We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Ready to buy now? Shop the best:
When you’re heading out to the beach, you might only need a blanket, sunscreen, and a bathing suit, so packing is fairly easy. But when you're going away for a winter adventure, packing becomes a bit more involved. You need luggage for both you and your gear, and to protect your ski boots, you need a quality ski boot bag.
The best ski boot bag is durable enough to withstand rugged handling. Additionally, you want something vented so it won't develop odors when you pack wet boots inside it. If you'll be flying to your destination, a ski boot bag in an uncommon color will make it easier to identify at baggage claim.
Learn more about the features found in top-quality ski boot bags, such as our favorite, the Thule RoundTrip Boot Backpack, and get some winter packing tips.
Editors’ Favorite
Capacity: 60 L | Material: Polyester | Number of Compartments: 3
The Thule RoundTrip Boot Backpack is one of the best bags for skiing and snowboarding. The 60-liter model features a padded boot compartment that can accommodate size 13 boots while keeping them separate from clothes and accessories.
The primary compartment is designed to hold your jacket, helmet, gloves and goggles, and the exterior pockets are convenient for storing essentials, such as your keys, wallet and headphones. The ventilated design helps boots dry faster, and the structured shape prevents the bag from collapsing. Plus, it has ergonomic shoulder straps with a sternum strap for comfort.
Its ample 60-liter capacity provides enough space to take all your skiing or snowboarding essentials on your next trip. This bag offers superior organization and comfort, and it’s available in 10 colors.
Great Value
Capacity: 55 L | Material: Nylon | Number of Compartments: 8
The Maelstrom 55-Liter Ski Boot Bag is an affordable option that offers excellent organization and durability. You can fit boots up to size 14, along with your helmet, gloves, goggles and other accessories.
It’s made from durable twisted nylon, which makes it water- and snow-resistant, protecting your stuff in all weather. It features a reinforced, waterproof bottom for added stability, shoulder straps, and an EVA-padded mesh back panel for improved comfort and support.
It’s airline-friendly and features eight compartments for storing all your ski and snowboard essentials, plus your personal items. It’s versatile enough for other activities, too, such as camping, basketball and ice skating.
Best for Carrying All Gear
Capacity: 70 L | Material: Polyester | Number of Compartments: 3
The Dakine Boot Locker DLX has a 70-liter capacity, making it one of the best bags for those with a lot of skiing or snowboarding gear. It has a split-level layout that separates your clean clothes from wet or muddy boots.
It’s made with highly water-resistant polyester and has a tarp-lined bottom compartment that unfolds into a changing mat, letting you slip your boots on without getting your feet dirty. It features tuck-away straps, reinforced handles and sturdy zippers to help keep your gear secure and protected at all times.
Smaller bags are easier to carry, but if you want more storage space for your gear, you’ll want a large-capacity bag such as this one. It’s available in four colors and can be used for other activities, such as camping or summer sports.
Our top priority when researching the best ski boot bags was durability. We aimed to include only bags made with highly durable materials and considered other features such as the number of compartments, storage capacity and water resistance. The best ski boot bags can accommodate boots up to size 13 or 14 and feature various compartments for jackets, goggles, helmets and other essentials.
While there are many important aspects to consider when purchasing a ski boot bag, two are of top concern: size and style.
In general, ski boot bags are a one-size-fits-all item. Most come in a three-dimensional trapezoid shape so there’s room for the calf section as well as the toes. However, not all ski boots are the same size. Before shopping for a bag, measure the height and length of your boots. Before purchasing a bag, make sure to check the dimensions to be absolutely certain that your ski boots will fit inside.
Ski boot bags are designed to transport and protect ski boots, and there are a couple of different ways to do that. The first is more of a cross between a small duffle bag and luggage. This style of bag is carried by a reinforced handle or shoulder strap. The other prevalent style more closely resembles a backpack. Typically, these ski boot bags have shoulder straps and possibly a chest strap and waist strap as well.
