Become an REI Co-op Member today and earn a $30 bonus card—plus a lifetime of benefits.
Planning a hiking or backpacking trip and want to know if you can fly with trekking poles? We got you. Because the answer…well…it’s complicated. Keep reading to find out how to pack your trekking poles so they won’t get confiscated by security (and read this article with more info about what camping gear you can and can’t pack in your carry-on or checked luggage).
Can I Carry On Trekking Poles?
If you’re hoping to pack trekking poles in your carry-on, we’ve got bad news: you probably won’t make it through security at U.S. airports. While some folks have reportedly had luck carrying on hiking poles, TSA states that it depends and warns that it’s really up to the discretion of the TSA agents on duty. They differentiate between blunt-tipped and sharp-tipped poles, but the line between the two can get fuzzy pretty fast. Most metal-tipped poles (so, most standard trekking poles) are likely a no-go. That said, if you want to risk it, definitely get some rubber caps for the ends. We’ve also heard using the excuse that the gear is actually an assistive walking device can help.
If you’re flying internationally, don’t even try. I once had a security agent in Costa Rica confiscate a metal fork (but not the matching chopsticks, oddly enough).
Can I Pack Trekking Poles in Checked Luggage?
This one is easy: Yes, you can always check your trekking poles in your checked luggage. Just make sure you have a pair that folds or collapses small enough to fit and you’re good to go! If you’re in doubt about whether to carry-on or check your hiking poles, remember that a checked bag may be less expensive than buying a new pair if TSA confiscates a really nice pair.
Tips for Flying with Trekking Poles
If you are planning air travel and you absolutely need your hiking sticks, here are some tips for making sure they make it to your final destination with you.
- Check a bag. It may be a few extra bucks, but it’s probably worth it to have your poles when you need them, especially if they double as your tent poles like with our Durston X-Mid.
- Arrive at the airport extra early. If you’re attempting to carry on trekking poles, get to the airport earlier than usual and go through security ASAP. If TSA won’t let you bring your poles, you’ll still have time to run them back to your car or ship them home if the airport has shipping services.
- Recruit friends or family to wait until you’re through security. That way, if TSA says you have to leave your sticks behind, they can grab them and hang onto them for you until you get back.
- Always cover the tips. Whether you’re carrying them on or checking them in your luggage, secure the rubber feet over the metal tips so they don’t look as menacing and don’t get caught on other clothes and gear and cause damage.
Bottom Line
Flying with trekking poles can be tricky. But with a bit of knowledge and preparation, you can make it to your destination with all your gear (or at least have a solid backup plan in place in case you end up with a crotchety security agent on a bad day). Have you flown with hiking poles before? How’d it go! Share your experiences so we can all feel more confident traveling for epic adventures!
