Pole vault poles range from 10 ft (3.05 m) to 17 ft 1 in (5.20 m) in 6-inch increments. Beginners use 11-12 ft poles; HS varsity vaulters use 13-14 ft; college vaulters use 15-16 ft; elite vaulters use 16-17 ft. Pole length is selected based on the vaulter's grip height: top hand grips 6-18 inches from the top of the pole.
Poles are sold in 6-inch length increments: 11', 11'6", 12', 12'6", 13', etc. up to 17'1". Each pole has a 12-inch grip range (top hand 6 to 18 inches from the top), so a 14 ft pole's grip range spans 12'6" to 13'6".
Grip height should land in the lower half of a pole's grip range at the start of a season. As you grip up, move to longer poles. Holding at the top of a pole's grip range means you have outgrown it.
Beginners: 11-12 ft. Developing HS: 12-13 ft. Varsity HS: 13-14 ft. State-class HS: 14-15 ft. College: 15-16 ft. Elite men: 16-17 ft. Elite women: 14-16 ft.
Pole length tracks your grip height. Use the pole vault grip height calculator to estimate your starting range from your 100m PR and skill level, then pick the matching pole length.
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