Your poles tangle around your wrist in a fall. Your strap slips when your gloves get wet. You fumble with the loop in the lift line and your hands freeze. That's the problem Leki's Trigger system solves — and the latest Trigger 3D version solves it even better.
If you're serious about skiing, you already know poles matter. Good poles stay put when you plant them. Great poles let go when you need them to — which means your hand stays intact if you take a hard fall. Leki's Trigger 3D does both with a simple mechanism that clicks in and out like a ski binding at your wrist.
What the Trigger System Actually Is
The Trigger system is a release loop built into Leki gloves (or available as a separate mesh strap that works with any gloves). You slide the small oval loop — positioned between your thumb and forefinger — onto the trigger attachment point on the pole grip. It clicks and locks mechanically. When you need out, you press the thumb button on top of the pole, or you fall hard enough that the system releases automatically.
Think of it like clicking into a ski binding, but at your hand. The loop holds firm on the downhill. Under load from a fall — whether you pitch forward, fall sideways, or rotate — the spring mechanism releases you from the pole. That's the safety payoff: your hand stays free instead of getting tangled or twisted by a pole that won't let go.
Trigger S vs. Trigger 3D — What Changed and Why
Leki released Trigger 3D around 2021, and the upgrade is real. The new system expands the release range from a single plane to 220 degrees — that's four times the release arc of the older Trigger S. That bigger range means you're covered whether you fall forward, backward, sideways, or in any weird angle between.
The grip itself also got better. The contact surfaces are more ergonomic — it feels less like you're gripping a mechanical gadget and more like you're gripping a regular pole. Click-in and click-out happen smoother.
Here's what matters for compatibility: new Trigger 3D poles work fine with older Trigger S gloves and loops. So if you own S gloves, you can upgrade your poles without replacing everything. But new 3D gloves work with both systems, while S gloves may not click cleanly into the 3D mechanism. One direction works. The other doesn't quite.
The Poles
Leki makes several Trigger S and 3D poles. Here are the ones worth considering:
Leki Detect S Trigger Poles - $105. Solid all-mountain option. durable , lightweight and high-strength aluminum. Soft and tacky rubber grip. Comes with 2 sets of baskets for groomer or pow days. Can use any glove with included adapter.
Leki Stella S Poles - $105. Solid all-mountain option. durable , lightweight and high-strength aluminum. Soft and tacky rubber grip. Comes with 2 sets of baskets for groomer or pow days. Can use any glove with included adapter.
Leki Airfoil 3d Trigger Poles - $145. Premium thin lightweight aluminum shaft. Trigger 3D grip system also includes LEKI's Mesh Frame Strap allowing for a close grip with any glove or mitt. Can use any glove with included adapter.
The Gloves
Gloves are where the system gets flexible.
Leki Copper Lobster S Gloves — $120. Goatskin leather, water-resistant, neoprene backing. EVA knuckle pads protect your hands on hardpack. Comes with the integrated Trigger S loop, but works with Trigger 3D poles too (with caveats on the fit). A solid entry point.
Leki Patrol 3d Lobster Gloves - $130. Constructed from premium Goatskin, it offers superior durability, while the anti-slip Silicone Nash palm ensures optimal gripping power.
Leki Copper 3d Pro Gloves - $135. Goatskin leather, water-resistant, neoprene backing. EVA knuckle pads protect your hands on the hardpack. Comes with the integrated Trigger 3D loop.
One caveat worth mentioning: Leki sells the gloves and poles separately. If you don't want to buy Leki gloves, you can use any glove with the included Trigger S or Trigger 3D mesh strap. It clips onto your cuff. Not as elegant as the built-in loop, but it works.
Who It's For — and Who It's Not
Buy this if:
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You race or freeride and take hard falls regularly
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You're tired of fumbling with wrist straps in lift lines
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You're willing to invest in a system that actually protects your wrist when things go wrong
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You want poles that feel like an extension of your hand, not a piece of gear strapped to your arm
Don't buy this if:
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You ski once a year at a resort and never fall hard
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You ski park and pipe
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You hate adopting proprietary systems or switching gear between brands
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You're on a tight budget and can't justify the extra cost over traditional poles
The honest truth: you're paying for engineering and safety. If you never fall, the release mechanism is invisible to you. But if you do fall — and skiers do — this system might save you from a shoulder injury or a twisted wrist that ends your season.
Why Willis
We've fit a lot of skiers here in Pittsburgh since 1970, and pole sizing matters. Too short and you're working too hard. Too long and you're off balance. We can dial in the right length and help you think through glove fit — because a tight glove won't release cleanly no matter how good the system is.
Leki's Austrian roots match ours. They build gear the way we've learned to work: with precision and respect for how skis actually behave. If you want hands-on advice on setup instead of just an online order, come in.
Need help sizing poles or understanding the Trigger system better? Stop by Willis Ski and Board in Pittsburgh or give us a call.