Who actually uses trekking pole wrist straps???

[Sarcasm the elf]

Personally I find the straps to be absolutely essential. I use them differently than most people as I leave them fairly loose, put my whole hand through and rest the strap on my wrist just behind the joint. From here I barely hold the poles themselves and let all weight get transferred from the strap to my forearm. It works great for me and there is zero chance of my thumb getting caught up in the strap the way some others complain about.

[jefals]

The wrong way (good demo at 2:00) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IszfjOC6KLI

The right way --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOQFPL2lpMY

Hey, this is "kinda" great! I never knew I could adjust my straps!
However....
These two vids are contradictory, when describing how to put your hand thru the strap.
If you want to spend the time, compare video 1, about 1:59 into it with video 2, about 1:14...
I've always used the method shown in video 1...

[lonehiker]

Hey, this is "kinda" great! I never knew I could adjust my straps!
However....
These two vids are contradictory, when describing how to put your hand thru the strap.
If you want to spend the time, compare video 1, about 1:59 into it with video 2, about 1:14...
I've always used the method shown in video 1...

Video one is incorrect.

[Sarcasm the elf]

The wrong way (good demo at 2:00) -- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IszfjOC6KLI

The right way --- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HOQFPL2lpMY

The video you claim as the "right" way is the one of the methods that results in people to spraining or dislocating their thumbs when they fall. I'd never recommend it.

[jefals]

Hey, this is "kinda" great! I never knew I could adjust my straps!
However....
These two vids are contradictory, when describing how to put your hand thru the strap.
If you want to spend the time, compare video 1, about 1:59 into it with video 2, about 1:14...
I've always used the method shown in video 1...

Video one is incorrect.

Ok. But how do I know you're right about that? ?

[Sarcasm the elf]

Ok. But how do I know you're right about that? ?

Because it's the internet, therefore everyone's correct.

[tdoczi]

Most people I have observed use the straps incorrectly so they would probably be best suited to simply not use them. If used properly I doubt that the straps have contributed to many wrist injuries. Improper usage may be a different story.

yup. ive gotten the polls snagged and/or fallen over while using them with straps countless times. never came anywhere near hurting my wrist. now whacking myself or others with a flailing poll... but not using the straps isnt going to really stop that.

just let go of the grip and you have a very loose and flexible thing dangling from your wrist. dont really see the potential for much injury.

[tdoczi]

Video one is incorrect.

i actually find it sort of odd that someone is instructing someone to use the straps that way on a video that looks so "correct" and official.

definitely the wrong way.

[tdoczi]

The video you claim as the "right" way is the one of the methods that results in people to spraining or dislocating their thumbs when they fall. I'd never recommend it.

i fall all the time. comically. never hurt my wrists or hands at all. frankly dont see how its possible unless the straps are too tight

[Sarcasm the elf]

i fall all the time. comically. never hurt my wrists or hands at all. frankly dont see how its possible unless the straps are too tight

People do end up injuring themselves like this, I think your last comment explains it well.

[TexasBob]

The video you claim as the "right" way is the one of the methods that results in people to spraining or dislocating their thumbs when they fall. I'd never recommend it.

Go to 2:40 on this video and he demonstrates why this method is safer ----- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sEb...zn806&index=40
When you let go of the handle the pole falls away from your hand instead of trapping your hand.

Hey, this is "kinda" great! I never knew I could adjust my straps!
However....
These two vids are contradictory, when describing how to put your hand thru the strap.
If you want to spend the time, compare video 1, about 1:59 into it with video 2, about 1:14...
I've always used the method shown in video 1...

Here is a video from Leki, they should know ---- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaILfy0MsEI

[BuckeyeBill]

U use a set of LEKI Corklite Poles with straps. I have used a walking staff in the past, but found myself switching hands too many times. Here is what LEKI says about adjustment and strap use.

[BuckeyeBill]

U=I sorry..........

[tdoczi]

People do end up injuring themselves like this, I think your last comment explains it well.

so the options are straps that are dangerously too tight or removing them?

[tdoczi]

When you let go of the handle the pole falls away from your hand instead of trapping your hand.

exactly. i cant imagine how tight you have to make the strap for this to not happen

[Sarcasm the elf]

so the options are straps that are dangerously too tight or removing them?

Those are your words not mine and I think we both know that statement is silly.

I was responding to someone who posted two videos and claimed one was the right way and one was the wrong way.

The video they claimed to be the wrong way is the one that is less likely to result in injury, but if done incorrectly is inefficient.

The video they claimed to be the right way is efficient, but if done incorrectly is more likely to result in injury.

Both methods can be employed safely and effectively.

[Odd Man Out]

When I got my first poles, my plan was to not use the straps. On that hike I hiked the first day without then. The second day I thought I would try them. Decoded I liked that much better

[tdoczi]

Those are your words not mine and I think we both know that statement is silly.

I was responding to someone who posted two videos and claimed one was the right way and one was the wrong way.

The video they claimed to be the wrong way is the one that is less likely to result in injury, but if done incorrectly is inefficient.

The video they claimed to be the right way is efficient, but if done incorrectly is more likely to result in injury.

Both methods can be employed safely and effectively.

i guess i dont see the point in a method that is not efficient but safer when it is so clearly easy to do the most efficient approach safely.

so why do you do it the less efficient way? you dont trust yourself to not make the straps too tight?

[cmoulder]

I don't use wrist straps for 3 season...

I'm in good company.

[Sarcasm the elf]

i guess i dont see the point in a method that is not efficient but safer when it is so clearly easy to do the most efficient approach safely.

so why do you do it the less efficient way? you dont trust yourself to not make the straps too tight?

Because I find the way I use them (as described in an earlier post) perfectly efficient and more comfortable.
Plus I recently discovered that it inexplicably seems to annoy snarky people from New Jersey, which I'm finding to be an added benefit.