Holding XC Ski Pole Grips and Adjusting Their Straps

In this short video I demonstrate the correct way to hold your cross-country ski pole handle when diagonal striding or double poling, as well as how to adjust the straps on the handles. In the second half of the video I show a few different styles of grips and how to adjust their straps.
***Please note that I neglected to mention in the video that I actually pull my hands out of the wrist straps when cross-country skiing downhill, particularly on steeper terrain. I do this so as to avoid potentially wrecking my wrists or fingers in the case of a fall. When traveling downhill I simply hold both poles in one hand off to the side of my body.
***Also note that I failed to clarify that many alpine skiers actually hold their ski poles/handles in this same way. Read the first comment (pinned) below for some additional thoughts about this.
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I wrote and produced this collection of articles and short videos about cross-country skiing with the beginner and intermediate adventurer in mind. This is the demographic for whom I most often served while working in the outdoor recreation industry at Lake Tahoe, so I treat these informational blogs as extensions of the conversations I've had with those customers. That said, expert cross-country skiers could probably take away something of value from these articles. Just know that I don't intend to specifically address performance or race-oriented philosophy, technique, or gear selection in this series.
Although I advocate venturing out of your comfort zone, you need to know your limits and when to turn back. Tahoe Trail Guide and its contributors are not liable for property loss or damage, personal injury, or death. Always consult multiple sources when venturing into the backcountry, and always be prepared for the worst case scenario. Your safety is your responsibility.
For more information, visit TahoeTrailGuid...
This video was filmed in South Lake Tahoe, CA, on March 12-13, 2019.
Copyright © 2019 Jared Manninen

[@harryisherwood3653]

You should hold an alpine pole the same way so it can come off if you fall

[@JaredManninen]

Thanks for the feedback, Harry! In hindsight, I should've avoided saying anything about alpine skiing regarding holding the poles in this video. I've had various people (like yourself) tell me that you should hold them like xc skiers. And, at the same time, I've had some long-time alpine skiers tell me they've sworn off using straps with their poles due to past thumb, wrist, and elbow injuries from previous impacts due to landing awkwardly on the pole/handle (when strapped in). Then there's the whole backcountry alpine skiing situation where your pole (when you're strapped to it) can act as an anchor and drag you down if you get caught in an avalanche. So many different things that I could've/should've touched on or, rather, just avoided in the first place by focusing on xc skiing and how the poles are used in diagonal striding! But we live and learn :) And, KZbin doesn't allow for replacing videos with updated ones (to correct any mistakes in the original). Anyway, I totally appreciate you bringing this up and I'll pin your comment to the top in the hopes that other people having the same thoughts will read it too. Thanks again :)

[@faceinthecrowd5810]

Hey Jared, I am a skier, 60 years on snow and 35 years as an alpine ski instructor…EPSIA. 6 years ago I began skiing XC and BC. I have been learning more or less on my own and with KZbin videos, however just 2 days ago I found your videos. So far I consider your instructor style to be the best I’ve seen on KZbin, thank you from one of your virtual students!!!

[@JaredManninen]

Thanks so much for the kind words and generous feedback! I really appreciate it :) Let me know if you ever have any questions. I'd be more than happy to offer whatever kind of feedback that I can.

[@morgantam1]

Clear and straightforward instructions. Thanks for posting.

[@JaredManninen]

Thank you, Morgan! I appreciate the kind words :)

[@kimberlyrobinson7094]

I just moved to an area where I can cross country ski rather than just doing it on vacation. Your videos are so helpful. Thank you so much for taking the time to make these.

[@JaredManninen]

Thanks so much for the kind words, Kimberly! I'm so glad you're finding value in my videos. And congrats on moving to a place where you can start to cross-country ski more regularly. I totally appreciate living where I do as it allows me to integrate xc skiing in my weekly (and often daily) routine. Take care!

[@vanessad3412]

Wow! I was holding the poles all wrong. Thanks for clarifying the correct grip and how to adjust the strap!

[@JaredManninen]

Glad to be of service, Vanessa :) Adjusting those straps so that they're a bit more snug makes for a better connection to the grip.

[@lipsticklodge7526]

Now I know how to use the straps !

[@JaredManninen]

Excellent! Have fun out there ❄️❄️❄️

[@djenxr]

Good info on the variety of pole handles and strap adjustments. Any thoughts on cork vs plastic handles? Also, what type of OR jacket are you wearing? Thanks!

