Collapsible hiking poles

On my trips, I often go hiking. Since I cannot carry hiking poles onto planes in my carry-on pack, I’ve always had to check at least one piece of luggage.

At the sporting-equipment store REI, I found Black Diamond-brand poles, which have three telescoping sections.* 

I still need to check a bag, but the poles will fit in a bag that’s much smaller than the one I used to have to check through.

SAMANTHA SARTAIN

Colorado Springs, CO

*The telescoping poles come in a variety of sizes. For example, the Pro Woman’s Trekking pole collapses from 49 inches to 23 inches, and the Trail Pro Shock Trekking pole collapses from 55 inches to 27 inches. There also are jointed poles that fold up.