Trekking Pole Straps

[gravityman]

As a curiosity I did a Google search on ski injuries and found LOTS of references to straps causing thumb injuries/etc on falls. I don't see a whole lot of difference when compared to hikers.

Except skiiers are going 10's of miles an hour when they loose control.

Not too many hikers die from hitting a tree, but skiers do it all the time...

[ChinMusic]

Except skiiers are going 10's of miles an hour when they loose control.

Not too many hikers die from hitting a tree, but skiers do it all the time...

Point taken.

[wcgornto]

I hate them. I cut them off of my Lekis

[gearfreak]

I tend to only use the straps where an accidental spill might cause me to lose a pole down a steep slope that I'd rather not bushwhack in order to retreive it.

[buz]

I use them 100% of the time, and like others, wouldn't think of not using them. I believe they spread out the force used, and I can keep a very light grip to literally no grip on the poles, thus never getting hand/arm muscle issues. I think Leki shows on their website how to use/adjust them correctly, if interested. I use that way, and never had issues.

UYOPHUL (use your own poles how u like) lol.

[Time To Fly 97]

I use my Leki straps to give me different leverage depending on up or downhill hiking. I keep my straps loose so that if my hand is resting in the straps, only my pointer finger is actually on the handle (the rest of my hand is "levered" against the pole. I use this lowered grip for uphill or on terrain I could easily loose footing... because with the straps I can put my full weight on the poles if I need to catch myself of pull up a hill - this is more of a vertical assist. For straight level hiking when I need more of a horizontal push (fast hiking), I have my hands fully on the pole grips and not resting on the straps. For this, I position the poles further behind me instead of more in line with my feet (full strap/vertical method). When I need my hands for a more technical climb, and because the straps are loose, I can let the poles just hang on my wrists out of the way.

By using different hiking styles with different pole combinations, I can increase my distance and speed by using different muscle groups and maintaining better control.

Happy hiking!

TTF

[Summit]

I'm honestly amazed at how many people are not using the straps, cutting them off even! I would have never guessed such a high percentage of trekking pole users hate and don't take advantage of the load 'leveraging' that the straps were designed for.

[Frosty]

Ditto! If you've stopped using the straps you probably did not have them adjusted properly or were not using them correctly. You should, when adjusted correctly, be putting your weight on the strap - wrist-to-strap, right at or very close to the juncture with the pole hole. As gravityman says, you can literally open your hand grip away from the pole and still place your weight squarely on the pole. That's how you know you have them adjusted properly. If not using the straps, might as well use a pair of sticks. The 'magic' of trekking poles is in the straps!

That's how I use mine, also, just like cross country skiing.

If in a rock field or on steep downhills, I sometimes unstrap, but where I can stride, the straps are the way to go.

[ChinMusic]

That's how I use mine, also, just like cross country skiing.

If in a rock field or on steep downhills, I sometimes unstrap, but where I can stride, the straps are the way to go.

For steep downhills I always unstrap. I want to be able to get my hands on top of the pole. I will take the time to lengthen the pole if the downhill goes on for quite a spell. My Diamonds adjust VERY quickly. My Lekis are a PITA to get to catch sometimes. The Lekis like to just spin at times.

[gearfreak]

Proper use and adjustment.

[leeki pole]

For those of you that use poles, do you use the straps, sometimes use them, or let em hang?

I find that when the trail is smooth/easy that I use the straps but when the going gets tough I pull my hands out of the straps.

I don't like the idea of falling with my hands stuck in the straps. If I'm gonna fall I want to distance myself from the poles as well.

Comments?

Umm...don't fall.

[Old Grouse]

Trekking pole straps "save" people??? Come on. Poor analogy.

IMO the straps are an energy saver but in a fall are a danger.

As a curiosity I did a Google search on ski injuries and found LOTS of references to straps causing thumb injuries/etc on falls. I don't see a whole lot of difference when compared to hikers.

I'm like Delirious Nomad, in that I like to change my hand positions (exp on steep downs) and simply couldn't do that with straps. I forgot about that.

I would agree that it would be a poor analogy, but that wasn't the point I was attemptng to make. I was suggesting that for everyone that likes a piece of equipment, someone can come up with a counter-example. The question is, is there data on injuries caused by trekking pole straps as oppose to benefits from usin the straps? Probably not.

[adventurousmtnlvr]

Well I am a snow skier and while I have done both (used the straps and not used them); I can say from many falls (getting injured included and helicoptered out) that they do more good to still have the straps ON. Not fun going uphill to retrieve them when you slid 200 or 300 feet on ice or snow. Or having another skier run over them on their way down. And if you fall in what I call fluffy snow up to your neck ... not fun getting out without their help or using them to signal for help LOL. But for backpacking, can't say YET as I'm a hiker and backpacker in training I say do what works for YOU

[Summit]

Proper use and adjustment.

Last line of this article says "Once you use a pair of trekking poles, you may never go back." That would be me. But then some would say 'it's just marketing or that trekking pole users are gullible idiots ("snake oil salesman" veiled insult by Blue Jay) !'

[ChinMusic]

Umm...don't fall.

Always, always, Plan A.......