Snowboarding Bags For Air Travel
In this short guide we take a look at 5 things to consider when choosing snowboarding bags for air travel.
In This Guide:
Taking your own snowboard, boots and equipment is a popular choice with many people. However, if you are planning to travel with your own snowboard, it is essential you have the right bag. Having the correct bag, makes travelling your snowboarding gear very easy and as a result, makes your life much easier. Below are a few key things to consider when searching for snowboarding bags for air travel.
1: Protection – Soft Shell vs Hard Shell:
Snowboarding bags for air travel come in two different types of protection and these are ‘soft shell’ and hard shell’. One of the first things you should consider is which type of protection is best to suit your needs and requirements.
What Is The Difference Between Soft Shell and Hard Shell Snowboarding Bags:
Soft Shell Snowboarding Bags:
Soft-shell snowboard bags are usually very lightweight, more flexible and generally cheaper. As a result, they are a little more popular with snowboarders around the world. Although the soft-shell snowboarding bags offer very good protection, they obviously don’t offer as much as a hard-shell snowboarding bag. Depending on which type of soft-shell bag you buy, the majority have internal straps to help secure your snowboard and equipment. The outer soft-shell casing is made from durable fabric, that protects from scratches and minor impacts.
Advantage: One major plus point of a soft-shell snowboard bag is that it can be folded when not in use for easy storage.
Disadvantage: One of the biggest disadvantages of a soft-shell bag offers less protection than a hard-shell bag. Also, they are generally more expensive and also harder to store, when not in use.
Hard-Shell Snowboarding Bags:
It is without doubt that a hard-shell snowboard bag offers much more protection than a soft-shell bag. The hard rigid shell provides the perfect protection for your snowboard, ensuring that it doesn’t get damaged or bent in transit. However, due to the rigid nature of the bag, they can be a little harder to maneuver. As a result of the hard outer shell, these types of snowboard travel bags tend to be heavier and more expensive. Due to the heavier weight of the bag when empty, does affect how much you can put in your bag, before you exceed your baggage allowance weight.
Advantage: One of the biggest advantages of a hard-shell snowboarding bag is the increased protection it provides.
Disadvantages: The disadvantages of a hard-shell bag are the weight, cost and that they are harder to store, when not in use.
Which To Choose:
Obviously, the deciding factor is simply down to which type of bag best suits your requirements, needs and budget. For the majority of short-haul air travel, you will require a well padded bag that provides sufficient protection for your snowboard and other equipment. In general, a good soft-shell snowboarding bag will provide this. Not only this but it will also provide you with a good balance of protection, versatility, weight and cost. However, if you have an expensive snowboard, are travelling long-haul or have several connecting flights, maybe a hard-shell bag is worth considering.
2: Size and Capacity:
Another major thing to consider when buying a snowboarding bag is its size and capacity. Choosing the correct size will not only ensure you receive the right protection but will also help you avoid any additional fees from the airlines.
Length:
As you can appreciate, snowboards come in all different sizes. As a result, you should try to buy a bag that best fits your snowboard. In general, the rule of thumb is to have a bag that is a little longer in length than your snowboard. A good measure is to have your bag around 5-10cm longer in length than your snowboard. As a result, this allows you extra space for additional padding around your snowboard and other equipment.
Tip: Some snowboard bags are adjustable in length, so this is worth considering, especially if you are travelling with several snowboards of different length. This is also useful if you have both snowboards and skis you wish to travel.
Width and Depth:
Obviously, you will want to take not only your snowboards but other equipment too. As a result, you need to ensure that your snowboard bag is wide enough and deep enough to accommodate this equipment. Snowboard bindings, helmet, snowboarding boots, goggles and clothing all take up space. The majority of snowboarding bags are designed to fit one snowboards, along with bindings, clothing, boots and helmet. However, there are now an increasing number of snowboard bags with much larger capacity. As a result, these bags can easily fit two snowboards or a combination of both snowboard and skis. This is usually with the bindings removed.
Multiple Compartments:
It is worth considering a bag that has both internal and external compartments and pockets. Having a choice of multiple compartments and pockets, provide you with much more storage space and allows you to be more organised. The additional internal compartments are great for packing boots, bindings, goggles and baselayer. External pockets are brilliant for smaller items such as tools and soft items like gloves. They are also ideal for putting last minute items you may have forgotten to pack earlier.
Tip: If possible it is always a good idea to buy a larger bag than a smaller sized bag. The additional space that a larger bag offers, can be used to pack around your snowboard. As a result, this extra packing will provide more protection to your board, especially the tips. Buying a smaller sized bag will obviously mean your space is restricted.
