My trekking poles came with plastic caps over the carbide tips. At a hostel hiker box in Georgia I noticed several different kinds of pole tips/ rubber tips had been left behind. I have never used any of the caps/covers. I was a little frustrated on the hike when I got my pole off the hard packed trail and they would sink a few inches on a climb. I don't have trouble with them slipping on rocks and the tips carbide tips seem to be holding up well (500 miles on them). Does anyone use the rubber tip covers? Preferences?