stry wrote: If the straps are used correctly, the load is through the wrist or the heel of your hand.
Do you mean like this?
This is how I use the straps on my poles. I've found it easier on my hands.
1. Slip the hand upwards through the strap loop
2. rest the web between the thumb and the first finger on the strap
3. Tighten the strap if necessary, and grip the pole.
I've found that by doing it like this, the downwards pressure is exerted by the meaty part of the hand, and the wrist, rather than relying on the hand's grip.
My pole has a cork grip handle, but I've been used a pole with a full foam handle. For some reason, I don't seem to like holding the cork part as much. The last pic shows how I wrap the cork grip with some McNett Camo Form (
https://www.mcnett.com/tactical/camoform). This stuff is reusable self adhesive dressing tape that sticks to itself. The McNett version is meant for use on guns and equipment, but I think it's the same stuff as 3M Coban Self Adherent Wrap
http://www.shop3m.com/3m-coban-self-adh ... m-tan.html. I could only find the 3M stuff in Red or Yellow or white, so went with the camo version. A black version woule be nice and inconspicuous.
I've found that using a small length of wrap over the cork part of my pole works for me. It absorbs the sweat, and feels nicer than the cork when my hands are wet. If it gets too grotty I can unwrap and wash it. The last picture shows what the wrap looks like over the cork part of the handle.
If it's chilly and I'm scrambling up rocks, I have great pair of Hatch SWG6 Gloves that I picked up from Platypus Outdoors in town a few years ago. They're a neoprene backed, oiled leather palmed glove that I've used down to about 5°C with no problems and I've used them wet as well. I used them walking in Norway and Iceland last year with the poles, and had them on when I gave ice wall climbing a go.