When you're returning home from a ski trip, no matter how well you clean your ski boots (and you should be thorough), they’re going to have some residual moisture on them. As soon as you zip them up in your ski boot bag, all that moisture will be trapped in a dark environment and be very inviting to mold and mildew. To combat this, good-quality ski boot bags have openings that allow the water to drain and/or evaporate, thus greatly reducing the chance of mold and mildew growth.
Material: The material used to make your ski boot bag needs to be weather resistant and rugged. A tear-resistant polyester is a good choice. Look for something with a dense weave so it can hold up to the abuse of transit. Also, keep an eye out for a model with reinforced seams.
Zipper: A ski boot bag is only as good as its zipper. Look for a model that has a large, rugged zipper. One that can accommodate a small padlock is ideal, not just for security reasons but also to be certain the zipper doesn’t come undone in transit. Additionally, it’s important not to overfill your bag because the extra pressure on the zipper can make it fail prematurely.
Padding: If you’re flying, you want your ski boots to have as much protection as possible to withstand rough treatment by baggage handlers. Look for a bag with plenty of padding inside. If you're traveling by car or truck, thick padding isn’t quite as vital.
Some of the more expensive ski boot bags have a reinforced handle, small exterior pockets, lumbar support (for backpack models), and/or a location to place your phone or MP3 player. While some of these extras are handy, others aren't as functional as you might like them to be. If you feel swayed to purchase a ski boot bag based on one of these selling points, make sure that it’s something you’ll actually use.
Though rare, some ski boot bags have wheels and a telescoping handle so you can wheel your ski boots through the airport rather than carry them. If this sounds like something you’d benefit from, look for a model with these features.
If they fit your budget, the extras found inside a ski boot bag can be much more beneficial. Some of these include a separate compartment for each boot, additional room for a helmet, or even straps to secure your boots inside the bag. At the highest end of the price range, you can find heated bags that dry your ski boots after they've been packed. While handy, this feature can double the price of the bag.
A dark or neutral color ski boot bag might be the best option for hiding stains, but it’s not ideal for quickly identifying your bag on the airport carousel. Decide which is more important to you — hiding stains or being easily identifiable — and make your purchase accordingly.
Inexpensive: The most affordable ski boot bags cost between $25 and $45. These may not have a lot of bells and whistles or be the most rugged, so these bags are usually best for the casual skier who won’t be traveling often.
Mid-range: From roughly $50 to $90 is where you can find ski boot bags suitable for frequent skiers. These models may feature a more durable build with reinforced handles and extra padding, as well as vents that allow for drainage and more efficient drying.
Expensive: For most skiers, it isn’t necessary to spend over $100 for a ski boot bag. The pricier models may be larger to better accommodate a helmet and other gear. Additionally, some of the most expensive bags may have heated compartments for the boots. Before purchasing, make sure you'll actually use the features that are offered on these more expensive models.
Packing for a winter vacation can be challenging: the clothing is bulkier and there's more of it. Consider the following tips before packing for your ski vacation.
A. If you were a musician, you wouldn't think of traveling with your instrument without putting it in a case to protect it from damage. A ski boot bag serves a similar purpose for some of your most important ski gear. During travel, the bag can help protect the boot buckles and bindings from damage. It can also help keep the boots from getting scratched or gouged and protect them from spills.
A. Yes, a ski boot bag counts as one checked bag. However, if you're flying with skis (or a snowboard), airlines give you a break because the two items (ski bag and ski boot bag) only count as one checked bag. The details of how large your ski boot bag can be as well as how much it can weigh and exactly what can be inside of it vary from airline to airline. Be sure to check the regulations before you get to the airport.
A. Yes, some skiers prefer to bring their boots on the plane to ensure they won't get lost in transit. However, ski boots are large, heavy, and awkward to maneuver through the confines of a plane. Additionally, you might need to sacrifice packing some personal items that may be more important to keep on hand while flying, and you're wasting one of the few luggage benefits an airline offers by taking your boots as a carry-on instead of a (potentially) free checked bag.
BestReviews wants to be better. Please take our 3-minute survey,
and give us feedback about your visit today.
