The 10 Best Ski Boot Bags
Editor's Notes
October 19, 2020:
One of the most frustrating parts of most winter sports is the amount of essential equipment that is required to take part. These ski boot bags take the hassle out of packing and carrying your gear, so all you need to do is grab your ski bag and hit the slopes.
During this round of updates, we introduced the Wildhorn Outfitters Brimhall, which caught our eye due to its structured design that helps the user organize their bag effectively. Each internal section is designed to take care of your equipment. In their own isolated water-resistant pocket, the boots are separated by a divider to prevent them from knocking against one another, while the goggles area sports a soft interior to safeguard against scratching, and all of the compartments feature individual zippers to ensure everything stays in position during transit.
This time around, we removed the Stage Basic as we felt that there were more durable options to choose from, such as the Athletico Weekend, which is in a similar price range. The Select Sport Team Pack took a demotion because, although it's a great day pack, it's not really suitable for jumping on an airplane or a bus, as the helmet and boots are stored on the outside of the pack, making them susceptible to damage.
November 21, 2019:
Anyone who enjoys hitting the slopes knows the importance of a durable bag to hold your skiing or snowboarding boots. They come in a wide range of prices – and it is possible to find a high-quality one for an affordable price, like the Athletico Weekend, which joins our list in this update. It provides a lot of bang for your buck, with its large, zippered front and side pockets that offer plenty of room for your ski helmet, goggles, a hat, a scarf, and other accessories. And why use this durable bag only for ski trips? You can feel free to use it as a gym bag or for any other type of weekend getaway. You can carry it in multiple ways, thanks to its two tote straps and its adjustable shoulder strap. Athletico offers it with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so you can make your purchase with confidence.
Moving up on the list today is the Thule Roundtrip, which comes from a brand of outdoor gear that’s been around for almost eight decades. It features a panel that conveniently flips down to serve as a mat, so you have something dry to stand on when you change into or out of your boots. Speaking of your boots, you can store them in the rear-loading compartment, which allows water to escape through the grommets. It offers two-way access to all of your gear via the front and the top, and includes a crush-proof safe zone compartment that’s great for storing your goggles, sunglasses, cell phone, and more.
Leaving the list in this update is the Swix Tri-Pack, which is unavailable at this time.
The Many Conveniences Of Ski Boot Bags
Boot bags lessen this burden through comfortable backpack or hand straps, which means no more juggling or tired arms.
Getting into skiing can be somewhat cash-intensive, so newbie skiers might wonder why they should go ahead and buy a ski boot bag. Even skiers who’ve been in the sport for a while might be undecided about these bags. After all, they’re not going to make anyone a better skier, just a more organized one, right? While it’s true that they might not help you on the slopes, what they will do is alleviate some of the stress that goes with a skiing trip, which’ll free up your mind to focus on having a good time.
For example, since boot bags hold more than just boots, they help you avoid the hassle of getting where you’re going, only to realize that you’re missing a crucial piece of gear. This is especially important if you’re planning a ski vacation away from home. Imagine packing, flying, landing, and checking into a hotel, only to find out you’ve left your goggles behind. When all of your gear is collected in one place, and stays in that one place, it’s much less likely to disappear. And when you’re ready to leave, you won’t be as likely to leave something behind. Don’t worry about forgetting something in a chalet or café; neatly pack everything into its spot, then pick up your bag and go.
And if you do plan to invest some money into your skiing gear, you’ll probably want a ski boot bag to help you protect your investment. As you might imagine, ski and snowboard boots are not cheap, and neither are top-notch helmets, goggles, and gloves. A ski boot bag stops you from dropping, scratching, smashing, or otherwise mangling your gear.
A final reason to grab a ski boot bag is sheer laziness. Have you ever tried carrying a pair of ski or snowboard boots around in your hands? They aren’t terribly easy to grip and they’re not exactly light. A pair could weigh anywhere from five to 10 pounds. Boot bags lessen this burden through comfortable backpack or hand straps, which means no more juggling or tired arms.
A Quick Guide To Features
When you begin to look for a ski boot bag, you might be a bit overwhelmed by the large number of styles and functionality choices. You’ll find everything from smaller bags decorated with flowers for younger children to sleek black bags that scream “serious athlete.” Certainly, whether you like a design is a personal choice, but there are a few features you probably want your new bag to have.
Then, the bag should have the size and type of compartments that meet your needs.
First, it needs to be both sturdy and durable. Remember, it’s not just to make carrying your gear easier but also to protect it. Many of the best have tarpaulin-reinforced bottoms and are made from heavy-duty nylon or polyester. Their straps and handles are reinforced and their zippers are high-quality. And most feature some type of waterproofing.
Next, the bag should fit your personal boots, whether they’re ski or snowboard boots; these bags aren’t necessarily one-size-fits-all, mostly due to their design. To help you out, most manufacturers indicate the size of boots the bag will accommodate, e.g., “up to men’s size 14.” Others provide the dimensions of the boot compartment, so that you can measure your personal pair to ensure they’ll fit.
Then, the bag should have the size and type of compartments that meet your needs. Some have room for helmets, extra clothes, small accessories, and goggles, while others don’t offer as much room or as many pockets.
Finally, if you intend to fly with your new bag, it needs to meet airline regulations. Unfortunately, a lot of ski boot bags are just a bit too large for you to carry onboard, but some manufacturers are sensitive to this issue and try to produce bags that work for this purpose. If you opt for a larger size that must be checked, you’ll want to make sure it doesn’t have many outside straps or extras that could get torn or damaged.
A Few Types Of Skiing
The type of skiing you’ll do influences the type of boots you’ll buy, which ultimately influences the type of ski boot bag you’re going to need. Whether you’re new to skiing or looking for a new way to fling yourself down a snow-covered mountain, you’ve got more than ample choices.
Cross-country skiing is one of the most popular varieties, perhaps because it doesn’t require the adrenaline-fueled locomotion of downhill skiing. Instead, skiers rely on their own strength to propel themselves across flat areas, usually with poles to help. Ski boot bags don’t hold poles, but there are plenty of handy ski bags out there for this purpose.
For a bit of a twist, you might try heli-skiing, in which the skier takes a helicopter to the tops of peaks and runs.
The other most popular choice is downhill skiing, which is also commonly called alpine skiing. This is perhaps what most people envision when they think of skiing, where participants go zooming down hills or mountains. Those who are into unspoiled natural beauty can try backcountry skiing, in which participants ski in unmarked areas away from the groomed trails of ski resorts. These areas can be remote, so you’ll probably want to stash avalanche safety gear in your boot bag and on your person.
For a bit of a twist, you might try heli-skiing, in which the skier takes a helicopter to the tops of peaks and runs. Heli-skiing lets you avoid the crowds of ski lifts, leaving you to ski in secluded areas safely, since you’ll probably be accompanied by a trained guide.
And, of course, there’s always snowboarding, where you’ll use one wide board as opposed to the two skinnier planks of skiing. For a variety of reasons, including learning to turn and getting on and off ski lifts, snowboarding generally tends to be harder for beginners. Many will tell you that the fun of snowboarding is well worth it, however. Although snowboard boots aren’t heavy plastic like ski boots, serious snowboarders still stash them in a boot bag for all the aforementioned reasons—protection, avoiding loss, easier carrying, and more.