I am pro using the straps on uphill but highly recomment not using them on downwill. the chance of falling is much bigger on running downhill, and if you fall with the straps on, the chance of a very hazardous fall increse a lot. I almost broke my wrist because of the strap after I fall on downhill running. the fall wasn't that bad but one pole got stuck during the fall between 2 rocks and put my hand in a very awkard position. 3 years after still didn't recovered 100% and sometimes have some pain in that hand. and I know 2 more people in the same scenario. so I strongly recommend not using the straps on downhill
At the beginning depending on how tight you keep the shark frame strap thing you may get hot spots. But a few runs and your hands will callous a bit and then no, no further blisters.
I cannot recommend these. Any poles like these with the shark frame strap are not worth the hassle. It tore in less than a year training for ultras and isn't warrant covered. So that's another 50 euro/USD to replace. Never had such issues with other brands like BD. When the pole failed (pole segemtns stuck after a while of not being used), BD just replaced them for me. Leki poles without this shark mesh thing may be ok, but not these. Plus, weight is negligibly different vs BD carbon z poles.
I tried the fancy poles a couple of times; now they live in the garage. I think the benefits are imaginary. Of course, imagination is important, and if you're convinced they help, by all means use them, because subjectively, there's no difference between actually getting benefit and only seeming to get benefit.
