Advice on ski bags -- roller or not

[Michelle P]

I have a VERY cheap ski bag that has served me well enough, but without any padding/protection I have decided it might be best to upgrade as I get nervous about the condition of my skis every time we fly.

Currently my set up is: a boot bag that I stuff my helmet, googles and lots of my outer gear in along with the ski bag in which I only put my skis and poles (because it is soooo flimsy). I also then have a small carry-on sized suitcase as well as a backpack (for my laptop, book, snacks).

I have figured out how to carry it all, but I'd love to go a little lighter and make it overall a little easier because my shoulders are small. The idea of not having a suitcase AND a ski bag AND a boot bag AND a backpack sounds pretty sweet! One bag with ALL my gear (skis, helmet, boots) as well as lots of my skiing clothes sounds pretty good -- leaving me with maybe only one additional carry-on (apres clothes, laptop...etc). But not if it's going to be a wasted purchase if roller bags are more annoying than anything.

I don't want to break the bank -- ideally I'd prefer to keep it $200 or less. I've been looking at bags that offer internal and external straps to hold the equipment in place as well as have inner and external pockets for stuffing things. BUT I also want quality -- if I'm gonna buy a new bag, it better hold up.

My top choices right now are
* evo deluxe roller bag (probably first choice) -- it's on sale
* element equipment wheeled padded ski bag (ultimate/double) -- I found on amazon
* athletico rolling ski bag -- on amazon

Because I DO have a ski bag that's decent (though bulky/big), I am still considering options for non roller with padding. At this point I'm primarily considering the
* the Kulkea Kantaja ski bag

So my question basically is -- does a quality roller bag makes all the difference (I'm a little skeptical because they seem sooooo long/awkward). And if so, what is YOUR favorite?

Anyway, I know this community is a font of much appreciated advice, and so I'd love to hear what y'all have to say!

THANK YOU for your help!

 

[diymom]

For flying I have a Sportube. It's a pain to load, but I feel it offers more protection. For car travel I have both a Dakine Fall Line 175 cm or a DB snow roller. The nice thing about the DB is that you can roll it down to shorten it, and it also rolls up relatively compactly for storage. With either one you can attach it to a wheeled suitcase at the top and drag both at once, freeing up your other hand.

 

[alpinegal]

I have the Dakine Fall line roller and have used it on several trips domestic and internationally. Probably closest to the Evo bag you linked. Though that one looks nice with the two hand hold lock straps. I bought a luggage lock/strap to go around it which helps in some situations, but it's still long and awkward to wheel around. I don't think there's any getting away from it being a strange size if you go roller or non roller.

I do like that you can pack a lot of clothes in for extra padding. My bag has weighed anywhere between 30-49lbs for trips. Even though I do a lot of strength training, carrying around that much without a roller is a big pain! I can't imagine having to lug a non-roller of the same size through the Zurich airport, on trains and buses.

I don't ever put my boots, helmet, ski pants and shell into my checked ski bag. That all goes into my boot bag carry-on just in case something happens with my ski bag. I don't want to have to worry about the arduous process of having to find ski pants that fit again!

 

[lisamamot]

Sportube for skis.

Rolling carry-on as my boot bag with everything I need to ski for a day inside, helmet clipped to the outside

 

[Michelle P]

Sportube for skis.

Rolling carry-on as my boot bag with everything I need to ski for a day inside, helmet clipped to the outside

So then do you have an additional suitcase with all your basic clothes that you also send through?

 

[Michelle P]

I have the Dakine Fall line roller and have used it on several trips domestic and internationally. Probably closest to the Evo bag you linked. Though that one looks nice with the two hand hold lock straps. I bought a luggage lock/strap to go around it which helps in some situations, but it's still long and awkward to wheel around. I don't think there's any getting away from it being a strange size if you go roller or non roller.

I do like that you can pack a lot of clothes in for extra padding. My bag has weighed anywhere between 30-49lbs for trips. Even though I do a lot of strength training, carrying around that much without a roller is a big pain! I can't imagine having to lug a non-roller of the same size through the Zurich airport, on trains and buses.

