straps on trekking poles

[ekeverette]

quick question about the straps on my new hiking poles. would it be a good idea to cut these things off? seems like they would be aggravating after awhile.

[Monkeywrench]

Heck no! The straps on your trekking poles serve a purpose. Put your hand through from the bottom, like a ski pole. Then as you walk you only need to keep a light grip on the handle of your trekking pole, just enough to guide and control it. As you push off, simply lean into the strap with your wrist.

[moocow]

i had the same problem. i was ready to rip them off. they were rubbing the webbing between my thumb and fingers raw and causing blisters. i eventually had to put duct tape in the webbing. then i learned that i was just using the straps wrong. someone back me up on this, but apparently they should be tightened down just enough to let your fist through and then keep them holding your wrist the entire time. the idea being that the the pressure of leaning the wrists into straps is the thing thats suppose to support your weight when you use them. its not about gripping the handles as hard as you can and pushing down at all. once i got this in my head, tightened the straps, and practiced a little bit, the irritation on my hands went away.

[Drybones]

I'm asking myself the same question. I never use them so I dont know why I shouldn't cut them off.

[RWheeler]

If you use them right, they make trekking poles infinitely more useful. The straps will carry your weight, just make sure they're around your wrist!

[springerfever]

I had a pair of Leki's with the straps and used the straps till I nearly took a bad tumble with the basket lodging itself between a couple of rocks. Nearly jerked my arm off !! After that incident I just rested my hands over the straps and I actually preferred that method. Very easy to release the pole if it becomes caught. Ended up selling those poles and replacing them with REI Peak Ultralite (carbonfiber) and removed the straps altogether. I did a modification to the top of both poles so they can be used as a camera monopod and tarp supports.

[Elder]

Cutting off the straps is as smart as removing your shoestrings.
Good straps are part of good poles..used correctly.

[rocketsocks]

I prefer a staff but have poles as well,and I always use the straps.When you get them dialed in(adjusted proper)they are effortless to use and make bringing them forward a breeze,I don't stick my whole hand through,just the first four fingers no thumb.And yes duck tape in the web of thumb and fore finger helps until your web toughens up.

[springerfever]

Hyoh......

cutting off the straps is as smart as removing your shoestrings.
Good straps are part of good poles..used correctly.

[Sierra Echo]

Hyoh......

But you should always take the time to listen to good advice.

[bflorac]

1) Even use incorrectly, the strap keep the pole attached to you hand so when you fall, and sooner or later you will, the poles will be with you. And if you are lucky enough, prevent you from falling further.
2) You will find the straps will help relax your hands. The straps will cradle the bottom of your wrist so you can get pressure down even without gripping the cork.
3 When going down, if you have the strap set correctly, you can flip the poles with a flick of your wrist so the top of the pole is in the palm of your. This is ideal for keeping you from tumbling downhill or stepping down a series of rocks.

[peakbagger]

I understand the concept of using strap for poles but find that with the exception of some marginal improvement during steep uphill sections where i have to break my hiking pace and switch to a uphill gait, the rest of the time I see that the downside of using strap is far less than the upside. Straps are great for cross country skiing and considering that most poles are dual use, I guess thats why they include them. The downside for using straps is that if you do trip or stumble with the straps are on there is a good chance that the poles will get in the way and potentially cause a worse fall and more injury.

If I am on the flat and level or on a well switchbacked of sidehilled up hill, I find that the poles slow me down once I get into condition after a few days. At that point I just carry them. After awhile it becomes automatic. When I go down hill, I end up "palming" the poles where I am reaching down and placing the pole and running my palm up over the top of the shaft. When going uphill in steep bony stuff, the likelyhood of stumbling is always there and I really dont want a strap attaching the pole to my hand. I do feel the benefits of using poles on these steep uphills and on steep downhills make them worth carrying, but on many trips down south where the trails are a lot gentler with lots of sidehill and long switchbacks, I would on occasion stash the poles in the pack. Rarely will I ever leave poles home up in northern New England except when going out bushwhacking or doing corridor maintenance.

[moytoy]

aaaaaa exped grip 001.jpgaaaaaa exped grip 002.jpg
If your using them correctly I can't imagine why you would want to cut them off.

[Big Dawg]

agree w/ keeping straps and using properly, as described!

[ekeverette]

good illustration moytoy.... thankyou.

[Furlough]

Not sure what brand you have, but the link below will take you to a Leki site with some how to videos, one shows how to properly adjust the straps.

http://www.leki.com/trekking/videos.php

Furlough

[Wise Old Owl]

I did remove them - But pulled the pin so I could put them back. I just wasn't using them. I replaced them with a small loop of Zip Ties, so I still Carbiner the top to the pack... Then drilled one and glued a Aluminum bolt thru the top... Got a Mono Pod!

[Rocket Jones]

Or you can get Pacer Poles. They don't have a strap, just a small loop to hold them upright if you let one go. The grip is incredibly intuitive and comfortable.

[Bronk]

In 2002 a guy named Two Scoops fell off the trail near Clingman's Dome and dislocated his shoulder. He had to abandon his pack and walk into Newfound Gap and hitch a ride to a hospital. He claimed the reason he was hurt was that his hands were stuck in the straps of his poles and he wasn't able to catch himself or properly brace himself for the fall.

[Sandy of PA]

I found the straps abraided my wrists when wet, they got removed! And yes I watched the video, I was using them correctly.