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Powder Journal
2009 Dakine Outtabounds Poles | Reviewed On: February 12, 2009
Gear Reviews>>Ski Poles>>Adjustable>>Dakine Outtabounds PolesBy Ski Waheenie
THE GOOD
These poles offer a great range of adjustability for all sorts of uses and users. The Outtabounds poles also have ginormous baskets that measure more than 4 inches in diameter. There are foam grips below the actual grip handles which is nice when on uneven terrain. They also have steel tips for better traction.
THE BAD
These poles are not the most lightweight option out there.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
The Dakine Outtabounds poles are great for skiers that want an adjustable pole with a wide range of adjustability. They extend very long and compact very small. They have HUGE powder baskets which help on the uphill. They are not the lightest, but very durable and useful.
Solid
AVG USER ADVICE
Novelty
| MITTEN TEST | 5/5 |
|---|---|
| DURABILITY | 5\5 |
| WEIGHT | 3/5 |
| ADJUSTABILITY | 5/5, extend very long, collapse very small |
Gear Reviews>>Ski Poles>>Adjustable>>Dakine Outtabounds Poles
| Backcountry.com | $59.95 |
|---|
| AVG PRICE | $59.95 |
|---|---|
| SHAFT MATERIAL | 7075 Aluminum alloy |
| GRIP MATERIAL | Rubber |
| TIP MATERIAL | Steel |
| EXTENDABLE RANGE | [Collapsed] 25.6in(65cm); [Usable] 25.6-55.5in(65-141cm) |
| BASKETS | Large powder |
| PROBE | No |
| WARRANTY | Lifetime |
| Backcountry.com | $59.95 |
|---|
That's Our Opinion. What's Yours?
Editors wrote on 02/12/09 at 08:09:43 am pst:
Today's Prize is an Ambler Beanie. All you have to do is comment to be eligible.
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Jeremy Long wrote on 02/12/09 at 6:28:26 pm pst:
Do the big baskets get in the way of binding adjustments?
Broke a pole today, think I'll upgrade to an adjustable model...
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Swiss Miss wrote on 02/12/09 at 7:10:06 pm pst:
I like it when the grips extend down the handle (for sidehill skinning). Then again, duct tape does the same thing and serves more of a purpose.
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Matt Lanning wrote on 02/12/09 at 8:14:26 pm pst:
just finished re-duct-taping my adjustable poles to make up for lack of foam below the grips... not sure I'd replace mine with these just for the grips, but have always admired fellow skiers as they side-hill-skinned holding onto foam rather than duct tape.
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David Belden wrote on 02/12/09 at 8:59:14 pm pst:
I just spent a week touring and I'm a little skeptical of both the need for adjustable poles, and the effectiveness of twist lock poles. I tour with BD flick lock poles, as did half of our party, and they seem great. They're fairly light, the locking mechanism works, and it's easy to adjust if it slips. We had one guy with Lifelink twist lock poles and the locking mech didn't seen nearly as strong, nor as reliable. I haven't used the DaKine mech, so I don't know if it works better than the LifeLink, but I'm a bit skeptical. That said, Dakine does make some great, well thought-out gear. (I MTB with a Dakine Nomad pack). Unless I have a long flat approach, I never adjust my poles, and I'm one to fidget with gear. On a long flat, I'll extend 'em 10cm so I can skate/glide more, but otherwise they're fixed. I do like the idea of the grip that extends lower. On a steep traverse I do find myself holding the uphill pole below the normal grip. I opted to just wrap duct tape on each pole about 6" below the grip so I have a bit more traction since I don't have the cool, extender grips.
On my next trip I'm taking whichever is lighter - my fixed poles or my flicklock poles, and I'll be sticking with the duct tape wrape 6" below the grips. Oh, and lastly, I'm on BD 01 tele-bindings that require you to jam your pole into the front of the binding to switch it into tour mode, and that caused my adjustable poles to slip a few times a day. Yeah, I'm definitely taking fixed poles in the future.
Novelty
freeheelgirl wrote on 02/12/09 at 10:48:24 pm pst:
David - I ski with BD flick lock poles, and I have to agree that I NEVER mess with them when I'm out touring - yes, I have tape on the handles, too! (You never know when you'll need the tape, and it's way faster than screwing around with your gear every time you turn a corner!) However, it's been really handy to be able to adjust my pole length when I want to loan them to someone else, or when I've needed to adjust them to change my ski stance.
In addition, adjustable poles seem like the ticket for rigging up a rescue sled, if need be.
I'm a little skeptical of the big powder baskets on the DaKines - they're nice to have in deep powder, but how do they do in icy crud? And are they too heavy for serious touring? Just wondering.
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Editors wrote on 02/13/09 at 3:26:33 pm pst:
ANd the winner is Matt Lanning! Sorry it took so long to post this. We had an unscheduled appointment with nipple deep powder.
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Ski Waheenie wrote on 02/13/09 at 3:52:19 pm pst:
I have definitely had problems with life link poles, so far these haven't given me any grief.
