Choose a pole vault pole by three properties: (1) NFHS-legal weight rating at or above your body weight in uniform and spikes (Rule 7-5); (2) length matching your grip height, with your top hand 6-18 inches from the top; (3) flex appropriate to your skill level. Beginners use poles at the legal floor; developing vaulters use 5-15 lb over body weight; elite vaulters use 15-30 lb over.
Rule 7-5: the manufacturer's weight rating must be at or above your body weight in uniform and spikes. The rating is stamped at the top of the grip range in contrasting color, at least 3/4 inch tall. Add ~2 lb to your scale weight to account for uniform and spikes.
Each pole has a 12-inch grip range, top hand 6-18 inches from the top. So a 13' pole's grip range is 11'6"-12'6". Pick a pole whose grip range covers your current grip height with room to grip up.
Beginners: at legal floor. Developing: +5 to +15 lb over body weight. Advanced: +15 to +30 lb over. Flex is a fine-tune within the rating (lower flex number = stiffer pole).
The pole vault pole weight calculator returns the NFHS-legal floor plus the recommended rating range for your skill level. Pair with the grip height calculator to find the matching pole length.
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