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Trekking pole tips, baskets and ferrules

Essential for ensuring good grip and optimal protection, trekking pole tips are designed to adapt to various terrains. Whether you're walking on rocky trails, soft ground, or hard surfaces, these accessories enhance the comfort and durability of your poles. In addition to reducing vibrations, they protect the tip and minimise impact on the ground. There are different models available, from non-slip rubber to specialised tip caps for technical terrains. Make sure to choose a model compatible with your trekking poles or your Nordic walking poles to ensure a secure fit. Investing in quality tip protectors extends the lifespan of your gear and improves your hiking experience!

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Leki Tip Power Grip Pad Walking Black Overview
Leki
Tip End Cap Power Grip Pad Walking Black
  • £11.31

Leki's Power Grip Pad Walking Black tip optimizes pole grip and stability when Nordic walking on hard surfaces.
Colour
  • Leki Tip Power Grip Pad Walking Black Overview
TSL Tip Kit Crossover Black Goyave Overview TSL Tip Kit Crossover Black Goyave Detail
TSL
Tip End Cap Kit Crossover Black Goyave

  • Recommended price

    £8.61

    -30%

    £6.00

-
Colour
  • TSL Tip Kit Crossover Black Goyave Overview
Leki Silent Spike Pad Trekking Black Leki Silent Spike Pad Trekking Black
Leki
Tip End Cap Silent Spike Pad Trekking Black

  • Recommended price

    £20.79

    -12%

    £18.18

The Leki Silent Spike Pad Trekking Black tip offers optimum grip on various terrains thanks to its rubber structure, ideal for hikers.
Colour
  • Leki Silent Spike Pad Trekking Black
Lacal Tip Pad Hiking Black Overview Lacal Tip Pad Hiking Black Back
Lacal
Tip End Cap Pad Hiking Black
  • £5.13

The Lacal Pad Hiking tip is compatible with most hiking poles while offering exceptional grip.
Colour
  • Lacal Tip Pad Hiking Black Overview
Black Diamond Tip Tech Tips Rubber Overview Black Diamond Tip Tech Tips Rubber Detail
Black Diamond
Tip End Cap Tech Tips Rubber

  • Recommended price

    £8.61

    -30%

    £6.00

Black Diamond Tech Tips are replacement models for your Spring 2012 and later hiking poles and all Z-Pole models. Rubber Tech tips are not compatible with First Strike, Trail Back and Syncline models.

Colour
  • Black Diamond Tip Tech Tips Rubber Overview
Lacal Polte tip Universal Pad Hiking Black Overview Lacal Polte tip Universal Pad Hiking Black Side
Lacal
Tips Universal Pad Hiking Black
  • £5.13

The Lacal Universal Pad Hiking Black is a protective tip made in France, designed to universally fit hiking poles and minimize their impact on the environment.
Colour
  • Lacal Polte tip Universal Pad Hiking Black Overview
Lacal Tip Universal Pad Walking Black Overview Lacal Tip Universal Pad Walking Black Side
Lacal
Tip End Cap Universal Pad Walking Black
  • £7.74

-
Colour
  • Lacal Tip Universal Pad Walking Black Overview
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TSL Tip Kit Standard Pad Black Overview TSL Tip Kit Standard Pad Black Detail
TSL
Tip End Cap Kit Standard Pad Black

  • Recommended price

    £6.87

    -12%

    £6.00

-
Colour
  • TSL Tip Kit Standard Pad Black Overview

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Walking pole tips: how to choose the right cap for your hikes

Whether you're into hiking or Nordic walking, the tips (or ferrules) on your poles play a vital role. These small rubber or metal accessories improve ground traction, protect your poles, and enhance walking comfort. There are different types suited to each activity (hiking, Nordic walking) and to each terrain (asphalt, trails, snow). Let’s explore how to choose and use them effectively to prolong their lifespan.

Nordic walking pole tips: features and use

Nordic walking poles are designed for a sportier stride. They are fitted with a metal tip made from tungsten carbide (very hard-wearing), which ensures grip on trails. Additionally, a rubber pad is placed over the tip for hard surfaces (roads, tarmac). This angled pad must be fitted with its longer side pointing backwards, so the flat surface sticks firmly to the ground during the push-off phase. (In practice: use the bare tip on natural paths and add the rubber pad as soon as you move onto asphalt to reduce noise and vibrations.)

