Getting hiking poles to Europe

Wrapping the tips does not conceal the fact that they have sharp points from the scanner. I would say your friends were lucky.

I have a pair of Black Diamond folding poles (Z-poles) that have blunt hard rubber tips, no point. I generally check them to be safe, but last September we had to re-pack into cay-on mode at the Venice airport because the baggage check line was too long. They made it through, but I am not going to count on that again, especially since we fly through Heathrow.

My sister had a pair of similar poles that she carried on successfully 5 times before they were confiscated at the Madrid airport. So you just never know.

You could buy them there and ship home or eat the cost. Without checking, I know of no other option. Some places may rent them, but that could be inconvenient depending on your itinerary.

I wanted to do carry-on when we did that tour, so I didn't bring my poles. I kept thinking I would buy a cheap pair once I got there, but I didn't. Since then, I have checked a bag when I want to take them, but still carry-on as much as the airline allows.

Your idea for RS to get poles sounds good, but I don't think it would work. The buses/drivers/guides/escorts many times don't do the same tour in a row. Our last guide had to get to her next destination by train with not only her luggage, but also all the Whisper systems, laptop, and bookwork or all the tour members.

So you have a couple of viable options…. Check a bag or buy poles there and check bag going home. As far as the RS group buying you some poles, hiking is just an optional activity, not everyone uses poles when they hike, etc.

Do a search on this forum (search bar is at the very top of the page) for "trekking poles" and sort by responses under 6 months old. You'll get plenty of suggestions, including contacting the hotels regarding rental options.

You could try the hack that I saw mentioned once. They showed up at security limping and hobbling, using their poles (with the caps on the tips) as walking assistance, made it through security, around the corner, stuffed them in their pack, and ran to catch their flight.

Paul…..and why would we wonder why security inspectors have gotten grumpier and grumpier…..

I don't know where you're planning to hike but you can rent hiking poles in Europe.

I can speak only for the Dolomites meadow and Lauterbrunnen area stops. In my opinion many of the walks are on good paths or even paved, not rocky. If you choose the difficult trails, then you'd want them. In your short stops in each area at altitude, will you be taking off immediately on difficult trails? With altitude change, I stick to moderate walks, so I often don't need poles in these two areas and walk better without them. Shoes are important. In our family we say to trust your shoes.
If you were anywhere on the Mediterranean coast or most of Provence, IMHO, I'd say you need them.