Best ski bags - comparison, tips

1. #1 Rossignol Cover Hero 2-3 pairs 4/5 see on amazonsee details
2. #2 Dakine Rolling cover Fall line 2 pairs 4/5 see on amazonsee fr details
3. #3 AmazonBasics Cover 2 pairs 185 3.7/5 see on amazonsee details

Planning a plane trip with your skis? Are you going to take the train with your skis? Or do you regularly take a bus to go skiing? Or do you simply want to protect your car and your skis when you go to the resort? These are all good reasons to invest in a ski bag.

Whether you are a regular skier or an occasional skier, sooner or later you will probably need to travel with your equipment, and the ski bag remains the safest and easiest way to take them everywhere.

A reasonable investment for travel comfort and the assurance that your skis are well protected. Presentation of the different models of ski bags and some advice for choosing the model that suits you.

Selection of ski bags

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Comparison table of the best ski bags

Advice on buying your ski bag

It is not so easy to choose a ski bag as the choice widens every days. The covers are sometimes difficult to compare, as they all seem identical at first glance. In any case, here are some essential points that will help you draw up objective criteria for choosing the ski cover you need.

Type of use

Depending on how you are going to transport your skis, for short or long journeys, by plane, bus, car, tram, bicycle, you will not need the same ski bag. Before investing, ask yourself the right questions.

Long trip, for the plane

If you are going to travel by plane, this means carrying your skis on short trips multiple times. You will also need a resistant cover and why rigid. During transits, you will have the choice of using a trolley to transport your skis, but there are also ski bags with wheels. In reality, I recommend you always take a trolley, even if you have a wheeled cover because transporting the cover on wheels plus your shoe bag plus your suitcase or suitcases. You might as well put everything on a single trolley during your transits at the airport. Finally, the point that can worry any skier who loves his skis is the way luggage is handled at airports. Skis are part of oversized baggage and are treated separately. They are bulkier and heavier, so they don't get thrown around or abused as much as lighter suitcases. In my experience, I have never had damaged equipment even when using a soft cover. Afterwards, skis are still resistant objects, so there is not too much to worry about. Remember all the same to protect the bindings which are really the weak point of the skis during transport.

Short journeys, for the train

For short journeys, of a few hours maximum, you rather take the train or perhaps the bus. The essential point in his travels is to know in what conditions your equipment is stored. If it is crammed into bus holds, a rigid or semi-rigid and waterproof cover seems appropriate. If, on the contrary, you take the train and can constantly keep an eye on your skis, a more rudimentary and flexible cover will be sufficient. Wheeled covers become a good choice for short trips, because unlike airports, you don't have transport carts. The wheels will be a great help to be mobile without getting tired.

Regular journeys, by car or bus

If you are used to short and regular journeys, you clearly have two choices. Opt for a very rudimentary and very simple ski cover that allows you to keep your skis and poles together without mixing with the rest of the equipment, or you choose durability with a resistant cover because you will be using your cover a lot, and the wear will quickly appear. Ski equipment is sharp due to ski edges, bindings, ski stops and pole tips. So a basic cover may not last long if you use it more than once a week.

Capacity of the bag

Dimensions

The ski bags are not all the same length but are intended for a standard ski size up to 175-180 cm approximately. This is the first point you need to check: your skis must fit in the cover!

If your skis are 175 cm long, go with a cover that is about 2 meters long. That is a margin of 20-25 cm. Often the zipper of the cover does not go from end to end of the cover, for a question of durability and not to expose the stops of the zipper to wear too quickly.

Also be careful to take a bag large enough for the bindings to fit inside easily. The bindings are a fragile and exposed area of ​​the ski, so you might as well plan a little margin.

For a pair of skis

The vast majority of ski bags are designed for a pair of skis. Although in reality it is not so difficult to place two pairs there, but they will be tight. If you are going on a long trip and you are flying, it is always necessary to provide two pairs of skis with slightly different characteristics to be able to ski on all types of snow. In any case, if you are sure you only need a pair of skis, and you have not planned to put on small accessories such as gloves, hat, balaclava or other, then you can take a model of small volume.

For two or more pairs of skis

There are ski covers for two pairs and even four pairs of skis. These covers are bulkier but not longer than single covers. They are perfect if you are traveling as a couple or as a family, or simply because you need several pairs of skis. Even if you only bring one pair of skis, you will certainly be able to put a lot of additional accessories in it such as your ski helmet, your ski socks, your ski goggles...

For a pair of skis and accessories

Some covers are designed to carry your pair of skis and in a separate compartment you can add accessories such as gloves, scarves, hats, or even adjustment tools: screwdrivers or spanners. If you are used to carrying these accessories with you constantly, then why not opt ​​for a cover with an additional pocket (or several). Before putting fragile objects in it (such as a ski goggle), make sure that the position of the pocket and the way your cover will be stored will not risk damaging the fragile contents.

Ski bag organization

Internal dividers

Having dividers inside the ski bag helps protect equipment items from each other. others. The separations make it possible to reduce scratches, friction and wear, especially with the proximity of the cares of the skis, which easily cut into anything that may be nearby. The dividers are therefore ideal for putting the poles on one side, the skis on the other or items that require protection of the ski guards.

Internal dividers are also useful for keeping hardware in place and minimizing shifting of contents. Less movement, less friction, less wear.

Detached compartment

Some ski bags have one or more pockets which can be accessed from the outside of the cover via a zipper in general. This type of pocket is very useful for quickly accessing objects or accessories without having to open the entire cover. Because opening the cover can be tedious when everything is tidy and orderly inside and space is limited. You can put documents, tools, or items that you will need during your trip.

