In 2005 Swix has introduced a number of improvements into their Nordic walking production lineup.
Most of their top-of-the-line poles now have cork grips, ventilated, padded Pro Fit straps and what is most noticeable – the Twist&Go tip.
Swix Twist&Go tip is basically a moveable and adjustable tip, enabling the user to switch from the sharp, metal spike, to a rubber tip for pavement use.
When the surface you are Nordic Walking on changes, just twist the Twist&Go tip and you’ll have the perfect tip for that new surface.
The re-designed 2006 Twist&Go tips feature a much larger rubber pavement paw (the smaller one can be attached as well), the plastic adjustment pin has been upgraded with a metal one.
My first pair of the large rubber tips has lasted for nearly 450 miles – much longer than any of the smaller tips that I have used in the past.
Here I am quoting directly from the Swix Nordic walking web site:
“The Twist&Go tip is also lighter than conventional tips. Every gram saved on the tip of the pole helps you achieve an more optimal pendulum swinging motion.
The new improved tungsten tip provides an even better hold on ice, snow and slippery surfaces.
A small bearing within the Twist&Go rubber tip generates a clicking sound when it becomes worn and is time to be replaced. This indicator is designed to tell you when it is time to change the rubber tip and to prevent the Twist&Go tip from being worn out.”
Having used the new Swix poles with Twist&Go for several months now, I can attest that the system does work as advertised. There is no loosening of the locking mechanism with use. If anything, it is maybe a bit too tight and relatively hard to switch from one mode to the other.
Having an ample supply of the regular rubber tips, I have decided to save the wear and tear on the Twist&Go rubber tips and when on pavement and on rocky (gravel too) trails, simply put a regular rubber tip over the metal spike of the Twist&Go. I know that this sort of defeats the whole purpose of the system, but it does save wear and tear, money and the Twist&Go is always available for use, anyway.
The new, re-designed Twist&Go tips feature a much larger rubber pavement paw (the smaller one can be attached as well), the plastic adjustment pin has been upgraded with a metal one. The large rubber knob is much more efficient and durable, so it is not longer necessary to use the regular rubber tips on the tungsten spike. Best of of, Swix now has both the entire units and the rubber knobs as replacements.
My first pair of the large rubber tips has lasted for nearly 450 miles – much longer than any of the smaller tips that I have used in the past.
Earlier poles with the Twist&Go tips can be easily retrofitted in a few minutes, with the help of a phillips screwdriver.
Simply remove the phillips screw. Take out the plastic pin and the spring. Replace in reverse order with the new spring and the metal pin. Insert the screw from the end opposite the pin and tighten.
