Ski touring poles · Test magazine 2022
Tech talk with Thomas Roiser, KOMPERDELL
CEO · Print page 39
Who is Thomas Roiser? KOMPERDELL CEO on ski touring poles
Thomas Roiser is CEO of KOMPERDELL and brings personal mountain experience to the development of new products. He grew up skiing and ski touring with his family. In his interview for the BACKLINE 2022 test magazine, he explains the company’s development priorities for ski touring poles.
Roiser focuses on secure locking mechanisms that can be operated with gloves, extended grip zones for traverses and steep sections, and low weight without compromising stability, functionality or ergonomics. The new touring grip is intended to make adjusting common climbing aids easier. He describes the ice-slope basket as a safety benefit on steep, icy slopes. In his view, new products must deliver tangible added value for users; he leaves specific material developments over the next ten years open.
According to Roiser, ski touring pole sales more than quadrupled from 2020 to 2022. He attributes this to the broad range, features and value for money. KOMPERDELL manufactures in Mondsee; he credits local production and longstanding partner relationships for the company being unaffected by supply shortages at the time of the interview. Roiser sees no differences in technical requirements between men and women. For young people, however, he identifies a need for development and points to the junior touring pole first offered in 2022.
What priorities is Komperdell currently setting in the development of new ski touring poles and why?
We pay extreme attention to ensuring that all our touring poles truly have the features a touring pole needs. A touring pole simply requires an extremely secure locking mechanism that can be operated easily and comfortably, even with gloves. Komperdell considers an extended grip zone important because, in traverses and short, steep sections, you often need to grip the pole shorter. Our new touring grip also allows for easy adjustment of most common climbing aids. Weight is another core topic for us – provided the necessary stability, functionality, and ergonomics are met. Furthermore, the ice flank basket significantly enhances safety, especially on steep, icy slopes and flanks.
What growth has Komperdell achieved in the ski touring pole sector in recent years, and what is it attributable to?
Ski touring has certainly been the most gratifying segment in our winter program in recent years. In 2020, 2021, and 2022, our sales in this segment more than quadrupled. This is due to a variety of reasons. Our program is one of the most comprehensive, covering all segments of ski touring, and the poles feature all sensible functionalities. We continue to manufacture in Mondsee and adhere to the strictest environmental regulations, yet we are still able to offer our products at a very good price-performance ratio.
Is Komperdell affected by material supply bottlenecks, and if so, what are the consequences?
Fortunately, the supply bottlenecks that one hears so much about have not affected us at all. This is certainly also due to the fact that, for ethical and economic reasons, we produce locally and, as a family-run company, can look back on established and good relationships with long-term partners.
What will a ski touring pole look like in 10 years?
Honestly, today I cannot yet say exactly what will happen in the raw material and material sector in the coming years. A new product only makes sense if it offers added value to the user. Although hard to imagine, I am sure that in 10 years, even Komperdell poles will be better than today's.
Is a differentiation towards gender-specific models expected in the field of ski touring poles?
Not with technical features, I see no differing requirements between men and women there. For young people, it looks quite different. Something needs to be done, and this year we have introduced a junior pole into our program for the first time. I definitely see the segment of young people growing in ski touring and believe that, from an equipment perspective – be it poles, skis, or boots – more could and should be done for young people.
