Hiking poles and walking suggestions

If you don’t want to check the rest of your luggage, you can check just the poles. Put the poles in a small nylon duffle bag wrapped in bubble wrap or newspaper or put them in a cardboard box. Throw away the wrapping materials on arrival.

I have taken a collapsible hiking stick with rubber tip, in my carryon, four times. I strap it on the outside, and point it out to the TSA screeners, asking if its OK. Its always passed. If asked, I would defend it as a medical device (for my bad knee), as opposed to sporting equipment. Collapsed, it is no longer than my carryon bag. Its a cheap one, so I'm prepared to give it up and buy a cheap new one over there.

That's been my experience. Your results may vary. Two poles each, with sharp points might be more suspicious-looking. I know there is a lot of inconsistency among airports and TSA.

Hi -

Previous experience suggests you'll need to check your poles. So you could do as the poster above suggests and check them separate to your bags, or buy a pair at your ultimate destination. I'm sure you'll be able to pick up a cheap pair in the UK (maybe mail order them to your your first nights accommodation?) - check out mail order retailers such as Alpkit, Go Outdoors, Sport Direct and, of course, Amazon.

It might even be possible to rent a pair in the Dolomites (I'm basing this on the fact that you can rent via ferrata kit in the Dolomites) or again, buy a pair for the duration of your trip. Not too sure about your other two choices as haven't been there.

Personally I wouldn't undertake any trek these days without my trusty poles. I also have a yen to walk the Isle of Wight coastal path too, so might see you on the trail!

Hope you get the poles problem resolved and have a great trip, wherever you go!

Ian

We also travel with collapsible poles and have resigned ourselves to checking one bag. We pack one rollaboard with a couple of changes of clothes and necessary toiletries, taking that and daypacks on onboard while we check a bag with hiking shoes, poles, and the rest of our clothes. So far so good!

We’re planning on buying them there...then we have a wonderful and useful “souvenir.”

If your carbide tipped trekking poles are capped you might get away clearing the TSA screening. The question you need to ask yourself is: "Do I feel lucky?" If you are not lucky at the TSA screening, you will need to either abandon your poles, or return to departure hall and check your poles.

The official TSA position on hiking (trekking) poles is:

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/hiking-poles

Hiking Poles

Carry On Bags: No

Checked Bags: Yes

If you have a mobility device such as a cane:
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures?field_disability_type_value=5%20

Aids

Walkers, crutches, canes or other mobility aids and devices must
undergo X-ray screening. A TSA officer will inspect the item if it
cannot fit through the X-ray.

https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring

Planning ahead and packing properly can facilitate the screening
process and ease your travel experience at the airport. Know what you
can pack in your carry-on and checked baggage before arriving at the
airport by reviewing the lists below. Even if an item is generally
permitted, it may be subject to additional screening or not allowed
through the checkpoint if it triggers an alarm during the screening
process, appears to have been tampered with, or poses other security
concerns.

Definitely go to Poland. They have plenty of Poles there.

You will always find someone with an anecdotal account of how they were able to :_________ The fact of the matter is, that these poles are against TSA guidelines. Perhaps you might be one of the lucky that make it by. Chances are greater that you will not be one of those. I know I certainly was stopped and forced to check hiking poles.

Since both you and your husband are traveling, Why not check one bag that contains the poles and about 1/2 of each of your clothes? The other bag (with 1/2 of your clothes) can be a carry on. Then, in case of baggage loss, you will still have the resources you need until your bag catches up with you.

Yes, poles are supposed to be checked. Do you really need hiking poles? The Germans always have them but I have yet to hike anywhere I felt I needed a stick (let alone one in each hand) and try never to check anything. I don't check to save time getting out of the airport but also to save having to worry about lost luggage catching up with me. The upside is everyone will think you are a German tourist rather than an American tourist (until you say something) ;-)

Do you really need hiking poles?

Two primary advantages of trekking poles are:
1st Using your upper body muscles on hill climbs, taking some of the load off of your legs.
2nd Taking some of the load and especially impact on your knees and quadriceps on steep descents.

I would also use my trekking poles to vault over wet spots and puddles that dot moor country keeping my boots dry or dryer.

Stability on icy or slick terrain is an extra bonus.

Take them if they help you...and put them in a checked bag. I have never owned hiking poles and have trekked in all sorts of mountains, but then my balance is OK, wear proper footwear, and body is functional.

We took ours in a checked duffle when we went to Greece. I looked ahead to see if there would be a place to rent or purchase easily and wasn't confident about our ability to find them, so we checked. So, when you figure out where you are going, check the availability of outdoor gear and go from there. It would have been easy to get them in Chamomix, for example, not so much in Athens.

I was able to take my poles on Iberia airlines, but will need to check them with Ryan Air in April going to Portugal. Some airlines allow the tri-fold poles when they won't allow the telescoping poles. Easiest is to check a small bag or tube with your poles in them (even though you never check luggage, this is a small thing to do) or buy them there.

My poles on the Camino were invaluable, clambering up and down very rocky or very muddy terrain, or crossing streams.

I've hiked both the South Tyrol and the Dolomites...I vastly prefer the Dolomites! We've been going back there for hiking trips for 25 years most recently in September. I love that the food is a combination of German and Italian, the mountain scenery is truly jaw-dropping, and the villages and people are lovely in every way.