What the TSA says about hiking poles and other gear.

Many hikers and backpackers hop on planes and fly across the country to get to their hiking destinations. This leads to many questions about what can and cannot be brought onto the plane. One of the most common questions hikers ask the TSA (Transportation Security Administration) is whether they can bring trekking or hiking poles on a plane.

According to the TSA, your trekking / hiking poles are NOT allowed with your carry-on luggage. However, they can be packed with your checked bag(s).

If you attempt to carry your hiking poles through a TSA checkpoint, it is unlikely you will get them through. For this reason, it is best to follow the TSA guidelines and keep your hiking poles with your checked luggage to avoid any potential issues when passing through security.

Does the TSA have any exceptions for hiking poles?

If your hiking poles are needed for medical reasons, then you should be able to carry them with you on a plane. However, a typical trekking pole is unlikely to be deemed medically necessary.

Ultimately, anything you are allowed to carry on a plane is at the discretion of the TSA officer at the checkpoint. Some people have successfully gotten their hiking poles on with their carry-on bag, but do not count on this. And what one TSA officer may allow at one airport, another officer might not allow at a different airport.

Do you want to risk having to discard your trekking or hiking poles? No! So play it safe and keep them in your checked bags.

How to pack your hiking poles

Here are few simple steps to ensure your hiking poles get from point A to point B safely:

1. Plan to pack your hiking poles inside you checked luggage.
2. Collapse your poles down to fit them inside your bag and to protect them damage during handling.
3. Use rubber tips to protect your hiking pole tips and to protect other items in your bag.
4. Lay your poles inside your bag and use soft items (i.e., clothes) for cushioning.

If you have non-collapsible hiking poles or a walking stick, send them to your destination ahead of time as they are unlikely to fit inside most standard sized bags. However, you can likely fit them inside a specialty bag, like one made for hockey sticks, which are permitted to be used as a checked bag.

What hiking gear the TSA allows in your carry-on bag

Though trekking / hiking poles are the most questioned piece of gear when it comes to a hiker getting on an airplane, there are other items to be cautious of keeping in your carry-on bag. Here is a list of common hiking gear and whether the TSA will allow them.

Note that even though these items are permitted by the TSA, the final decision is made by the officer checking your bag! In other words, these items can still be denied.

Additional Notes

1. Hiking backpacks can be used as a carry-on bag, but airlines have their own restrictions for how large a bag can be. Be sure to check with the airline in advance to get their most up-to-date limitations on carry-on bag size.

2. Camp stoves are permitted by the TSA. However, be sure that the stove is clean of any residue and has no residual smell/fumes.

3. Cooking pots, except for cast iron, are allowed in a carry-on bag. Cast iron is allowed in checked luggage.

4. Liquids must be contained in a 3.4 oz bottle or smaller, but you can carry as many of these bottles that will fit into a quart-sized bag. Any liquid containers larger than 3.4 oz must be placed inside your checked luggage.

5. Technically, bear spray can be inside a carry-on bag, but the liquids policy is still to be followed. Bear spray must also contain less than 2% of the active ingredient of CS or CN. Most bear sprays exceed these limitations, so it is best to keep this with your checked bags.

6. Matches are permitted in a carry-on bag but are limited to one box per person. However, strike anywhere matches are not permitted in carry-on or checked bags.

7. Dry-cell alkaline batteries are permitted, as are lithium-ion. However, spare lithium-ion batteries are not permitted. Visit the TSA’s website for more information about their policy for batteries.

8. Flashlights under 7-inches are okay. However, anything longer may be rejected if inside your carry-on. Play it safe and keep larger flashlights inside checked luggage.

Safe to fly

Follow these guidelines and you should be good to go when travelling with your hiking gear. Some items are best to wait until you reach your destination to pack. Note that fuel is not allowed whatsoever.

For more information, visit the TSA’s guide for a list of approved items on a flight.