on my poles, i rounded the shit outta the tops of them. that way when you reach for grabs, it slides out of the way. some kind of releasable strap is a good idea, however, i personally cant stand when my adjustable straps blow out when im pushing. maybe if they release, they could release upward and backward, but not downward, so it would pop off in the trees, but wouldnt blow out on you. um, i cant stand composite poles, cause they flex when you put pressure on them.
seriously tho, i have no idea why companies try and create a freestyle pole market. kids are cheap, poles break, and there really isnt anything that you cant get from the mountains rental department. id say your much better off selling 100 dollar poles to Ski magazine readers.
what would be sick thou, is if you could come up with a poles that had some secondary functions. maybe a whole line of them. maybe something similar to armadas line, with all sorts of grips, shafts and baskets. but each different grip had a function. maybe a wireless ipod/zune controller ontop of 1, a lighter in the other, monopod mount(great idea), stash tube, rub on wax applicator, grips with the canted forward grip, freestyle shaped grips, lock, etc etc. the buyer could pic the shafts, from wild to mild graphics, materials, etc. i think you guys would have ALOT more success with something like that could be mass marketed toward the entire skiing population. this way, the buyer could build a set, from basic, cheap, durable poles, to something functional and unique.