3: Wheels and Maneuverability:
The last thing you want to be doing is carrying a heavy snowboard bag on your travels. One thing you should really consider is buying a snowboarding bag with wheels. Having a snowboard bag with wheels really is a game changer and will make your life so much easier. As a result, it will allow you to easily maneuver and navigate your way through busy airports, train stations and streets.
Tip: Try to look for snowboard bags that have good quality durable wheels. This will prove beneficial when pulling your bag over varied surfaces and terrain.
Carrying and Shoulder Straps:
Although it is always better to buy a bag with wheels, it is also a very good idea to buy one that also has carrying straps. There are times when you will not be able to pull your bags on its wheels and will need to lift your bag. During these times, it is much better to have proper padded straps that are specifically designed for the job.
Although a snowboard bag with wheels will generally cost more, it is well worth paying that little extra money. As a result, your body will certainly feel the benefit, allowing you to have a much easier travel experience.
4: Durability:
The type of material as to what your bag is made from, will obviously determine the protection it offers your snowboard. There are several different types of material that are commonly used for snowboard bags. However, the material used needs to be thick, resistant, durable and waterproof.
Check The Denier Rating:
The ‘Denier’ rating of a material, simply indicates how thick and how strong a fabric/material is. The ‘Denier’ rating is symbolised by a ‘D’ and the higher the rating of a fabric, the thicker and stronger it will be.
For Example: 1200D indicates that the thickness and strength of a fabric/material is high. A common Denier Rating of material used for snowboard bags is between 600D – 1200D
Fabric:
Another type of fabric commonly used is a fabric known as ‘Ripstop Fabric’. This type of fabric is specially designed to stop and prevent small rips becoming bigger rips and tears. As you can imagine, this type of fabric is perfect for snowboarding bags that are likely to be subject to heavy handling.
Waterproof:
One thing you should remember is that it will be Winter when you are most likely to be travelling. As a result, the weather can be wet, snowing and damp, so it is advisable to buy a snowboard bag that is waterproof. This will ensure that your clothes and equipment are protected whilst in transit are kept dry. The majority of snowboard bags are waterproof but it is always advisable to make sure. If you can find a snowboard bag with sealed or waterproof zips, it is another added bonus for your bag to have.
Weight:
Weight is a major factor when buying a snowboarding bag. As we have previously mentioned, the heavier your bag weighs when empty, will obviously result in you being able to pack less. This is simply because you will reach your baggage allowance weight quicker, the heavier your bag is when empty.
For Example:
The checked-in baggage allowance for ski/snowboard bags is usually 20-23kg. Anything over this weight and you will be charged an additional fee. If you have a snowboard bag that is 5-7kg when empty, then you will only have 15kg -18kg left at the most. However, if you have a lighter bag, you will have a few kg more spare!
5: Airline Policies and Fees:
It is always a good idea to become familiar with the individual airline policies and fees with regard to ski/snowboard bags. Airline policies do vary and while some allow ski/snowboard bags in the hold as a normal ‘Standard’ hold bag, others will class them as ‘Oversized’ luggage.
Flying With Separate Boot Bag:
The majority of airlines used to allow you to travel your ski/snowboard boots separately for free. However, in recent years, this has all changed and is unfortunately no longer the case. Although some airlines do still allow you to do so, others do not and may charge an additional fee. As a result, it is always best to try to pack your boots in your snowboarding bag if possible, to avoid additional fees.
Summary And Final Checklist:
There are several factors that you need to consider when searching for a snowboard bag. Below is a quick recap and summary of those factors:
Protection:
Protection is the key factor when choosing a snowboarding bag. Snowboarding bags usually come in one of two formats, which are ‘Soft Shell’ and ‘Hard Shell’. Ensuring your snowboard has adequate protection whilst in transit is essential, especially at the nose and tail ends of the board. Having internal straps will also increase the protection the bag provides.
Size and Capacity:
Ensure the bag is a little longer than your snowboard, to allow you space for additional padding. The width and depth of the bag will also allow more room for other clothes and bulky equipment such as bindings, boots, helmets and goggles.
Material and Durability:
Ensure the bag is made from durable fabric with a high ‘Denier Rating’. Also try to find a snowboard bag that is rip-proof and waterproof for added protection.
Compartments and Pockets:
If a bag has additional internal and external pockets, this will provide you with more space for items such as tools and gloves.
Wheels:
Having a snowboard bag with wheels is a life saver and certainly makes travelling with your snowboard much easier. Try to find a bag with good quality wheels that are suitable for varied surfaces and terrain.
Airline Policies:
Check to make sure that the bag you are buying complies with the airline’s policies to whom you travel with the most. As a result, you will save having to pay any additional fees!
We hope you found this guide about snowboarding bags for air travel useful and as a result, it helps you choose the right bag for your requirements.