The Carbon Approach Vario 4 poles are made from a mixture of materials to optimise strength & minimise weight. The upper section is made from Titanal HF, a mix of Titanium & Aluminium & the lower sections are made from Carbon Fibre. The clever thing about these poles is the way that they fold up. The sections fit together just like tent poles & are linked by a bungee cord so they cant be separated or lost. But the really clever bit is when they are slotted together they can be locked in place with an internal twist lock clutch mechanism making them very rigid & strong. When they are slotted together they also have seamless appearance making them look very cool. The upper section features a Power Lock quick adjuster to give a range of adjustment from 120 - 145 cm making them ideal for taller users. Ergonomic foam grips provide a comfortable & natural hand position & the lightly padded strap is easy to adjust to ensure the perfect fit around your h&. To lengthen the strap simply pull the upper end of the strap loop, to lock that position pull simultaneously on both ends of the strap loop. To shorten the strap pull on the lower tail end of the strap & then pull both ends of the strap loop to fix that position. To maximise the efficient use of your poles it is important to always use them as a pair & ensure that the strap is used correctly. To reduce muscle strain & increase efficiency put your hand UP through the strap loop & then let the webbing rest between your thumb & forefinger. This allows downward pressure to be spread over the back of the hand allowing a looser grip on the handle. The Carbon Approach Vario 4 poles are supplied with the Trekking Ice basket & ice tip for extra security on frozen ground. Expedition foam grip Padded strap Upper section: Titanal. HF, lower section: carbon 4-section, new ingenious folding-mechanism POWER LOCK II system Trekking Ice basket Trekking Ice tip