Trekking pole straps

If you're using them properly, the straps make it so you don't actually have to grip the trekking poles. There should be a million different descriptions on how to use the straps available online if you do a search. I can't imagine cutting the straps off my trekking poles. You'd be making it so you'd actually have to grip them for hours at a time. That doesn't sound fun to me, regardless of weight.

I imagine you'll get plenty of differing views on this. I hated the straps on my trekking poles, and bought poles without them. No straps is my preference. But then again, I generally don't use them when on flat/fairly flat ground, only on ascents and descents, so I'm not 'gripping' them constantly while hiking.

straps give you leverage if used properly. bring your hand UP through the strap and then grip the pole. tighten straps for additional leverage.

straps also help if you happen to drop one on a slope or off a rocky cliff.

I use the straps up, down or flat. The load from my arm motion is transfered to the pole via the strap. The handle is just cupped in my open hand usually. Try both ways until you have enough experience to determine which you like best.

+1 to using the straps. The straps take all the weight on the bottom of the wrists, rather than having to grip with the hands. This reduces effort and prevents long term repetitive stress injuries.

<– definitely a strap user- regardless of terrain

I find it much more comfortable, you have to have the straps orientated correctly or they serve little purpose

+1 on No straps. I took mine off and here's why. When I'm going down hill I sometimes have trouble instantly stopping my forward momendum. If my pole finds a snag and is stuck I will continue forward and break/bent the pole. Even this weekend I was able to simple 'let go' of the pole when I felt pressure on it as I was going down a steep trail. I can't risk breaking a pole, because I need them for my tent.

I do agree that proper use with straps does make poles more efficeint.

also keep you from dropping yr pool … and make a point to clip into a gear look if you have a harness on and need the poles out of the way for a minute

http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles2.htm

Franco's link is excellent. I'm not really grasping the handles hard unless I am really pulling myself up a big step and I'm probably wrong there. This sort of strap technique is standard when cross country skiing, where there is a large range of motion. You put a lot more stress on your arms with your muscles locked in a tight grip.

I do take my hands out of the straps on tricky downhill stuff– I want to get clear of them if I fall— that is fairly rare.