I have both types of poles - REI/Komperdell Carbon fiber and Black Diamond aluminum.
I use the carbon Fiber in summer exclusively, never use the wrist straps unless I am crossing a stream or to pick up a pole from the ground with the tip of the other pole poking through the loop. I don't want to break my wrists for no reason, and I don't buy into the benefits of the straps, given I have enough miles on my poles to know for a fact that I don't need them for normal walking.
My aluminum BD Expedition poles are better for skiing and they come with the flip locks I prefer over the annoying twist lock on the carbon poles, which makes them the go-to poles for my MSR Twin Sisters tent. They are twioce as heavy, though, and on summer trips with tents that don't rely on my hiking poles, I will always bring the lighter poles. Got 4 muir trails on the REI carbon poles and just this winter replaced the tips on them, ready for more. My kids use the same poles and we replaced a few tips on those as well.
If I were to get a new set of summer poles, I'd get something in carbon fiber with flip locks, if it exists.
