Now I understand the lightweight pole concept …

Paul,

As a long time cross country ski racer and Patroller I can attest that your pole straps can be very helpful…if used properly.

The tricks are:

1. HAND PLACEMENT > Pull the strap loop out horizontally and put your ENTIRE hand UP through the loop. Then spread your thumb and forefinger so the strap makes an upside-down "V" (^) between them.

2. STRAP LENGTH > tighten the straps so you don't have too long a loop but not so tight it will pinch the web of your thumb on the handle.

3. *** USAGE > This is THE reason for using pole straps (not to keep 'em from falling off). When walking, esp. up or downhill, push on the pole STRAP while gripping the handle lightly. This use of the strap to push on relaxes your forearm muscles much more than gripping the pole handle. But, if you need to quickly grip the pole handle for balance it's always right there in your hand.

For XC skiing the straps must be snug but for hiking somewhat looser is better. Hope this helps you as much as it did me when I first learned it.

Eric

find it less efficient than without the strap just for the technique I was using this morning. I normally DO use the strap. Thanks. Expertise like yours is why I am here.

When I posted a similar pic to this one, someone on a different forum called my version " Nordic style", saying that it is the way cross country skiers do it . (unlike many walkers, x country skiers don't take their poles for a walk but they use them for propulsion)
The funny thing is that I never used a pair of skis but I grew up watching three of my cousins competing for Italy, two of them in the Olympic squad. Still, till that comment, I did not realize that I copied something I saw many years ago.
Franco

any of these lightweight collapsible poles is to be trusted with my 216 pounds while sidehilling pine needle carpeted hogbacks.

Hard to tell from the picture, but my poles are "non hi tech" but hard working Black Diamond . I am only 154 lbs but would not trust the very light CF types (no offence, they are light….)
Look at the twin double flick lock full size BD, thank me later…
BTW, folk rave on about the after sale service for their Leki, I wonder what that is ? Why does one need "after sale service" ?…..
Franco
I use (and replace) those rubber tips, don't like the sound of metal on stone.

Oh, I thought everyone would hold their poles like in Franco's pic. How else would you use the strap?? Then again, I grew up nordic skiing, AND I use my trekking poles more for propulsion that support. Anyone got a photo of an alternative grip?

CF poles are awesome!

Not around here…..
After I discovered that it wasn't just me using them like that, I remember discussing that in one of the largest shops here, not one of those guys ever used them like that, they all used and taught the "grip the handle" version.
Franco
Yes Allison, BD do sell a version with a CF section, but it isn't much lighter, however it should absorb vibration a bit better.

I wouldn't trust any twist lock pole to handle 216 lbs, but I'm over 250 and I can pogo on my black diamond trailbacks with out them budging. I've used them to quite literally haul my way up mountains before (had sprained my ankle that morning so i had one leg and arm power, it was the experience that finally made me buy poles).

Durinf my shrt foray into Adventure Racing, I can tell you that you CAN bushwhack to a fair degree with aluminum poles.

I've crossed thicket and briar using my poles as a crude machete with reasonable success. My poles look kind of crappy, and I'd never use my carbon poles this way.

FWIW, I put my hand through the top of the loop and set my wrist in the largest part of my nice comfy staps on the uphills, and then it's anything goes on the downs.

Robert,

Try doing the hand placement Franco & I recommend and try it for a few days, not just an hour. I think if you do give it a fair trial you'll find why most people use that method.

However, if you know you'll have to "machete whack" brush with your poles then your style of placement will work better B/C you can perhaps more quickly grip the pole in the "whacking" position.

Eric

.

i'll look 'em up.

and found this: Alpine CF Solo.
I'm not a two-stick guy – so far.
Anyhow, I have no need for a collapsible stick. I'm not going on an airplane. The back of my truck can handle uncollapsed sticks. And I sure ain't no alpinist who's gonna need both hands to scrabble up a face, with his collapsed sticks in his pack.
Anybody make a solid-as-a-rock one-piece lightweight staff? I've search the Web far and wide and come up with nada.
I checked out an aluminum one-piece staff at Alabama Outdoors. I was intrigued, then noticed one of 'em in the rack was bent 15 degrees – from in-store tryouts. My interest dissipated fast.
Anyhow, I'm going to get a heavy-duty fiberglass fishing and see if I can cobble up something. It'll be MUCH lighter than my poplar staff.
Many, many, many thanks for all the advice. I love this site, especially for the utter lack of snotty attitude towards a geezer greenhorn …

Make your own using a CF golf club shaft. I did and it weighs about 2.5 oz. Super strong too.

nm.

There is a huge difference (IMHO) between using one and two poles and this is what some 2x pole users don't get. One pole is mostly for balance, two is also for propulsion. The difference is that going uphill, you are not dragging them along, you use your arms to push the body up. On flat ground you get some extra speed, downhill are a knee saving brake.
Have a look at this review on the BD Trail :
http://www.backpackgeartest.org/reviews/Trekking%20Poles/Poles/Black%20Diamond%20Trail/Owner%20Review%20by%20Stephen%20Chase/
I embarrassed myself trying to adjust the strap on those… apart from that they are solid.
But whatever works for you is all that matters.

Franco