles the first time I used them. Love the grip girth and comfort. the ability to quickly adjust your grip is awesome and the extra length didn’t get in the way going down so I’d go bigger if you’re between sizes (5-11 went with 135s)
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I wanted a pole that could be used for hiking, steep skiing and touring. So far, they’re incredibly intuitive and extremely light weight for the size.
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11/7/2021
Any suggestion on how to size these? I'm 6'1''.
11/8/2021
Hey Cody, I recommend going with the 135cm pole.
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The hype is real, these are great touring poles. The low weight and long foam make skin tracks and sidehills quite enjoyable when choking up. Its always fun seeing the look on people's faces when they pick them up for the first time.
The plastic tip is a weak point of these poles though. I caught them on a ski edge my first day out and sheared it off where the metal pole ends. Thankfully after reaching out, both Skimo Co and Alain himself were willing and able to help me get back out. Would recommend again and again.
The plastic tip is a weak point of these poles though. I caught them on a ski edge my first day out and sheared it off where the metal pole ends. Thankfully after reaching out, both Skimo Co and Alain himself were willing and able to help me get back out. Would recommend again and again.
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Okay, so I first heard about these through Dane over at Cold Thistle blog. I ordered them from Alain himself in France and was the only guy in the Wasatch for several years without them. I am convinced Jason saw me in Alta after it closed and with his jealous eyes worked to get him here. I am thankful because now it saves me the time this season when I go replace them.
These poles are incredible. I love how light, simple, elegant they are. Fine engineering IMO. It isn't overthought-out. I use these for every type of mission and the poles attach to the pack just fine if they need to be stowed with skis.
My favorite feature is for early cold mornings Dec/Jan dawn patrols. The poles are just so much warmer when moving.
These poles are incredible. I love how light, simple, elegant they are. Fine engineering IMO. It isn't overthought-out. I use these for every type of mission and the poles attach to the pack just fine if they need to be stowed with skis.
My favorite feature is for early cold mornings Dec/Jan dawn patrols. The poles are just so much warmer when moving.
Comment on this review:
5/1/2021
I received these poles as a gift. They are about 3" longer than my old poles. When skiing in downhill mode would I just grip the pole 3" from the top? Or should I be looking for a shorter pair,
5/1/2021
Hey Paul,
Great question! I typically grip the pole at my normal pole height. It can feel a bit odd at first, but it's easy to get used to. Plus, having the poles sized a bit longer than normal allows for the shuffling of hands up higher on steeps & flats.
Great question! I typically grip the pole at my normal pole height. It can feel a bit odd at first, but it's easy to get used to. Plus, having the poles sized a bit longer than normal allows for the shuffling of hands up higher on steeps & flats.
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Believe the hype.
When I think of French culture, I think of three things. Croissants, cheap (but good) red wine and now Les Batons d'Alain. You may be saying to yourself "Will, a ski pole is not a culture commodity". But I must beg to differ. This pole embodies the tradition of steep skiing, having been forged in the steep & deep valley of Chamonix, you can almost taste the cafe au lait as you jump turn your way back to the bakery.
I've used these as my one & only pole this year and have #noragrets. They're light, simple, and well designed. Usually, with a single shaft pole, you'll have to worry a bit about strength when using them in anchors, but I have not found this to be the case. The poles also slot in quite nicely behind your backpack.
I'm 6' and sized my poles to be 135cm.
When I think of French culture, I think of three things. Croissants, cheap (but good) red wine and now Les Batons d'Alain. You may be saying to yourself "Will, a ski pole is not a culture commodity". But I must beg to differ. This pole embodies the tradition of steep skiing, having been forged in the steep & deep valley of Chamonix, you can almost taste the cafe au lait as you jump turn your way back to the bakery.
I've used these as my one & only pole this year and have #noragrets. They're light, simple, and well designed. Usually, with a single shaft pole, you'll have to worry a bit about strength when using them in anchors, but I have not found this to be the case. The poles also slot in quite nicely behind your backpack.
I'm 6' and sized my poles to be 135cm.
Comment on this review:
3/17/2021
How are you sitting for replacement ends? I broke one and it no longer will hold a strap when I need one. Time to source a machine shop to make some from block aluminum.
3/17/2021
Hey Brian, thanks for reaching out! Email us a photo of the broken cap and we'll see what we can find!
As a temporary(but adjustable) solution, you may be able to girth hitch or clove hitch some material around the foam grip itself, à la SCOTT RC Pro poles.
As a temporary(but adjustable) solution, you may be able to girth hitch or clove hitch some material around the foam grip itself, à la SCOTT RC Pro poles.
3/17/2021
I simply need a new end piece. My attempt to epoxy the cracked strap slot failed.
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3/12/2021
Will you guys be getting more of the Baton D'alain poles in stock soon? Looking for a 125cm.
Cheers!
Cheers!
