Pole tips take the most wear, so they tend to be the first part to wear out. Fortunately, they are easy to replace. Let’s look at how to do it.
How do you replace your pole tips?
The tip is the most exposed part of your pole. It’s in constant contact with the ground, whether that’s tarmac, dry soil, stones or even snow, water or mud. It’s also one of the most important parts for safety and stability, as it’s the only point of contact between your pole and the ground.
To protect your pole tips, you can fit removable tip covers, for example when crossing concrete or stony ground. They’ll also reduce the noise of the tips striking tarmac. Even so, after several outings, bearing your weight and taking repeated impacts can cause the tips to wear down or break, especially in Nordic walking. To slow this wear, you can choose poles with tungsten carbide tips. Much tougher than standard steel tips, carbide tips rarely break and offer better grip on the ground. They therefore provide greater safety. However, repeated use can cause them to start slipping out of their plastic housing. Don’t worry: anyone can replace the tips on their hiking poles! Here’s how.
You can easily replace the worn tips on your walking poles or hiking poles yourself. It’s a simple, inexpensive job, and you probably already have everything you need at home.
- Before replacing your pole tips, you’ll need to get new ones. If possible, choose tungsten carbide tips for the reasons explained above. Spare parts are available from many retailers and resellers.
- Next, heat the tip with hot water, a heat gun or simply a hairdryer until the adhesive loosens.
- You can then remove the damaged tip with your fingers or a pair of pliers.
- You can now replace the old tip with the new one, securing it with adhesive. A glue gun will make this easier. Make sure the tip is straight by checking that it lines up with the handle, then press it firmly into place.
That’s it! Your pole tips are replaced, and you’re ready for your next adventure!
