Care of Nordic Poles

Looking after your Nordic Poles

Nordic Walking poles are generally pretty low maintenance; however, it is worth checking over the straps and paws every now and then to ensure they remain in a good state. Here are some tips on pole care and what to do if things go wrong.

 General Care

• Store poles in a place where nothing can fall or sit on the pole shaft. Standing or hanging the poles are recommended.
• Be aware of how the poles are transported in cars or trains to ensure that no object sits on top of the pole shaft.
• For plane travel, packing the poles inside hollow tubing is the best way to prevent potential sideways impact because of rough handling.
• Be careful of how you grab your poles out from between the slats of a wooden park bench.
• Always separate the poles by pulling apart with a sharp action after use in wet conditions -Wipe them clean if muddy and leave to dry out thoroughly before putting the pole back together. Users often have a reluctance to do this; please be re-assured that it is safe to pull apart the sections.

Cleaning

Straps & Gloves

Wash your straps/ gloves regularly, I would suggest after every 5 uses or more if they are particularly sweaty! I put mine into a pillowcase and wash at 40 degrees in the machine. If your straps are quite stiff (then tend to get stiff in the wet weather particularly) it’s a good way to soften them. Try also to pick out any wool/grass/other debris that may have stuck to your Velcro otherwise it will lose its stick.

The Velcro on your straps may eventually fail. An alternative to buying replacement straps is to mend your existing ones by sewing on new Velcro. They should then last a good few years more. New straps will cost you around €25.

If the connection between the strap and poles fails unfortunately this cannot be repaired and you would need to buy new straps.

Tips and Paws

Wash your tips and paws to keep them free from mud and grime.

Trouble Shooting

Poles stick when adjusting.

1. Check the pole for bent sections – Pull the pole sections apart and gently roll them across a flat table top. Even a slight bend may cause the poles to jam together. It may be possible to straighten a slight bend, but usually a new section will be required.

2. Are the sections dented? Dents in the pole sections, even if only slight, will cause them to stick. Replacement sections are availabl

Pole does not lock when twisted

NB: Poles only need to be tightened with the fingers until they grip. It is not necessary to keep turning so they cannot be turned further.

1. Are you twisting the pole in the correct direction? Holding the upper section of the pole (the one with the handle on it) in the left hand twist the lower sections with the right hand: Clockwise to tighten and lock the pole sections into place.

2. Has pole been oiled / lubricated? Wash with mild detergent, rinse and dry thoroughly.

3. Are the threads corroded? Pull the sections apart and check for corrosion on the threads of the expander mechanism. This can be cleaned with a piece of wire wool. If the corrosion is severe a new section may be required. Corrosion is caused by storing the pole in a wet condition.

Poles are difficult to adjust

1. Check for white powder inside the poles. White powder is Aluminium oxide and is caused by storing poles in a wet condition. This may also cause corrosion on parts of the locking mechanism. Oxide can be removed by immersing the poles in soapy water and running the sections up and down inside each other vigorously. Rinse the poles with clean water and dry thoroughly. Never apply solvents or lubricants to any part of the pole.

2. Was it sticking during use in extremely cold conditions? This happens with most equipment used in extremely cold environments due to ice build-up. Try tapping or flexing the poles occasionally during use to avoid ice build-up.

Speedlock poles slip or are difficult to adjust.

Speedlock mechanism may need adjusting. Open the lever and loosen the knurled adjuster. A large flat screwdriver or back of a blade may be needed. Adjust a quarter turn at a time till the desired action is achieved.

Carbide Tip is worn

If walking on paths or road use rubber ferrule to extend the life of the tip

Tips can be replaced – please ask us for help with this

Rubber grips have become sticky

Old rubber covered plastic grips may become sticky as they get old. This stickiness can be removed with Isopropyl Alcohol

Replacement rubber tips can be purchased

Speed spike tip (the sharp pointed ones!) falls out

If this happens you must replace the whole tip system – let us know and we can help with this

LEKI Guarantee

There is a 2-year warranty against breakage of the LEKI pole shafts on all models sold up to 2003. Poles from the 2003/04 range have a 5-year guarantee against breakage. Please note that breakage is not the same as bending!

Leki also guarantee to hold spares for every individual model for 10 years past the date of manufacture.

Repairs and spares. LEKI UK do not offer a postal repair service. Repair and maintenance of poles does not require any special tools. Spare parts are readily available and can be fitted by most people without any in-depth technical knowledge. 

We are happy to help if you are stuck.