When it comes to traveling with skis, it’s crucial to have a durable and secure ski bag to protect them from potential harm. Whether you’re schlepping skis through an airport or loading them into a car, the right ski bag will make the transportation process much easier and get you out on the slopes faster.
We (as first-track fiends) tested 21 different ski bags from trusted outdoor gear brands to find the best of the best for your next adventure into the mountains. Paying close attention to traits like durability, portability, and the design of each bag, we deemed five bags worthy of earning top testing scores. No matter which mode of transportation you use to go skiing, we trust that these bags will ensure your gear arrives at the ski hill ready to shred.
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We’ve tried a lot of ski bags over the past few years, and none have as many unique and functional features as Db’s Snow Roller Pro. When we pulled the back out of the box, we were immediately impressed with how it can be rolled up to the size of a helmet, offering the most compact storage of any bag we tried. We packed short and long skis, and both fit in the bag thanks to the adjustable length that can accommodate skis as long as 203 centimeters (or 210 centimeters for the 70-liter bag). We love being able to adjust the size of the bag to a custom fit, which is a crucial feature since skis can easily be damaged if there’s room to be jostled.
Additionally, the bag is surrounded by thick padding, and the bottom of the bag has a ribbed fabric to keep the tail of the skis firmly planted in one place. We wheeled this bag through multiple resort parking lots filled with ice, snow, and gravel, and the wheels rolled smoothly thanks to the sturdy handle, too. We made sure to toss around this bag quite a bit, and the exterior (and packed items) remained in perfect condition. Our only note is that the hook-and-loop handle has a slight learning curve to getting the right fit on the top of the bag, but once we did it once or twice, it became intuitive.
The Details: Up to 203 and 210 centimeters long | Polyester and polyethylene Oeko-tex | Wheeled Bag | 9.47 pounds
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Gear minimalists will appreciate the functional and creative design of Kulkea’s single ski bag. It’s the perfect size for one pair of skis, one pair of poles, and other gear fit for one skier. Like our best overall pick, we love that this bag is adjustable by rolling the top down to your desired length and using the hook-and-loop handle to lock it in place and wheel the bag. Additionally, we love the interior straps for securing skis in the main compartment and poles to the opening flap. Whether wheeling it over snow or pavement, the bag is easy to maneuver, or it can also be carried with the two top handles. The material proved to be plenty durable and protective, and our gear remained in perfect condition during transit to and from the ski resort. Our only note is that one or two pockets would be helpful for storing smaller ski gear, so you may want to get a ski boot bag, too.
The Details: Up to 190 centimeters long | Recycled polyester, ballistic polyester, and PVC-free PE tarpaulin
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We’ve tried a lot of luggage from Tumi, and every time, we’re impressed with the thoughtful designs and premium features. Throughout our tests of the brand’s ski bag, it performed exactly as expected. It’s made with soft-sided materials (like their suitcases) that provide thick protection against damage to our skis. The interior has tons of padding, and it’s made with a PU lining that is fully waterproof and easy to wipe-clean when it gets dirty. There are two spacious exterior pockets to place gear, and the interior is large enough to fit up to two pairs of skis (or two snowboards), soft gear like pants and jackets, and ski boots. One of our favorite features is the detachable ski boot bag, which is a thoughtful addition for carrying ski gear to and from the resort.
We checked this bag on a cross-country flight and found that, while it’s heavier to wheel through an airport, the bag feels more protective than others we’ve tried. The corners frayed a bit when we got our bag back, but all of the contents inside were not damaged, so we’re confident this bag is still designed to withstand rough handling and use over the years.
The Details: 186 centimeters long | Polyester, PVC, leather, and polyurethane | 14.3 pounds
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The bag comes with multiple straps, a separator for added protection, and tip guards that double as stuff sacks.
Thule’s RoundTrip Ski Bag is an excellent option for those traveling with two of everything ski gear-related. The capacity of the bag is incredibly generous — it can easily fit two pairs of skis or one pair and all of your ski gear and clothing for a weekend getaway. The interior has four straps to tie down two pairs of skis, there are two exterior compression/carrying straps, and it comes with a separator for even more protection. Padded sleeves are also included to slip over the tips or tails of your skis, and they double as cinch-top stuff sacks to help with organization.
