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Pole vault poles are long, expensive and easy to damage. A single pole can cost several hundred dollars, and a scratch or dent can weaken it. So how do pole vaulters get their poles to training and meets?
Most vaulters carry their poles on the roof of a car, inside a padded pole bag or tube. This guide covers the main options, what they cost, and how to keep your poles safe.
Quick answer
- Protect the poles first: put them in a pole bag or a tube so they never touch metal, straps or each other directly.
- Then pick a way to carry them: a soft or inflatable roof rack (no roof rails needed), a window-mounted pole rack, or your existing roof bars.
- Tie down front and back: long poles overhang the car, so secure both ends and check the load after the first few kilometres.
Options compared
| Option | Best for | Needs roof rails? | Typical price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Soft roof rack | Occasional trips, any car | No | ~$65 |
| Inflatable roof rack (HandiRack) | Heavier loads, family cars | No | ~$205 |
| Window-mounted pole rack (e.g. Jiffy) | 1–2 poles, quick trips | No | ~$79 a pair |
| Existing roof bars + pole bag | Regular travel, several poles | Yes | Cost of the bag |
| Pole bag | Protecting poles on any rack | – | $90–160 |
1. Soft roof rack
A soft roof rack is a pair of foam pads that sit on your roof and strap through the car’s door frames. You do not need roof rails, and it fits in the boot when you are not using it.
The VS Athletics Soft Roof Rack is made for carrying poles and crossbars. It has 28-inch foam pads with a non-slip base to protect your roof, over 15 feet of tie-down straps, and goes on without tools in a few minutes. It is the cheapest good option at around $65.
Check the Soft Roof Rack at VS Athletics →
2. Inflatable roof rack (HandiRack)
An inflatable roof rack works like a soft rack, but the bars are pumped up with air. They cushion the load and sit higher off the roof. The HandiRack inflatable roof rack is the best known:
- Carries up to 175 lb (about 80 kg) but weighs only 6 lb.
- Fits bare roofs, cars with or without roof rails, and panoramic roofs.
- Tool-free setup in about 5 minutes, with 5 metal D-rings per bar for tie-downs.
- Also works for kayaks, surfboards and luggage, so it is useful outside athletics season.
Check the HandiRack at VS Athletics →
3. Window-mounted pole rack (Jiffy Car Rack)
If you have no roof rack at all, a window-mounted rack is the quickest fix. The Jiffy Car Rack hooks over the top of your side windows – you wind the windows up and go. A pair holds two poles (or javelins) in tubes. It is sold by Everything Track and Field for around $79 a pair.
It suits one athlete with one or two poles. For a club or several poles, use a roof rack and a pole bag instead.
4. Pole bags and tubes
Whatever rack you use, put your poles in a bag or tube first. This stops straps and metal from rubbing the pole, and keeps off sun and rain.
- VS Pole Bag (~$90): heavy-duty Cordura nylon, adjusts from 12 to 17 feet, and carries up to 5 poles in their tubes.
- Gill Essentials Pole Bag (~$161): heavy-duty polyester, holds up to 5 poles up to 15 feet, with a shoulder strap. Designed to go over a 6-inch corrugated drain tube (not included).
- DIY tube: many clubs use 6-inch corrugated drainage pipe or PVC pipe as a cheap, rigid tube. Cap both ends and pad the inside.
How to load poles safely
- Put each pole in its sleeve, then in the bag or tube.
- Place the bag centred on the rack so the overhang is even front and back.
- Strap it to both bars. Tighten firmly, but do not crush the poles.
- Tie the front and back ends down to the car so the poles cannot lift at speed.
- Check local rules on overhang – many places require a red flag on a load that sticks out past the back of the car.
- Stop after the first few kilometres and re-check every strap.
Can you fly with pole vault poles?
Sometimes, but it is hard. Poles are much longer than normal checked baggage, and many airlines and aircraft cannot take them. Always contact the airline well before you book. For new poles, retailers usually ship by freight truck rather than air – VS Athletics, for example, ships poles by freight only, typically around $380 for 1–4 poles. Inspect poles for damage before you sign for delivery.
FAQs
How do pole vaulters transport their poles?
Most carry them on a car roof, inside a pole bag or tube, strapped to a roof rack. Soft and inflatable racks let you do this on cars without roof rails.
Can I carry pole vault poles without a roof rack?
Yes. Use a soft roof rack, an inflatable rack like the HandiRack, or a window-mounted rack like the Jiffy Car Rack.
How long are pole vault poles?
Poles range from about 9 feet for beginners up to 17 feet for elite vaulters. Choose a bag or tube that fits your longest pole. See how much a pole vault pole costs for more on pole sizes and prices.
