One of Proskiguy's favorite ski poles of all time is now available at a big discount.  The A12 is unusual among composite poles with the additional Texalium aluminum weave in the carbon, resin matrix.  Texalium makes the pole more resistant to edge cutting in the lower shaft area, and therfor makes the pole more durable.  Texalium also makes the pole stiffer, so it doesn't have the whippy feel that many composite poles have.