I don't ever put my boots, helmet, ski pants and shell into my checked ski bag. That all goes into my boot bag carry-on just in case something happens with my ski bag. I don't want to have to worry about the arduous process of having to find ski pants that fit again!

I totally appreciate the concern about the pants! I found my favs in Helly Hanson, and I would certainly be said without them! Ski pants are almost on par with swim suits!

So I totally understand the need to carry on helmet and boots (though personally I wouldn't care so much about my helmet). I'm wondering what do you do with all your non-ski clothes -- do you also send through a suitcase or do they all fit in your ski bag? I just can't imagine all my clothes and toiletries (all fitting in my boot bag). Trying to figure out the logistics.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

I like a roller bag when flying. I bring my boot bag wtih helmet, boots and clothes inside for a day of skiing in case something gets lost. I bring a shoulder bag also when flying. I pad the skis also lightly with some clothes and use it for dirly clothese for flight back. I don't transport skis by car much as I keep skis in most places I ski. When I ski local in CT or drive to Strattong or Killington I put skis through the pass thru in my tiguan sans a bag.

 

[Michelle P]

I like a roller bag when flying. I bring my boot bag wtih helmet, boots and clothes inside for a day of skiing in case something gets lost. I bring a shoulder bag also when flying. I pad the skis also lightly with some clothes and use it for dirly clothese for flight back. I don't transport skis by car much as I keep skis in most places I ski. When I ski local in CT or drive to Strattong or Killington I put skis through the pass thru in my tiguan sans a bag.

I'm definitely the same with local skiing, so this is primarily focused on air travel and likely will be used during car trips out west (I live in Minnesota). So, if I understand, you use a roller ski bag which you fill with clothes (particularly on the trip back). The shoulder bag -- is that a duffle or something for your clothes along with boots and helmet?

 

[edelweissmaedl]

For flying I have a Sportube. It's a pain to load, but I feel it offers more protection. For car travel I have both a Dakine Fall Line 175 cm or a DB snow roller. The nice thing about the DB is that you can roll it down to shorten it, and it also rolls up relatively compactly for storage. With either one you can attach it to a wheeled suitcase at the top and drag both at once, freeing up your other hand.

I also have the DB snow roller and do like that it rolls down/is adjustable. I feel it protects my skis well and I can throw in snow pants etc.

 

[MissySki]

Single Sportube for me when flying. I have used mine for around a decade, still going strong, but with enough scuffs and bruises that I know I would not travel with my skis in a soft bag ever. The wheels are a necessary for me, no way am I carrying skis on my shoulder too. I use a Patagonia Black Hole duffle backpack as my carryon.. that contains my ski boots, clothing and gear I need for skiing if other stuff gets lost etc, and my helmet gets clipped to the outside. Then one hand pulls the rolling suitcase I check and the other pulls the Sportube. Works out well for traveling solo. I used to use a rolling carryon instead of my backpack duffle, but it drove me crazy trying to roll 3 bags when traveling solo, so the backpack alleviates that.

 

[diymom]

So then do you have an additional suitcase with all your basic clothes that you also send through?

Yes. I check a carry-on size roller suitcase with my toiletries, pjs, and the vast majority of my clothing.

I have a large Burton boot bag that along with the usual boots, helmet, goggles and gloves I also stuff with a pair of ski socks and base layer, my ski pants and an extra puffy. Some goes in the boots, around the boots, side pockets, where ever I can stuff something, I'll stuff something. I want to be all set to ski when I get there even if my bag doesn't make it. That's my carry on. And then I'll also have a tiny bag as my personal item with my laptop, tooth brush, book, snacks for the plane. So that's a small bag over my shoulder, my boot bag on my back, and then the checked bag and ski bag.

If I felt more confident that the airline wouldn't call me out on their "only skis in the ski bag" policy, I'd probably just put all of the stuff in my suitcase into packing cubes and stuff those around my skis in a padded bag instead of the Sportube to cut down on that number of bags I have.

