When considering some of the less expensive poles you will find at St. Jean PdP and along the Camino, I advise avoiding the "anti-shock" versions. This is because they are heavier than regular sectioned poles, and have more internal parts to malfunction or break. The springs inside many of them also tend to be noisy over time.
Remember, if starting in France, you are going to carry these poles for more than one month. Do not carry any more weight than absolutely necessary.
At the pilgrim office, I have the chance to evaluate all the various poles, sticks, and staffs that people abandon after their Caminos. You would be surprised what people simply dispose of after a single trip.
I also ask people about their pole's performance on the Camino. It turns out that the anti-shock feature is evidently a sales gimmick, particularly at the lower end of the price spectrum. Most folks I ask are not sold on the concept. It is one of those things that seems like it would be a great idea, but the drawbacks, weight, complexity, and relative lack of reliability, tend to argue against them, at least at the lower price points. These are the types I most frequently see arriving at Santiago.
Anyway, as regards sectioned aluminum or carbon fiber poles. I usually check the condition of the poles that are abandoned to see which can be repurposed by putting them into Donativo at the Pilgrim House (Rua Nova 19), and which should be trashed.
As a general observation, the anti-shock poles are usually the most broken, noisy and "trash-able." All wooden staffs go into a recycle box to be cut down for kindling for poorer households still using wood and coal stoves for cooking or heating. The remaining, sectioned aluminum or carbon fiber poles, in good condition, usually find their way over to Pilgrim House.
On the other hand, the conventional screw-tightening, or flip-lock tightening, traditional, "stiff" hiking sticks typically fare better, at least in my observations over three-years. I suspect this is because the design is simpler to build, operate, and maintain.
You can also find replacement parts along the Camino as these poles are largely generic in design and size. Many parts (and there are surprisingly few) are generically interchangeable, regardless of branding. I have repaired more than a few slippery twist-tightening, plastic collars or "nuts" using a twist or two of duck tape. It really does work! I have even cannibalized inexpensive, twist-fastening, sectioned aluminum poles to obtain replacement parts for better, but in need of parts, similar poles.
While there is not a Decathlon store in or near St. Jean PdP, their "house brand" Quechua twist lock poles are among the most evident at the P/O. True, you can buy lighter or stronger poles from "name brands." However, these poles do offer very good value for money. I personally use either Leki or Black Diamond hiking sticks. But lighter weight can be very expensive.
You can find inexpensive aluminum walking sticks for €10 - 15 each at Decathlon or many other sporting goods stores. They will be fine for one Camino or two. if you take care of them, they will take care of you.
Please, for "the good of the order," Be sure to obtain a set of black rubber tips for any poles you do buy to eliminate the dreaded click-clack, click-clack noise the steel tips make on paved surfaces.
After several days or weeks of grimy, sweaty or wet use, take the poles apart, rinse the tube segments with clean water, allow them to air dry, open side down so they drain fully. You can wash the grips and wrist straps with soap and water. I take mine into the shower with me, usually on a weekly basis to give them a good scrub.
You should be able to find twist or flip-latch, segmented poles for €10 - 15 each, at St. Jean. At that price point, and after a month of use, abandoning them is not a huge loss.
However, if you decide you must keep them, plan on taking then completely apart (remove the twist fit segments from each other) to make them as short as possible, place them inside your return, checked luggage, and they will go home with you. Simply loosen the poles so they are adjustable, then loosen one more turn. You should be able to pull on both sections and "pop" the tubes apart.
I find that my Leki poles are about 2-3 inches shorter if I remove the twist segments from each other and rubber band them together. This makes the difference between being able to ride inside my checked rucksack, or outside on the trip home. My carbon fiber Black Diamond "Z" poles are only 16-inches long when folded, so Easy-Peasy...
In addition to the two "Direction Compostelle" shops in the old town, one on Rue de Citadelle 32, and the other on the parallel street (Place Floquet) just across the bridge, across from the Hotel de Ville (town hall), there is another very large sporting goods shop on the West side of town, on the flats, adjacent to a Carrefour market.
It is named "Maya Marc" and is located at 18 Avenue du Jai Alai, 64220 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Use your Maps app to find it. I have been in there several times to buy last minute items, and they have a quite a wide selection of sporting goods, not only hiking items. But, hiking items are very well represented and their selection is different than the other two shops.
I suggest it might be worth the 10-minutes it will take to walk there from the Pilgrim Office on Rue de Citadelle, via Rue de France, and then a right onto Place du Trinquet, to Avenue du Jai Alai... Between these three shops, and any others you might find, you will be able to find something suitable to purpose.
I hope this helps.
I dont know if this is a one-off gesture as other pilgrims on the plane had not known and left their staff and poles behind...
