First time flying with own skis/boots...what do you all use as a boot bag? (Have a hardsided rolling case for skis already to check)

[Jesski]

I bought a Black Hole duffle specifically to use for this purpose. Love it! You don’t need something else specific. I used to just use a regular rolling carry on, but wanted something with backpack straps. I often travel alone to ski and needing something that didn’t roll since I already have a Sportube and rolling checked bag to wheel around, a third rolling bag became a nuisance to get around with on my own.

Oh good to hear! Sadly the Black Hole duffle is sold out everywhere at the moment and we only have one right now :( Will figure out a stop gap for the upcoming trip and probably buy a second one once they are back in stock! I was told they changed the sizing a bit for the new ones coming out FYI; we have a 60L with the removable back pack straps and the new ones come in 55 or 70 I believe. I haven't been able to find a used one yet either but that's probably because they are so durable and useful!

 

[santacruz skier]

I bought a Black Hole duffle specifically to use for this purpose. Love it! You don’t need something else specific. I used to just use a regular rolling carry on, but wanted something with backpack straps. I often travel alone to ski and needing something that didn’t roll since I already have a Sportube and rolling checked bag to wheel around, a third rolling bag became a nuisance to get around with on my own.

I’m going to find out the nuisance next Friday. I have the Kulkea Powder Trekker that is so cumbersome (not to mention heavy) to use as carryon so trying something new - sportube cabin cruiser

 

[TNtoTaos]

No, the only thing in common each time was the layover airport.. Once was United, once was Southwest, and I don’t recall the third. The first time was actually on “purpose”. The plane was overweight and they left a bunch of skis and larger checked bags behind. An unwelcome admission when you are at your destination without your stuff!

Reason I asked is because I was told by a baggage handler for Delta that they typically overbook, and often elect to leave luggage behind d/t weight issues.

 

[MissySki]

Reason I asked is because I was told by a baggage handler for Delta that they typically overbook, and often elect to leave luggage behind d/t weight issues.

Ohh that’s totally horrible!! Will definitely keep in mind when booking flights.

 

[marzNC]

Something to consider when packing for a flight is that spare lithium batteries are not allowed in checked luggage. Even if gate checking because there isn't any more overhead room, need to take out any batteries if they are in the bag you intended to keep with you. That's to avoid any risk of an undetected short that starts a fire in the baggage compartment. The reason it became something to remember for my upcoming trip is that I bought spare batteries for my heated glove liners. Although those batteries do not have exposed terminals so are not a risk.

February 2020

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/lithium-batteries-baggage?newsId=23054

" . . .
Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch fire if damaged or if battery terminals are short-circuited.

Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium ion batteries, including – but not limited to – smartphones, tablets, cameras and laptops, should be kept in carry-on baggage. If these devices are packed in checked baggage, they should be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation and packed so they are protected from damage.

Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage. They must be carried with the passenger in carry-on baggage. Smoke and fire incidents involving lithium batteries can be mitigated by the cabin crew and passengers inside the aircraft cabin.

If carry-on baggage is checked at the gate or planeside, spare lithium batteries, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices must be removed from the baggage and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. Even in carry-on baggage, these items should be protected from damage, accidental activation and short circuits. Battery terminals should be protected by manufacturer’s packaging or covered with tape and placed in separate bags to prevent short circuits.
. . ."

 

[blueskysunnyday]

As I said above, I use a normal spinner carry-on for my boots, helmet and other things needed to ski because I don't want to lug a backpack around for connections. However, I was able to cure the issue of needing to carry multiple bags alone like this: My large checked bag and carry on are both 4-wheeled spinners, so i put them handle-to-handle (or back-to-back) and hold the handles with one hand and push them along. Then, I have tightened the strap on my ski bag to the very tightest it can be and I sling it over my body cross-ways so it is on my back but a bit diagonal. Since I will also have my Lift Rider backpack, I just kind of throw that over the handles of the suitcases. I guess you could also just carry your ski bag in the other hand, but I usually have my daughter's skis in there too and it is heavy for me.

