Replace Trekking Pole Tips - Don't Buy New Poles!

In most cases the tips on trekking poles will wear out before the poles do. Replacing the tips is an inexpensive and easy fix. I'll show you how to do it.
#TrekkingPoles #Repair #HikingGear

[@oleksandrshevchuk3626]

It appears to be easy to do but only after watching a video of someone who has experience doing this. Thanks Kurt, and have thousands of hiking miles ahead!

[@KurtPapke]

LOL! Happy Trails to you Oleksandr.

[@shawndeaton6618]

The crescent wrench tip is clutch! Thank you

[@KurtPapke]

You’re welcome Shawn!

[@ianstuart8514]

Thank you very much for the clear, simple instructions that worked perfectly. Took me 2 minutes and 1 of those was setting the adjustable pliers 👍

[@KurtPapke]

Glad to hear it worked for you!

[@bobdoyle7804]

Such a simple, clearly stated and demonstrated process. Thanks for this!

[@junlic3740]

Thanks so much. Tried many ways to remove the pole tip (boiling water, cut it open, etc) and with your way I finally got the old tip off!

[@KurtPapke]

I appreciate you letting me know that it worked for you!

[@g.fortin3228]

Woohoo.. just bought a set of replacement tips and wasn't sure how.. thank you for putting up this vid for me to find. Now i gotta see what else ya' got here on the tube. Cheers!

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks for sharing your story!

[@tedstrader3491]

That was so awesome. I have been playing with it for an hour trying to find the pin that was on the Leki video. Thank you

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks Ted!

[@hikerzz6839]

Great video I am buying some tips for my Black Diamond poles and was not sure how to remove and install. You took all the guesswork out. Thank you!

[@KurtPapke]

Some of the Black Diamond poles have screw-on tips. Just look carefully before you make the attempt!

[@johnhoover249]

My older OEM Leki baskets simply screw off and can be reused . Do this while the rubber is securely on the pole. Use a combination of gentle pulling on the basket and turning the basket while holding the pole. Reverse the procedure for re-installing. Handy for changing baskets for snow or removing.

[@KurtPapke]

Good to know, thanks John!

[@illinikina]

I’ve been following HikingDancer’s thru-hike vlogs, and one of her commenters suggested your video to her when she needed to replace her tips. Thought I’d check it out too :) Thanks! I think even I can handle this repair :) Good video!

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks - I sometimes wonder what brings people to my videos, nice to know about this reference. Much obliged!

[@tomgeorge2917]

I've had a pair of Leki's > 20yrs and trekked a crazy amount of miles. Thought from watching others I'd have to soak, cut etc... Unbelievable. So simple with my 12in crescent wrench. Literally 2 min. Thanks!🙂

[@KurtPapke]

Great story, thanks for sharing!

[@boblaw4238]

thanks...I was just going to replace the tips and wonder how it was done.

[@KurtPapke]

Great, thanks for letting me know!

[@kimberlyuetrecht9539]

Awesome information! Saved me the cost of new poles. Replaced a broken tip with the tip of an old Black Diamond pole that doesn't have a pair. Ordered a set of tips to have on hand as needed.

[@KurtPapke]

Good to hear, thanks for letting me know!

[@ricks4361]

Dang. EZ PZ simple trick. Thanks, Kurt, and hope you’re on tips replacement #6 and still goin.

[@KurtPapke]

Still goin’, thanks! Now I just need some replaceable knees…

[@ericwallace1831]

Very Helpful. Thanks! I'm a local Tucsonan.

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks Eric, always nice to hear from locals!!

[@Hessel66m]

Thanks a lot, with a little struggle i managed on my Exel nordic walking poles. Thank you from the Netherlands

[@KurtPapke]

That’s wonderful, thank you for taking the time to let me know!

[@WillN2Go1]

Good video Thanks. I've come across a couple of issues I haven't been able to fully solve. Mud sucking off the rubber tips. I've been on trails posted with signs saying rubber tips must be used. The hard tips cutting right through the rubber tips. Theoretically there'd be some way to make a 'socket' for the metal tip, aside from a wrap of duct tape extending beyond the tip, I haven't figured out a solution. And young people just starting out. Save yourself a lot of money and having 3-4 pairs of poles, one set over $100. I've never had a problem with cheap poles. $5/10 pair ones I bought in China didn't hold up, but were effective. $25 pairs seem every bit as good as the >$100 carbon fiber ones I thought I needed. What you really want are compact poles that fold up really small so they can fit in side your day bag. Eliminates all the hassles of fussing to pack the longer ones. (They're the same length when extended for use). Two factors. First the compact ones don't adjust as much, so you need to get the ones for your height, and second, make sure they have that extra 'grip' area below the handles. On steep ascents you can't shorten these enough, so you need to grab them below the handles. Most importantly, by buying the compact ones first, you can skip buying the carbon fiber ones, and the longer ones. Another tip. Wrap some duct tape around at least one of your poles. Now you'll always have some duct tape and you'll always know where it is. I've found the more expensive black Gorilla Tape to be worth it And if Kurt says I'm full of it on any of this-- He's probably right. And if any of this is useful maybe he'll use it in a future video. Go make some footprints.

