Woven nylon straps provide a platform to plant on & push off of. The straps are engineered with increased strap width in the back of the hand for additional support. The buckle is injection-molded nylon that exceeds a tensile strength of 800 psi. Ice Tip: The Ice Tip is diamond shaped for unbeatable hold in extreme conditions. Race Basket: The Race Basket is designed to minimize drag & wind resistance when racing. This basket is featured on our slalom race poles. Junior Notch: The Junior Notch Grip is our Notch Strike Grip modified for smaller hands.S3 Aluminum: Series 3 Oval Shaped Poles feature shafts constructed from S4 aluminum & the R-2 Grip System. The oval shape of the pole increases aerodynamic performance & structural rigidity while maintaining exceptional shock-absorption properties.