Michael Turner
Do this: collapse the shafts to minimum length (typical telescoping range 40–70 cm collapsed), fold the wrist loops flat, slip the tips into the lower pocket or under the bottom compression strap, then cinch a side compression strap over the mid‑shaft and clip the handles to the top lid or daisy chain with a small locking carabiner. Use two independent tie points (tip and handle) to stop twisting and bouncing.
If no lower pocket exists, remove baskets, line both shafts together and slide them horizontally across external lash points. Secure each end with a 20–25 mm webbing strap or a length of shock cord knotted with a tight overhand; add a short strap around mid‑shaft for redundancy. For rapid redeployment on steep terrain, store with grips upward and keep only a quick‑release strap on the mid‑shaft; for extended travel, stow tips downward inside the bottom compartment to protect clothing and sleep kit.
Recommended hardware and checks: carbon shafts ~200–300 g each, aluminum ~250–400 g – match fasteners to shaft weight and load. Use micro carabiners (6–15 g) rated for general gear, 20–25 mm straps or integrated compression webbing, and rubber tip covers to prevent wear and snagging. Re‑tighten straps after 10–20 minutes on trail and inspect attachment points before river crossings, exposed scrambling or when crossing dense brush.
Pick the right carry method by pole type (folding, telescoping, fixed)
Folding shafts: collapse and lock sections, then stow inside the top lid or a side zippered pocket; secure folded length with a 25–40 cm shock cord or small strap to prevent partial deployment.
Telescopic shafts: fully collapsed and locked; place tip-down in a vertical external carry (tip protected with rubber cap) and secure midshaft with a 30–50 cm compression strap or daisy chain loop to stop sliding.
Fixed-length shafts: carry diagonally along the pack side with two attachment points (one near shoulder, one near hip) spaced 20–30 cm apart, tips down; use webbing straps with cam buckles or a dedicated pole sleeve if available.
| Shaft type | Typical collapsed length | Best placement | Fastening method | Accessory & risk notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folding (Z-style, 3–4 sections) | 35–45 cm | Inside top lid / side zip pocket | 25–40 cm shock cord or small strap + Velcro wrap | Use tip/handle covers to avoid snags; keep inside for low snag and weather protection. |
| Telescopic (twist/lever locks) | 45–75 cm collapsed | Vertical external (tip-down) or side pocket if long enough | 30–50 cm compression strap + tip cap; secure locking collars before stow | Prevent mid-shaft sliding by locking sections; protect pack fabric from carbide tips. |
| Fixed-length (one-piece) | 100–135 cm (no collapse) | Diagonal side carry or under lid (horizontal) | Two webbing straps ~20–30 cm apart, or dedicated sleeve | Keep shafts close to centerline to reduce sway; avoid tight bends on carbon shafts. |
Quick practical numbers: use straps 20–40 mm wide; place retention points at least 20 cm apart to prevent rotation; always cover sharp tips when stored externally to protect fabric and avoid punctures.
Secure Z‑folding trekking shafts under the lid using the lid strap and a bungee
Thread the folded Z‑shaft (collapsed length 35–45 cm) beneath the lid strap so the grip end faces the lid hinge and the tips point toward the pack body, then wrap a 3–4 mm shock cord (20–30 cm unstretched) around the shaft and through the lower haul/tool loop; cinch with a small cordlock.
Required items
- Z‑fold shaft(s): collapsed 35–45 cm, rubber tip covers fitted
- Shock cord: 3–4 mm diameter, 20–30 cm unstretched per shaft
- Cordlock: single-hole or two-hole, small enough to sit under lid
- Thin foam or felt pad (2–3 mm) to protect zipper and ferrules
- Optional: 1–2 cm webbing strap or daisy chain carabiner if lid strap is short
Step-by-step method
- Fold and collapse shaft completely; slide rubber tips or ferrule covers on the tip end.
- Lay foam pad on top of the main compartment zipper or any sharp point where the shaft will contact the pack.
- Place shaft centered under the top lid so the midpoint aligns with the lid strap; grips toward the hinge reduce leverage on the strap.
- Bring the lid strap over the shaft midpoint and fasten it snugly; leave ~2–3 cm of strap tail for adjustment.
- Wrap the shock cord once around the shaft about 10–15 cm from the tip end, thread the cord through the pack’s lower haul/tool loop (or through the pack frame webbing), then pass both cord ends into the cordlock and tighten until the shaft cannot rotate more than 10–15°.
- Tuck any cord tails and the cordlock under the lid so they do not snag on branches; if lid strap is short, clip a small daisy‑chain carabiner to extend anchoring point before adding the shock cord.
- Load check: tighten hipbelt and shoulder straps, march 100 m, then recheck cord tension and lid strap position; retighten if any shift is detected.
- Limit: one pair of Z‑fold shafts under a soft lid; combined weight >700 g can cause lid sag on lightweight lids–use top external carry or inside sleeve for heavier sets.
- Tip protection: always use ferrule covers and place foam between metal joints and zipper sliders to avoid abrasion.
- Quick release: free the cordlock with one hand by pulling the cord and sliding the lid strap for fast deployment without removing the whole system.
Clip telescoping shafts to side daisy chains with tips pointing down
Clip collapsed telescoping shafts by their lower section into a low daisy‑chain loop so the tips point straight down; use a lightweight wire‑gate micro‑carabiner (8–12 mm gate opening, 10–20 g) and a short elastic keeper to stop lateral movement.
Step sequence
1) Collapse shafts fully and lock all twist or flick‑lock collars. 2) Slide a rubber tip protector over carbide/steel tips. 3) Clip the bottom tube through a daisy loop positioned near hip‑belt level (roughly 25–35 cm above pack base) so center of mass stays low. 4) Run a 15–25 cm length of 3–4 mm shock cord or Velcro strap around the shaft bundle at mid‑height and cinch to remove play. 5) Secure handles by tucking them into a shoulder‑strap pocket or under a compression strap; do not let grips dangle free.
