Wait, don't monkeys usually walk around on 4 legs anyway? Is that how you learned about trekking poles?

The wrist straps are integral to the use of trekking poles. They should be adjusted such that your weight is actually held by the strap and not by gripping the pole. Keeps your hands from doing all the work and makes a load of difference.

JM2Bits

I owned many pairs or trekking poles, but now I use Black Diamond Enduro CF poles (carbon fiber).

They are great because they use Flick-locks instead of regular twist-and-turn locking mechanisms. Those have a tendency to freeze and slip in colder temperatures. You should have a long hard look at Black Diamond poles with Flick-lock.

Black Diamond poles

I won't buy Black Diamond poles, since they're made in China.

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I'm a big fan of good hiking poles. Some notes:

1) they take an enormous load off of your knees & legs
2) the steeper the terrain (up or down), the more valuable the poles are
3) foam grips fall apart and get funky. Leki's cork grips are excellent
4) Black Diamond's flik-locks are a nice design
5) when you use the poles for other things (shelter support, etc) their weight is more than justified
6) today's modern designs using carbon fiber & titanium are even lighter than the Lekis I've been using for years
7) the spring-loaded feature is really valuable when walking on rocky terrain
8) add a pair of rubber tips & the poles become very useful when training on steep roads

I try to walk upright as much as possible. Don't want to draw attention to myself in "man's" society. But when I'm at play, a pole in each hand, and one in my tail.

Laugh now... but one day we'll be in charge.