The baskets are thread/”snap” on. The slippery, and wear resistant tips lend themselves to this, and like a ski binding, the basket is designed to “release” under load. So if your pole basket gets stuck in talus, and your hand is locked in the strap, the basket will pop off the tip, hopefully preventing injury or pole breakage.

Adjusting your poles: While intuitive to some, it is not so intuitive to others. Once you get a “feel” for it, you will get it. Place the lower shaft in your right hand, and the upper shaft in your left hand at the desired length. With both thumbs pointing towards each other, place some light pressure on the pole with your thumbs, like you are trying to “bow” the pole, while turning the lower shaft clockwise(looking from the bottom) inside the upper shaft. This pressure helps the internal rubber expander on the lower shaft grab the inner wall of the upper shaft. Once the expander engages and begins to tighten, no more side pressure is required. No need to over tighten, tighten until the poles don’t slip. This is another “feel” that comes with some use.