Why arent Releasable poles straps the standard?

[Bushwacka]

Seriously as far as I know Salomon and Leki are the only 2 brands that make these things.

If you dont agree objectively with the video tell me why.

[glademaster]

Scott poles have had breakaway straps for at least a couple of years now. My pair from ~2013 doesn't have them, but some ones I bought last spring do. They're becoming more common. They're a good idea for in-bounds use, particularly if you actually snug the straps down.

I tour with Leki poles and took the straps off and tossed them before I went for a first tour with them. Never, ever use pole straps while backcountry skiing (maybe with the caveat of late spring/summer skiing).

[Bushwacka]

again why not use them if they release?

[glademaster]

Because I have seen the mechanisms jam with snow/ice to the point where they require a lot more force than normal to release, and I want as few potential anchors as possible affixed to my body (even if they can release) when I'm skiing in avalanche terrain.

[Name Redacted]

But then how would you properly wack the bush?

[Mustonen]

This one puzzles me. I don’t ski with pole straps and I don’t miss them. I drop my poles never, except that one time on the chairlift last week. But before that.... never. I don’t understand what pole straps are for, unless you’re touring. They just get in the way skiing.

[kootenayskier]

I agree with your points about straps facilitating proper poling technique, which is also especially valuable when skating (a necessary evil at my home mountain). However the risks that might justify releaseable straps are open to debate. Anecdotally, I skied powder in the trees with 3 of my longest term ski buddies yesterday (and will likely do so again today), and as the topic came up for discussion (guides around here can be militantly anti strap) we’ve all been skiing tight forested runs and touring in avalanche terrain on a daily basis, with ski straps, for over 30 years, without a strap related incident. I don’t have anything against releasable straps, I’ve just chosen (DPS Nori) to prioritize the quality of the pole, adjustability, swing weight, grip, strap, feel etc, rather than a detail that might provide an incremental safety benefit. It’s possible (I’m use speculating here) that having high quality poles and straps provides increased dexterity that decreases the chance of becoming entangled and requiring releaseable straps in the first place. The people I ski with also tour regularly in avalanche terrain without airbags, or radios, so take from this what you will.

[Viva]

Epic Ski lives!

[ZomblibulaX]

I don’t understand what pole straps are for, unless you’re touring. They just get in the way skiing.

Clearly, your local hill isn’t flat enough where you have to skate off the top of every lift. Vibes+++++++.

Releasable straps are a great idea, but they still largely suck and triggers have been around for close to twenty years now. Finicky, break all the damn time, can be hard to find parts for when they do. I’ve seen salomons shipped from the factory missing the ball bearing that keeps the strap attached, and seen it disappear within days of purchase. They’ll come around eventually, don’t know why it’s taken so long to develop a dependable product.

I use straps for the same reason stated in the video, keep your hands loose so you don’t lock up your arms/shoulders/start rotating. That’s what coach said. My wife has never used pole straps; her dad was a patroller and cut them off all his kids’ poles. He also advocated for not wearing helmets because it gives you a false sense of security. The man has a PhD, I don’t know what to tell you.

In the woods and avy terrain, I still use straps but don’t put my thumb in, just hold one side of the loop between my palm and the grip. That way I can still make a real pole plant when needed without slipping and dump the pole same as if the strap wasn’t there. Works for me.

[EWG]

Straps are evil. You can’t convince me otherwise.

I have a pair of poles where I tied the straps into a knot. When skating, you put your palm on top of the pole handle like god intended, then put a couple fingers under the knot. Great little handle.

Just say no to straps.


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[axebiker]

Epic Ski lives!

Ha!

[gregL]

I tour with Leki poles and took the straps off and tossed them before I went for a first tour with them. Never, ever use pole straps while backcountry skiing (maybe with the caveat of late spring/summer skiing).

I do the same, but I use the Leki Trigger S straps at the ski area and like them.

[east or bust]

In the woods and avy terrain, I still use straps but don’t put my thumb in, just hold one side of the loop between my palm and the grip. That way I can still make a real pole plant when needed without slipping and dump the pole same as if the strap wasn’t there. Works for me.

This, except I use this method everywhere

[toast2266]

If I was skiing with nordic length poles, I'd probably want straps so I could skate better. But I ski with normal length alpine poles, so when I want to skate, I just kinda hold onto the pole. Works great. No straps needed.

[Mustonen]

Clearly, your local hill isn’t flat enough where you have to skate off the top of every lift. Vibes+++++++.

On patrol, I skate all the time to get places that you have to get to quickly instead of conveniently. Just last night I had to respond to an accident at the top of one lift from the top of another lift. Flat to Slightly uphill cat track, probably 400 feet or so. Didn’t even consider strapping in.