Last updated on December 4th, 2019 at 03:29 pm
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The first thing you should invest in after you’ve bought ski clothing is your own ski boots. Because, let’s face it, rental boots suck!
Ski boots aren’t exactly handy though. So you need a way to carry them around and for storing them out of season. What you need is a ski boot bag.
Here are some recommended ski boot bags.
Best inexpensive ski boot bag
The Athalon Everything boot bag/backpack is a surprisingly affordable and good-quality ski boot bag which offers excellent value for the money.
The ski boot bag is designed to be worn as a backpack (but has a top handle as well) and it has padded shoulder straps and back pads. And as the name implies it will not only hold your boots but also your helmet, goggles, gloves, jacket, and other apparel
It features zippered, ventilated side pockets for your boots. The waterproof PVC bottom of the bag has drainage grommets. These features are essential if your boots are still a bit wet when you put them in the bag.
The bag measures 17 x 15 x 14 inches (43 x 38.1 x 10.1 cm) will fit up to size 13 (US)/ 47( EU)/12.5 (UK & AUS) in mens boots. The bag will hold 58.5 liters (3570 cubic inches).
Pros: a good-quality ski boot bag which won’t break the bank. Can be worn as a backpack, and the backpack straps can be hidden for check-in. Ventilation and water drainage grommets in the right places. Reflective piping for improved visibility in low lighting.
Cons: the top handle has questionable seams, and some have had the handle split from the bag. It doesn’t come with any kinds of attachments for your ski bag or suitcase.
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Best isosceles shaped ski boot bag
The Transpack XT1 Ski Boot Bag is a lightweight and rugged ski boot bag available in lots of different designs and colors.
It is made from durable polyester which is water-resistant coated. The bottom consists of tarpaulin for extra protection against slush.
The bag is isosceles shaped and features two individual side pockets for your boots and a center compartment for your apparel. The pockets come with grommets for air ventilation and water drainage – great for wet boots.
The back has a foam padded panels, and comfortable neoprene padded shoulderstraps.
The main compartment is secured by a zipper and will hold a helmet, goggles and other apparel.
The bag measures 17 x 16 x 14 inches (43 x 40.7 x 10.1 cm) and will fit a size 12 (US)/46 (EU)/11 (UK & AUS) boot. It can hold 46 liters (2800 cubic inches).
Pros: A high-quality bag that won’t break the bank. It can be worn as a backpack. Air ventilation grommets in the right places. Lots of different designs available.
Cons: You can’t remove the shoulder straps for check-in at the airport. It can pass as a carry-on item, but it’s a bit stiff and oddly shaped for the overhead compartments. It doesn’t come with any kind of attachments for your ski bag or suitcase.
Buy now on Amazon.
Best large ski boot bag
If you’re looking for a big ski boot bag with lots of room, have a look at the KULKEA Boot Trekker Ski Boot Backpack. It’s available in different colors and designs.
It is made from durable, water-resistant nylon and polyester, and has a bottom made from Tarpaulin for extra protection against water.
The two side ski boot pockets will fit a size 13 (US)/ 47( EU)/12.5 (UK & AUS) in
The bag comes with lots of smaller pockets for easy access and mesh pockets for organization.
The back section is padded.
The shoulder straps are with excellent padding and the bag also has a waist belt and sternum straps to keep it nicely secured on your back and take some of the load of your shoulders. The top handle is sturdy.
The KULKEA Boot Trekker measures 18 x 14.5 x 18 inches (45.7 x 36.8 x 45.7 cm) and the width will expand from 18 to 19.5 inches (49.5 cm). The bag will hold 69 liters (4200 cubic inches).
There’s an extra quick release section on the outside of the back, which will hold your helmet.
Pros: a really well-made bag of high-quality. Large will hold most of your gear except the skis. Lots of nice features and details. All-in-all an excellent bag that is reasonably priced.
Cons: The shoulder straps aren’t detachable. Bring something to tie them together, if you’re checking it in at the airport (I think it is too big as a carry-on item). It could have a bigger opening at the top of the main compartment.
Buy now on Amazon.
