Can You Pack Sports Equipment in Your Carry-On?
Sometimes people travel because they want to participate in some kind of sport in another destination. Anything from skiing in the Swiss Alps to surfing in Bali. Many sports enthusiasts have their own equipment and would prefer to travel with it instead of rent something when they arrive. But can you pack sports equipment in your carry-on?
Note: This post is written referencing TSA rules for travel from airports in the USA. Some countries may have different rules, so if you’re flying from an airport in another country, please look up the rules for the authority in that country.
Size of the sports equipment as carry-on
Quite often the size of the sports equipment will prevent you from being able to take it as carry-on. For example, surf boards and skis greatly exceed the carry-on size limitations and will not be allowed as carry-on. However, a travel-sized yoga mat should be fine in most cases.
Check with your airline for their specific rules regarding sports equipment as carry on or checked luggage. Airline rules could be more strict than TSA’s rules to avoid complications at the airport.
Safety issues with sports equipment as carry-on
Many pieces of sports equipment can double as weapons. For this reason, TSA and other countries’ security organizations will not allow you to take certain sports equipment as carry-on.
Some examples include baseball or cricket bats, ski poles, hockey sticks, golf clubs, pool cues, any kind of sporting or hunting knives, bows and arrows, and martial arts devices. Again, you will need to put these in your checked luggage according to the airline’s rules.
>>Read also: Can you bring a lighter on a plane?
Specific Equipment Types
If you must have your sports equipment with you as carry-on, check with your airline directly. In general though, as long as the equipment is not a security risk and fits within the size limit of the airline, it can be taken as carry-on.
Balls in carry-on
Most balls, such as baseballs, soccer balls, and basketballs, are permitted in carry-on luggage. Make sure they are secured in your bag so they don’t roll around and get lost.
Balls that you inflate, like soccer balls, basketballs, footballs, etc., should also be deflated in order to take them in your carry-on luggage. This is because of the pressure changes while in flight. A fully inflated ball at sea level could burst in the plane due to the pressure, so let the air out before you even check in for your flight.
Skates in carry-on
Ice skates, roller skates, and roller blades are generally allowed in your carry-on luggage. You probably shouldn’t wear your skates on the plane though.
Tennis rackets in carry-on
Tennis rackets are permitted as far as TSA is concerned. However you should check with the airline you’re flying to make sure you know how their carry-on size limitations affect your decision to bring a tennis racket.
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Motorcycle Helmets in carry-on
Again check with your airline, but most will allow them as long as they fit the size restrictions.
If you enjoy sports and would rather travel with your own sports equipment, you need to know which equipment is allowed in your carry-on bag and which equipment needs to be in your checked luggage. If you can’t pack sports equipment in your carry-on bag, you might want to consider renting what you need at your destination, or decide if you’re willing to risk potential damage to your equipment or having the airline lose it if you have to check it.
Carry-on luggage other Travel Made Simple readers have purchased:
22 x 14 x9 in
22 x 14 x9 in
21.5 x 13.5 x 8.5 in
40L Backpack
Luggage Scale
silicon toiletry bottles
Read here for more info on packing:
- What NOT to Pack in Your Carry-On Bag
- Packing Light With Checked Luggage
- How to Pick the Best Carry-On Luggage
- Non-Liquid Options for Carry-On Travel
Michelle Callahan
September 29, 2019 @ 7:32 pm
I’m wondering if I can carry on a kids baseball bat? It’s not wood or aluminum. It’s called a softee bat.
Ali Garland
September 30, 2019 @ 12:49 pm
Hi Michelle! I’m guessing it’s made out of foam or something similar? So it’s probably ok, but I don’t feel comfortable saying that with 100% certainty. TSA has these rules about things that look like weapons, so a toy gun would be prohibited, and I’m not sure if they would consider a foam bat to be something that looks like a weapon. My common sense says it should be allowed, but common sense doesn’t always apply with TSA rules, so I’m hesitant. If you’re checking luggage, I’d recommend putting it in your checked bag. If it’s something you really wanted to bring in carry on, I recommend asking TSA directly through their Twitter or Facebook page.
James Jones Jr.
September 20, 2019 @ 2:20 am
Is it permissible to put a WWII Aircraft compass in your carry-on? Although it has connectors for power, it will not be active, or powered up. It requires an external power supply, which will not be in the carry on. Size is 7 inches diameter, 4 inches tall and about 10 pounds?