 

[diymom]

I don't feel like having the wheels is a negative in any way, it just gives you one more option on how to carry (or drag) the ski bag.

 

[MissySki]

If I felt more confident that the airline wouldn't call me out on their "only skis in the ski bag" policy, I'd probably just put all of the stuff in my suitcase into packing cubes and stuff those around my skis in a padded bag instead of the Sportube to cut down on that number of bags I have.

When I flew out to CO last month and checked in my skis, the person in Boston asked me multiple times if I was sure that the only things in my Sportube were skis and poles. I was like yeah, why?? And she said well some people try to stuff other things in and if we find that you will be charged (some amount I can't remember now, but it seemed somewhat significant at the time). This was on SouthWest.. it was the first time someone was so explicit about it, but not sure that all airlines or all airports even are so strict on it because plenty of people have said they do pack other stuff with their skis here.

My other fear would be something getting lost. I almost always have a TSA sheet in my Sportube after flying, so they do open them frequently. It would just be another thing to worry about if I stuffed other stuff inside. I pack way too much in my checked luggage, so it's not like packing stuff with my skis would save me another bag. Also, I have had my skis not make it with me 3 separate times flying, whereas my checked suitcase has only been delayed once. The ski bag delays on the way out happened twice, but luckily they did deliver my bag to me in both cases ahead of my needing them to ski. Once was on the way home and took a couple of days to be delivered, but that was fine since I didn't need them immediately.

 

[Jilly]

@RachelV can give anyone a tutorial on packing!!
I'm down to a large rolling suitcase (Atomic), a Solomon "Go to Ski Bag" which holds boots, camera gear and laptop, plus sunglasses. Then a Sport tube for ski and poles with hiking shoes. And my "purse". I have since bought a rolling "carrying on" bag that could be used for boots and more than the current boot bag will hold. I don't think our Canadian airlines consider a ski bag and boot bag as 1 item. But I wouldn't check my boots anyhow.

 

[Michelle P]

Yes. I check a carry-on size roller suitcase with my toiletries, pjs, and the vast majority of my clothing.

I have a large Burton boot bag that along with the usual boots, helmet, goggles and gloves I also stuff with a pair of ski socks and base layer, my ski pants and an extra puffy. Some goes in the boots, around the boots, side pockets, where ever I can stuff something, I'll stuff something. I want to be all set to ski when I get there even if my bag doesn't make it. That's my carry on. And then I'll also have a tiny bag as my personal item with my laptop, tooth brush, book, snacks for the plane. So that's a small bag over my shoulder, my boot bag on my back, and then the checked bag and ski bag.

If I felt more confident that the airline wouldn't call me out on their "only skis in the ski bag" policy, I'd probably just put all of the stuff in my suitcase into packing cubes and stuff those around my skis in a padded bag instead of the Sportube to cut down on that number of bags I have.

You must fly Southwest or have a airline card? Southwest is great about that. Unfortunately, as I try to figure a way to fly into Eagle county (tied of the I-80 past the airport drive), options (without a airline credit card) lead to charges for skis/boots as well as a bag....it racks up quick! So....trying to figure out how I can have 1 bag charge and otherwise carry everything on board. Seems impossible though. I guess I'll have to stick with Southwest (happily) or Delta (I have the card) and just deal with CO as I have thus far -- most often driving from MN.

 

[Michelle P]

When I flew out to CO last month and checked in my skis, the person in Boston asked me multiple times if I was sure that the only things in my Sportube were skis and poles. I was like yeah, why?? And she said well some people try to stuff other things in and if we find that you will be charged (some amount I can't remember now, but it seemed somewhat significant at the time). This was on SouthWest.. it was the first time someone was so explicit about it, but not sure that all airlines or all airports even are so strict on it because plenty of people have said they do pack other stuff with their skis here.

