One of my friends asked me to help him out with a problem with his tent poles sinking into mud/sand when he camped. The brief was to make som feet that would not take up much space to pack and be very lightweight. After getting the pole measurements I designed and 3d printed him some pole feet in various styles. They are made from PLA which is an environmentally friendly biodegradable plastic made from corn starch among other things. I made several styles and these are the final ones which have now travelled to various camp sites and have been given rave reviews. The poles never sunk into sand or mud and he found them very easy to carry.
The first picture shows a pencil modelling instead of a pole, during the design phase.

The final test fitting before they went off for use.

I'd consider making the base rounder Duncan. They'll obviously be very stable as are but should the tent decide to fall over, it''ll be more likely to bend / snap as you've set up a stress raiser. Ideally you want the pole to be able to fall over with the shelter rather than try and remain upright

What's the advantage of these over a flat disc?

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:51 pm I'd consider making the base rounder Duncan. They'll obviously be very stable as are but should the tent decide to fall over, it''ll be more likely to bend / snap as you've set up a stress raiser. Ideally you want the pole to be able to fall over with the shelter rather than try and remain upright

Do you mean more hemispherical?

Do you mean more hemispherical?

Yes. Pretty much something without a flat base that'll fall over.

Bearbonesnorm wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:51 pm I'd consider making the base rounder Duncan. They'll obviously be very stable as are but should the tent decide to fall over, it''ll be more likely to bend / snap as you've set up a stress raiser. Ideally you want the pole to be able to fall over with the shelter rather than try and remain upright

You can't really see from the picture but the base is rounded up to the sides rather than flat, but I will try even more weeble effect on the next batch to see how they stack up.

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:54 pm What's the advantage of these over a flat disc?

They are pretty much bomb proof and weight next to nothing. Should be stronger than a flat disc. Plus I thought they looked nicer!! My mate says they have been working perfectly, no poles stuck in mud or sand and he hasn't broken them even when trod on at home!

dlovett wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 9:32 pm

ScotRoutes wrote: ↑Sun Jan 22, 2023 5:54 pm What's the advantage of these over a flat disc?

They are pretty much bomb proof and weight next to nothing. Should be stronger than a flat disc. Plus I thought they looked nicer!! My mate says they have been working perfectly, no poles stuck in mud or sand and he hasn't broken them even when trod on at home!

I've used these

https://www.bearbonesbikepacking.co.uk/ ... pole-feet/

Seem to work fine for me on soft ground?

But it’s myog rather than buy them.

Storage suggestion?

The safety caps they put on the end of the reinforcement bar on building sites is a good way of getting these cheap (FOC if you speak to a site chap them nicely - they buy them in the thousand and they're pennies).
I have been known to put the pole in my shoe if I notice it sinking

Zippy wrote: ↑Sat Jan 28, 2023 3:31 pm I have been known to put the pole in my shoe if I notice it sinking

Genius!
...until you get up for a wee in the night

Similar to what happened to Reg last February on Pontcysyllte aqueduct..

Gatewood... woke up with silnylon resting on my nose... pole had dropped couple of inches into soft ground due to 40mph winds and rain... lifted pole and put shoe under it... went back to sleep.... woke up again later.. silnylon all over me... front peg had pulled out due to raised pole and said 40mph winds... lengthened line and peg back in... went back to sleep... woke up again later.... needed wee... yes, shoe under pole, so barefoot outside....back to sleep... woke up in morning to notice just missed dog poo .

Not Reg's finest hour but hilarious... and like Rowley Birkin was ver' ver' drunk so only self to blame .

I bunged a rubber boot off a walking pole on the end of mine. Crushed beer cans are better though.

pistonbroke wrote: ↑Sat Jan 28, 2023 11:32 am Storage suggestion?

But is she any good on a tandem?
[Edit:] she'd have go Infront. Would you want these in your back ?

ledburner wrote: ↑Fri Feb 03, 2023 3:40 pm But is she any good on a tandem?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8ESVA9EgTSM

Would you want these in your back ?

Yes please.