Walking staffs: how they differ from hiking poles

A walking stick (or traditional hiking staff) differs from modern poles in its intended use. Often favoured by older users for leisurely walks, it typically features a wide, non-slip rubber stopper. Unlike trekking or Nordic walking poles, the walking stick does not have an aggressive metal tip, as it is designed for smooth, hard surfaces (pavements, indoors). The stopper mainly serves to absorb impact with the ground and prevent slipping.

Rubber tips for Nordic walking poles: protection and longevity

Rubber caps for walking poles offer extra grip and comfortable support on hard surfaces (tarmac, smooth rock, indoors). By absorbing shocks, they improve comfort and reduce vibrations in the arms. They also protect the metal tip from premature wear on tarmac. However, rubber does wear out over time: lifespan varies depending on usage frequency and terrain. For instance, a regular Nordic walker who often uses their pads on the road will need to replace them after several hundred kilometres, once the non-slip pattern is worn down or the rubber begins to break through. Check them regularly and replace as needed to maintain good traction.

Snow: to prevent sinking

In snow or very soft terrain, the narrow tip of a trekking pole sinks easily. Snow baskets for walking poles are used in these conditions: essentially wide discs fitted just above the metal tip. These discs increase the surface area to prevent the pole from sinking into powder, while still allowing the tip to bite into compact snow. Most poles come with interchangeable baskets: small ones for summer, larger ones for winter. Before a winter outing on snowshoes or ski touring, don’t forget to fit your snow tips (large baskets) to avoid sinking with every step.

Metal tips: the foundation of a walking pole

Most hiking and Nordic walking poles feature a metal tip made from tungsten carbide. This metal tip is extremely durable and provides excellent grip on natural surfaces (soil, mud, gravel). However, on bare rock or concrete, it may slip and produce a clacking sound with each step. In such cases, a rubber cap is used to cover the tip, offering a quieter and non-slip contact.

Leki Nordic walking pole tips

Among leading manufacturers, Leki offers a wide range of accessories for its hiking and Nordic walking poles. For example, its Power Grip pad made from vulcanised rubber delivers excellent grip on asphalt while wearing down very slowly. If you use Leki poles, it’s best to opt for the brand’s official accessories for optimal compatibility and longevity.

Guidetti: innovation for your trekking poles

Guidetti, a French brand, also offers clever solutions for its poles. Its Viper tip guard protects the tip on hard ground, and the Softip tip provides a slight cushioning effect with each step. Guidetti has even developed the Padapt system to prevent the rubber cap from being lost when not in use. If you use Guidetti poles, you’ll easily find compatible replacement parts.

Which tip for hiking poles?

It all depends on the terrain. Here are some useful pointers:

  • Earthy trails / woodland: use the bare metal tip, which provides traction and stability on natural surfaces.
  • Rock / slabs: the tip may slip on smooth rock. Add a rubber cap for better grip (though it will wear out quickly on such rough terrain).
  • Road / tarmac: a rubber cap is essential on paved surfaces, to protect the metal tip and ensure silent, non-slip contact.
  • Snow / deep mud: attach the wide baskets supplied with your poles to stop them sinking. On very hard or icy snow, keep the bare tip (or even a special long tip) to bite into the ice.

How to change the tips on hiking or Nordic walking poles

Here are the general steps:

  1. Choose the new tip: get a compatible replacement (ideally from the same brand as your poles, or a universal model with the correct diameter).
  2. Remove the old one: for a rubber cap, simply twist and pull it off the tip. For a glued metal tip, heat the end of the pole (hot water or hairdryer) to soften the glue, then use pliers to twist and remove it.
  3. Install the new one: push it on firmly. If it’s a new metal tip, apply some epoxy glue inside before fitting. Make sure everything is secure before heading back out.

Which way to fit Nordic walking pole tips?

The rule is simple: position the angled pad so that its longest side points backwards (towards the heel). This ensures the flat surface presses firmly onto the ground during the push-off, reducing the risk of slipping. Fitted the wrong way round, the pad won’t grip as well and may slide at the end of each step. So remember: bevelled side to the back, flat side to the front.