The ultimate guide to hiking pole accessories: Tips, tricks, and must-have gear
By: Andrew Forrest - January 2025
In this guide, we'll delve into the must-have accessories, explain the purpose of different pole tips in detail, and offer practical advice for choosing the best options for your needs.
Hiking poles
are a game-changer for enhancing your walks, hikes and trekking. But what indeed elevates their performance and enhances their life are the right
hiking pole accessories. Whether you're navigating rugged trails, icy slopes, or muddy paths, the right gear can make all the difference.
Table of contents
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Must-have hiking pole accessories
Investing in the right accessories for your poles is key if you want them to perform at their best while hiking. These items enhance
performance, ensure durability, and adapt your poles to different terrains.
- Rubber tips
Ideal for urban walks and rocky terrain, rubber tips reduce the clicking noise of poles on hard surfaces and provide better grip. They also protect the metal tips from wear and tear.
- Carbide tips
These are essential for hikers tackling rough, uneven, or icy terrain. Carbide tips bite into the ground, providing superior traction and stability.
- Pole baskets
Baskets prevent your poles from sinking too deeply into soft surfaces like mud, sand, or snow. They're an absolute must for winter hiking or wet trails.
- Shock absorbers
Attachments or built-in mechanisms that reduce impact on your wrists and elbows are especially useful for those with joint issues.
Leki DSS Suspension Tip
- Pole straps
High-quality, adjustable straps provide added comfort and prevent accidental drops during intense hikes.
- Carry clips
Handy for keeping your poles together when not in use, ensuring easy storage and transport.
A pair of walking or hiking pole clips, that keep the poles together
- Traction spikes
These optional attachments give your poles extra grip in icy or slick conditions, making them part of your
essential winter hiking kit.
- Lubricants
While not an accessory, a silicone-based lubricant is part of my hiking pole kit. It helps keep walking and hiking poles smooth and functional and especially helps lubricate twist locks and internal mechanisms.
Different types of hiking pole tips explained
Hiking pole
tips come in a variety of designs, each suited to specific terrains and hiking needs. Choosing the right tip enhances your performance and
protects your poles and the environment. The tips I use most whilst walking in the UK are tungsten tips, rubber tips, mud baskets and studded
tips. Here's an in-depth look at the different types of tips and their applications:
Carbide or tungsten tips
- What they are: Durable, sharp, and ideal for rugged terrains. These tips are usually standard on most trekking poles.
- Best for: Rocky trails, gravel paths, ice, and steep ascents/descents.
- Benefits:
- Provide excellent grip and traction on uneven surfaces.
- Highly durable, lasting for years with proper use.
- Penetrate icy or hard-packed surfaces for stability.
- Tip: Carbide tips may wear down or become less sharp over time. Check regularly and replace when necessary.
Rubber tips
- What they are: Detachable covers for metal tips, often made of durable rubber with tread patterns.
- Best for: Pavement, asphalt, urban hikes, and indoor surfaces (like gym floors for Nordic walking).
- Benefits:
- Reduce noise on hard surfaces, offering a quieter walking experience.
- Prevent damage to delicate trails or floors.
- Protect the sharp metal tips, prolonging their lifespan.
- Variants: Some rubber tips are designed specifically for Nordic walking with a curved or slanted design to aid forward propulsion.
Black Leki rubber ferrules, protective rubber tips for walking or hiking poles
Snow baskets
- What they are: Wide, flat discs attached near the tip to prevent poles from sinking into deep snow.
- Best for: Winter trekking, snowshoeing, or mountaineering in snowy conditions.
- Benefits:
- Distributes pressure over a larger surface area, reducing sinkage.
- Essential for balance and stability in snowy terrain.
- Tip: Look for flexible edges on snow baskets for better adaptability on uneven snow.
Snow baskets from the top and bottom for hiking or walking poles
Mud baskets
- What they are: Smaller and lighter than snow baskets, designed to provide support on soft, muddy terrain.
- Best for: Wet or muddy trails, soft soil, and sandy terrain.
- Benefits:
- Prevent poles from sinking too deeply into mud or sand.
- Lightweight and less intrusive than snow baskets.
Mud or trekking baskets from the top and bottom for hiking or walking poles
Traction spikes
- What they are: Sharp, claw-like attachments that screw onto or replace the standard metal tip.
- Best for: Icy trails, frozen lakes, or slick, steep terrain.
- Benefits:
- Provide maximum grip in extreme winter conditions.
- Prevent slipping on black ice or frozen surfaces.
- Tip: These spikes are more specialised and may not be compatible with all pole brands. Check compatibility before purchase.
Rubber 'boot' tips
- What they are: Larger, boot-shaped rubber tips often feature a flat or curved bottom for maximum surface contact.
