I have always wanted long (4-ft=3.5 meter) fiberglass poles with some flex in them to push my way up hills in powder. The flex helps when you need that extra jump going over a steep root or rock.
However, downhill, I prefer a pole <=3 feet...
So I taped up the poles at three feet, like one would with hockey stick...spiral wound tape thread covered by a layer of friction tape.
Then I can grab the poles at 3-feet and use them for my pole plant on the way down.
(I never use the pole straps on the way down anyway; after a near shoulder dislocation when the basket caught a branch).
Speaking of baskets, the bigger the better...
I have had several varieties of adjustable poles; all aluminum, no flex, and prone to breakage during a fall. Okay for lift line, but I don't rely on them in the out back.