DIY Quick-Release Trekking Pole Carry

This article forms part of the GoLite Jam Extreme Make-over

Do you ever have fun wondering where to store your trekking pole? I've always found that the 'obvious' place for it - using the ice-axe loops doesn't work very well. The pole cannot be reached without removing the pack and the pole has a disproportionate effect on the feel of the pack.

After a bit of digging around I found a picture of a rifleman carrying his rifle slung in a certain way - spookily similar to the recent 'innovation' by Osprey.

This is a really easy project....

QR Trekking Pole Carry

Materials

12cm of 10-25mm webbing
20cm of elastic shock-cord
1 Cord-lock

I had webbing lying around the house and I had a cord-lock loop discarded from another pack.

Construction

1. Sew a second loop onto the existing axe loops. Make it big enough so that your trekking pole tip fits but the basket doesn't. Mine is sewn on in the shape of a J / fish-hook.

2. Thread the shock-cord loop through a loop of webbing on the shoulder strap.

Field Testing

This is now the only way I ever carry my trekking pole. The pole is just about on my centre-of-gravity and so feels weightless. It's there when I need it and I don't have to stop to get at it. I can keep walking both when retrieving the pole and when putting it back.

The only thing that you do have to do is feel around for the loop on the back of the pack - but it's always easy to find.

Long Term Testing

On the Offa's Dyke trip I moved to a simpler technique. I attached a cheap mini karabiner to the loops that were already machined onto the pack straps and then I could clip/unclip the pole using the pole strap.

This worked very well and is now my preferred technique for pole carrying.

It's very easy to unhook the pole whilst walking and then re-attach whilst still walking.