I know we have to check our hiking poles because TSA will not allow them in carry ons. My husband and I only take a carry on Osprey Pack each, so we usually don't check a bag. On our last trip, we used a cheap camp chair bag with a shoulder strap and checked that. But I think we were lucky it didn't fall apart.
Anyone have a nice bag they use?
I don’t , but I wonder if a case made for a fishing pole would work.
Last summer we used Osprey duffel bags (carry on size) for our trip to Iceland. I did not want to take my usual hiking poles as I was afraid they would get broken in that since we would need to check the bag. I bought another set of poles that collapsed into several sections, but those turned out to be a disaster! They kept coming undone, so were pointless. I would love to check out another version of the collapsible poles as they do make packing easier.
The duffel bags we bought were from the REI outlet. They worked great for us and were only around $70 each.
I use Black Diamond telescoping poles with the click lock device - never had a problem with them collapsing under me when in use. Other brands - Leki, Klomperdell, etc., have similar locking devices - maybe worth checking out?
Do any of the pole manufacturers make a ‘transit bag’? You’d think there was a demand so maybe there is such a thing. An internet search beckons! Our alternate method is to strap the poles to our backpacks, with ferrules on (the rubber protective tips, although in an emergency I have used wine bottle corks and micropore tape!) and put the whole thing into a flight transit bag (they are definitely a thing!) and check the whole thing in (if you are having to check the poles, then why not?).
Ian
I found several - this one below and several others:
However they don’t look very easy to secure. There is however a Japanese sword bag that while a bit over sized might be more ‘lockable’. Might raise the odd unwanted eyebrow at check in though!
Ian
My brother and spouse use a collapsable drafting tube. They’re available in different diameters.
If you are going to check poles separately, you want them in a bag that you can easily collapse and carry around in your main luggage during the trip. The one time I did this, I used a Baggallini tote bag that folds and zips into its own pocket for storage. We ended up using it as a shopping bag for groceries, so it came in handy.
Since that trip we have just checked our bags. I take folding Z-poles that fit in 22” luggage.
We just plan on checking our bags whenever we take hiking poles. Ours collapse to the pint they will fit in a smaller size roller bag. That being said we had one pole break this last trip and ended up renting poles for the rest of our hiking days, this was actually easy and cheap. In Wengen Switzerland. Not sure where you are going but this ended up working out fine for us.
We used a heavy duty cardboard shipping tube (bought at Container Store I think) that had metal ends; used duct tape to keep it closed, and even fashioned a kind of handle so it could be thrown over a shoulder. It held together very well.
My husband ordered me collapsible hiking poles for Christmas and they came in triangular box from USPS. It was big enough that I think you could check it in. This would work only if you were willing to check your luggage on way home as I would not want to cart the box around Europe.
We used a sports duffle that we got at some place like Marshall’s or TJMaxx. We wrapped them in some bubble wrap which comes in handy if we decide to buy something that needs protection. The duffle folds up in our carryon as we travel and even the bubble wrap fit in somewhere. We had the collapsible poles.
I had planned to check my carry-on bag on my next trip so I could take my hiking poles without TSA hassles.
Now facing the airport checked luggage debacle and advice from RS and others to not check bags, I thought I would have to leave them at home.
I currently have these folding Eddie Bauer ones:
https://www.eddiebauer.com/p/82200569/folding-trekking-pole
They fold up to about 14" in length and the 2 together are about 5" wide. I have them in a bag for a different set that is about 18" long and 7" wide, but wrapping them in bubble wrap and putting them in that bag and putting the whole package in something more substantial and less easy to disappear (I hope) will need to be my solution to the problem.
Thanks for all the great options for packing them and checking only them. If they disappear it won't be as big of a loss as if my whole carry-on went to Dubai instead of Dublin. 🤗
Lo—-is that rubber foot on the bottom those poles just a removable cover for a metal tip underneath? Or is it a permanent, non-removable part of the pole?
Stout hiking poles may not be necessary to enjoy your trip, depending on your level of off-roading adventure and physical needs. To make the flight over easier, you might consider picking up a wooden staff at the other end or consider buying poles in Europe and then checking them for the trip home.
Do you really need hiking poles? Do you really hiking or just walking the cities? If you are walking cities and feel you need them for balance, try a cane. Easier to carry. Also, do you need two hiking poles?
I walk and hike frequently and very very very seldom see anyone using hiking poles. In fact I see more tourist overseas using hiking poles than anywhere else. Why is that?
REI Outlet will have Komperdell’s sweet C3 carbon hiking poles on deep discount, $110 instead of $230, one day only, July 08, 2022.
https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/deal-of-the-day
https://www.rei.com/rei-garage/product/188570/komperdell-c3-carbon-pro-trekking-poles-pairi’l
