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Hey, a quick question, any responses are greatly appreciated.

I am 5'6" 130lbs, capping a 160 pound 12'6" Essx I am clearing 13' with ease. What size pole should I move up to? Should I go to a longer and lighter pole, a heavier pole, a longer and heavier pole, or just a longer pole. Basically, what should I change, the weight or the length? Thank you very much!

If you are landing deep in the pit I would suggest getting a 13-0 160

Yeah move up in height. I'd worry about weight if you're absolutely sure that you could get more out of a pole any certain length with a higher weight rating.

Will the 13' 160 feel stiffer because there is more fiberglass to bend? Will this make it more difficult to get into the pit? Thank you for your responses!

Naturally it will be tougher to get into the pit, but it should be just as easy or even easier to bend the 13'. (More fiberglass doesn't mean tougher to bend with pole vaulting. That doesn't really make sense. Example: Is a long stick easier to break, or a short stick? Long stick.)

DanielS wrote:Will the 13' 160 feel stiffer because there is more fiberglass to bend? Will this make it more difficult to get into the pit? Thank you for your responses!

A 13' 160 is the next pole. It would be roughly comparable to a 12'6 170. If you hold at 12'6 it will feel 5-10 pounds stiffer than when you cap the pole you are on now. You should move to it when you start blowing through your other pole and the standards are all the way back.

Thank you all very much for your help! One final question: how do you know when to move up in weight and when to move up in pole length? Because if a 13' 160 will feel the same as a 12'6" 170 then why don't I just move to the 12'6" 170 and try to get a better pushoff above my grip height? Thanks!

DanielS wrote:Thank you all very much for your help! One final question: how do you know when to move up in weight and when to move up in pole length? Because if a 13' 160 will feel the same as a 12'6" 170 then why don't I just move to the 12'6" 170 and try to get a better pushoff above my grip height? Thanks!

It's not an exact science. The best bet would be if you posted video.

If I had a kid your size capping the 12'6 pole and he was bending the pole a lot and rolling it into the pit too fast, I would go to a 13'160. If he was bending the pole a lot and not getting in the pit, I would drop his grip a fist or two. If he was gripping 6" down or more, I would probably go to a 12'6 170 if I had one.

From a practical standpoint, a 13' 160 is much easier to find than a 12'6 170.

Thanks for the help guys! Next time I go vaulting I'll post up some vids! Thanks.