The Question To End All Questions: Tornado Plus Versus Tornado Light?
, by Douglas Reid, 16 min reading time
The Tornado series of products is built for those seeking their finest performances. The Tornado Plus is our flagship pole because durability is king, however, we now have a Tornado that is competitive in weight and stiffness that is competitive with any other pole on the market. Our results prove this.
For many years the Tornado Plus pole was the sole flagship of the KV+ lineup because it has tremendous balance between the holy trinity of qualities of ski poles: weight, stiffness and durability.
KV+ was founded on creating the highest quality products, and it soon become apparent to KV+ engineers that poles can be made increasingly lighter and stiffer, but at what cost? Early on KV+ made the decision that pole durability would be a defining quality so that its World Cup athletes actually had poles that could withstand the rigors of racing at that level, which includes massive forces as well as accidental strikes and collisions.
However, despite this fact, KV+ had increasing requests to make a pole that was lighter and stiffer despite the reduced durability and they agreed, billing the new pole the Tornado Light and describing it as its individual start pole.
The primary difference between the KV+ Tornado Plus and other models like the Tornado Light comes down to lower-shaft reinforcement and proportional stiffness levels.
While both models are elite-tier, 100% High-Modulus (HM) carbon racing poles designed for World Cup athletes, they serve slightly different mechanical purposes depending on a skier's priorities.
Understanding the Structural Layout Differences
1. The "Plus" Factor: Python Twist Tech (PTT)
The defining feature of the KV+ Tornado Plus is a specialized structural wrap covering the bottom third of the carbon shaft. This localized band provides major functional advantages:
- Shock & Fracture Resistance: Mass-start Nordic ski races are notoriously crowded. The PTT layer protects the underlying carbon fibers if another competitor steps on or whacks your pole with their gear.
- Long-Length Stiffness Consistency: Standard carbon poles tend to flex more as they get longer. The Plus reinforcement ensures that longer configurations (e.g., 165cm–185cm) maintain the exact same rigid profile as shorter models.
2. The "Light" Factor: Optimized Swing Weight
The KV+ Tornado Light sheds the specialized localized bottom reinforcement. By omitting that extra carbon wrap layer, the engineers achieve a profile with distinctive handling benefits:
- Effortless Return Stroke: Stripping weight away from the lower half of the pole drastically minimizes resistance as your arm swings forward after a push.
- Reduced Fatigue: A lighter weight model saves critical energy over the course of long-distance skate or classic endurance marathons.
Choose wisely... Or choose both, our athletes do!
Most of our pro level skiers choose to ski on the Plus as their daily pole and for demanding mass start racing, while preferring to use the Light for individual start races when the chance of an accidental fracture is reduced.