Despite its larger size, the bag is easy to wheel around thanks to the comfortable handles on the top, bottom, and side of the bag and heavy-duty wheels that take on icy bumps with ease. On multiple cross-country flights, our checked skis have been seamlessly protected, and the clothes also packed inside remained completely dry despite the bag facing rain on the tarmac. For easy storage, the Roundtrip Ski Roller can be folded down, except for a short section at the bottom that’s reinforced with hardware.
The Details: 175 and 192 centimeters long | 600D polyester | 7.67 pounds
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Hauling ski gear around is not an easy task, but luckily, bags like Dakine’s Fall Line Roller make it as hassle-free as possible. With extra-thick urethane wheels, we had no issues wheeling the bag over gravel, dirt, snow, and pavement. The interior of the bag is also incredibly spacious, with room for two pairs of skis, poles, clothing, a helmet, and accessories. It boasts ample padding throughout the bag, which helped keep our gear in tip-top shape on the way to the ski resort. While we wish there were straps for extra security, you can always pack your soft goods around your skis and poles for added padding. Whether you opt for the 175- or 190-centimeter bag, we think the price is also a great deal for such a convenient and durable bag to use for ski gear.
The Details: 175 and 190 centimeters long | Recycled polyester | 6.27 pounds
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We love this 210-centimeter-long bag from L.L.Bean for its spacious capacity that can fit winter sporting gear for up to two people. The extra-long length is particularly helpful for cross-country skis that are skinny and long or for families with varying lengths of skis. We were able to fit two pairs of skate skis with the option to add an additional two sets if needed. With the space left over, we fit two pairs of ski pants, along with smaller items like gloves and neck gaiters. The padded divider is a welcomed feature for keeping skis separated and safe from scratching one another, and the straps provide even more security when the bag gets inevitably jostled around in transit. The exterior has a top handle to roll it, tote bag handles on top, and a removable shoulder strap, but we preferred to wheel it since it was the least strenuous option. The rugged wheels and comfortable handle made it easy to get the bag over rugged terrain and around obstacles. Made with durable and sturdy materials, we think this bag has excellent value since it feels built to last a long time. Our only gripe is that the expandable pocket zipper was stuck, so we haven’t been able to use it.
The Details: Up to 210 centimeters long | TPU-coated ripstop polyester and ballistic nylon | 8.5 pounds
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If most of your trips to the slopes involve a road trip, this Backcountry bag is a great travel companion. It can fit one or two pairs of skis (or snowboards), and it has a padded divider, so you can rest easy knowing your skis won’t be clacking against one another en route. If you opt to just pack one pair of skis, there’s more than enough room for extra gear like pants, jackets, or boots, but if you add more than one pair of skis, you’ll need to use a boot pack. Luckily, there’s usually enough room in the trunk of a car to add an extra bag or two compared to flying when packing space is limited. We found this back was easy to maneuver over all types of surfaces, from slick resort parking lots to unplowed sidewalks. There are handles all around the pack for hoisting it above your head into a car roof carrier, into the trunk, or wheeling it around. We didn’t notice any signs of wear and tear while testing out the bag on multiple road trips to the mountain, so we think the water-resistant 840D polyester exterior will hold up over time (though we’ll be sure to update this next time we fly with the bag for more insight on durability).
The Details: 195 centimeters long | Polyester, nylon, and polyethylene
Other Ski Bags We Liked
While there were plenty of ski bags that we liked, some bags fell slightly short when a few inconveniences were noted during testing.
Db Journey Snow Roller 70L: Similar to our best overall bag (the Db Snow Roller Pro), we love how this one has the roll-top design to get a custom-fit length for your skis. However, this one is quite a bit smaller than the Pro version, and the roll-top doesn’t have a top handle to use, which makes it awkward to maneuver.
Thule RoundTrip Ski Bag: While the bag has a generous capacity and feels well-made, we noticed some functionality issues like difficult zippers and awkward straps.
