Trekking Poles and Forefoot Strike

use the straps correctly and all will be well.

the straps are an integral part of the handles and not using them limits the poles' usefulness.

also, gripping the handles/ not using the straps properly puts different strains on elbows and wrists. gripping is not good in the long run – as many manual workers will attest.

Some folk lengthen their poles a little on long steep downhill sections to give more reach. I never bother.

I used some Lekis with ergo handles (15° forward bend) for years, and found them fine, but now use BD trails, and find them no different in use.
It's like driving a different car- after a little while you get used to the feel oif the new drive.

dunno about your footstrike,

I am not a trekking pole advocate, so no comments on them.

However walking and running are too different activities. Most people do not naturally walk with a fore foot strike. I do walk more on my fore feet than most people, but it is not intentional. Mostly on uphills and even some down hills (depending on terrain and the weight of my pack). And I would never have known this if a couple of hiking partners had not pointed it out.

Barefoot running will "force" you to start running with a fore foot strike; it is subconscious. However it would probably take a lot of practice and concentrated training to hike with a fore foot strike, and I am not sure it would be beneficial or it might even be detrimental.

I use trekking poles extensively because of bad joints.

I have suffered from hand thumb injuries when I used to not use the straps that much and instead gripped the poles.

I no longer grip the poles as much, putting the weight on the straps and no longer have that problem.

Can anyone point me to a good picture/article/video of how to correctly use straps?

http://www.helinox.com.au/pages/how-to-use-trekking-poles.asp

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

page 2 has info you want, though the whole article is a useful overview

With due respect to the others, some of us find no use for the straps at all. I never use straps. My LT4 poles don't have them. I have never experienced hand strain of any sort. I could see using them with heavier poles possibly. I know other people seem to really like the straps though. I think its probably personal.

I think running with a forefoot strike is a natural response to running with unpadded or lightly padded shoes. I think doing this has really strengthened my ankles and lower leg. I don't think its generally natural to strike with the forefoot while walking. I do tend to forefoot strike, however, on downhills and uneven terrain. I think my foot feels more stable that way.

Personally, I'm not a fan of the angled handles. It's probably because I'm used to using straight handled poles, and when I tried out a pair of "ergonomic" angled poles (BD Trail Ergo Cork) the poles were always angled back too far, causing skids and skips and making it harder for me to to keep my rhythm.

That said, the handle isn't all that important. Most of the work should be done with the straps. Unless I'm descending, I've usually got a very loose grip on the handle.

What's the advantage to not having straps? Shaving weight?

I can see how an angled grip would cause a bad placement on level ground when you are trying to get the pole to land near your foot and it strikes behind you instead.

I recently bought a pair of BD Alpine Carbon Cork poles, but not for their weight. I realize they are beefy for carbon poles, and apparently weigh the same as BD Ergo Cork poles. They seemed like a sturdy first set of poles and they were on sale. So anyway, I'm wanting to absorb some ideas on technique so I can use these properly on my next trip.

On the side – Any reason I should return the BD Alpine's for another pole?

I tested out a pair of my friend's BD Alpines this weekend and they seemed pretty nice to me. I would keep 'em.

With regard the reason for no straps, I would just say I don't carry something I don't use. I don't care how little weight it adds.

For some of us, straps are required.
Anybody who puts a lot of weight on their poles will have repetitive stress problems if they don't use the straps.

But most people don't use their poles that way.
If you don't bear down on your poles, strapless shouldn't be an issue.

it's whatever suits,

But, not using the straps, logically, limits the possibilities of the ways you could use your poles as they add another degree of movement and a more flexible range of ways of connecting with the poles. If you never have used the straps long term (as they are meant) – until it becomes second nature like walking, you will never know what you are missing… and I can't really convince anyone – once you really experience the difference it is self evident.

e.g.s

I could never imagine having the patience of having to put down a pole or hold it in the other hand/under your arm every single time I need to use that hand briefly for something else. (which you have to do without the strap). If the terrain allows I can use my compass/map/camera/phone, wipe my nose, adjust clothing/pack etc and use both hands for simple scrambles – all without losing the poles off my wrists – a quick flick of the wrist and they are back in the hand and carry on…

try falling really hard forward down hill trying to break your fall with the poles out in front so the tips dig in whilst just gripping the handles strapless – wrists won't bend like that and keep a solid grip without bending your elbows – – with straps you don't need to – being at a big angle to the grips, they catch your hands and brake your fall with straight arms…

can't do certain kinds of useful sideways fending pushes off rocks using just the straps n no grips – your wrist won't twist like that whilst still holding the grip (I've tried )

The website for Vivobarefoot shoes has videos of a walking method that uses the forefoot strike. If memory serves, the natural gait of the human physiology consists of smaller steps. So, take smaller steps to be easiest on your knees during hiking. makes logical and scientific sense to me.

Just a comment: I "used" the straps with trekking poles for years, and read how to use them correctly, but in hindsight, I was not using them optimally. It was not until I spent a season cross country skiing, where you really give it to the strap, did the light bulb go off and I really became "one with the strap".

ChiWalking and ChiRunning are both mid/forefoot strike styles. Sounds like you already do ChiRunning with minimalist shoes. When you walk barefoot you tend not to strike with your heels as much, just as with barefoot running. A little less pronounced but similar. Lots of info out there. Good luck

than on your pack.

with straps you don't have to grip the poles as hard. thusly, when you are tired, it's a better way to go.
only the four fingers go thru the strap, not the thumb … this is a safety issue. it makes is vastly easier to disconnect when a pole gets jammed and you keep going.
i prefer the angled grips, and the more angle, the better.
once you get to pacer poles, the strap inverts and works differently, and you don't have to grip hardly At All.
peter will be bringing his carbon pacer poles to the GGG, for if anybody wants to play with them.

cheers,
v.

That's a new one to me ! any pictures?

Yeah I was just now trying that and it didn't seem to work. Got a picture?

edit – it posted twice.

Never heard of ChiWalking/Running. I looked it up and it seems to be the same idea as the video I posted from the Natural Running Center – http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=zSIDRHUWlVo

Now that I've learned the benefits of a forefoot strike while running, I've adapted my walking gait by putting most of my weight on my midfoot instead of my heel. My heel still strikes the ground first, but it lightly rolls my foot forward to have full contact with the ground, and then I put my weight on my midfoot. Not sure if there's any benefit there, but I like it. I have yet to adapt it to hiking.

This is why I think there's a good correlation between walking/hiking form and correct use of poles with straps. Both forms, used correctly, should (in theory) help someone like me who is young but has a propensity to get inflammation in my knees if I'm not careful.

Pete's Pole Page – http://www.personal.dundee.ac.uk/~pjclinch/poles.htm – has some invaluable advice on strengthening your knee muscles to avoid injury on the bottom of page 1. I overlooked this on my last hike and didn't do any training. So I think the trifecta that I need to adhere to is 1) strengthen my knees (and arms), 2) use my poles/straps correctly, and 3) don't hike downhill with a heavy heel.