3/12/2021
Hey Jessie, we currently don't have a ship date for another round of Batons. If you wanted to shoot us an email at help@skimo.co we could get you on an email notification when we do have more show up.
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Got these and they quickly replaced my two-piece BD poles. I got the 125, but could easily have gotten the 135 (5’10”). Not I bought the purple thinking it was going to be a rich, dark color and it ended up being more lavender. Oh well, I still love them. I like being able to choke up or down to adjust the tempo of my pole plants a ton. Didn’t expect that when I got them. Only thing I had to adjust to is how narrow the grip is. Most poles have a thicker grip at the top then these. Would definitely purchase again.
3/15/2021
so i'm 5'10" and i'm torn between the 125 or 135 myself. would you prefer the extra 10cm if you ever got another pair?
3/20/2021
I’d probably try the 135. When you choke up on them you can pull of snappier pole plants and the extra length would be nice in flat sections when you have to skate ski a bit.
Comment on this review:
2/26/2021
Logan
(downright abused product)
I want to love these things and stoke the 5 star fire, but there is room for improvement in the durability of the plastic used. Both of the end caps on mine have broken - the first on tour #1, and the other within a week. After the first one broke Skimo sent out a replacement (appreciate ya for trying to do the right thing) and told me, "I just recommend being careful especially when you're in colder climates as you know the temperature drop can make plastic brittle"...turns out, I don't find myself using my ski poles in warm climates, ever. Welcome to MT.
Everything else that has been said about these is true. They are great to tour/ski with and I have been using them as a daily driver for work since they arrived. Am I splitting hairs here? Sure. But for an object with no moving parts they need to see an upgrade in materials.
Everything else that has been said about these is true. They are great to tour/ski with and I have been using them as a daily driver for work since they arrived. Am I splitting hairs here? Sure. But for an object with no moving parts they need to see an upgrade in materials.
3/17/2021
I've been toying with hitting up a machine shop about making an aluminum replacement for the plastic end cap.
Comment on this review:
I just really had to jump on this bandwagon this year! These have not disappointed. Sometimes my hands get a little sore from double poling, but I'm just cross-training for climbing season. There is so much grip I don't know how to handle it. I'm 5'9" and got the 135 cm. They are definitely not too long. Just get them and keep the bandwagon going!
3/17/2021
Just add the removable strap when needed for double poling. My home made ones are simpler and faster than the stock versions.
Comment on this review:
I received these poles as a gift this season and was skeptical at first but it didn't take long for me to love them. I am 5' 5" and have the 125cm and they are great, especially when you need to double pole. I love the multitude of foam grip options, and love that my hands don't freeze if I take my gloves off. It was a bit tricky to figure out where to put my hands when skiing but you'll figure it out after a while. The poles are pretty light weight and the colors are fun, mine are pink! They are definitely a spectacle when you are out and about.
Comment on this review:
DOPE DOPE DOPE!
THE HYPE IS REAL! COP EM ASAP!
Got the 135 and I'm 5'10 and they are legitimately perfect! Even bought a pair for my brother (yep... I'm the best).
Email SKIMO so you can purchase as soon as they're available again ;)
THE HYPE IS REAL! COP EM ASAP!
Got the 135 and I'm 5'10 and they are legitimately perfect! Even bought a pair for my brother (yep... I'm the best).
Email SKIMO so you can purchase as soon as they're available again ;)
3/10/2022
The 135s aren't too long???
3/10/2022
For me, they feel solid. I choke down descending, and go up ascending. It really comes down to what feels natural and maybe the 125 would be more natural in your case.
Cheers
Cheers
Comment on this review:
2/13/2021
Hello
I woud like to bay turing poles Les Batons d'Alan in lengt 140cm black/orange or orange/blue.
Please note me if it's posibile to get this kind of poles an shipt by post to Slovenia.
Thank you
Best regardes
Uroš
I woud like to bay turing poles Les Batons d'Alan in lengt 140cm black/orange or orange/blue.
Please note me if it's posibile to get this kind of poles an shipt by post to Slovenia.
Thank you
Best regardes
Uroš
2/14/2021
Hi Uroš,
Unfortunately, we do not have either of those colors available in the 140cm length at this time. However, we are able to ship to Slovenia! If you would like to be setup for a notification that will alert you when we get those colors in stock at the 140cm length, reach out to us at help@skimo.co!
Unfortunately, we do not have either of those colors available in the 140cm length at this time. However, we are able to ship to Slovenia! If you would like to be setup for a notification that will alert you when we get those colors in stock at the 140cm length, reach out to us at help@skimo.co!
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2/13/2021
Any dates on the Rasta 135cm (red, gold, green) colorway coming back into stock?
2/13/2021
Thanks for the question! We are hoping for more but we don't have a firm date when they will arrive. I've signed you up to be notified when they arrive. Please let us know if you have any other questions. Happy skiing!
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