Are you looking for the best ski travel bag for your next ski trip? Find the top picks of ski bags that allow easy transport of one or two pairs of alpine skis. If you have already booked your flights and need a ski bag or have one that has worn out and needs an upgrade, the below buying guide provides a breakdown of essential features to consider when shopping for your bag.
With the below top picks, you’ll find the perfect ski travel bag for your next vacation and future ski trips. The best ski bags make for easy travel on the road or at the airport for air travel. In addition, they allow for easy access to your skis and the rest of your gear, especially when staying at a ski resort or just taking day trips to different mountains as part of a longer ski trip.
A travel ski bag also provides a great way to keep your hotel room organized, with easy storage allowing for quick access to pairs of skis, ski boots, ski poles, ski clothes, and your ski accessories.
The price range for ski bags ranges from around $50-$300. The affordable price for ski bags provides a great value amongst ski gear, with a high-quality ski bag last for many years if it is taken care of well. Differences in the prices between models are typically due to features and storage capacity, with some quality differences across brands, though limited product segmentation given the functional nature of ski bags.
Below are the ten top picks for the best ski bags. For a detailed breakdown of design features and tips for choosing the best ski bags for your needs, click here or scroll past the top picks.
Top Ten Ski Bags for 2022-2023 Ski Season
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Dakine Boundary Ski Roller
The Dakine Boundary Ski Roller is the best overall bag for skiers looking to haul the most amount of their gear around as efficiently as possible. The Boundary Ski Roller can fit two pairs of skis, poles, and most of your ski clothing in its internal and externally accessible pockets and gear bags.
The bag features two rolling wheels, grab handles on both ends and sides, and a solid padded structure that offers excellent protection and keeps its shape as you roll the bag at an angle. Made of rugged recycled polyester and offered in various colors, the Dakine Boundary Ski Roller is the most feature-rich and best-designed bag on this list, with 185cm and 200cm options available.
EVOC Ski Roller
One of the more unique designs on this list, the EVOC Ski Roller is a relatively compact bag that can fit two pairs of skis and then can be rolled up into a compact bag when not in use. Made with a rollable polyester top that opens like a sardine can to access the main compartment, the EVOC Ski Roller uses the skis as the primary internal structure, with internal straps that keep the padded fabric in place around the skis. Though it lacks the same interior storage space that other bags offer, the EVOC makes for a more minimalist packing experience and can be tucked away at your destination rather than taking up a corner of the room or half of the closet like most ski bag designs.
Thule Roundtrip Ski Roller Bag
Full-featured and well-designed, the Thule Roundtrip Ski Roller Bag fits two pairs of skis and poles and also comes with additional interior pockets and removable gear bags that tuck in near where the ski tips curve. Easy to move around, the bag has two wheels on one end, grab handles on both ends, and padded compression straps that double as handles for carrying the bag around. In addition, the structural reinforcement, wrap-around padding, and removable padded divider make the bag as feature-rich as anything on this list.
Dakine Fall Line Ski Roller
A slightly more compact roller ski bag from Dakine, the Fall Line features a somewhat smaller size, offered in 175cm and 190cm lengths. Able to fit two pairs of skis and poles, along with a removable boot bag, the fall line can hold the bulk of your gear, with additional room to pack layers of clothing next to the skis for efficient travel.
The Fall Line offers the same rugged and easy-to-dry polyester, a durable zipper, grab handles on each end and the side, and a firm structure with padding all around. Like its big brother, the Dakine Boundary Ski Roller, the Fall Line comes in various colors and offers more than many competitors in style and design.
Dakine Padded Ski Sleeve
Like all of the bags on this list from Dakine, the Dakine Padded Ski Sleeve features durable zippers, rigid polyester material, and a thick pad to protect your skis and protect things from your skis. In addition, with a simple single-pair design, the ski sleeve can pack extra items like ski pants and your ski jacket around your skis. The bag is offered in 175cm and 190cm lengths and a wide variety of colors.
The design features a simple carry strap that can also slip over your shoulder and grab handles at each end, making it easy to pull the ski bag out of a vehicle or bus. Due to its durability and stylish design, the Dakine Padded Ski Sleeve is one of the best ski bags for a single pair of skis.
