How to Fix a Broken Trekking Pole: Section Replacement and Lock Repair

Diagnosing the Problem

Trekking poles fail in five common ways: a locking mechanism that will not hold, a bent or broken pole section, a worn or missing carbide tip, a broken basket, or a torn wrist strap. Before ordering parts, identify which problem you have. A pole that collapses under weight but looks straight and intact is a lock problem. A pole that has a visible bend or a section that will not extend is a structural problem. A pole that slides on rock or makes a scraping sound is a tip problem.

Pull each section out fully and inspect the pole shaft under good light. Look for dents, kinks, or cracks. Aluminum poles (7001 or 7075 alloy) bend before they break. A slight bend under 5 degrees can sometimes be straightened. A sharp kink or bend over 10 degrees means the metal is fatigued and the section should be replaced. Carbon fiber poles do not bend; they crack or shatter. A carbon fiber section with any visible crack, even a hairline, is unsafe to use and must be replaced immediately.

Flick Lock Adjustment: Black Diamond and Similar

Black Diamond poles use the FlickLock mechanism, a cam-actuated external lever that clamps the upper pole section around the lower section. With use, the clamping force decreases because the plastic components wear slightly and the pole sections compress. The fix is a simple screw adjustment.

Look at the FlickLock mechanism. You will see a small Phillips-head screw that passes through the lever and the clamp body. This screw controls clamping tension. Open the lever to the unlocked position. Tighten the screw 1/4 turn clockwise. Close the lever. Test by putting your full body weight on the pole. If it still slips, open the lever and tighten another 1/8 turn. Repeat until the lever closes with moderate resistance and the pole holds your weight without slipping. Do not overtighten; the lever should not require excessive force to close. Overtightening can strip the screw threads or crack the plastic lever body.

If adjusting the screw does not fix the slipping, the problem may be dirt or oil between the pole sections. Remove the lower section completely. Wipe down the inner surface of the upper section and the outer surface of the lower section with isopropyl alcohol on a clean rag. Do not use lubricant. The FlickLock relies on friction. Any oil or silicone spray on the pole shaft defeats the lock.

The screw on a Black Diamond FlickLock is an M4 machine screw. If the original screw is stripped or rusted, replacements are available at hardware stores. Black Diamond also sells replacement FlickLock assemblies for about $8 per set through their spare parts portal.

LEKI uses a similar external lever lock on their Micro Vario and ThermoLite models. The adjustment procedure is identical: tighten the screw in small increments until the lever closes with firm pressure and the pole holds weight.

Twist Lock Cleaning and Tightening: LEKI

LEKI's classic twist-lock system uses an internal expander that presses against the inside wall of the outer pole section when twisted. Grit, dust, and dried skin oils accumulate on the expander and inside the pole, reducing friction. Cleaning fixes most twist-lock slipping problems.

Unscrew the pole section counterclockwise until the two sections separate. Inside the upper section you will see the expander mechanism: a threaded rod with a plastic or brass expander piece. Wipe the expander with a clean cloth and isopropyl alcohol. Do not apply oil or grease; the expander needs friction to grip. Wipe the inside of the outer pole section as far as you can reach. A shotgun cleaning patch on a rod works for the lower reaches of the pole.

Reassemble the pole by inserting the lower section into the upper section and turning clockwise. As you turn, the expander flares outward against the pole wall. Continue until the pole sections are firmly locked. Test by leaning on the pole.

If cleaning does not resolve the slipping, the expander may be worn. LEKI sells replacement expander kits (LEKI part number TKG-EXP) that include the expander, spring, and tension screw. Installation takes about 10 minutes. Remove the old expander by fully unscrewing the pole sections until the expander comes out of the upper tube. Thread the new expander onto the lower section's threaded rod, then reassemble.

Section Replacement

Black Diamond sells replacement lower and middle sections for most current pole models. The lower section is the most commonly damaged part because it takes the most bending force. A replacement lower section for a Black Diamond Trail Ergo Cork costs approximately $25 directly from Black Diamond. Order by model and year; sections are not interchangeable across different pole models.

