Pole straps or no pole straps

the straps on my life-link ski poles have a releasable feature. And it defintely works. I had to dive for one of them at slush cup a couple years ago. That being said I only put my 4 fingers into the strap, never around the entire wrist as taught in ski school.

Given this thread, like Joedabaker, I may drop the straps when in avalanche terrain, but like I said before, for me that ends up being a rather small fraction of trips, timewise, that I make.

Unlike others, I have had very good luck with well designed releasable straps, which are designed to release only on the pull (or really in any direction if the forces are strong enough).  Have not experience that in and avalanche or would not necessarily trust in an avalanche, hence my willingness to remove in that case.  But then I already stated that I remove them when I ski trees.  

No way will I give up their use for 90% of a tour when they are very useful or I would not want to lose my poles.

The way I use my straps leaves me fully capable of using self arrest positions, low and high dagger positions, etc.  When I release my grip and let the poles fall, they dangle from my wrist and are very easy to let go if I want in a pinch, so the thumb injury, while I cannot completely rule out is not something I worry about.

If I am using the pole self arrest features, I would no more do so without the straps than I would use an ice axe without a leash.

Still, given the appropriate circumstances, I can and do drop the straps.  I would say that it is nice to have releasables just in case you forget to drop the straps.

Alan

They should call that: "Skier's (who don't know how to use their pole staps) thumb".

Alan nailed it. If you have ever hurt your hand due to a ski pole, ask a nordic skier how to use the straps.

Straps on always.

Except when wacking gapers in the lift line with the grip end.. of course.

That's right Kneel.
And with a strap on it makes it easier to pull off those 3-point turns or using the pole as an outrigger when telemarking and not leaving a pole behind.

Like Joe and Ed, I wear straps almost all the time. It provides more power to the poling without gripping. You can adjust buckles, do hand pits, check safety, or fall and slide without thinking about the poles. Seems to me that "Take off the straps" etc. are just one step away from
"Don't ski that slope."
How the strap is used, or the length of the poles for climbing with straps on, are topics for those who do not work tomorrow. I use the Nordic grip.
I got to enjoy skier's thumb last winter (grade 2 tear of the UCL on the metacarpal flange). It wasn't due to the strap, I believe, but because I fell right onto my thumb on the flats. Gotta watch that!

I have been lucky enough to ski with many professional guides in the US, Canada , Japan and Europe.
Every single guide without exception has insisted when on a BC tour in avalanche terrain that pole straps not be used.
On several occasions, I have witnessed guides telling clients that refuse to obey to either go home or drop the pole straps and comply.
The reason they explained was the problems associated with reduced mobility( ability to get your arms in front of you to create an airspace etc etc) and trauma inflicted by pole torque.
As with any question posed , the answer must contain nuance.
In non avy terrain on a logging road or flat terrain, pole straps to aid horizontal movement like nordic skiers is a no-brainer. On a resort run, fully controlled, no problem if you like straps on. In avalnche terrain in the backcountry....... take your straps off. That's what the professionals do.