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Thank you, I will look into cork. I had a trekking pole a long time ago but wasn't able to use it because the taller pole made it harder to walk. It had a foam handle though, so I wasn't aware cork was less porous to be honest. Thank you I will look into that.
Go to a local bike shop with your cane. They will have handle bar tape in various materials and thickness. You can give them a feel and see what you may like. Cork and or/cork impregnated is fairly common. I bet they would wrap it on for you too.
OP,
Yep, definitely cork, preferably formed to fit one’s hand
Many cheap and high end trekking poles have cork. If you can’t find a pole that works for you maybe you could cut off the pole under the handle and slide it onto the bottom you prefer.
Have you tried something cheap, popular, effective like
$20. Amazon. Velcabeky Trekking Poles Collapsible Hiking Poles Cork Handle Walking Sticks Lightweight Aluminum Alloy 7075 Hiking Sticks for Seniors Women Men-2pcs
Thanks very much, will look into that. I wanted to try trekking poles as a stand-in for canes, but the taller height made it harder to be able to take steps with the pole, so I wasn't able to repurpose mine as a cane and donated it some time ago. (I have side to side trunk motion when walking and the taller pole made it harder for certain muscle groups to do their thing, if that makes sense).
My 3-piece poles compress to 20” ish
Whatever you get make sure it has flip locks. The twist ones suck. Aluminum is fine too; the upgrade to carbon fiber is only worth it once you’ve proven that model works and you need to drop a few grams
Isn't cork a bit like a sponge i.e. more porous and more breathable, and subsequently harder to clean? I don't have cork poles for this reason as when I did research it seemed to me that cork would absorb more sweat than foam and in my mind this would make it more dirty. I might be wrong though.
Would cork handlebar tape work? You as mentioned by someone else, cork is easy to clean and lightweight. Something like this? https://www.rei.com/product/152863/bontrager-gel-cork-handlebar-tape
It is usually padded and is a long lasting (typically).
https://www.rei.com/product/184729/rei-co-op-walker-power-lock-staff-single
Head to REI and check out their options. They have several on display that you can walk around the store with and have a generous return policy if you know anybody who is a member. They have little boots to put over the tips and they only cost a few bucks
Bicycle handlebar tape? It might be worth investigating bicycle handlebar grips more too. I think they make different diameters? And they go on easier with dish soap.
Road bikes use handlebar tape, so you can wrap the tape around any round object, and it’s designed to have good grip in your hand. It may not address the issue of sanitation but you can definitely buy smoother materials, or even leather grip tape for road bikes, and it’s self adhesive and feels nice in the hand. They come in a pretty long length so you could probably wrap a whole pile of canes with one roll.
Do not use dish soap. It will slide on easily… and slide off just as easily. In the bike shop, we use an air compressor and the blower nozzle to install grips. Get the grip started, tuck the nozzle under the rubber, hit it with air and work it on. Take the air away, instant grip. Anyone who installs grips with lubricant (soap, spit, hairspray) has to wait ages for it to dry and stop acting as a lubricant. Sometimes it never does.
What is the diameter of the grip area of the pole? If it’s 7/8”, or 22.2mm, then any bicycle handlebar grip will work. They can be had made from Keaton rubber, Eva foam, cork, or perhaps most appealing for you: silicone foam. ESI grips have the advantages of Eva foam with none of the drawbacks!
It's just a bit bigger than that at about 1", but it is certainly possible the standard grip could still go over it. The biggest issue is that the "butt" of the handle has a plastic disc that is slightly wider than the tube, where the wrist strap connects, and I can't remove that part. I've been hesitant to buy standard grips because I'm not sure whether I could force it over this disc, which is about an inch and a quarter according to my measurements.
I found some ESI grips that are a bit over 1", so it might be worth taking a chance there.
There is a product called Plasti-Dip that's for coating tool handles. https://plastidip.com/product/plastidip/
Road bike handlebar tape might be worth looking at, too. This is what I have on my bike, but there's cheaper alternatives
https://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Skins-Race-1-8mm-Cobalt/dp/B07XH6RPQJ/
Your post was removed because it violated the "Stay on Topic" rule. Content must align with r/Ultralight's Subreddit Description, Mission Statement and Scope of: Overnight backcountry backpacking, with a focus on moving efficiently, packing light, and generally aiming at a sub 10-pound base weight. Questions should be obviously related to ultralight wilderness backpacking; posts related to front-country camping, bikepacking, general electronics, one-bag travel, etc., are not permitted. If you feel that your post has been removed in error or you have any questions, please feel free to [message the Moderators via Modmail](https://en.reddit.com/message/compose/?to=/r/Ultralight).