To replace a section: open the FlickLock, pull the damaged section out fully, and slide it free. Insert the replacement section from the bottom of the pole, sliding it up through the upper section. Align the markings on the replacement section with the FlickLock clamp area and close the lever.

LEKI replacement sections are available through LEKI USA's service department. Contact them with your pole model and the section you need. Cost runs $20 to $35 per section. LEKI poles use a press-fit system for some models; replacement may require removing the grip first, which adds complexity.

Carbide Tip Replacement

Carbide tips wear down over hundreds of miles. A worn tip has a rounded profile and reduced traction on rock. A fresh tip has a sharp, defined edge. Worn tips can be replaced without replacing the entire lower section.

Black Diamond and LEKI tips are press-fit onto the end of the pole shaft. To remove a worn tip, heat a pot of water to boiling, then remove it from the heat. Submerge the lower 3 inches of the pole in the hot water for 2 minutes. The heat softens the adhesive holding the tip in place. Grip the tip with pliers or a vise, twist, and pull. If it does not come free, repeat the heat soak.

Clean the bare pole end with alcohol to remove old adhesive residue. Apply a small amount of two-part epoxy (Devcon or JB Weld works well) to the inside of the new tip and the outside of the pole end. Press the tip onto the pole firmly. Wipe away excess epoxy before it sets. Let cure for the full time specified on the epoxy package, typically 4 to 6 hours for handling strength and 24 hours for full cure.

Replacement carbide tips: Black Diamond sells flex tips (standard) and carbide tech tips (aggressive grip for ice and steep terrain). LEKI sells carbide flex tips in multiple diameters. Match the tip to your pole model. A mismatched tip will not seat properly and may come off during use.

Basket Replacement

Baskets snap off when stepped on or caught between rocks. Most poles use a screw-on basket system. Rotate the old basket counterclockwise to remove it; if part of the basket broke off at the threads, use pliers on the remaining plastic ring. New baskets screw on clockwise. Black Diamond baskets start at about $4 each. LEKI baskets run $5 to $8.

Trail running baskets (small diameter, roughly 2 inches) are for packed trails. Powder baskets (large diameter, roughly 4 inches) are for deep snow and are essential for winter use. The basket thread diameter is standardized at about 8mm across most brands, but the thread pitch varies. Black Diamond baskets may not thread onto LEKI poles and vice versa.

Grip and Wrist Strap Replacement

Cork grips wear smoother over time but rarely require replacement. If a cork grip is loose on the shaft, it can be re-glued with epoxy. Foam grips (EVA) compress, tear, and absorb sweat odors. Replacement foam grips are available from Black Diamond and LEKI, but replacement requires removing the old grip, which is glued on. Heat from a hair dryer softens the adhesive; then the grip pulls off. New grips are glued on with contact cement or epoxy.

Wrist straps fray at the attachment point where webbing passes through the pole's top hardware. Replacements for Black Diamond poles are available as a kit that includes both the strap and the plastic clip that secures it. Disassembly requires a small Torx driver. LEKI wrist straps are replacement-friendly; the Trigger Shark system on newer models allows strap changes without tools.

When to Retire a Pole

Retire an aluminum pole if any section has a sharp bend or kink. A bent pole under load concentrates stress at the bend and can fail without warning. Retire a carbon fiber pole if any section shows a crack, delamination, or a soft spot that flexes differently from the surrounding shaft. A sudden pole failure on steep terrain can cause a serious fall.

Field Splinting

If a pole bends on trail and you need it to continue, there is a field fix. Slide a tent pole repair splint (the aluminum sleeve included with most tent pole sets) over the bent section. If you do not have a tent pole splint, use two sturdy sticks placed on opposite sides of the bend, wrapped tightly with duct tape. This splint will not take full body weight, but it will allow the pole to support partial weight for balance on moderate terrain. Do not rely on a splinted pole for steep descents or river crossings.