Crutches are an invaluable part of rolling joints. While some old-school smokers prefer to go without, most stoners appreciate joint tips for adding stability to joints, protecting your fingers from heat, and keeping the worst of the resin off your teeth.
Paper crutches are the main material used, but if you’d prefer to have something reusable, you’re in luck – there are several kinds of reusable crutches available for purchase online or in your local smoke shop.
Between glass tips, wooden tips, ceramic tips, and silicone – what’s the difference? What’s the best option? Let’s explore.
Joint Tips: Comparing Glass Tips vs. Ceramic Tips vs. Wooden Tips vs. Silicone Tips
Glass Tips: The Classic Performer
Glass is a staple of any stoner cabinet, and it’s a great material for joint tips too.
| Pros | Cons | Cost |
| Durable | Weakens over time if dropped | $5 – $25 |
| Easy to clean | More expensive upfront | |
| Provides smooth, clean taste | Can get hot during extended use | |
| Heat-resistant | ||
| Available in multiple designs and colors | ||
| No flavor transfer |
Ceramic Tips: The Elegant Option
Many stoner are making the upgrade from glass to ceramic, in bowls and tips – here’s why.
| Pros | Cons | Cost |
| Excellent heat resistance | Breakable – can shatter or chip | $10-$30 |
| Smooth smoking surface | Can be more costly option | |
| Minimal flavor interference | Limited design flexibility | |
| Aesthetically pleasing | ||
| Can be decorated with intricate designs | ||
| Relatively easy to clean |
Wood Tips: The Natural Choice
If you keep it au natural with your weed and papers, it’s no surprise you’d want to do the same for your joint tips.
| Pros | Cons | Cost |
| Organic, natural material | Can alter smoke flavor | $3-$15 |
| Absorbs some moisture | Less durable than other materials | |
| Provides unique aesthetic | Harder to clean thoroughly | |
| Often more affordable | Potential for splintering | |
| Biodegradable | May retain residue more easily | |
| Comfortable grip |
Silicone Tips: The Flexible Friend
From bongs and bowls to tips, silicone is having its cannabis moment, like these Weedget silicone tips.
| Pros | Cons | Cost |
| Extremely durable – won’t break if dropped | Can retain flavors | $2-$10 |
| Flexible and comfortable | May have slight rubber-like taste | |
| Heat-resistant | Less elegant appearance | |
| Multiple color options | Can degrade over time with repeated use | |
| Dishwasher safe | Limited heat resistance compared to glass/ceramic | |
| Inexpensive |
Choosing Your Perfect Joint Tip
There’s a lot of options for picking joint tips. Ultimately, it won’t make a major difference in the smokability of your joint – having a tip is more important than which one you choose. That being said, consider these factors when selecting a joint tip:
- Budget
- Durability needs
- Aesthetic preferences
- Cleaning convenience
- Comfort
- Flavor preservation
There are a few other types of materials for tips not mentioned here, including metal and wax. Wax tips are not reusable but can help reduce waste and even bring back biodiversity to certain areas.
Why Invest in Reusable Joint Tips?
Reusable tips offer significant environmental advantages over disposable filters. They reduce waste and minimize single-use products by eliminating the need to tear tiny pieces of paper off your joint pack or from your tip roll. Given the amount of waste in the cannabis industry currently, it’s important to take every step we can to support sustainable cannabis consumption and reduce the amount of little left behind by stoners.
Reusable tips can also be health-conscious. Some tips can fit over the end of a joint and can be easily added and removed from joints passed around in a smoking circle to keep you from having to put your mouth where other people have put their mouths.
Maintenance for Joint Tips
Regardless of material, it’s important to keep your joint tips clean. Dirty joint tips hold old residue, which impacts airflow for your joints and can add a nasty flavor to your smoking sesh, like lighting up resin instead of fresh flower.
- Rinse after each use
- Use isopropyl alcohol for deep cleaning
- Allow to dry completely
- Store in a clean, dry place