Element Equipment Wheeled Padded Ski Bag: This bag has excellent padding for protecting ski gear, but it does add some bulkiness that makes maneuvering the bag slightly difficult.
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Our Testing Process
We put 21 popular ski bags to the test, evaluating each one on our ski trips around the country. Our expert powder hounds were tasked with examining the bag based on traits like capacity, portability, durability, and design. Whether we were road-tripping or flying to the slopes, they used these bags to protect their skis on the way to the mountain.
After the bags arrived, we tested the zippers and examined the fabric, stitchwork, and straps to get a feel for the quality of the bag right from the start. Then, we placed our skis into the bags and packed them for a ski trip before wheeling or carrying them around to get a feel for the weight distribution, the comfort of the handles, and how the wheels rolled across surfaces.
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The most durable bags we tested are made with ample padding and heavy-duty materials that can protect the contents from rough handling. Our favorite bags for design had a variety of storage solutions like pockets or separators, straps for protection, and zippers that were smooth and sturdy. Since skis come in a variety of lengths, the highest-scoring ski bags fit all of our skis without any issues. Lastly, we were unaware of the price of each bag and only evaluated the value after testing was complete.
Tips for Buying a Ski Bag
Carefully consider size
You’ll want to look for a bag that has a somewhat similar length as your skis so they aren’t swimming in extra space or packed in too tightly. For skiers traveling with multiple sets of different-sized skis, you’ll want to get a bag that fits your longest ski. You can easily pack ski gear or other clothing to protect the shorter skis from impact by packing the bottom of the bag and around the skis to add extra protection.
Buy for your intended use
Ski bags can be quite pricey, so if you’re planning to use a ski bag for storage, it might be better to opt for a less-expensive bag. For frequent fliers, it’s worth it to invest in a padded bag with excellent durability and quality for protection against damage while traveling by air.
Decide if a hard or soft bag is better for you
While most ski bags are soft-sided, there are a few brands like Dakine and Sportube that make bags made out of thick plastic. Hard-sided ski bags often have padding at the top and bottom of the interior, but there isn’t any padding around the binding or the rest of the ski shafts, so it could be beneficial to wrap your skis in gear or other protective fabric to prevent any damage.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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Should a ski bag be padded?
If you plan on flying with skis or road tripping, a padded ski bag is the best way to protect your skis. For those looking to use a ski bag just as storage, a non-padded bag works well, but keep in mind the potential for damage.
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How do I pack a ski bag?
Once you place your skis in the bag right side up on their sides, you should use the built-in straps to tie them in securely or start packing soft gear around the skis to prevent them from moving around during travel. You can use items like ski jackets, snow pants, gloves, or any other clothes you might be bringing to fill the space. Plus, it helps you maximize the space in your carry-on or weekender bag by relocating bulkier pieces to your ski bag for protection.
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Can ski bags go on a plane?
Similar to travel golf bags, you can fly with ski bags as checked luggage. However, airlines all have different rules for checking in bags with skis, as they can be classified as oversized luggage. The rule of thumb for any checked bag is to keep the weight under 50 pounds to avoid any overweight fees.
You May Also Want
When it comes to hitting the slopes, it pays to be prepared. Take a look at some of our favorite skiing travel essentials to stay organized, warm, and safe when tearing up the slopes.
Thule RoundTrip Snowboard and Ski Boot Backpack: This sturdy boot bag feels well-made with a thick exterior and plenty of padding. It’s also relatively compact and can fit into most lockers without issue.
Smith Vantage MIPS Snow Helmet Women’s: This helmet uses Koroyd tubes for extra protection as well as MIPS technology, which helps absorb rotational impact forces.
Swany X-cell Men’s Gloves: These comfortable, warm, and waterproof ski gloves feature a Dynatherm lining, LeatherShield, and Nubuck leather.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Anna Popp is an associate editor at Travel + Leisure, where she covers everything from comfy shoes to ski gear. She grew up ski racing in Bend, Oregon, and has lived in Grenoble, France, where she got to ski in the heart of the French Alps after class. Anna has tested ski gear for the past three years and tested several bags on this list, including the Db Snow Roller Pro and the Tumi 2 Wheeled Duffle.
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