Buy hiking poles in Irun or Amazon deliver?

[OutdoorsyGal]

My group of six arrives in Irun on May 20 and we're starting our Camino on May 21. Since it's the beginning of the busy season, I'm wondering if we should order trekking poles from Amazon Espana and have them delivered to our hotel or should we risk it and try to buy them at the Decathlon store in Irun? I noticed on another thread that one Decathlon store in another city had no inventory. Amazon has a great selection and shipping is still free with US Prime membership!!!

 

[trecile]

You can pre-order from Decathlon and pick them up at the store. Or, if you all already have hiking poles you can get a cheap duffel and check in all 6 pairs of poles on your flight.
I can't imagine a Decathlon store being completely sold out of poles, but you do have to watch for opening hours/days - they are probably closed on Sunday.

 

[J Willhaus]

If there are 6 of you, I think I would order either to have them at the store or delivered to your hotel. I would hate to find out the store had only 4 pairs on hand or something and then you'd have to decide amongst you...

 

[karyn61]

This is great advice! I need poles too, so ordering from Decathalon and having them there for me to pick up in Madrid or Oviedo is a good idea. We are taking the train to Oviedo from Madrid and on the way back flying to Madrid from O Coruna, so somewhere along the line after I finish I hope to transfer my poles to another pilgrim.

 

[t2andreo]

I created an account on Amazon.es just for this eventuality. As I spend up to a month in Santiago when I volunteer at the Pilgrim Office, I occasionally find myself wanting something from Amazon. Add the address of the desired hotel for delivery as a saved address.

As long as you clear the delivery (and holding until you arrive) with your place of accommodation, Amazon will deliver it.

Just make certain that the hotel has agree to accept delivery and hold it for your arrival.

BTW - this also applies to having Correos deliver a suitcase to be there waiting for you. Alternatively, send suitcases and other parcels to Ivar at Casa Ivar. See "Services Provided by Ivar in Santiago" on the top line of your display.

Hope this helps.

Tom

 

[GaryRobArms]

I’m 75% along the Camino del Norte, and if I were you I would pre-order. I have been in a couple of Decathlon stores along the way, although not Irun’s, and the hiking pole stock was not great. Hoping for 6 sets to be there in the sizes you want seems risky to me. And particularly if you want anything high performance, or super lightweight.
BTW - In general, I’ve found surprisingly few places selling high quality sporting goods and clothing along the way. Unless you are looking for surfing gear! And with Spanish retail hours, the chance of the store being open while you’re there is low.

 

[Patterson]

You can pre-order from Decathlon and pick them up at the store. Or, if you all already have hiking poles you can get a cheap duffel and check in all 6 pairs of poles on your flight.
I can't imagine a Decathlon store being completely sold out of poles, but you do have to watch for opening hours/days - they are probably closed on Sunday.

There is an Intersport shop on the main road midway between the Irun Railway station and the albergue. Just check opening times. May 2023 they had plenty of stock.

 

[Vacajoe]

Of course inventory will vary and six sets of poles can be tricky, but last night in Bilbao, the Decathlon had probably 40+ pairs in stock.

 

[trecile]

As long as you clear the delivery (and holding until you arrive) with your place of accommodation, Amazon will deliver it.

Or, you can have things delivered to an Amazon locker. I saw several last year in places like bus stations and lavanderías.