Best backpack style ski boot bag
If you’re looking for more of a backpack style bag which also will function as a ski boot bag, you should have a look at the Zipline World Cup Shaman Backpack.
This is a backpack you also wear while you ski. It has padded anatomical shoulder straps. A waist belt and sternum strap offer good support, keeps the bag in place, and take some of the load of your shoulders.
The bag is waterproof, and you can easily set it in the snow. The top flap is waterproof as well, and it has waterproof zippers.
The big main compartment measures 15 x 9 x 9 inches (38.1 x 22.9 x 22.9 cm) and will easily fit your ski jackets and pants, and other apparel. The bag also features a tuck-away helmet mesh flap, a laptop/tablet sleeve, and multiple smaller pockets for your gear.
The boots attach to the outside of the bag with quick-release straps.
The bag is airline carry-on size-approved, but I do recommend that you remove the boots before trying to stuff it in the overhead compartment.
Pros: a high-quality and versatile backpack, which also doubles as a boot bag. You can for traveling to and from the resort, bring it on a plane and on the mountain as well. Really sturdy and waterproof.
Cons: Not all will appreciate the straps on the outside for boots. Extra straps mean more things can break if you want to check your ski boot bag.
Buy now on Amazon.
Best split roller ski boot bag with wheels
If you want a suitcase-style bag which will also hold your dirty ski boots and clothes inside, you should take a look at the Dakine Split Roller. The roller is available in different designs and colors.
This bag comes with good options for organizing your stuff with a split level design of different compartments for easy access. And it features an interior compartment specifically designed to keep your dirty clothes and ski boots separate from the rest of your apparel.
The Dakine Split Roller is made from durable polyester and is available in two sizes:
- The 85 liters version has 4,000 cubic inches of storage space and measures 30 x 14 x 13 inches (76.2 x 35.5 x 33 cm). The weight is only 10 lbs. (4.5 kg).
- The 110 liters version has 6,000 cubic inches of storage space and measures 32 x 17 x 13 inches (81.2 x 43.1 x 33 cm). The weight is only 11 lbs. (5 kg).
When you’re not using the bag for travel it can be folded flat to only 7.5 inches (19 cm) from back to front.
It has high-quality wheels that are replaceable and a retractable handle.
Pros: A good-quality bag for easy check-in of your ski boots and clothes. Also, an excellent choice if you travel by train or bus.
Cons: The quality of the fabric could be better/thicker to better withstand luggage handling at airports.
Buy now on Amazon.
Best attachable ski boot bag
If you want a versatile high-end water-resistant ski boot bag that attaches to your ski bag roller take a look at the Thule RoundTrip Boot Backpack. It attaches easily to the Thule RoundTrip Ski Roller Bag (or the Thule RoundTrip Snowboard Bag if you’re a rider) using the built-in attachment loops.
This combo is a dream to use at airports!
The ski boot bag is really well thought out. The boots are stored in a rear-loading separate compartment. You flip down the back panel, and then you can use it as a standing mat, e.g. if you need to change from shoes to ski boots (or vice versa) in a parking lot. The boot section has grommets for air-ventilation and water drainage as well.
When you don’t attach it to the RoundTrip Ski Roller Bag you can wear it on your back with the padded shoulder straps. The bag also has a sternum strap but unfortunately no waist belt.
When worn on your back, you can even attach your snowboard, skis, and helmet to the outside of the bag with quick-release straps.
All your apparel is easily accessible from the top with a large zippered opening. The top also has an extra sturdy compartment for your goggles, sunglasses, mobile phone etc. It also has several extra pockets for gloves etc.
Pros: This is a high-end ski boot bag that is very reasonably priced at the same time. It is well-thought-out and of the excellent quality, that you’ve come to expect from Thule.
Cons: The extra sturdy protective top isn’t exactly “crush-proof” as it is stated in the ad description. It is just harder than the rest of the bag. I guess if it was made from something like military-grade hard plastic, then it would be truly crush-proof. I wouldn’t check-in the bag with my mobile phone lying in the compartment.
Buy now on Amazon.