Closures and tightenings

Here is a key point in your choice of cover. The type and quality of closure of the ski bag are essential because it is certainly the part most exposed to premature wear. First, because the zipper is very long and constantly exposed to other luggage. Then because it is subject to the pressure of content, heavy and potentially sharp skis.

Another important point, make sure that the zipper pullers are large, strong and easy to handle even with gloves. A strip of fabric or a cord that passes through the loop of the zipper is very useful to facilitate use. Also observe the zipper stops.

In addition to the classic zipper, some covers are equipped with adjustable side straps that allow you to effectively tighten the contents of the cover. Very practical for keeping everything in place and ensuring that the closure is not overstretched when weight is applied to it. These straps are adjustable and clip together. This allows you to "sausage" your skis.

Mobility

The ski bag should be a good compromise between a protective bag and easy-to-handle luggage. But getting around on skis is never easy. The covers offer at least two ways to transport them with ease.

Side straps

The straps allow you to grab the cover with your whole hand to carry it at arm's length. If the straps are adjustable, then you can pass the straps over your shoulder to free your hands. If you plan to carry your ski bag over the shoulder, the straps should be padded to be comfortable.

Wheels

Wheeled covers are perfect for transporting without forcing heavy loads. They generally have two wheels at the end of the cover and a handle at the other end to be able to pull the cover like a trolley. Be careful, you do not absolutely need wheels for short trips. Choose a cover model with wheels only if you make long journeys and have to carry the cover yourself.

Resistance

Materials

The material used has a direct influence on the price of the ski bag. The simplest covers are made of thin polyester and do not offer waterproofing. That may be enough if you don't carry your skis in your car.

If you want to be sure you don't soak the seats with your skis wet or full of snow, then look for a high density polyester cover with a waterproof inner liner.

The main advantage of a waterproof inner liner is not to spread moisture from the skis to the outer membrane of the cover. Thus, the cover itself is not wet and can be placed on fragile materials such as car seats or other things that are afraid of water.

After using your cover, remember to empty the water and dry the moisture inside. And above all, never leave your skis inside a cover for several days in a row. Humidity may develop in this enclosed space and cause your skis to rust!

Waterproofing

You might be wondering why waterproofing is important, after all, skis are not afraid of water and you're right. What really fears water is where you are going to put your cover. Especially at the end of the day, once your skis have collected snow. It is difficult to remove all the snow from the bindings and skis. All that snow will melt and spill into the cover.

To prevent moisture from spreading to objects around the cover, choose a cover with a waterproof lining that usually looks like aluminum. This liner will keep the water inside the cover. Remember to empty this water immediately after each transport. Otherwise your skis could rust prematurely.

Padding

The purpose of the cover's padding is to protect the skis from shocks. For air travel, this is a great option to keep skis and accessories inside. The same if your skis are piled up in bus holds.

The padding at the ends is more important than it seems. This padding reduces the risk of damaging the tips of your skis. The spatulas are fragile and are in a way the weak point of your skis. During travel it is a very sensitive part, just like the bindings.

Rigidity

Rigid or semi-rigid covers are practical because they do not deform and are more solid and protective. If you want the guarantee that your equipment is not damaged during transport, then a hard case is what you need. It provides good support and protection. It will be a little heavier than the 100% soft covers.

Note that soft covers have an advantage: they are very easy to store in a closet or even in a large bag, since they can roll up on themselves or at least fold in 4 or 5. big advantage if you travel regularly with your skis and need space in your hotel or hostel room.

Completely rigid ski bags fall into a slightly different category as they are bulky and non-foldable! They are closer to a reinforced plastic shell. Perfect for transporting your belongings by plane, you are almost certain (in airports you never really know how luggage is handled) of finding your skis in their original state at the end of the journey.

In addition, so-called rigid covers can most of the time be fixed on a car roof and are sometimes adjustable in length to adjust exactly to the length of your ski equipment.

Obviously the counterpart of a rigid transport case is that it takes up space even when it is emptied. It can be annoying during a trip where you don't have your own car.

Your questions about transporting skis by plane

Which cover to choose for transport by plane?

Airlines are used to transporting skis. Skis are oversized baggage that must be dropped off at a different counter. Transporting skis by plane is similar to conventional checked baggage. The most suitable ski covers for air transport are semi-rigid padded covers or rigid covers.

Is it risky to transport your skis by plane?

It is no more risky to transport skis by plane than a bicycle, a musical instrument or your suitcase. Skis are heavy enough not to be “swung” by handlers, as is the case with lighter suitcases.

How to travel with skis by plane?

Most airlines accept to carry skis. They fall into the category of oversized luggage, and must be dropped off at a different stand, and collected at the oversized stand.

The price of transport is sometimes included in your plane ticket, sometimes you have to pay extra. Some companies like Air Canada are used to transporting skis, and depending on your destination, transporting skis may be included. In general, there is a weight and a dimension that should not be exceeded to register your ski luggage.

1. #1 Rossignol Cover Hero 2-3 pairs 4/5 see on amazonsee details
2. #2 Dakine Rolling cover Fall line 2 pairs 4/5 see on amazonsee fr details
3. #3 AmazonBasics Cover 2 pairs 185 3.7/5 see on amazonsee details
4. #4 Salomon Extend 1 pair 165+20 3.3/5 see on amazonsee details
5. #5 Head Cover 1 pair 4/5 see on amazonsee details
6. #6 Rossignol House Tactic 3.7/5 see on amazonsee details
7. #7 Salomon Cover Extend 2 Pairs 175+20 4.7/5 see on amazonsee details