Trekking poles - Appalachian Trail

imported
#1 
									FWIW...I use them and swear by them.

A point not covered above…the straps for each hand are important, since they let you use a strap in place of a clenched hand as the “tendon” that connects arm to pole. With the strap adjusted correctly, your hand only guides the pole.

My poles have often prevented a fall going downhill (where I might put my hand outside the strap) and only once caused a fall.

Poles are enormously useful when crossing a stream on a log, or helpful if stone walking.

									_Mike_
#2 
									Some folks swear by wrist straps for trekking poles while others swear at them. The big downside with using straps is that it's difficult to release the pole away from your body in advance of a sudden slip or fall, which increases the risk of bodily injury and often means a failed / bent / broken pole as well.

Straps are merely another choice out there, and plenty of folks have hiked thousands of miles successfully without them.

									_hoch_
#3 
									MY wife, Rocky, and I have totally differing opinions on this.  She can't stand the straps on her wrists, and will not use them.

I think they are great. Wouldn’t be without them. You can use your hands on rock scrambles with the poles dangling from your wrists. You can get a bit more drive going uphill with the straps snug.

Also you can do other thing while walking with the poles dangling from your wrists: read a map, eat a candy bar, pick your nose, swat bugs, etc.

Goes to show you: HYOH

									_swamp fox_
#4 
									straps great if used prop. just putting them around the wrist is not the way please get your outfitter or someone that knows how to use them to show you as improper use can result in a broken wrist in a fll

									_hongkong_