Leki Silent Spike Pad Pair for Flex U

I really wanted to love these, but I must confess, after only one day, I am disappointed. I got them to replace a pair of the standard ("Powergrip" I believe) rubber paws that came with my Leki NW poles. The latter had begun to show signs of premature wear - one of them has a chunk out of them which was worrying, although it hasn't so far affected usability.I knew about these "silent spikes" and thought they looked good, and as though they should be harder wearing. Well, they may yet prove to be harder wearing, but I know I'm not going to enjoy using them much. Here's why:As soon as I left my house using them I could feel them sliding over the relatively smooth surface of the paviers in our back patio and front drive. These were slightly wet from a light fall of rain. (I will try them out there when dry asap, but I don't think it'll make much difference). However, I thought they'd be fine as soon as I got to the tarmac/asphalt of the road and pavement (sidewalk for any Americans who happen to read this). Wrong. I could feel them sliding. And they continued to slide on any tarmac/asphalt I walked on. Eventually I found I could control this somewhat by altering the angle of my "plant" to be more vertical, but I don't think I should have to be doing this.I walked about .9 of a mile into town from my house, mostly on tarmac/asphalt, but there are some stretches of grass on the route I took, and I will say that they were absolutely fine on this. In fact, I think they will probably be mostly ok when I go walking in the country, which I do a fair bit. Although I will be interested to see how they do wherever there are small loose stones, etc. However, I also do a fair bit of urban walking, which means tarmac and paving stones, and it seems they won't be very good there.I suspect my next pair will be plain rubber ones.I will update this review when I've had chance to give them a good go in a rural area, which should be within the next few days.BTW, I was extremely impressed by the quick delivery, so thanks to Amazon / Runmarkt for that!Update: 30.05.2021 - I had almost forgotten having written this review, but as I was thinking of buying some more, I thought I'd look at the reviews, and here we are: Well, I didn't buy a 2nd pair back then, but a generous friend gave me a pair, one of which I am still using. (I lost the other on a walk).I've decided to give them another try, because they really are great on soft ground, especially e.g. wt grass going uphill, and I prefer not walking with bare tips/spikes.But I am reminded of one of their other problems (apart from not being great on hard surfaces, especially tiles/paviers) which is the propensity to lose spikes in use. On my one remaining paw, I only have 4 or the 6 original spikes, and I think I'd lost some from the other paw (which I eventually lost).I am hopeful that because I'm more experienced with N Walking now, my technique might be such that they will seem more usable on hard surfaces. But we will see.

I have been using these Leki paws for a few weeks now. I have found them very useful when walking on different surfaces, so that I don't have to keep removing paws to use the spikes, when on soft ground. These paws work well on both soft and hard surfaces, but do make a slight noise on tarmac. This noise is hardly noticeable, and after a short while I don't even notice it. Besides the six spikes on the paws, they look and fit exactly the same as ordinary Leki Nordic Walking paws.

I lost one of the usual pads taking it off to go through soft ground to give a better grip of the pole steel ends. These beauties are great. Kept on all the time they do away the need for taking them on and off and are more comfortable walking on hard surfaces. Highly recommend.

Had hoped these pads would be useful on both hard and soft ground to avoid the need to change from spikes to pads. Others seem to find them useful - sadly my husband and I don't find them useful on tarmac/pavement - the grip on these surfaces isn't as good as with the plain rubber pad. They are OK on soft ground but that doesn't help if they don't work on both .

I was hoping that these pads would be interchangeable with the broken ones on my traveller poles but they did not fit. Gave them to a friend. I cannot find the right pads anywhere at the moment. Brexit? Covid? Even the local nordic walking shop can't help. I have poles that I can use on footpaths and gravel but not on pavements. really frustrated.

Can't fault these, high price but so far (I'm an instructor) they're on track to last long enough to make them best value. The studs really help if your technique is good.

These are great once you get the hang of them, not ideal for tarmac, but if like me you take to the hills Nordic walking and can be on variable surfaces, you'll be glad you bought them.

Not as effective as I had hoped. They are off the poles and I am just using the standard tips.