[@JaredManninen]

Hey @djenxr, Thanks for the questions and feedback! The OR jacket is one of their Ferrosi Hooded jackets. I have another version that's slightly different. I love the stretchy and slightly water resistant material they use for that line of clothes. Great for athletic activity and movement. As far as cork and plastic xc ski handles go, cork is better for grip and decreasing hand slipping. It's perfect for groomed xc skiing, but a standard plastic and rubber handle for the backcountry is what I use. Also, I would argue that cork is not as durable for off-trail and backcountry needs. I stick to aluminum poles for backcountry use as well. I've seen the carbon fiber poles shatter in the backcountry, at which point they become useless. An aluminum pole will often bend before it breaks (and you can bend it back relatively easy). Lastly, I find it frustrating to change out various cork handles simply because it's a more delicate material in which to work with when applying heat. Groomer and race-oriented poles often come with cork (or faux cork) handles and carbon or composite materials. And then the backcountry ones are often plastic and rubber handled with aluminum shafts. You can find varieties of both for either application, but that's generally how they work. You probably won't find too many cork handles on aluminum poles. And you probably won't find many plastic handles on carbon fiber poles. Anyway, that's my two cents. Let me know if you have any other questions! And thanks again for the comment :)

[@betsystorm5977]

Montenegrin Nordic walking poles how to hold

[@JaredManninen]

Hey Betsy, I'm not sure if you're asking or telling, but I believe holding Nordic walking poles is the same as Nordic skiing poles. I also think that a lot of poles specific to Nordic walking feature more of a dedicated wrist strap (as opposed to a standard loop strap), making the connection to the pole grip more secure. Anyway, let me know if you have any questions. Thanks for watching!

[@khalidjanmohamed]

Hi Jared - just got my cross country ski set today, and have a question about poles for you. I was planning on getting the Salomon Escape poles (composite), but they weren’t available in my size, so I ended up getting the Salomon Escape Aluminum poles instead. I read through the poles write up on your website, and I’m trying to figure out if I should stick with the aluminum poles or return them and get the composite ones instead (they’re available at a different store a bit further from me). According to Salomon, the difference in weight between the two is 60 g for the 150 cm length (420 g vs 480 g), and my poles are 145 cm, so perhaps a slightly smaller difference, and I’m not sure how noticeable that would be when using them. The composite ones have noticeably more flex as well, so I’m wondering about the trade off between the benefit of that flex vs the durability of the aluminum poles, as you wrote about. I’ll mostly be skiing in a ravine close to home, and getting out to proper trails on the odd weekend, and from your write up, it seems like aluminum might be better for the ravine skiing, but it would be helpful to get any other thoughts you may have. Thanks again for your help!

[@JaredManninen]

Hey Khalid, So glad to hear you got your xc skis! Very cool :) Honestly, I'd just stick with the aluminum poles. The first reason is that you already have them in your possession (and I'm assuming they're the correct length). Also, they are more durable in that you can always bend them back into place if you do manage to bend them in a fall, or whatever. With composite and carbon fiber, once they break they're trash. I use aluminum all the time in the backcountry/off-trail, and at least half of the time at my xc ski job (when teaching, for example). I do use carbon fiber when I ski on my work breaks, but I mostly use them because they have a better grip system (than a standard loop that less expensive poles feature). The weight between the various styles is mostly irrelevant in my opinion. Unless you're racing in a 30km or longer, the slightly higher weight of an aluminum pole is negligible. And, if it makes you feel any better I own at least six sets of xc ski poles (most of which are aluminum). If anything, I'd say that it might be worth investing at some point down the road in a nicer set (with good grips) for use on groomed terrain. But for anything like backcountry use, I prefer aluminum. Hope that helps. Let me know if you have more questions!

[@khalidjanmohamed]

@@JaredManninen that’s super helpful, Jared, thanks! Again, really appreciate all of your advice. Definitely helps a lot as a newbie trying to figure out the right gear.

[@JaredManninen]

No prob! Enjoy your new gear 🙌

[@Noname304y2u2]

That locking mechanisch isn't great though.

[@JaredManninen]

Not sure which one you mean, but I agree that most of the lower-end ski pole grips are not so great. But lots of people have them, so I thought it'd be helpful to show a bunch of different ones. Thanks for watching, and the comment :)