G3 VIA Carbon, PIVOT & FIXIE Poles

Each of G3’s new poles were designed with a specific function in mind but they all still have design elements in common. Let’s jump right in and take a look at the VIA, PIVOT and FIXIE poles to see which one is best suited for your needs.

Price: $155CAN / $140US
Sizes: Short - 90-125cm; Long - 115-145cm
Weight: 219g / 7.7oz - 259g / 9.1oz

The VIA Carbon Pole is G3’s premium ski pole for those who want adjustability in a lightweight package. Ideally suited for backcountry skiing, the VIA Carbon has a comfortable ergonomic foam grip that wraps around the handle and incorporates an extended utility tab for switching the risers on AT bindings and adjusting boot buckles. The pole’s wrist straps are minimal in size/weight and easily removed by depressing the built-in fast clip in case you want to lighten the pole up even more. Below the handle, you’ll find an extended sidehill grip running down the full length of the upper shaft. About four inches under the main grip you’ll find a protruding grip point which provides a sturdy place to firmly grip when side-hilling or poling in really deep snow. The VIA’s  asymmetrically designed Powder Baskets help reduce drag in deep snow yet still easily hook binding heel lifts for adjustment up and down. The VIA pole also comes in an aluminum option which will save you money but also be a little heavier than the carbon option. Both VIA poles come with extra trekking baskets for spring and summer hiking use.

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Price: $160CAN / $145US
Sizes: Short - 105-125cm; Long 115-135cm
Weight: 295g / 10.4oz; 10.8oz 

The G3 PIVOT Poles are a durable adjustable folding pole with impressive packability and strength that is ideally suited for split boarding. Their innovative design allows the inner cord to wrap around the handle enabling the other poles segments to lock into place securely when packed. This feature snaps the poles into a nested format so there are no loose ends or pole segments flapping about. The PIVOT Poles use a lightweight aluminum construction and are engineered for strength and durability so you could even use them in bounds at the resort. Just below the main grip of the PIVOT there is an extended soft foam grip with a dual-density plastic upper which provides a comfortable grip when you need to choke down while crossing steep slopes, if you need to choke down even further there are two integrated metal rings that provide plenty of purchase lower down the poles. The main handle grip has an extended utility tab at the nose which is designed for a comfortable and generous grip area but also helps to manipulate your binding risers. The pole straps are ergonomically shaped and easily removed with a fast clip system similar to those found on the VIA poles.

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Price: $74CAN / $59US
Lengths: 110 / 115 / 120 / 125 / 130 / 135cm
Weight: 250g / 8.8oz
Colour: Red 

This one-piece aluminum ski pole is equally at home in-bounds or out and uses a sleek, simple design to offer a pole at a very attractive price point. The ergonomic dual-density plastic grip is shaped for comfort with an integrated Quickflick Utility Tab that makes manipulating heel risers and boot buckles a snap. The All-Mountain Basket is 85 mm across and is ideally shaped for powder and hardback condition while still being stiff enough to also manipulate bindings with. On the upper shaft, there is a lightweight and simple lower grip position for side-hilling while ski touring. The pole straps are ergonomically shaped and easily removed with a fast clip system that is identical to that found on the VIA and PIVOT Poles.

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I was fortunate enough to get a pre-production pair of VIA Carbon poles from G3 at the start of last season which allowed me to ski tour with them for an entire season already. The PIVOT and FIXIE poles arrived this fall and I’ve had enough time with them to know that they follow the same innovative design sense as the VIA poles. All three models are strong, durable and super comfortable to use. The grips provide an ergonomic hold which feels solid and comfortable in your hand. The long utility tab protrudes out from the grip providing most of this comfort but also provides a super-effective way to adjust heal risers and unclip boot buckles, something most other poles do poorly. The ability to remove the straps easily without any tools is also a huge plus—watch this video to see why all pole straps should be removed:
 

The VIA poles have a generous lower grip running down the length of the upper shaft with two built-in grip points with one being the adjustment lock itself. This is ideal for side-hilling and a must-have on any backcountry pole. The FIXIE and PIVOT also have lower grips but they are about half the size of the one found on the VIA poles. While these also work well, a longer secondary grip is always preferred for ski touring.

While the FIXIE poles are not adjustable both the VIA and PIVOT are and the locking mechanism found on both is easy to use with gloves and offers a solid lock so you can be sure that the poles won’t slip no matter how much pressure you place on them.

The FIXIE poles are G3’s only non-adjustable poles but they still incorporate the lower grip, well-designed power basket, removable wrist strap and comfortable grip with built-in utility tab. All this for $74 Canadian / $59 US! This is the not only the best-designed resort-slash-slackcountry pole on the market but it’s also the best value for any ski pole.

The PIVOT pole’s most appreciated feature has to be the way that they store away in a nested configuration without any pole segments flapping around—this is pure genius and something most other poles don’t do very well. Bravo G3 for coming up with a simple solution to this annoying problem.

Beyond their functionality and innovative design, all three poles offer up clean lines and an appealing overall appearance that is not only functional but surprisingly durable. Not only does G3 make the best poles on the market bar none—but they are a great value as well. If you need a resort, split board or backcountry ski poles then look no further than G3’s new lineup, these poles are as good as it gets.