 

[MissySki]

Something to consider when packing for a flight is that spare lithium batteries are not allowed in checked luggage. Even if gate checking because there isn't any more overhead room, need to take out any batteries if they are in the bag you intended to keep with you. That's to avoid any risk of an undetected short that starts a fire in the baggage compartment. The reason it became something to remember for my upcoming trip is that I bought spare batteries for my heated glove liners. Although those batteries do not have exposed terminals so are not a risk.

February 2020

https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/lithium-batteries-baggage?newsId=23054

" . . .
Lithium batteries, which power everyday devices, can catch fire if damaged or if battery terminals are short-circuited.

Devices containing lithium metal batteries or lithium ion batteries, including – but not limited to – smartphones, tablets, cameras and laptops, should be kept in carry-on baggage. If these devices are packed in checked baggage, they should be turned completely off, protected from accidental activation and packed so they are protected from damage.

Spare (uninstalled) lithium metal batteries and lithium ion batteries, electronic cigarettes and vaping devices are prohibited in checked baggage. They must be carried with the passenger in carry-on baggage. Smoke and fire incidents involving lithium batteries can be mitigated by the cabin crew and passengers inside the aircraft cabin.

If carry-on baggage is checked at the gate or planeside, spare lithium batteries, electronic cigarettes, and vaping devices must be removed from the baggage and kept with the passenger in the aircraft cabin. Even in carry-on baggage, these items should be protected from damage, accidental activation and short circuits. Battery terminals should be protected by manufacturer’s packaging or covered with tape and placed in separate bags to prevent short circuits.
. . ."

That’s interesting.. I put my Hotronics batteries in my carryon, including when it’s been gate checked. I had no idea about this requirement, and was never asked about contents like batteries at the time.

 

[marzNC]

That’s interesting.. I put my Hotronics batteries in my carryon, including when it’s been gate checked. I had no idea about this requirement, and was never asked about contents like batteries at the time.

It's a relatively new requirement. So for many people the 2021-22 season will be the first time that it applies. I think someone asked if I had lithium batteries in the checked luggage when I checked in on one of my trips last season. Eventually I looked up the rules.

 

[TNtoTaos]

Ohh that’s totally horrible!! Will definitely keep in mind when booking flights.

No kidding! Amazing the little tips you pick up when you travel for business every week.

 

[Luvs2ski]

I am currently packing for our trip to Park City & doing my best to be lean . My biggest concern is whether my boot bag (Dakine 75L) will pass as a carry-on bag; it's a bit bulky & typically I have it fully loaded for normal ski weekends, so it is really awkward & large. However, I have emptied it out for this trip; loaded it with ski boots, helmet, goggles, mittens, 1 baselayer set, pair of ski socks & a rolled up shell ski bibs. So, I can easily squash the bag to fit in an overhead bin, but doubt it will go under the seat. I am thinking if I get through baggage check with it & the plane runs out of bin space, they will just gate check it, which is still better than checking it! Anyone know how stringent Delta is with the sizing on carry ons? American can be BRUTAL. I guess if they do make me check it, I can shove my helmet in my tote bag (or as @lisamamot stated, I can just wear it ) & carry my boots as a personal item.

 

[BReeves215]

I am currently packing for our trip to Park City & doing my best to be lean . My biggest concern is whether my boot bag (Dakine 75L) will pass as a carry-on bag; it's a bit bulky & typically I have it fully loaded for normal ski weekends, so it is really awkward & large. However, I have emptied it out for this trip; loaded it with ski boots, helmet, goggles, mittens, 1 baselayer set, pair of ski socks & a rolled up shell ski bibs. So, I can easily squash the bag to fit in an overhead bin, but doubt it will go under the seat. I am thinking if I get through baggage check with it & the plane runs out of bin space, they will just gate check it, which is still better than checking it! Anyone know how stringent Delta is with the sizing on carry ons? American can be BRUTAL. I guess if they do make me check it, I can shove my helmet in my tote bag (or as @lisamamot stated, I can just wear it ) & carry my boots as a personal item.

