Better safe than sorry...tips and tricks about the rubber tips of walking sticks
The black or brown rubber at the end of a walking stick is called the "rubber tip" or "ferrule." It acts as a cushion to prevent the stick from slipping when walking and absorbs shock, reducing the risk of falling on slippery surfaces, especially on rainy or snowy days. But did you know that the rubber tip, which is essential to a walking stick, is a consumable item that needs to be replaced regularly?
In this column, we will introduce you to the rubber tips of walking sticks in detail.
Contents of this column (This article can be read in about 6 minutes)
1. The role of tip rubber 2. Main types of tip rubber 3. The appropriate time to replace tip rubber 4. How to replace tip rubber 5. Summary
1. The role of the tip rubber
Rubber tips for walking sticks and canes, also known as "rubber tips for canes and walking sticks" or "ferrules," are the rubber parts that are attached to the side of a walking stick that touches the ground.
It serves the purpose of preventing slipping when walking, protecting the part that comes into contact with the ground, and also reducing the impact transmitted to the hand holding the walking stick when it hits the ground.
Daily use and aging can cause the rubber tip to deteriorate, such as the surface that touches the ground being worn down, and it can no longer perform its intended function. The timing varies depending on how often you use your walking stick and the road conditions you use it on, but to use your walking stick properly, you need to replace the rubber tip regularly. The rubber tip of a walking stick is a consumable item.
*For information on replacement, please read "3. Appropriate replacement timing" in this column.
2. Main types of tip rubber
The type of rubber tip used will vary depending on the type of walking stick and the thickness of the shaft. There are many variations in rubber tips, including colorful ones, ones with special functions, and ones with specialized designs. This time, we will introduce them in three major categories.
▶Single type
This is the most common type of walking stick, with one rubber tip at the end. Black is the most common, but rubber tips in a variety of colors that match the walking stick are also popular. There are also other types with a special treatment on the contact surface to make them less slippery, and slimmer times with a slightly tapered shape.
▶Special type
The tip of the rubber tip is split into three prongs, which means it has a larger installation area than the single type and emphasizes stability.
There are types like the Flexfit Cane, which requires a special tip rubber for flexible movement, and the four-pronged cane, which requires four smaller tip rubbers than usual. There are also high-performance canes that have been specially processed, such as the Elxi , which KINDCARE developed in collaboration with Sumitomo Rubber Industries, Ltd., which manufactures and sells Dunlop tires, and which looks like a regular cane tip. The Elxi in particular is highly weather-resistant and durable, and is highly slippery even on wet roads, and uses a different rubber on the inside than on the outside, making it easy to tell when it's time to replace it.
▶Attachment type
Ice picks for walking sticks do not have rubber tips themselves, but by attaching them, you can use your walking stick more safely on snowy or icy surfaces. In particular, they grip firmly onto the ground even on wet ice where rubber tips would be unreliable, making them safer to use on slippery icy surfaces than regular rubber tips.
3. Appropriate timing for replacing the tip rubber
The time to replace the tip of your walking stick will vary depending on how often you use it and the storage conditions, but generally it is recommended to replace it after about 90 days if you use it every day, and about 180 days if you use it 2-3 times a week .
KINDCARE also provides information on the condition of the tip rubber as a guide for when to replace it.
A. The rubber tip of the walking stick makes a clicking noise when you push it. If the rubber tip is worn down and the surface is completely flat, or if the rubber tip is cracked, the stability is reduced and the walking stick becomes slippery, increasing the risk of falling. Also, if the shaft is exposed from the rubber tip, the walking stick will make a clicking noise when walking.
B. The tip rubber is deteriorating and brittle, causing debris to fall off. As the rubber deteriorates and wears, its inherent anti-slip properties decrease, increasing the risk of falling.
C. If the tip of the rubber is hard , the contact area with the road surface is reduced, making the walking stick less stable and increasing the risk of falling.
D. If the tip rubber is dirty or scratched If the tip rubber is dirty or scratched, there is a higher risk that debris will get into the grooves and the pen will not perform as intended.
It is important to regularly check the condition of the rubber tip of your walking stick to see if it needs replacing.
4. Tip rubber replacement service
After reading this far, I hope you understand that replacing the rubber tip is essential for comfortable use of your walking stick.
However, when you try to replace it, many people get stuck and say, "Oh no, it won't come out," or "I don't know how to replace it." In many cases, the rubber tip is firmly attached to the body of the walking stick, making it difficult to remove the deteriorated rubber.
That's why KINDCARE is offering a "Cane Tip Rubber Replacement Card (3,300 yen including tax)," a service that allows unlimited free tip rubber replacements for two years. For two years from the date of purchase, simply bring the cane you want to replace the tip rubber to a KINDCARE store, and a salesperson with specialized knowledge will use special tools to replace the cane tip rubber. There are no restrictions on which products are eligible. Canes you already own and products purchased outside of KINDCARE can also be replaced. Customers will no longer have to go through the trouble of removing the tip rubber from the cane themselves.
Please take advantage of this convenient service.
5. Summary
There are many different types of rubber tips for walking sticks, but the most important thing is to choose the one that suits your walking stick and use it appropriately for the situation.
If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact your nearest store or the KINDCARE Online Shop. Our staff with extensive knowledge and expertise will be happy to assist you.
KINDCARE will continue to provide useful information about walking sticks so that you can use your favorite walking stick safely and for a long time to come.