>>”I don’t understand how this system with the strap attached to the bottom of the trekking pole grip works. It seems counter-intuitive to me since when a trekking pole is properly used the strap should go over your wrist and that would put your hand on the shaft of the pole and not on the grip. I recognize one doesn’t actually “grip” the grip in the first place, but rather use the grip as a guide… but I guess I am saying I don’t see how to use that setup. :)”
I’m not sure what strap arrangement you are describing. i think you are describing the strap arrangment used by UL-weight CF poles, like on the GG LightTrek and BPL Stix poles. Someone (BPL???) has dubbed it the Riemenliechter.
If this is the method that you are referring to, the purpose is to function as non-load bearing keeper straps so that you don’t accidentally drop one, as well as to facilitate conveniently letting go of one, or both, to scramble (if the poles don’t need to be stowed), drink from a bottle, fetch an energy bar from a hip-belt pocket, or some other need of the moment.
To those who have never tried not using wrist straps, and who don’t have some physical or medical reason for having to use wrist straps, if using UL CF poles, one is very likely to find that load bearing wrist straps are not necessary. There is a very big difference between standard Al poles of several years ago and UL CF poles.
When using UL CF poles without load bearing wrist straps, many people have found no forearm or grip fatigue and no wrist related pain or numbness – again if one has a physical or medical issue in any or all of these areas, perhaps load bearing wrist straps are a necessity.
UL CF poles allow the grip to relax on the forward arm swing since the poles are so light that no noticeable exertion is required to keep the poles in the hands even though the grip is greatly relaxed at this point in their use. The grip is only tightened momentarily when pushing off. This provides a large rest period for the areas of the body involved with gripping.
This subject has come up in years past on these Forums. The above is not only my personal experience, but also other respondents similar experience.
Of course, it may not be for everyone. As with so many things, there is often no right nor wrong – just a personal preference.
Lastly, there are some LW CF poles that use load bearing wrist straps. LL TrailStiks and TrailStik3 poles. The wrist straps are load bearing, but unless a special request is made at the time of purchase for longer wrist straps, a standard length wrist strap is used (it can be swapped out for a longer one by the user). I have the standard length on the original pair of TrailStiks, but asked for longer ones on the newer TrailStik3. The standard, shorter straps are used merely by placing the hand through the strap opening and gripping the strap and pole. The longer one i asked for allow strap use in a manner identical to more main stream non-UL poles (i believe this is the similar to how you described your strap use on your homemade poles). I have used both vintages of TrailStiks. Wonderful poles. Highly recommend them, particularly the newer 3-section version. The unequal section lengths are designed so that shelters of different heights may be pitched using these poles. They are also very stiff. The really neat part is that the straps use a Prussik knot (very familiar to climbers and cavers) which allows adjustment over the entire length of the pole in LITERALLY under two seconds. Very nice when tranversing rough, uneven terrain that requires near continuous stepping up and down.
To complete the picture, Nordic Walking poles (and at least one no longer manufactured, if i’m not mistaken, Leki trekking pole) use an entirely differenct wrist strap mechanism. A velcro adjusted slightly padded wrist strap is secured around the wrist and is then connected to the poles by webbing. Using these, none of the wrist strap need be placed within one’s grip. The wrist is basically suspended, so to speak from the pole when the hand is placed through the wrist strap loop and then is secured by tightening the velcro’d adjustment. Some of these straps (on Leki Nordic Walking poles at least) have a quick release mechanism which allows the strap to slide out from the pole’s handle and still be securely attached to the wrist. This is nice because otherwise it takes a few seconds to undo the velcro, lenghten the wrist strap loop, and then using both hands slide the wrist strap loop off of the wrist.
Ok. This post is too long already. Hope this info helps.
