4KAAD - THE FUTURE OF POLES 

Enjoy Winter is a proud importer of 4KAAD poles, bags and accessories to complement our wide range of nordic skiing brands. There are a few things that we look for when we consider which products to import into our Enjoy Winter brand family. 

We look for AUTHENTICITY. 

We look for QUALITY. 

We look for INNOVATION. 

We look for THE FUTURE. 

4KAAD checks all of those boxes. Despite being a new sports brand (founded in 2017), 4KAAD thrives on innovation and creativity inspired by the rugged, yet pristine landscapes of Scandinavia. They support hundreds of athletes worldwide, in nordic skiing and beyond. Since we are primarily skiers here at Enjoy Winter, we will focus on how 4KAAD is working to create the best products for rollerskiing and nordic skiing, but we would be remiss not to mention that they also have a wide range of products for cycling, in addition to eyewear and apparel. 

From all the pole brands to choose from, what sets 4KAAD apart? Does it even matter which poles you choose to buy? We think it does, but, as always, our goal is always to give you the best information so you can make an informed decision about what is right for you! We may be a bit biased, but here are a few reasons we are excited to have 4KAAD on our shelves and as the pole of choice for our Factory Team and sponsored athletes.  

Manufacturing and Technological Innovation 

4KAAD designs and manufactures all of their own products, which gives them control over the quality of their product from the moment the idea is conceived, to the moment the poles are headed to your doorstep or local dealer. 4KAAD owns the factory for their poles and textiles which allows them to have access to the best technology and develop cutting-edge products. The result? Authentic, high-quality cross-country ski equipment with bold modern designs. 

Andy Gerlach and 4KAAD founder Andreas Bennert at the Enjoy Winter warehouse in Middleton, WI.

An Everyday Pole. For Every Person. 

4KAAD is committed to making their poles as hassle free and comfortable as possible. This includes innovative features such as the CHANGE_IT Basket system. Never again will you need glue and a heat gun and lots of yanking and swearing for a simple basket change. Simply unscrew the basket and pop it off and you’re done! It is now exceptionally easy to change your baskets to match the snow conditions, or to switch to rollerski ferrules in the summer. 

Complementing the CHANGE_IT Baskets are the new CLICK_IT Quick release pole straps. This new system allows you to take your poles on and off without taking off your straps; perfect for grabbing a mid-ski snack, or doing anything else that poles just get in the way of. The system also offers a better swing feel in the pole, and the AV SKIN Strap offers a perfect fit on your hand for better power transmission and comfort. No more blisters, no more uncomfortable straps digging into your wrists, even without gloves. 

All 4KAAD products are designed for those who “live and breathe sport”, at whatever level and in any capacity, so you can put all your focus into skiing,  just as it should be. 

High Quality and Durable Carbon

4KAAD uses the highest quality premium carbon to manufacture their top racing poles: Blackcode X. To reinforce the strength of the design, all 4KAAD poles have an exclusive FLEX Paint finish, which protects the carbon shaft against scratches and damage. 4KAAD makes a pole for everyone, from juniors to the highest level world cup skiers. It doesn’t matter who is using 4KAAD gear, it is designed to offer unparalleled performance in every condition, prioritizing lightness, stability, and responsiveness. 

Bold Nordic Designs

High performance does not mean neglecting eye popping and aesthetic design. At 4KAAD, Scandinavian minimalism combined with bright colors embodies the simplicity, dynamic energy, and boldness of the Nordic communities and landscapes. 

We are excited to join 4KAAD in announcing their newest carbon racing pole: The flagship Blackcode X HOLOGRAM. This pole is innovation itself; the superlight carbon shaft has less than 50g/m weight. Despite its lightness, the shaft is the strongest that the company’s engineers have ever developed and it is tested and proven in competition by the best athletes in the world. The pole has been described as “art.” You don’t have to take their word for it, you can see for yourself.  

Sustainability

4KAAD understands that winter is not what it used to be and that everyone who loves skiing has a role to play in protecting our winters. That is why they have made a commitment to sustainable manufacturing, namely using recycled materials as much as possible. Even the highest level racing pole is made using recycled PET bottles. Sustainability is a core value for 4KAAD, and each production facility is committed to reducing carbon emissions, energy consumption, and minimizing packaging wherever possible. As winters have become less predictable, which we have felt more and more each winter in the Midwest and around the US, we feel strongly about partnering with brands that share our values around sustainability and environmental stewardship. 

Shared Values

4KAAD’s mission is to “envision a world where authenticity meets innovation, and creativity fuels every athlete's journey. Our vision is to inspire athletes of all levels to push boundaries, break records, and surpass their own limitations. We are not just a brand; we are a movement, empowering individuals to unleash their full potential.” 

We believe in the mantra that your equipment should support you in reaching your goals, and that you shouldn’t waste your time fiddling with stuck baskets, uncomfortable straps, or spending $$ to replace broken poles. We also believe that while your equipment should be functional, it should also be bold, fun and exciting. EnjoyWinter loves its bold colors almost as much as we love the bold athletes that we have the privilege of meeting and supporting each day.  

The headquarters of the 4KAAD brand is located in Helsinki, Finland, but their reach is global. We are inspired by 4KAAD’s commitment to supporting athletes at all levels through their sponsorship program, and we are excited to do our part here in the US to get high quality poles to as many skiers as we can. 

Join the 4KAAD Family at EnjoyWinter.com