The Different Types of Nordic Walking Pole Tips: How to Choose?
The tip of your pole is the only point of contact between your equipment and the ground. Its choice directly determines grip, safety, push efficiency and the durability of your equipment. Yet this component is often neglected at purchase time.
Materials: steel, tungsten carbide
Simple steel tips are traditional and sufficient for occasional practice. Tungsten carbide is today's recommended standard: two to three times harder than steel, it wears far more slowly with frequent planting and offers superior grip. For regular to intensive practice, tungsten wins.
Straight or bevelled tip?
The straight (or round) tip is ideal for starting out or for light practice on soft ground. The bevelled tip, angled forwards at a single angle, is the reference for Nordic walking on forest trails, dirt paths or rolling terrain: it penetrates the ground better and helps propulsion. The double-bevelled tip has two angles, which makes it particularly effective on steep terrain, rocks and slippery surfaces.
Rubber pads: for what use?
Rubber pads (also called paws or boots) fit over the metal tip to protect hard surfaces and reduce the noise of the pole on asphalt. They are recommended in urban settings, on paved roads or tarmac. Note: some pads can slip slightly on wet gravel. "Mixed" pads, with a small tungsten tip embedded in the rubber, offer the best versatility between hard and soft ground.
Summary table: which tip for which terrain?
| Tip type | Ideal terrain | Practitioner profile |
|---|---|---|
| Round / straight | Grass, snow, soft ground | Beginner, gentle practice |
| Bevelled tungsten | Trails, dirt, paths | Regular practice |
| Double-bevelled tungsten | Rocks, rough terrain | Intensive practitioner |
| Rubber pad | Asphalt, urban areas | All levels |
| Mixed pad | Alternating hard/soft ground | Versatile practice |
The MØNARC® Arcs de Marche®
Curved 100% carbon Nordic walking poles, 140 g per pole, designed in France and assembled in France. Delivered ready to walk with straps, tungsten carbide tips and a made-to-measure bag.
Tip maintenance
A worn tip reduces the efficiency of your push and can compromise your safety on slippery ground. Inspect your tip regularly: if the end becomes rounded or the metal no longer grips, it is time to replace it. Most quality poles offer interchangeable tips, which avoids replacing the whole pole. MØNARC® poles are compatible with standard market tips, and original tips are available among the MØNARC® spare parts.
Key takeaway: For regular practice on paths, the bevelled tungsten tip is the reference. Always keep a set of rubber pads for your stretches on tarmac.
Going further
- What size Nordic walking poles should you choose? The complete guide
- One-piece or telescopic Nordic walking poles: which to choose?
- Aluminium, fibreglass or carbon: which material for your Nordic walking poles?
- How to maintain your Nordic walking poles?
- How to clean and maintain your Nordic walking pole tips