[RumiDude]

[Tom]

Some people use poles to reduce hand swelling.

[boot up]

I think this thread answers the original question. Just look away from ineffectual technique and do not say a word. For some reason this is a very touchy point with a lot of people. After trying to give people hints and tips, I realized it was better to just keep quiet. Reducing swelling in hands works with or without straps. Death grip on the poles can mess up your hands in long term use, but doesn't matter if the poles are a decoration on your pack 90% of the time anyway, as they seem to be for most people. I mainly use the straps with the age old designated hands through and weight distributed on wrists and hands. I had to use sticks almost like crutches before I finally gave up and got my ankle fused. When going through rocky sections that can grab a tip and yank me around, I modify the strap grab so the sticks can pull away and sometimes I use the tops when going down really tough stuff. So really, the situation can influence the grip and some people rarely use their sticks and maybe the death grip works just fine for those situations anyway. Better just to move along and not try to school folks, unless you like confrontation.

[moonspots]

[Solohikerman]

I see people risking their lives out there and I ignore them, I certainly wouldn't bother telling people how to use poles properly. It's like telling people to leash their dog. People don't ever want to be told what to do. Even when they are breaking the law. If you feel that strongly about it, print out instructions and just hand them to people on the trails and keep hiking. Why bother spending time with them, or tell them to youtube it. If they don't want to spend the time learning it on their own, why would you waste your time? OR, even better idea. Why don't you make a youtube video about it, then you can say hey youtube my video just search for "xyz how to use trekking poles properly".

[HitTheTrail]

Maybe people don't want to ask because they are afraid of the reaction they will get. I was taking a break on a trail one time when another guy was coming down from where I was going. I said hello and causally ask him about directions to the best campsites. He got irritated and said I shouldn't be out here if I didn't know where I was going, "Just get a map and figure it out ahead of time". Using that philosophy nobody needs to post any beta on this site.

[MesiJezi]

I have the same sort of feeling often when I'm cycling and I see someone riding with their seat way too low or high or with almost flat tires. I just know they would enjoy the experience so much more if they were to make a few quick adjustments! I feel like a lot of people these days are easily offended or not open to instruction so I keep my mouth shut. I do like to take care of my family and friends and help them get their bikes set up correctly, and because we have that pre-existing relationship they know I'm not just a pompous know it all. OTOH, I love getting pointers from people who know more about a certain subject than myself. I attempted to reach myself to dh ski this winter and I was hoping I could get more pointers out of people on the lift, but most people seemed pretty hesitant about offering above. So maybe they're all feeling like me and that if they share they might get their head bitten off.

[pcg]

[Kascadia]

[MesiJezi]

Yes! I got the best advice from a kid who was part of the middle school friday night ski bus program at Snoqualmie.

[Navy salad]

[RumiDude]

From Leki:

From Black Diamond:

And another:

Rumi

[texasbb]

Rumi's videos get the strap technique right, but the length wrong (especially the first two). That horizontal forearm-90-degree-elbow thing is how you'd size a ski pole, not a trekking pole. If you want to get some actual body weight on the poles--so it's not on your legs, joints, and feet--shorten those things down to about your belly button so they're well under you.

[SwitchbackFisher]

I wouldn't know if they are being used right or wrong as I have never used them before, I like to have free hands as I go and have good health in all of my leg joints luckily... The only time I feel like I would want them is on a steep downhill for support, and most people I see use them just carry both in one hand awkwardly on these stretches

[RumiDude]