My experience with Delta has varied widely on the size assessment. I use a small roller carry-on (which conforms to the limits) for my boots and throw in other small items and toiletries I don’t want to put in my ski bag. Carrying boots in a backpack would not work for me due to previous back/shoulder issues

 

[skinnyfootskis]

Would any of you use a soft side ski carrier or ONLY hard? (For flying)

 

[Amie H]

Would any of you use a soft side ski carrier or ONLY hard? (For flying)

After trying it both ways, towing a wheeled, hard-sided case (I have a Sportube) is MUCH easier and I feel better about the safety of my skis.

 

[marzNC]

Would any of you use a soft side ski carrier or ONLY hard? (For flying)

For most of my trips I use a double Sportube that I bought in 2010. However, I also have a DB Slim Jim for when space in a car is a consideration after the flight. Any soft ski case takes up a lot less space than a Sportube in a car.

I've flown with ski bags that were padded, not padded, with or without wheels, and never worried much about my skis. Until I bought the demo Stöckli Stormriders a few years ago, I didn't have particularly expensive skis.

I would never buy a ski carrier without wheels.

 

[liquidfeet]

I use a padded bag. I saw what TSA people did to a hard tube and its skis that a friend owned. They took the skis out, unhooked them from each other, then put them back in without knowing how to hook the brakes together. The skis would not fit back in right, and the tube would not close. They forced things back together. The skis got broken and the tube was ruined. My soft padded bag is always opened, but I've never had any issue like my friend had. So I have no interest in buying a tube.

 

[Olesya C]

I mean I have been flying with sportube with 2 pairs of skis for the last 7 years or so, several flight-required ski trips per winter and have not had issues, knock on the wood. Several of my ski friends fly to ski with sportube too. YMMV

Same idea that skis could break from being thrown around in a soft ski bag carrier. The bags are thrown around to be loaded unloaded. I can see an advantage of soft ski bag that you could pack more into it other than skis though. Maybe pad the skis with clothing to prevent damage.

I always carry on my boots; they are customized to my feet and would not want to ski without them. I use Sidekick Transpack that @marzNC mentioned on trips that involve flying to carry my boots. It has a laptop sleeve and the boots are strapped in on the sides. Otherwise, it is a size of regular size backpack and easily fits into overhead bin. On the very small planes with tiny overhead bins I had to take the helmet out and detach the boots, but everything still fit in after that. Again this is what worked for me so far, YMMV

 

[NewEnglandSkier]

When I flew with skis, I used a soft bag but I always bubble wrapped the bindings and the tips and tails.

 

[liquidfeet]

When I flew with skis, I used a soft bag but I always bubble wrapped the bindings and the tips and tails.

That's exactly what I do.

I make bubble wrap booties for tips and tails, pull them off and store them while I'm on the trip, and re-use them on the way home afterwards. Old abandoned boot gloves work well to cover bindings if you have kept them around. I keep everything around, so I have several pairs that I can use. I hold the boot gloves in place around the bindings with a strip of bubble wrap duct-taped in place. All of this is easy to re-assemble for the flight home.

I suppose a sport tube would be easier, but still I'm cautious about using one because of that traumatic trip when my friend's tube and skis were all destroyed by TSA folks. They opened the tube, took the skis out, then couldn't figure out how to clamp the skis back together to get them back in. They just stuffed them back in, bending a ski permanently out of shape, then forced the resistant tube closed, cracking it.

If TSA no longer takes skis out for any reason, I'd be willing to switch to a tube. I think. Maybe. But I like my padded boot bag. It's a Kulkea one that I won on this site. It's a very functional design for carrying two pair of skis. I feel very fond of that bag.

 

[diymom]

I use a sportube, and yes tsa loves to open those things. Last year I used some cling film stuff from uHaul to keep my skis together when sliding them in and out of the tube. This thread has inspired me to try something different this year. I just ordered some stretchy velcro straps, which should hold them firmly in their tip to tail position, but be easier to put on and reuse than the plastic wrap. I'll probably cushion under the strap with some fleece scraps since the straps will be in contact with the ski edges.

 

[Jilly]

With my sportube, I have to put the skis in, bases facing out and brakes held down with elastics. Also tip to tail so that the bindings will fit. Actually this is the way they state on the diagram on the tube.