Testing new grip extensions: hemp twine and overgrip tape

By Fabian RimforsPole talk
Hand holding a pair of ski poles with pink grips and long grips of wrapped hemp cord.

Extended grip poles have become a trend in backcountry skiing lately. Many skiers seem to appreciate the simplicity they offer. Some have even ditched their telescoping sticks for no-frills plain poles with a long grip. Brands like French Les Bâtons d’Alain in Chamonix and North American Folkrm in Oregon have been leading the way. However, they both use a long EVA grip on an aluminum shaft. Not the most eco-friendly combo.

For those skiers who need solid, simple, and reliable poles with long grip, I have been offering two types of grip extensions: reindeer leather and non-slip tubing. The pros of reindeer leather are that it is biodegradable and supports the indigenous Sami culture. The cons are that it is time-consuming to make grip extensions with, it’s expensive, and far from vegan. Benefits of non-slip tubing are that it is quick to work with and cheap. On the other hand, it’s thin, made from petroleum plastic and it’s not a natural material. Also, I don’t think the grip is as good as with the leather.

Eco-friendly long grip using hemp twine

Now I can offer a third alternative for extended grip: eco-friendly hemp. Inspired by my Swiss colleague Axel Lehmkuhl in Corsier-sur-Vevey, I have made a new Rimfors test model. Axel has been making an eco-friendly bamboo ski pole with one long grip since 2018, using hemp cord, or twine as some say. So, I simply ordered some hemp cord and wrapped 28 cm long grips on my wife’s poles. Well, she’s not the one choking up on the extended grip while sidehilling and bootpacking. But at least I got to try making it and I got a feeling for working with hemp twine..

I’m convinced the hemp extensions will work great, as long as I wind it up correctly; firmly and tightly, and secure the ends thoroughly. I used a simple 3.2 mm three-strand twine, cutting off about five meters for each pole. I also put a small strip of double-sided tape on the bamboo cane to keep the hemp cord in place and prevent it from moving around.

The pros of making long grip extensions out of hemp are that it is an eco-friendly and biodegradable natural material, it’s cheap, and it is fairly quick to work with. And it looks great too, matching my beige straps. So, all advantages.

Bamboo ski poles with pink grips and baskets, and grip extensions of wrapped hemp twine.
The biege pole straps and hemp extensions are a perfect match.
A pair of ski poles with orange grips and extensions of orange overgrip tape.
It looks good with overgrip tape, but not as good as with hemp och reindeer leather.

Testing extended grip using overgrip tape

The fastest way to make long grip extensions would be to use something out of the box, like overgrip tape. Therefore, I also made one pair of poles with just that. Or in fact, I took my oldest son’s previous poles that are waiting for the next sibling to grow tall enough. It wasn’t as fast to work with as I had thought. Before I could start taping it, I had to cut and adapt the end to start off with. The result looks okay. The grip is okay too. But PU plastic overgrip is not my cup of tea. Hemp is!

Sometime this fall, I will make a tutorial on how to make your own extended hemp grip.

Until then,
Have a great summer!
Fabian Rimfors

P.S. Do you want a pair of poles with overgrip extensions? Just let me know! I have a few meters left of orange and dark blue overgrip tape.

Summer reading tip: Why Guides and Backcountry Pros Are Ditching the Extendable Ski Pole

Grip extensions of hemp cord

Bamboo ski poles with pink grips and extended grips made from wrapped hemp cord.
Just over five meters of hemp twine was enough for a 28 cm extended grip.
Close-up of a ski pole with a pink handle and an extended grip made of wrapped hemp twine.
It is important to secure the hemp twine to achieve a neat and durable finish on the wrapping.
Close-up of bamboo ski pole with wrapped hemp twine.
You must always wind from bottom to top, and it’s important to securely lock the hemp twine at the start.
Ski poles of bamboo with pink grips and baskets, and grip extensions of wrapped hemp cord.
This winter’s novelty: bamboo poles with grip extensions of natural eco-friendly hemp.

Grip extensions with overgrip tape

Hand holding a pair of ski poles with orange grips and grip extensions of orange overgrip tape.
My oldest son’s previous poles have gotten new life. As his siblings grow taller the poles will be ready.
Close-up of bamboo ski poles with orange overgrip tape.
The overgrip needed to be cut and adjusted to the diameter of the bamboo, and also needed hot melt glue to be secured at the start.
Bamboo ski poles with orange grips and baskets, and overgrip tape as grip extensions.
Both overgrip tape and hemp cord are easy to make grip extensions with on your ski poles.
Bamboo ski poles with orange grips and baskets, and long overgrip extensions.
If you want a pair of poles with overgrip extensions, I have a few meters left of orange and dark blue overgrip tape. Just let me know!
A worn workbench with a roll of hemp cord underneath.
The workbench is now equipped with 900 meters of hemp twine.
Ski pole with black grip and tarred hemp twine as grip extension below.
I also tested tarred hemp cord (3 mm, double-twisted), as it withstands weather better. The scent is wonderful, but the tar can stain white gloves. Moreover, it costs more and doesn’t look as good either. It has a “sailboat” look. After all, ski poles are mostly stored indoors, and rain is still rare in the winter mountains. So, I abandoned the tarred idea.