My other fear would be something getting lost. I almost always have a TSA sheet in my Sportube after flying, so they do open them frequently. It would just be another thing to worry about if I stuffed other stuff inside. I pack way too much in my checked luggage, so it's not like packing stuff with my skis would save me another bag. Also, I have had my skis not make it with me 3 separate times flying, whereas my checked suitcase has only been delayed once. The ski bag delays on the way out happened twice, but luckily they did deliver my bag to me in both cases ahead of my needing them to ski. Once was on the way home and took a couple of days to be delivered, but that was fine since I didn't need them immediately.

My ski bag gets checked quite often, but it's usually pretty obvious that there's nothing but skis and poles. My husband theorizes that they check me because they know that -- and it's an easy check (you know....like giving out easy traffic tickets to meet quota). Makes a little sense....

It's really interesting how no one (on this forum) checks their boots. I think that's in part my thinking with a rolling bag....then the skis and boots are together (rather than two separate bags). Less chance of one part to be "misplaced"? Just an approach I'm noodling through.

It is interesting about the "interrogation" of your skis in Boston. I read that a few times throughout the Evo and Amazon reviews. I've never been asked that -- I'd be busted 10 times over for my boot bag!

 

[santacruz skier]

Sportube for skis.

Rolling carry-on as my boot bag with everything I need to ski for a day inside, helmet clipped to the outside

Same boot bag set up (sportube) but rolling Burton snowboard bag and rolling duffel for clothes, toiletries, etc. Yep 3 rolling bags and it works like a dream (use luggage straps) when solo.

 

[diymom]

I'll happily get demo skis for a day or two if my stuff doesn't make it. I've got an egg shaped head that doesn't fit all helmets, but if the airline was buying I'd deal with it and find something to protect my noggin.

But no way do I want to risk not having my own boots. I don't even check mine on the way home.

 

[Trailside Trixie]

I'm definitely the same with local skiing, so this is primarily focused on air travel and likely will be used during car trips out west (I live in Minnesota). So, if I understand, you use a roller ski bag which you fill with clothes (particularly on the trip back). The shoulder bag -- is that a duffle or something for your clothes along with boots and helmet?

I've an athalon spft but very padded roller ski bag. Holds 2 pair but I'll often just have 1 in there. I travel with my Kulkea trekker boot bag which holds everything ski related. Thats the ski stuff. Then I have a shoulder/tote bag for personal stuff and a roller suitcase for my clothes, etc.

I check in the ski bag and roller. I'll bring on the boot bag and my tote. Sometimes if a full flight they'll make me check the Kulkea bag cause it's pretty big.

 

[marzNC]

Happen to be in the middle of flying to start a ski trip. (Long layover.). I almost always fly Southwest from RDU for ski trips.

I've been using a Sportube 2 hard case since 2010. For assorted reasons, this trip I'm using a new Sportube Ski Shield soft bag with wheels. It holds 2 pairs of skis easily, even fat skis. Being petite, the disadvantage is that it's longer by a foot or more because it can hold skis up to 190cm. The advantage is that it's much easier to pack other stuff since it zips open completely like a suitcase. Another advantage is that it's a bit lighter when empty.

A big reason not to bring the Sportube this trip is that I'm sharing an SUV with two other people. That's much easier with soft bags. Usually would use the DB SlimJim and bring one pair of skis. But my powder skis ended up with me instead of in NM with my primary ski buddy after our trip in December I drove to Colorado. Given the forecast for Grand Targhee this weekend, I knew I wanted powder skis while for Big Sky my all-mountain skis will probably make more sense.

Most of the time I'll only fly with one pair of skis. Being able to hold two pairs is useful when my daughter can join me for a ski trip. Or if I buy new skis after demo'ing on a trip, although that's relatively rare.

My boots are in a 2-wheel rolling suitcase designed for ski boots. I never check boots starting a ski trip. I've started checking the boot suitcase on the way home. I probably need to seriously consider new boots in another year or two. It's a lot heavier than the 4-wheel carry-on size suitcase I have for other stuff that I can do without for a day or two if it gets delayed.