- Best for: Urban hikes, Nordic walking, or any flat, hard surface.
- Benefits:
- Superior traction on asphalt or concrete.
- Protect surfaces from scratches and scuffs.
- Their shape enhances forward momentum for fitness-focused walks.
Rubber hiking boots shaped protective tips for hiking or walking poles
Studded tips
- What they are: Rubber tips embedded with small metal studs for additional traction to keep you safer while walking.
- Best for: Mixed terrain, including slippery rocks, wet grass, and light ice.
- Benefits
- Combine the quietness of rubber tips with the grip of metal studs.
- Great for hikes transitioning between different surface types.
Interchangeable tips
- What they are: Multi-functional tip systems that allow you to switch between carbide, rubber, and other options quickly.
- Best for: Hikers who tackle diverse terrains on a single trek.
- Benefits:
- Maximum versatility.
- Cost-effective and efficient for multi-day hikes.
Blunt or worn tips
- What they are: Some hikers deliberately dull their metal tips or use blunter designs to avoid damaging trails or rock faces. After long periods of use, many tips take this worn tip look.
- Best for: Areas with strict trail conservation rules or where sharp tips may cause harm to the environment.
- Benefits:
- Eco-friendly and less intrusive to the trail.
- It is safer for hiking in groups, as sharp tips can sometimes pose a hazard to fellow hikers.
Hiking pole straps and their uses
Straps might seem like a minor feature, but they play a vital role in ensuring comfort and efficiency. Here's how to make the most of them:
- Proper fit
Straps should fit snugly but not tightly, allowing you to transfer weight to your wrists and reduce hand fatigue.
- Support and control
They enable you to push down on your poles without gripping too tightly, improving balance and control on descents.
- Material matters
Padded or neoprene-lined straps enhance comfort during long hikes. Ventilated straps are ideal for warm-weather trekking.
- Quick-release straps
Some modern poles feature quick-release mechanisms, letting you detach quickly if needed, such as during a fall or when adjusting gloves.
How to choose hiking pole baskets
Choosing the right basket depends on the terrain and conditions you'll face. Here's what to consider:
- Snow baskets for winter adventures
Choose large, wide baskets to prevent poles from sinking into deep snow. Flexible edges help with uneven snow.
- Mud baskets for wet trails
Opt for smaller, lightweight baskets to prevent your poles from getting bogged down in mud or sand.
- Attachment mechanism
Most baskets screw onto the pole, but some use clip-on systems. Ensure they're securely fastened to avoid losing them mid-hike.
- Material and durability
Hard plastic or composite materials are common. Look for baskets that resist cracking under heavy use or cold temperatures.
Top tips for getting the most out of tour hiking pole accessories
- Pack extras
Always carry spare tips and baskets. Losing a tip or breaking a basket mid-hike can significantly impact your experience.
- Clean regularly
Clean accessories after each hike to remove dirt, mud, or snow. This helps prevent wear and prolongs their lifespan.
- Inspect for wear and tear
Regularly check your accessories for cracks, worn-down tips, or loose attachments. Replace damaged items promptly. Inspect your poles before every hike and replace damaged tips promptly.
- Customise for the terrain
Swap accessories to match your hike's terrain, such as rubber tips for urban paths or snow baskets for winter treks. Using the wrong tip can make your hike more challenging or less enjoyable.
- Practice adjustments and learn quick changes
Learn how to quickly attach and detach tips and baskets before heading out so you're prepared for changes on your walk.
- Store accessories safely
Use a small pouch to keep spare tips and baskets organised in your
backpack,
reducing the risk of loss and keeping them clean. I often store all my various accessories in a small
drybag
and keep it handy in the lid on my
rucksack.
- Opt for universal compatibility
If you use multiple pole brands, choose accessories with universal fittings to save money and ensure versatility. Not all tips fit all poles, so double-check sizing and brand compatibility before purchasing.
- Dual-terrain accessories
Consider studded rubber tips or interchangeable systems for hikes that span varied terrains. These options reduce the need for constant swaps.
- Screw them tight
Many tips attach by screwing onto the pole. Always check that they're securely fastened to avoid losing them mid-hike.
Where to buy your hiking pole accessories
Many hiking and trekking poles come with tips and baskets when you initially buy them. If they don't come with all the ones you need for your
various walks, or you need spares, they can be bought in-store and online at most outdoor stores. I have included links to some of the
accessories below:
Hiking pole accessories summary
By understanding the variety of hiking pole accessories available and following these practical tips, you can enhance your trekking experience
and ensure your poles perform at their best. Whether you're conquering snowy peaks, traversing muddy trails, or taking a leisurely urban walk,
the right accessories make all the difference in comfort, safety, and efficiency.
January 2025
