 Sorry for another 'which walking pole' thread, but I promise I've read a lot ofthe others and not found anything about the grips. I want a pair of poles, but the Leiki and Black Diamond ones I've mollested in shops so far are fractionally too small for my hands. It's the moulded grips that are just a mite too small. The leikis are the worst, and soem grey handled Black diamonds, although the top end BDs seemed to almost be there. Does anyone have any suggestions for either handles for the larger gent, or non moulded? My preference is for the latter, as Mrs74 would be wanting to use one on occasion and she's of normal size. Cheers
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What about Leki (or similar) Nordic walking poles? These just have a straight non-fingergip handle. You can change the tip to something that suits the terrain. You don't actually grip poles very hard anyhow, it's the wrist strap that takes most of the load; the grip is just there to guide the thing.
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Duncan, are you used to using poles? Some people, including me, use the strap as the main connection between hand and pole. Doing this I hardly make contact with the main part of the handle except at the point between the thumb and the first finger where they join the hand. If this style suits you the size of your hand relative to the handgrip doesn't matter. Edit: sorry ALS, I didn't read yours properly before posting. If I had I could have just said "what he said".
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| Edited: 28/01/08 16:16 |
 I've been using a Manfrotto Camera monopod, which although it had a strap was of the narrow 'stop you dropping the pole' type, not as a comfortable support. I think you guys have hit the nail in that I'm used to relying on the grip too much. Thanks.
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The Nordic walking poles have particularly fancy wrist straps - see here. Whichever strap you use, you should put your hand into the loop from underneath, then grasp the strap and the handle with your hand. If you get the strap length right, the whole thing tightens against your wrist comfortably as you close your hand, spreading the load to your wrist.
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 With regards to the leki trekking poles, did you try the Ultralights or the standard 18mm poles as they have different sized handles. Ultra lights being smaller in length and girth 
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 Rob - I tried both, and as you say the standard were a lot closer.
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 as much as it greaves me to say...have you tried pacerpoles. Otherwise a pair of the leki alu or carbon traveler NW poles might suit, they are bringing a glove out that clicks into the pole as well....hum tempted!
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 I looked at the pacers, and whilst I liked the idea, then from other sports I do I prefer the 'upright' wrist position. I never got on with the 'forward' position on some triathlon cycling bars, and reverted to the upright so I'm going to try some relying more one the wrist straps.
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 Correct way to use the strap, though it might help, so many people use them incorrectly!
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 that looks really sh!t compared to image on my computer 
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 It's fine when you click on it to enlarge it, Rob. A really useful diagram actually 
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