I found these attachments with my new hiking sticks, but I’m not sure what they’re for. Can anyone explain their purpose?
Those are typically stored until you encounter sandy, snowy, or muddy conditions; then you’ll remember you left them at home. They’re meant to prevent the poles from sinking too deeply into soft ground.
@Kim
What if I just use them all the time to avoid losing them?
Ridley said:
@Kim
What if I just use them all the time to avoid losing them?
They would wear out faster than if used only when necessary.
Ridley said:
@Kim
What if I just use them all the time to avoid losing them?
They would wear out faster than if used only when necessary.
But wouldn’t they last longer if not used in harsh conditions like mud or snow?
@Ridley
The wear mainly occurs when they contact hard surfaces like rocks or compact dirt, not just mud or snow.
Ridley said:
@Kim
What if I just use them all the time to avoid losing them?
Mud baskets are small enough to be used frequently without causing issues. Snow baskets are larger and could be cumbersome if left on all the time.
The smaller ones are mud baskets, and the larger are for snow.
That’s a snow basket. It attaches to the bottom of your pole just above the tip to help when hiking in snow.
It screws on near the end of the pole above the tip. Known as a basket, it prevents the pole from sinking into soft ground.
Olin said:
It screws on near the end of the pole above the tip. Known as a basket, it prevents the pole from sinking into soft ground.
That makes sense, thanks!
Olin said:
It screws on near the end of the pole above the tip. Known as a basket, it prevents the pole from sinking into soft ground.
That makes sense, thanks!
No problem!
I once used my hiking poles without the baskets, and my pole sank through the trail edge, causing me to slide down an embankment. Now, I always attach the baskets.
These seem like the smaller mud baskets, not the larger snow ones.
Whit said:
These seem like the smaller mud baskets, not the larger snow ones.
Agreed, these are definitely mud baskets.
Those are for use in snowy conditions, attached to the bottom of the pole.
They are replacement baskets, likely for use in snow.
They are actually mud/sand baskets. Snow baskets are wider. Both types attach near the pole’s tip and prevent too much sinking. There are also boot-shaped tips for paved surfaces.
They are snow baskets. You get two so it’s not a big deal if one gets lost!