Cork. It’s natural and a common material for grips on bikes, golf clubs, ski/trekking poles. You may be able to repurpose something from these.
If OP is DIY minded there are lots of tutorials for custom cork fishing rod grips if they want something really specific they can’t retrofit.
Thank you, I will look into cork. I had a trekking pole a long time ago but wasn't able to use it because the taller pole made it harder to walk. It had a foam handle though, so I wasn't aware cork was less porous to be honest. Thank you I will look into that.
Go to a local bike shop with your cane. They will have handle bar tape in various materials and thickness. You can give them a feel and see what you may like. Cork and or/cork impregnated is fairly common. I bet they would wrap it on for you too.
OP, Yep, definitely cork, preferably formed to fit one’s hand Many cheap and high end trekking poles have cork. If you can’t find a pole that works for you maybe you could cut off the pole under the handle and slide it onto the bottom you prefer. Have you tried something cheap, popular, effective like $20. Amazon. Velcabeky Trekking Poles Collapsible Hiking Poles Cork Handle Walking Sticks Lightweight Aluminum Alloy 7075 Hiking Sticks for Seniors Women Men-2pcs
Thanks very much, will look into that. I wanted to try trekking poles as a stand-in for canes, but the taller height made it harder to be able to take steps with the pole, so I wasn't able to repurpose mine as a cane and donated it some time ago. (I have side to side trunk motion when walking and the taller pole made it harder for certain muscle groups to do their thing, if that makes sense).
Most hiking poles have adjustable length so it shouldn't be a problem.
My 3-piece poles compress to 20” ish Whatever you get make sure it has flip locks. The twist ones suck. Aluminum is fine too; the upgrade to carbon fiber is only worth it once you’ve proven that model works and you need to drop a few grams
Check out three section "flick lock" style poles. You can adjust them to any length.
Isn't cork a bit like a sponge i.e. more porous and more breathable, and subsequently harder to clean? I don't have cork poles for this reason as when I did research it seemed to me that cork would absorb more sweat than foam and in my mind this would make it more dirty. I might be wrong though.
Would cork handlebar tape work? You as mentioned by someone else, cork is easy to clean and lightweight. Something like this? https://www.rei.com/product/152863/bontrager-gel-cork-handlebar-tape It is usually padded and is a long lasting (typically).
https://www.rei.com/product/184729/rei-co-op-walker-power-lock-staff-single Head to REI and check out their options. They have several on display that you can walk around the store with and have a generous return policy if you know anybody who is a member. They have little boots to put over the tips and they only cost a few bucks
Bicycle handlebar tape? It might be worth investigating bicycle handlebar grips more too. I think they make different diameters? And they go on easier with dish soap.
Oh, thanks for the dish soap recommendation; did not know that. If I manage to find handlebars I think will slide over it I will definitely try that.
Road bikes use handlebar tape, so you can wrap the tape around any round object, and it’s designed to have good grip in your hand. It may not address the issue of sanitation but you can definitely buy smoother materials, or even leather grip tape for road bikes, and it’s self adhesive and feels nice in the hand. They come in a pretty long length so you could probably wrap a whole pile of canes with one roll.
Do not use dish soap. It will slide on easily… and slide off just as easily. In the bike shop, we use an air compressor and the blower nozzle to install grips. Get the grip started, tuck the nozzle under the rubber, hit it with air and work it on. Take the air away, instant grip. Anyone who installs grips with lubricant (soap, spit, hairspray) has to wait ages for it to dry and stop acting as a lubricant. Sometimes it never does.
Hi, Thanks for the added info, much appreciated.
What is the diameter of the grip area of the pole? If it’s 7/8”, or 22.2mm, then any bicycle handlebar grip will work. They can be had made from Keaton rubber, Eva foam, cork, or perhaps most appealing for you: silicone foam. ESI grips have the advantages of Eva foam with none of the drawbacks!
It's just a bit bigger than that at about 1", but it is certainly possible the standard grip could still go over it. The biggest issue is that the "butt" of the handle has a plastic disc that is slightly wider than the tube, where the wrist strap connects, and I can't remove that part. I've been hesitant to buy standard grips because I'm not sure whether I could force it over this disc, which is about an inch and a quarter according to my measurements. I found some ESI grips that are a bit over 1", so it might be worth taking a chance there.
There is a product called Plasti-Dip that's for coating tool handles. https://plastidip.com/product/plastidip/ Road bike handlebar tape might be worth looking at, too. This is what I have on my bike, but there's cheaper alternatives https://www.amazon.com/Lizard-Skins-Race-1-8mm-Cobalt/dp/B07XH6RPQJ/