If you’re planning a ski or snowboard trip, you probably want to get a ski travel case that will keep your gear safe and sound. But whether you should go with a hard or soft case depends on how you’re planning to travel and how your gear will be handled.
Size
The size of your ski travel case is important for a variety of reasons. It should fit your skis comfortably, but it should also offer some space for accessories, from a rugged ski helmet to packable thermal underwear.
Ideally, your ski travel case should be no more than 15 centimeters longer than the length of your skis. This will keep your skis secure, but will not cause them to flap around if you need to get them in and out of the bag quickly.
A good ski travel case will also have a handle on both ends for easy transport. Especially if the case is a roller, a handle will make it easier to pull through an airport or haul on top of a sports wagon.
Some ski travel cases are designed to accommodate a wide range of ski sizes, but the majority are sized for narrow-waisted or standard-width skis. If you’re a powder skier, it’s a good idea to choose a bag that can carry both your narrow and wide skis.
Portability
Whether you’re packing for an all-day ski adventure or simply need a convenient way to pack your gear for a trip by car, a ski travel case is a great option. They’re available in different sizes and feature multiple storage compartments and organizational features.
Some of these options, including double bags, come with wheels that make it easy to move them through airports and other locations. Other models include handles and straps that can help you carry them in a variety of ways.
If you want to keep your skis safe from thievery in hotels or airports, look for a bag that has lockable zippers. This will prevent petty hotel lobby robbers from snatching your skis or snowboarding gear out of the case.
Padding
If you’re planning a ski trip by air, you need a bag that offers enough padding to protect your ski tips, tails and bindings. These items can get damaged by being tossed around in a case and can also be damaged from dings when you’re in transit.
For a hard case that provides the best protection for your skis, check out the Sportube Series 2 case. Its high-density polyethylene shell can withstand a little TSA abuse and is cold-resistant too.
It’s a heavy-duty case that’s also incredibly durable, and it’s a good choice for frequent travelers who consider their boards as precious cargo. Its wheels make it easy to maneuver in tight spaces, and it can easily store your ski boots in a separate compartment.
If you’re planning a road trip, or you’re just looking for something simple and inexpensive, the Dakine Padded Ski Sleeve is a great option. It’s a fully padded bag that has two zippers to slide skis in and out, and it comes in both 175 centimeters and 190 centimeter sizes.
Functionality
The top-of-the-line ski travel bag is a hard case, but there are plenty of soft ski cases that are as good looking as they are functional. The best of the bunch is the Dakine ski travel case – its top of the line features and amenities make it our pick for best value ski bag. The most impressive part of this sexy case is that it’s lightweight, but it also offers the utmost in protection for your gear and your pride and joy. The aforementioned Evo ski travel case has a hefty price tag, but you’ll likely get your money’s worth if you’re lucky enough to score it on sale.
