Bushwalk Australia

Gloves & Poles... what's your combo?

I'm a day hiker that prefers below snow line temps and no heavy rain.
So my choice of gloves are ones to just protect my palms from chafing on the pole grip while leaving my fingers free to work the gadget/binos I carry. My cycle gloves suit perfectly.

Product Name: Specialized SL Pro Short Finger Gloves - Black/Red Team
Manufacturer: Specialized
Item Code: SPZ163134
Season: All-season
Year: 2015
Material: Palm: 100% Kid leather
Top: 65% polyester, 30% polyamide, 5% elastane

...and my BD Alpine Cork pole (I only take one and keep the other home as a spare) helps keep the ol' back from tiring out too quick...

100% carbon fiber construction
Natural cork grip with dual-density top and 360-degree Nubuck strap
Non-slip foam mini-grip extension for secure choke ups
Dual FlickLock Pro
Interchangeable carbide Tech Tips, low-profile Trekking Baskets and Powder Baskets included

...so what's your combo or individual preference?

My road cycling gloves stay with my cycling kit, not ideal for the bush. For the bush, I like and use Ironclad's Yardworx gloves from Bunning. Find it to be the best balance for the purpose.

Is it common to use gloves? I've never felt the need and can imagine getting quite sweaty. My main issue is sunburned hands as because of poles they are out in sun more than they would normally be. I use black diamond poles with foam handles.....

I only use gloves when really cold but I don't grip the handle the way most do, I just use the strap and sort of touch the handle with my fingertips.

Franco wrote:I only use gloves when really cold but I don't grip the handle the way most do, I just use the strap and sort of touch the handle with my fingertips.

That's the "correct" way as explained to me by the guy at Paddy Pallin - I still can't resist gripping the handles though...

Yep, the handling of walking poles is like those ski poles, primarily for balance and wrist actions than with a death grip on them. Lightweight CF poles are just a delight for this style of use.

Ive got the same BD Alpine Carbon Cork poles as you Z5 but my cork handles dont look anywhere near as nice and clean as yours

Im quite happy with the poles but im always quite paranoid about braking them or badly damaging/ scratching the carbon but they seem to take a few bumps and scrapes in their stride thus far without fault.

I have winter gloves which ill use in really poor weather or in the snow but i dont use gloves otherwise.

Travis.

Gloves are for scrub and/or cold.

north-north-west wrote:Gloves are for scrub and/or cold.

And intense sun I have found

And rock faces for general protection.

Franco wrote:I only use gloves when really cold but I don't grip the handle the way most do, I just use the strap and sort of touch the handle with my fingertips.

I place my palm on top of the pole and push on it from behind. I seldom grip the handle unless just coasting along...

Travis22 wrote:I've got the same BD Alpine Carbon Cork poles as you Z5 but my cork handles don't look anywhere near as nice and clean as yours...

Mine are almost black from sweat and the shot was of new ones I saw before I bought 'em.

Yep I'm another who uses the strap and then fingertips on the handle. As for gloves I use the ironclad for scrub/rock etc. If cold n wet I use a pair of outdoor research gloves that are made from their stretch fleece with a cool zip pocket on the top that stores a pertex waterproof overglove for wet days. Great glove and they dont weigh much. http://www.outdoorresearch.com/en/acces ... liner.html

Sent from my SM-G920I using Tapatalk

Black Diamond Alpine Cc as well.hang hands in the straps and lightly use first two fingers to flick the poles back forwards.

Moondog55 wrote:

north-north-west wrote:Gloves are for scrub and/or cold.

And intense sun I have found

Yes and yes !

Never had blisters, soreness, red skin, or any problem at all from using poles. If the straps are used correctly, the load is through the wrist or the heel of your hand. Are we worried about blisters or what ?

I have removed the straps completely. I place my palm on top of the pole like a 'walking cane' and use that to push/lean on, hence the palm takes the full downward pressure and the glove protects the palm from chafing on the rubber. Yeah I got soft girlie hands...



...I don't use the pole for just walking along balance but to mainly push off with going up a hill and to support me in a potential slide or slip going down a hill. On the flat I carry it mostly.

It works for me and I note the generally accepted other ways others use it with the strap/fingers but I don't do it that way myself.

Following the Tour De France I noticed that on the same stretch of road and going at the same speed riders don't all use the same gear.
This phenomenon is explained on this Wiki article "there is more than one way to skin a cat"
The US version is HYOH (hike your own hike)

Anyway, I'm glad to know that I am the only one doing it the right way.

Franco wrote:Anyway, I'm glad to know that I am the only one doing it the right way.

Hehe - no, you're not the only one Franco.

Franco wrote:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QereR0CViMY

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.

Franco wrote:... Anyway, I'm glad to know that I am the only one doing it the right way.

Like this...