Walking ladder help

[Evan Young]

I got a walking ladder and have been keen to learn it. I don't know if I'll ever use it in shows, but I like the idea of having extra skills under my belt.

2 Questions!

First. I wore through the rubber pads it came with on the feet really fast. They are easy to replace at the hardware store, but do you guys have any other suggestions on what to do there?

Second. Any advice for learning? I've learned to keep my balance on the first and second rung. I just started trying to step from the second rung up to the third and ran into some facial road rash. I'm going to work on that near a wall from now on.... anyway, any tips from the pros that could save my life are welcome, (other than "don't do it").

[Stretch]

You might try cuting a section out of a old bicycle tire, and trying that. Cut a + shape, and secure with radiator hose clamps.

[MagiCol]

cheap or long-lasting

I guess the alternatives for foot pads are cheap ones that dont cost much to replace, or long-lasting ones that probably cost more. I suppose the most important factor is that the pads give adequate grip on the surfaces you perform on.
I know that cars have a small rubber bung with a lip on it to fit in to drainage holes such as on car floor. Maybe there is something equivalent in the vehicle line that will fit your ladder? Plastic-type stuff comes in various durabilities. I wonder if you could source a material and get pads, turned on a lathe, for the job.

[jeep caillouet]

Evan Michael James walks standing on top of the ladder, no foot over the top rung.

[Lee Nelson]

evan , to stop the rubber stoppers wearing thru, take a coin that matches the diameter of the stiles of the ladder and insert it into the rubber stops and it lasts forever.

question number two. Rungs one and two the hardest. The higher you go the easier it gets. You can either step up with a one two beat or you can jump up with both feet. I think jumping is easier but really they are both the same as long as you do it while the ladder is stalled. Stalled meaning that it is in balance with both feet on the ground.
Hard to explain but if you think about what I said next time you practice you should probably get what I am talking about
Try and keep your body close as you can to the ladder and show no fear.

[Rachel Peters]

Oh wow. Lee, I read that entire post twice through, mistakenly thinking that Jeep (above your post) had authored it. I was absolutely floored at its coherency and relevancy.

[Isabella]

For replacement pads - chair leg ends are available at Home Depot or other big lumber store - I got some for the pipe ends of my car roof rack, and they were about $1 each! They come in different sizes.

[Evan Young]

The chair legs things are what it came with, and what I'm replacing with so far.
Looking forward to more practice when I get home from this current college run.
Thanks folks!