The different types of Nordic walking tips: how to choose?
The tip of your Nordic walking stick is the only contact point between your gear and the ground. Your choice directly affects grip, safety, push-off efficiency and the durability of your equipment. Yet this component is often overlooked at the time of purchase.
Materials: steel and carbide tungsten
Simple steel tips are the traditional option and are adequate for occasional use. Carbide tungsten is now the recommended standard: two to three times harder than steel, it wears out much more slowly with frequent pole plants and offers superior grip. For regular to intensive Nordic walking, tungsten is a must-have.
Straight or bevelled tip?
Straight (or round) tips are ideal for beginners or for light use on soft ground. A single-bevel tip, angled forward, is the go-to choice for Nordic walking on forest paths, dirt tracks or rolling terrain: it penetrates the ground more effectively and makes propulsion easier. Double-bevel tips have two forward angles, making them particularly effective on steep ground, rocky trails and slippery surfaces.
Rubber tips (pads): what are they for?
Rubber tips — also known as pads or road tips — fit over the metal point to protect hard surfaces and reduce the noise of the pole on asphalt. They are recommended in urban environments, on paved roads or tarmac. Be aware that some pads can slip slightly on wet gravel. “Hybrid” tips, which combine a small carbide tungsten point embedded in rubber, offer the best versatility when you regularly alternate between hard and soft ground.
Summary table: which tip for which terrain?
| Type of tip | Ideal terrain | User profile |
|---|---|---|
| Round / straight | Grass, snow, soft ground | Beginner, gentle practice |
| Bevelled tungsten | Trails, dirt tracks, paths | Regular practice |
| Double-bevelled tungsten | Rocky, technical terrain | Intensive user |
| Rubber pad | Asphalt, urban areas | All levels |
| Hybrid pad | Mixed hard/soft surfaces | Versatile practice |
Tip maintenance
A worn tip reduces your push-off efficiency and can compromise safety on slippery ground. Check your tips regularly: if the end is rounded or the metal no longer bites into the surface, it is time to replace them. Most quality poles feature interchangeable tips, which avoids having to change the entire stick. MØNARC® poles are compatible with standard tips on the market, making long-term maintenance straightforward.
Key takeaway: For regular Nordic walking on trails and paths, a bevelled carbide tungsten tip is the gold standard. Always keep a pair of rubber pads in your bag for road and pavement sections.
To Go Further
- What size Nordic walking sticks should you choose? The complete guide
- One-piece or telescopic Nordic walking sticks: which is best?
- Aluminium, fibreglass or carbon: which material for your Nordic walking sticks?
- How to maintain your Nordic walking sticks
- How to clean and care for your Nordic walking tips