High Sierra Padded Ski Bag
The best value on this list for those looking for a durable ski bag that will last plenty of seasons at a reasonable price, the High Sierra Padded Ski Bag is about as low of a price as you’ll find amongst the padded ski bags. With what can be described as a butterfly-style opening, the bag opens flat, making it easy to load and carry with its padded handle that can double as a shoulder strap. Additionally, the High Sierra Padded Ski Bag has compression straps at either end, allowing you to compress the bag for more compact storage and use it as a handle when pulling the bag out of a vehicle.
Sportube Series 2
A classic amongst ski travel bags and cases, the Sportube Series 2 offers a highly functional hard-shell design that can fit two pairs of skis. With an adjustable length between 122cm and 212cm, the case features two wheels on one end and a pull handle at the other. The rugged case weighs more than the others on this list, though it offers the versatility of being strapped to a vehicle’s roof rack to save space. Easy to carry and move around with firm exterior handles, the Sportube Series 2 weighs 12 lbs on its own and does not offer the same extra storage as other options.
Dakine Fall Line Ski Roller Hardside Bag
The only hardside ski bag or case from Dakine, the Fall Line Ski Roller Hardside Bag, is a 100% recycled plastic case that can fit two pairs of skis, a pair of poles, a pair of boots, and even some outerwear. Its hard plastic case features wheels at one end and grab handles on all sides. So pull it through the airport, throw it in a van or bus, or put it on the roof rack of a sport wagon; the hard case offers excellent protection in all environments and a high level of security for your skis.
Athletico Rolling Double Ski Bag
Surrounded by padding and water-resistant polyester, the Athletico Rolling Double Ski Bag offers a more budget-friendly wheeled double ski bag than the other options on this list. With a padded divider, grab handles on the ends and sides, and a shoulder strap for easy carrying, the Athletico Rolling Double Ski Bag is simple in its appearance, though effective in its use. In addition, the bag features internal and externally accessed pockets for additional gear, tie-down straps in the ski compartment, and a durable zipper. The only explicit limitation is its length of 175cm, making it too short for those with longer skis.
Athalon Double Padded Ski Bag
Simple yet effective, the Athalon Double Padded Ski Bag is the only sub $100 double ski bag on this list. It’s worth caveating that this is not a wheeled bag; with wrap-around padding, a padded handle, compression straps, and a durable pull handle on one end, those who do not need wheels will find great value with the Athalon.
Essential Design Features
Ski bag designs are relatively limited due to the uniformity of ski shapes, sizes, and the types of ski gear that skiers use and pack. However, with that being considered, a variety of design features available with ski luggage will cater to different buyers’ travel styles. Below are the key design features to be aware of when choosing the best ski bag.
Single Pair or Double Pair Bags
There is often no perfect way to decide between being able to carry one or two pairs of skis when you travel. If you are a couple, a bag that can hold two pairs makes for efficient packing. A double bag is also better if you are an avid skier and prefer to bring multiple pairs. On the other hand, if you only need to carry one pair of skis, a single ski bag is more compact and easier to manage.
Double ski bags can be large and harder to manage and will weigh a lot once loaded with two pairs of skis, boots, and other gear. It makes for efficient packing and transport, but it may not be the best choice for everyone.
Wheels
Both double and single ski bags offer options with wheels at one end. These allow you to easily pull the skis around without a cart or expending too much energy carrying them. Similar to an older rolling luggage bag with roller-blade-like wheels on one side, you can pull a ski bag at an angle behind you as you walk with a tow handle at the opposite end of the wheels, making it easy to pull along. Given their use, they mostly feature rugged wheels for use outside of airports and in snowy or slushy environments.
Padded Bags
Some more uncomplicated ski bags are little more than a fabric shell that allows skis to be carried with a strap and checked in for a flight. However, more advanced designs create a padded bag with structural reinforcements and a layer of padding protecting the skis, especially the top of your skis, from scratches. This additional protection also helps keep your skis from scratching or breaking things like the seats of cars when you throw the bag in and out of a vehicle.
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Helpful Features to Consider
Grab Handles
One often underappreciated feature on ski bags is having enough straps to carry and pull the bag around. Some bags will come with a hand-carry handle or strap and a shoulder strap, allowing you to carry your bag hands-free.
