Renting/Passing on Equipment

[mary flo]

Hi all! Have some logistical questions regarding trekking poles. Is there any place that you can rent gear such as trekking poles? I am planning to invest in some new foldable Black Diamonds this year seeing as I do a lot of hiking in New England and wanted to bring them on the Camino but I'm coming from the states and desperately do not want to check my bag and know I can't bring trekking poles in a carry on bag. Would be pretty great to be able to rent or pass gear on to another pilgrim. Any thoughts on if this is available anywhere? I'll be doing the Camino Frances starting in SJPDP. Thanks!

 

[Bajaracer]

How about packing the poles in a cardboard tube and check them in? So you have to check them in, big deal. Unless you are flying some inexpensive airline, you're allowed one check in with your ticket.
Whatever you do, don't mail them ahead, it'll be held in customs hell waiting for you to pay up.

 

[L Squared]

How about packing the poles in a cardboard tube and check them in?

I did this. Found a very small box and packed my poles and Swiss Army knife with corkscrew and check this small box only. Then carried on my pack with everything else. Worked great and if something had gone wrong it would have just been the poles and knife which could have been replaced.

 

[mary flo]

Thanks @L Squared & @Bajaracer! I am flying an inexpensive airline so they do charge for everything. I already have to pay for my carry on if it's over 11lbs so I'm thinking maybe I'll just buy my trekking poles there and then just pay to bring them back. Have you guys ever heard of a company that does rent gear like that along the Camino? Thanks again for the info!

 

[pudgypilgrim]

FWIW, I flew to Paris on Norwegian and flew back on IcelandAir and no problems carrying on Pacer Poles on either one. And I was flying from/to Orlando, where security tends to confiscate even the Harry Potter light sabres that little kids bring home as souvenirs.

EDIT In the US at least, it doesn't make any difference which airline, as long as your carry-on fits in the size box. The TSA are the only ones who inspect the contents, normally. In Europe it's different with some budget airlines, and some airports. FWIW, this forum had made me concerned about taking a backpack as a carry-on, but on all my flights I would say that about 40% of the passengers who did carry any kind of bag had backpacks, and I don't mean little day packs.

 

[Bajaracer]

Thanks @L Squared & @Bajaracer! I am flying an inexpensive airline so they do charge for everything. I already have to pay for my carry on if it's over 11lbs so I'm thinking maybe I'll just buy my trekking poles there and then just pay to bring them back. Have you guys ever heard of a company that does rent gear like that along the Camino? Thanks again for the info!

If you buy the Black Diamond Z-Poles, remove the screw on metal spike tips and replace them with the small tech tips (they come with the poles) and then buy and slip the big rubber tip protector over that. I also brought a spare pair of the tip protectors as well. You have a better chance of being able to pack them in your pack if there is no metal tips on the end.
The only rental places are probably for bicycle rental equipment.
http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en...1240000ALL1.html#cgid=trekking-poles&start=22

http://blackdiamondequipment.com/en...0690000ALL1.html#cgid=trekking-poles&start=21

 

[mary flo]

Thanks everyone! Looks like the airline doesn't have a problem with it, it's just getting through security at Boston Logan but I just spoke with a friend who had no problems when travelling out to hike Zion so I'm hoping I'm all set.

 

[Mike Savage]

I've had no problems bringing poles on the plane except in Santiago.

No problem for me last September/October in Salt Lake City, Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O'Hare, Madrid, or Pamplona. I checked my poles in Santiago and witnesses someone, going through security, have their poles removed even though they folded up and fit completely within their carry-on luggage. YMMV.