Ali Garland
September 24, 2019 @ 10:48 am
Hi James! That’s not something I’m familiar with, so I can’t give you a definite answer, but I don’t really see a reason why it wouldn’t be allowed as long as it fits within the size and weight restrictions for your airline. It doesn’t sound like something sharp or like something that could be used as a weapon. There’s always a possibility it will look weird on the xray and TSA will want to pull it out for closer inspection. If you’re worried, you may want to ask TSA directly through their Facebook or Twitter.
Ray
September 9, 2019 @ 9:41 am
Today we flew with a fully inflated basketball. We asked the flight attendant if that was a problem (we had read here that it was) and she said “not at all”
Ali Garland
September 9, 2019 @ 11:27 am
Good to know, Ray! I’ve often read that they should be deflated, but I’ve also seen that it could be an airline-specific rule.
Archie Livingstone
May 12, 2019 @ 10:01 am
Can boxing or MMA gloves be brought on
Ali Garland
May 14, 2019 @ 10:09 am
Hi Archie! Yes, boxing gloves are fine to bring in your carry on bag.
Michelle
April 21, 2019 @ 5:07 pm
Can I take a fly fishing reel with line and a small box of flies with my rod on carry on luggage?
Ali Garland
April 24, 2019 @ 2:11 pm
Hi Michelle! Here’s what TSA has about fishing gear: https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/small-fishing-lures and https://www.tsa.gov/travel/security-screening/whatcanibring/items/fishing-pole. So it sounds like you should be fine, but you do need to ask the airline about the fishing rod as far as the size goes. I don’t know much about fishing, but if the rod can collapse down to a smaller size, that’s probably best. And be sure to read TSA’s instructions about any sharp pieces you might have, they could be considered dangerous and would need to go in checked luggage.
FP
March 22, 2019 @ 5:54 pm
can i take a baseball glove on an airplane?
Ali Garland
March 25, 2019 @ 11:30 am
Yes, a baseball glove is fine to pack in your carry-on or checked bag.
Tina
December 24, 2018 @ 11:59 am
Can I take tennis balls or dog toys in my carry-on or checked baggage?
Ali Garland
December 24, 2018 @ 1:53 pm
Hi Tina, yes, you can pack tennis balls and dog toys in either carry-on or checked luggage.
Maggi Dickson
October 9, 2018 @ 12:25 pm
Can I take bowling (lawn) in checked or cabin bags?
Ali Garland
October 17, 2018 @ 3:19 pm
Hi Maggi! I can’t find lawn bowling on the TSA site, but it does say that normal bowling balls are allowed in carry-on or checked luggage. Bowling pins are not allowed in carry-on, but they are allowed in checked luggage. I’m not that familiar with lawn bowling, but I think the balls are smaller than regular bowling balls, so you should be fine. My biggest concern would be the weight since many airlines have a weight restriction on carry-on and checked luggage. You can find info on your airline on my carry-on size chart.
Hannah R
August 1, 2018 @ 9:08 am
Hi all can we leave a pumped up ball in our checked in luggage
Ali Garland
August 1, 2018 @ 10:50 am
Hi Hannah! I think it would be best to deflate it, and the airline might even require it to be deflated. Because of the pressure changes, the ball could burst.
Ryan
July 6, 2018 @ 12:00 am
Is it allowed to bring a hand pump and a football needle through airport security?
Can i just put it in the check in bag?
Ali Garland
July 6, 2018 @ 3:19 pm
Hi Ryan! When I look up “pump” on the TSA website, the closes I find is a bicycle pump, and they say you can pack that in your carry-on or checked luggage. As for the football needle, I’m not sure. It seems like that would be small enough to not be a problem in carry-on luggage, but you never know when the TSA agent will decide even something small could be used as a weapon. I think you’d be better off packing it in your checked bag.
Richard
January 13, 2018 @ 10:03 pm
Can I carry on a collapsable fishing rod and reel in my carry on bag? It is approx. 18 inches long. No hooks or lures.
Ali Garland
January 14, 2018 @ 3:56 pm
Hi Richard! According to the TSA website here, fishing rods are fine to take in your carry on bag, as long as it fits within the size restrictions of the airline, which it sounds like yours does at 18 inches. Make sure it’s packed securely in your bag so it doesn’t get damaged in the overhead compartment.