Simple, sturdy, and ready to send. The K2 Freeride 18 is a no-frills aluminum freeride pole built around a 7075 aluminum shaft and a comfortable dual injection rubber grip. There aren't a lot of bells and whistles, and that's exactly the point. Drop in with something built to last and skip the over-engineered features you don't need.

Why we like it:

The 18mm shaft diameter is on the chunkier side, which makes the pole feel substantial in the hand and resistant to bending if you take a hard crash. Paired with the comfy dual-injection rubber grip, it's a tactile, confidence-inspiring setup.

Highlights:

K2 builds the Freeride 18 around an 18mm-diameter 7075 aluminum shaft, a heavier-walled and stronger build than the typical 16mm pole. The Freeride Dual Injection grip is soft enough to be comfortable bare-handed but firm enough to grip securely through any glove. A 70mm Freeride basket and a 95mm powder basket are both included in the box, so you can swap depending on the day's conditions.