Tips & pitfalls
Clip choice: aluminum wire‑gate for low weight and reliable gate action; avoid oversized carabiners that allow rotation. Gate clearance: choose clips with at least 8 mm opening to fit larger shaft diameters and tip baskets. Tip orientation: pointing tips down prevents baskets from catching on branches and directs tip wear against the pack shell rather than fabric panels. Noise control: add a short rubber O‑ring between sections if telescopes knock under load. Quick check: walk 10–15 m and shoulder‑bounce the pack to confirm no shifting; tighten compression straps until movement is limited to 1–2 cm.
Secure fixed-length shafts vertically with compression straps and buckles
Place the fixed-length shafts centered on the pack’s rear, tips pointing down; cinch two 25 mm compression straps with quick-release buckles–one 20–30 cm above the tip, the other 10–15 cm below midshaft–tighten until vertical play is ≤15 mm under a firm tug.
Recommended hardware and protection
Use 20–25 mm polyester or nylon webbing for low stretch; ladder or tri-glide buckles for micro-adjustment. Add a neoprene sleeve or 3–5 mm foam pad where shafts contact the pack to prevent abrasion. Fit a rubber tip protector over metal tips to stop snagging and cut-through; for lightweight covers consider compact sunshade sleeves like best pool umbrella australia.
Step sequence for a secure vertical carry
1. Lay shafts flat against the centerline, tip ends aligned with the base of the pack and handles up toward the shoulder straps.
2. Place a soft pad between shafts and pack fabric at contact points; this prevents slipping and protects carbon or lacquered surfaces.
3. Thread the lower compression strap first: loop under webbing anchor, over the shafts, through the buckle and pull until snug–no more than 10–15 mm lateral movement.
4. Repeat with the upper strap placed 20–30 cm above the lower strap; stagger strap locations to prevent rotation of the shafts.
5. For redundancy, secure a short shockcord or thin leash from the shaft handles to a top daisy chain or sternum strap so the load cannot slide down if a buckle opens.
6. Perform a final check: lift the pack by the top handle and give the shafts a firm downward pull; tighten straps if any shift exceeds 15 mm.
Lock handles to shoulder straps with an elastic loop or cord lock
Use a 2.5–3 mm shock cord with a compact single‑hole cord lock (6–10 mm diameter) and set grips to sit about 10–15 cm below the collarbone for fast one‑hand reach.
Measure from the top edge of the shoulder strap down to the target grip height, add 6–8 cm for the loop overlap and cut the cord to that length. Melt synthetic ends or whip with polyester thread to prevent fraying; for 550 cord, a 4–6 mm heat shrink sleeve works well.
Form a continuous loop and pass it over the handle/grip so the loop sits behind the grip flange or under the wrist strap. For a permanent solution use a small aluminium crimp/ferrule (3–4 mm) swaged with crimp pliers; for field repair, tie a water‑tight double fisherman and trim/melt tails.
Route the loop around or through the shoulder strap webbing slot, then feed the loop body through the cord lock and cinch. Position the cord lock on the outer face of the strap within thumb reach; orient the toggle so it compresses toward the centerline for natural release with one hand.
Set preload so the grip moves 2–3 cm when the cord lock is engaged – enough to absorb vibration but not so loose that the handle bounces. With gloves on, test single‑handed release and re‑cinch; if the toggle slides under vibration, replace with a two‑spring micro lock.
Prevent rubbing and paint wear by slipping a 10–15 mm length of split silicone tubing or friction tape between cord and shaft at contact points. Secure excess cord with a short tie or a dab of hot glue under the cord lock to eliminate flapping.
Place loops clear of sternum straps and shoulder harness load points; if using collapsible shafts, lock the loop onto the collapsed segment or handle collar so sections cannot unfold while stowed.
Protect tips and shafts from abrasion using a foam sleeve or tape
Recommendation
Use a 12–20 cm split closed-cell foam sleeve (inner diameter 18–28 mm) placed over the lower shaft so the ferrule and at least 10–15 cm of metal are covered; secure each sleeve end with a 2–3 mm stainless cable tie or a 19 mm self-fusing silicone tape wrap to prevent migration.
Materials and procedure
Materials: split foam tubing (neoprene or PE), pool noodle (DIY option), self-fusing silicone tape 19 mm, PVC electrician’s tape 19–25 mm (for abrasion resistance), small rubber ferrule caps, 2–3 mm stainless cable ties, heat-shrink tubing (25–40 mm length). For retail options see best luggage store in manhattan.
Procedure: measure shaft diameter and cut sleeve length to 12–20 cm; for telescoping sections avoid covering adjustment collars or locking mechanisms. Split the sleeve and slide it over the shaft so the ferrule sits centered inside the foam. Compress sleeve ends and cinch with a cable tie; trim excess and cover tie with a short piece of heat-shrink or a final wrap of self-fusing tape for abrasion resistance. For a low-profile finish wrap 4–6 turns of silicone tape with 50% overlap – that builds ~2–3 mm protective layer without bulky seams.
DIY pool-noodle method: slice noodle lengthwise, trim inner diameter to match shaft, wrap with a single layer of cloth tape, then secure both ends with cable ties and seal with a 5 cm strip of heat-shrink or silicone tape. For ferrule protection use rubber caps sized to the tip diameter; if ferrules are worn, a 10–15 mm longer sleeve reduces metal-to-gear contact.
For cleaning or compressed-air maintenance of inside shaft cavities consult guidance on using small compressors and adapters: how to inflate a presta valve with an air compressor.