[@KurtPapke]

Not full of it at all. Great suggestions! I have not had the positive experiences you've had with cheap poles though, and I've tested several for BGT. They just didn't seem to hold up. Tough to beat Leki or BD poles.

[@MountainParameters]

Good ideas, and second the thought from Kurt on cheap poles. However, you can get decent Chinese poles. Rather than buy the cheap ones from China, I looked at the most expensive ones, and then bought some from one of the better sellers. That was 6 years ago and the poles are still working fine with lost of summer and winter kilometers on them, and now will benefit from new tips, which I also plan to purchase offshore.

[@davidescobarmsptcidn7309]

No glue required? I've seen a couple videos showing applying hot tacky type glue to the shaft before sliding replacement tips on. Would that ever help or be better?

[@KurtPapke]

Great question. I’ve never had a problem with the replacement tips falling off. OTOH, I would think the glue would make it hard to get the replacement tips off in a couple years when you have to replace them again.

[@paulstevenson3086]

very clear and to the point . thanks from Germany

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks so much for taking the time to leave the feedback Paul!

[@mac-hv4ug]

Thx Kurt! Helpful c-wrench tip!

[@KurtPapke]

No worries!

[@JROwensPhotos]

Also worth mentioning is that you can also get replacement shaft segments, at least for my Black Diamond poles, so I'd guess Leki does the same. I'd long known the tips were replaceable, but I didn't find out I could replace a shaft for about $15 until after I'd already bought a whole new pair of poles, which cost something like 6 times as much.

[@KurtPapke]

Good point. Have not done the shaft replacement, but I'll check it out. My Leki's have a slight bend in one of the poles from a fall, and that should be just a matter of replacing the bent shaft.

[@KurtPapke]

I checked and BD seems to be the only brand that sells replacement shafts. Leki does not. Interesting, I'm glad you pointed that out.

[@bretthermann2936]

Thx, great trick with the crescent wrench

[@lilh12]

Thank you. Is it possoble to change it in any kind of pole? Or only in Leki?

[@KurtPapke]

Not all brands. The only way to know for sure is to try it, or read your manufacturers directions.

[@andycole566]

Great explanation! Clear and to the point. Thank you!

[@KurtPapke]

You are welcome Andy!

[@marviedouglas7375]

Thanks for the tip removal hack. It worked perfect.

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks for letting me know Marvin, I appreciate it!

[@coonhollow7233]

Thanks for the tip (no pun intended)! I just had to replace the tips on my Komperdell poles and had no idea they were just a friction fit onto a tapered shaft - easy fix! BTW, I am planning a solo New Hance/Tonto/Grandview loop hike next November, either as an extreme dayhike or maybe a one night cowboy camp at Hance Creek. Any suggestions or advice?

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks for letting me know about the Komperdells. Your hike sounds pretty challenging for 1 day - Hance is slow going. You will need a permit to camp below the rim. The nice thing about camping at Hance is the water. The views are much better up on the mesa and the campground is really nice, but it’s a dry camp.

[@coonhollow7233]

@@KurtPapke Yep, I often seem to plan an overly-aggressive itinerary when I'm sitting in the comfort of my recliner! I'll have the BC permit in my back pocket in case I need to rest but figure a slow finish up Grandview can be done at night if necessary. I'll cache some water along the Grandview ahead of time just to be on the safe side. Thanks!

[@tyronedavidson547]

Thank you for this video, i was looking everywhere for this answer

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks Tyrone, glad it helped you.

[@bsolloway]

OMG - this was too easy! I was all ready to soak the tip in hot water as someone in REI told me - to get off... and you're right....the crescent wrench was quick and easy....

[@KurtPapke]

Yep, easy peasy!

[@instant_mint]

In my case the handles were more expensive than buying new poles for some reason. But I have ordered handles anyway, because I hate wasting things :)

[@haydeepearce1996]

Very good tip. Thanks!

[@pmeitler]

Super simple - appreciate the easy and quick instruction - thank you!

[@KurtPapke]

Glad it helped Paul!

[@fitto44]

Easy explanation, very useful 👍👍👍 Thank you very much 😉

[@KurtPapke]

Man thanks Man!

[@fitto44]

You welcome 😉

[@gavinstinson9450]

Thanks for the video! This helped me :)

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks for letting me know Gavin!

[@bestillonthetrail234]

Thank you, that was so easy 👍.