Having enough straps or handles at the ends of a bag makes it easier to drag or pull it out of a car trunk, SUV, or van. Unfortunately, given the length and weight of skis, it’s less common to find backpack-style straps on a ski bag, unlike its counterpart, the snowboard bag.
Room for Boots and Other Gear
Ski bags can be as simple as a bag purely for your skis or larger and able to carry most or all of your gear. Depending on whether you prefer having a separate boot bag or want a built-in boot compartment, the options offer plenty in between.
Even with a bit of extra space around the skis, given how the tips curve, you can find some bags with large side pockets that offer plenty of room for gear, additional layers, ski pants, and personal items. Other bags will provide little space and require you to pack your ski gear in your main bag and carry your boots by hand or in a separate ski boot bag.
Padded Sleeve Between Skis
Some double ski bags come with a padded divider separating skis down the middle. This divider provides extra protection so the skis down scratch each other when being moved or tossed around by aggressive baggage handlers. If you are purchasing a bag for two pairs of skis, consider either this padded sleeve option or a bag with tie-down straps to keep the skis inside the bag.
Hard Case or Soft Case
Similar to luggage, ski bags can be found in hard and soft case options. Soft cases, which are generally made from water-resistant polyester, are the most common. These offer enough protection and padding that it’s unlikely your skis will get damaged, though it’s still possible. Those who prefer a hard case should opt for cases like the sportube series, a popular brand that offers cases with a high-density polyethylene outer shell that protects skis well.
Lockable Zippers
If you want to keep would-be thieves from snatching a piece of your gear out of your bag, lockable zippers are an essential feature to consider. Depending on where you are traveling or storing your bag, having the ability to loop a small lock through a hole in the zippers or on the case will help keep your skis safe. Some bags also offer the clip-in zipper locks that are now commonly found in luggage. Yes, someone could easily take a knife through your bag to get in, though these small locks will deter the petty hotel lobby thief who tries to snatch expensive goggles out of your bag while it’s in storage.
External or Internal straps
Different models of bags come with different types of straps for various purposes. For example, bags with strong structural reinforcements will offer interior gear straps in the main compartment to strap down your skis and poles and keep them from moving around. While baggier ski bags are often better for wider powder skis, they will offer compression straps to fit the bag around the skis and prevent them from shifting and sliding around inside the bag.
Tips for Your Purchase
Decide if you Need a Ski Bag
Suggesting to ask yourself if you need a ski bag sounds like a counterintuitive tip for someone researching the best ski bags, though a ski bag may not be necessary if you aren’t planning future air travel for ski trips. However, ski straps are a good option if you are mostly traveling on ski trips by car. They can keep skis together and make moving them in and out of your vehicle easier. Straps will also save you money over paying for a whole ski bag.
Think About Ski Lengths For the Future
Ski bags typically come in different sizes, depending on the length of your skis. These can range from 150cm to 210cm. A typical combination of length options by a brand may be 175cm or 195cm. Since beginner and intermediate skiers often use shorter skis than their advance and expert counterparts, it’s easy to think that you are currently using 170cm skis and that the 175cm bag is enough for you.
If you could see any chance of buying new skis that happen to be longer, opt for the larger size to future-proof your buying decision. Though also note purchasing a bag that is way too long can make it harder to move around, like a 210cm bag for shorter 165cm skis, which will leave you with a drooping bag at one or both ends.
Choose the Right Width
If you are a powder skier traveling around with wide skis, it’s essential to be aware of the width and dimensions of the bags to fit your skis. Many ski bags are designed to accommodate smaller skis, like those under 100mm wide underfoot. If you have skis over that size, make a point to confirm that the bag will fit your skis. The need to choose the correct width is especially true if you have skis over 120mm underfoot.
Check Your Airlines Baggage Limits
If you are buying a bag for a specific trip that you are planning, please reference the airline that you have booked or may be potentially booking. Different airlines have different baggage policies for ski or sports equipment baggage allowances.
While North American Airlines generally offer accommodating baggage limits, Asian airlines can be relatively limited, limiting travelers with skis to carry only one set per bag. Unfortunately, this could make the nice double ski bag you bought to transport your and your partner’s skis unusable for your trip.
Bottom Line
The above list of the best ski bags offers a lot of similar designs, though there are different size options and significant feature differences that cater to different skiers’ needs. Also, consider the storage needs and your travel patterns, as there can be advantages to single and double ski bags.
