Heading to Italy in October and currently recovering from hip issues. I sometimes use hiking poles to help my body mechanics and prevent fatigue when walking longer distances.. I was also thinking these poles. might help me on uneven cobblestones.
Have you traveled with trekking poles in Italy? How was it received?
Were you allowed to have them in your carryon luggage?
Thank you!
Posted by
SE Pennsylvania
2621 posts
TSA doesn't allow them in carryon.
Trekking poles are quite common in Europe.
Posted by
Twin Cities of MN
6278 posts
No, TSA prohibits hiking poles in carry on luggage. If a cane would do the trick, they are allowed as carry on. Also, depending on where you stay, some hotels have them for guest use.
Posted by
Sidney, BC, Canada
950 posts
Poles are common all over Europe and very useful when visiting sites as many of them have stairs and steps with no handrails. Make sure the rubber”feet” are on the tips otherwise the metal tips slip and skid on marble and stone walkways.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
7886 posts
While hiking poles with the metal tips are prohibited to carry-on; if you are using a pole or poles for assistance, and they have no metal tips, only rubber tips (and not rubber tips simply covering the metal tip) then those are usually allowed. I say usually, because the final decision is up to the agents working at the moment. Will mention, if you are not using them when approaching TSA, just have them as part of your luggage, then they will not consider them required for assistance. Folding ones, that fit completely in your carryon, with no metal tips, are acceptable.
Posted by
Ohio
1565 posts
YMMV
I use one collapsible Hunger Hiker pole. It has a metal tip with a rubber tip over top. I use it as a cane at the airport. I have significant osteoarthritis of both knees and feet. I am always prepared to have the pole confiscated, but it hasn't been in 6 international and 3 domestic trips. Occasionally a TSA agent asks a supervisor and the supervisor has said it is OK. If you need 2 poles, then I suggest you use both poles at the airport which will make it difficult to handle your bags. In Europe and Japan, and Turkey, they didn't blink at the pole.
Posted by
San Francisco, CA (USA)
553 posts
Hiking poles are a godsend on the downhill when your knees are fatigued and your legs feel like Jell-O. Their usage began in Europe so, not uncommon to see lots of users with them. I don't start my hikes out using the poles but, will break them out in the afternoon as I feel the fatigue in my legs, knees and ankles.
Big thing to consider when traveling with them is to get the 3-section poles versus the 2-section poles. The 3-section pole-set will collapse smaller and be more compact in your pack/bag; also ask the retail staffers about type of tips you can put on the poles and getting replacements. Leki is a major player here, I like Black Diamond, Komperdell is another popular brand, MSR has some good one's also. Some are made with carbon fiber for weight savings but they'll generally cost more while most others will use aluminum.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thank you all for your informative replies! I appreciate how generous you all are to take the time to help! We will check at least one bag so that my poles don’t get confiscated. I love this community of like-minded travelers