[@KurtPapke]

It is, once you know how to do it!

[@richardkandalec4128]

I would grip the lower pole section when removing and when putting new tips on so you do not put undo strain on the adjuster.

[@KurtPapke]

Good idea!

[@TheConsarnedCitizen]

I have a basket on the tip I'm removing. How do I get it off the old one and onto the new one?

[@KurtPapke]

Often the baskets unscrew from the tip

[@jeffreyrule8143]

Thank you so much for the repair hack.

[@gregsvideos3411]

Any idea if this would work for "Komperdell Summit Alloy" poles? I'm still reluctant to use a lot of force on the sloping plastic parts of the basket assembly as shown here to find out. Although actually I can't find replacement tips for this model anyways, which is disappointing, as I really like what I've been using.

[@KurtPapke]

Not familiar with those. Were you able to procure replacement tips that fit them?

[@gregsvideos3411]

@@KurtPapke Not so far, I guess this was an obscure model. There's still some tip there, so not urgent, but since it's Winter time I figured I would at least look into replacements. I got the poles at REI but they discontinued that item soon after. Thanks so much for replying!

[@garyclaytonphotography5708]

Great information. Thank you.

[@KurtPapke]

You are most welcome!

[@carolinegeojohnson4416]

Thank you! A perfect solution :)

[@KurtPapke]

Hey, I’m so glad you found the video useful Caroline!

[@xiandongleng2972]

Those plates can protect poles from hitting rocks. I would say better have them on.

[@jandal8905]

The wrench method in this video didn't work on any of our 5 trekking poles (an aluminium Fizan and 4 carbon fibre Pacer Poles). What did work was removing the lowest section and placing them tip-down in a potful of water, then bringing to the boil for 5 minutes. The tips slid off easily and no tools were needed. The water needs to cover the whole of the plastic tip as it is brought to the boil.

[@KurtPapke]

Good to know, thanks for sharing!

[@jairoaguilar3838]

Thanks!

[@KurtPapke]

You're welcome Jairo!

[@jacobfrantzmonster]

Awesome thanks

[@KurtPapke]

Thanks Jacob!

[@EpicBladeTime]

thanks for sharing

[@mwppak]

Wonderful

[@RenggaThe]

great info. thank you Sir

[@KurtPapke]

You are quite welcome sir!

[@aimonnastos7702]

THANK YOU

[@KurtPapke]

You’re welcome!

[@1billiedale]

Fast and efficient!

[@KurtPapke]

You got it!

[@jamesjoyce5962]

It is unsafe to use poles with unglued tips in boggy / waterlogged ground conditions as the soil can easily suck it off if the pole sinks too deep (happened to me and I ended up with one of my poles being without a tip and therefore useless)

[@KurtPapke]

Interesting, never heard of that happening before. Thanks for the note!

[@justinbendell5470]

Thanks

[@KurtPapke]

You are welcome Justin!

[@deborahferguson1163]

Awesome!

[@KurtPapke]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@nedun1939]

Nice old Az. bench!

[@KurtPapke]

LOL! That's our front porch.

[@dubby6toes]

2:11 That’s what he said !

[@KurtPapke]

LOL!

[@billangela]

This didn't work for me no matter how many times I tried or how hard I hit it with the wrench. It just tore up the top of the tip.

[@KurtPapke]

What brand & model of trekking poles??

[@billangela]

@@KurtPapke Leki carbon fiber Ultralite. I also tried boiling them and they didn't budge. Any other ideas before I try cutting them off?

[@KurtPapke]

@@billangela Yikes, I dunno how well cutting will work. You’ve tried twisting with a big pliers I take it?

[@billangela]

@@KurtPapke Yes, it doesn't budge. Maybe Leki was experimenting with some crazy glue. I'm a little nervous to try and cut it away but I don't know if I have any other option at this point.

[@138modified]

This method didn't work for me. Not sure what your poles are made of, mine are carbon fiber. I appreciate your video and gave it a thumb up just the same. I was able to use a utility knife and cut it off easily enough.

[@KurtPapke]

Yeah, this technique will not work for all models/brands of poles.

[@138modified]

@@KurtPapke yeah, I realized that, but the main thing for me was to see how they come off, which you showed very well. Thanks

[@jandal8905]

The wrench method in this video didn't work for me either. What did work was removing the lowest section and placing them tip-down in a potful of water, then bringing to the boil for 5 minutes. The tips slid off easily and no tools were needed. The water needs to cover the whole of the plastic tip as it is brought to the boil.

[@dmk5n1]

1:43

[@noControl556]

Read that as "twerking poles" and was really disappointed

[@KurtPapke]

LOL! I would never have thought of that reading!

[@jamiehoudeshell363]

Thank you

[@KurtPapke]

You're welcome Jamie!