Shipping items from Milan - bad idea?

Honestly, we took a 2 week trip last year, one week just touring, then 1 week hiking. we packed a larger than normal (usually we use just a carry on size, 22-24") rolled suitcase...a 28" to accommodate our hiking poles and hiking boots, plus clothing for hiking and for touring.

It was way easy, and we had just one bag, plus our daypack (with hydration, rain gear, food). Hiking we took 2 pairs of pants ( 1 pair of shorts for the hubby) and several pairs of wool socks. For just sightseeing, I wore one pair of jeans the entire time, plus took a few cotton tshirts. For hiking, I had 3 Icebreaker or Smartwool short sleeve shirt that I could wash out.

Trying to combine an active vacation with city touring isn't that hard, and you shouldn't have to ship anything back to the US. why waste time shopping for clothing you already own? Plan on washing, and you'll be fine. If you use wool tops, they wash great and dry quickly in a sink....or you can ask to have your laundry done at a hotel

If you are talking about climbing...and all the stuff that takes....good luck...that's another ball game. That's the stuff I'd see you shipping back to the US.... but it won't be cheap!

Just got back from Italy - 2 week trip. 10 days self guided bike trip, and even got in a hike at lake Como...we did that in just a carry on size suitcase, and of course, we brought our own tandem bike (in 2 suitcases--that's a hassle on trains, but worth it to have our own bike)

I'm not clear if you are climbing rock or hiking trails...

Not necessarily an awful idea, just keep in mind that the expense of shipping stuff home could be more - maybe a lot more - than you're expecting. I have shipped a box of stuff home from Europe before - multiple countries (Italy, Spain, Holland, France, Morocco...). In most cases, it cost quite a bit more to ship than I had expected. But everything did arrive back home eventually, although in some cases it took a loooong time. Getting stuff packed up good and shipped out was a minor hassle but not terrible.

Getting re-equipped once you shed the climbing gear might take longer than you want to spend (depending on how picky and price-sensitive you are). Remember, for most of us, the most precious, limited resource we have is time. If your trip is just two weeks (start by being honest with yourself - how many days of usable time do you really have there, not counting departure and arrival days?), do you really want to spend a good chunk of one of those days shopping for and buying basic clothes? How much time it will take depends on you, of course. Me, I'm actually pretty picky about the clothes I bring along on a European trip, and finding things that meet my (perceived) needs could take a lot more than 3 hours - but that's me. I'm sure others could clothe themselves adequately in 5 minutes at the Italian equivalent of Sears or Walmart.

Thanks, both. This is very helpful. I'm starting to edge more toward saving time. The two bag story is very useful.

We'll need a climbing rack but although I'm attached to my gear, I'm thinking we should look into renting one in Chamonix (starting point) and turning it in at Zermatt, if that's possible.

In terms of cost, shipping back a small 20 kg suitcase via air costs at least $300. Via sea it's significantly cheaper but you won't see your stuff for weeks. I experienced that when I moved from Italy to California and shipped with a freight forwarder. I didn't have to waste much time at all in Florence with the paperwork and they picked it up from my house. In your case they might pick it up from your Milan hotel or you take it to their office.

When the shipment arrived (I had several large and heavy boxes) weeks later, I went and picked it up at the Port of Oakland myself with a relative's truck. The red tape at the U.S. customs office at the port wasn't bad, if you don't mind the rude attitude of some of them (it must be a requirement to work in some government offices).

All major companies are present in Milan: DHL, Mail Boxes Etc., FedEx, UPS, Global Service Spedizioni, etc. You can go to their websites and get estimates for each type of service (air, express, consolidated sea container etc.). You need dimensions, weight, declared shipment value (for the customs declaration).

How long it will take you to shop for clothes depends. If you are not too picky, I'm sure the Rinascente Department store near the Duomo will have all you need for you trip.

I don't have a lot to add over what you've already considered. But, a note to other prospective posters. I'm not sure many appreciate what's involved, it's not just hiking gear. A full climbing "rack" might have over $1,000 in gear on it (for example, it may have 5 or so of these plus a mess of other stuff) Add in shoes, harnesses, and one or two ropes and you might be looking at $2,000 or more in gear. In that light, the cost to ship it back may not seem so high.

Cost notwithstanding, shipping back might be your best option. I think it would be very hard to find rental gear you can return in a location other than where you got it, and the idea of a rental rope is kind of scary. Lugging your gear around and risking theft/loss is also undesirable. I have friends who have shipped kayak gear internationally with these guys, although I have heard their rates have gone up quite a bit since then. I think DHL is also used quite a bit to ship gear and it should be fairly easy to get your stuff to them for shipment. You might also find some good info by asking about shipping gear here.

You've got it exactly, Archimedes. Thank you so much for the shipping links. We're weighing our options - literally. We may just bring the rope, boots, and harnesses, rent the remainder, and ship our own stuff back.

Without knowing the least bit about mountain climbing, I hope that some of your clothing for each part of the adventure can overlap. E.g., if your outdoor base layer is a plain t-shirt, it works again under any "city" shirt, sweater, or scarf.