Backpacker's Gear School: Hold Trekking Poles Right

Don't ever change the length of your poles as your going up and down hills! Learn how to hold them by the ends for down hill and plant them a foot or two behind you to push off of when going uphill. That way you don't look like an idiot stopping every 100 yards to adjust them.

Get 3.3 oz gossamergeardotcom carbon poles and ditch the heavy straps altogether. On the AT, one side of the trail is higher than the other! The lighter the poles, the quicker you can get them between your head and the rock to stop a big fall. Keep at least one basket on the pole feet for the leafy downslope side of the trail. Good light hiking poles stop falls and save knees. Adjustment is good for tenting, and for luggage packing (saves a bag on a flight).

Strap is way too long! You should have your hand right up against the handle. Keep those straps tight.