10 Best Ski Boot Bags In 2023

How To Choose A Ski Boot Bag – Buying Guide

Material

Material means a lot when it comes to choosing the most efficient ski boot bag. It can also work as a protective layer for the bag to protect the contents inside. This reduces how wet the contents inside get which is important for small struggles like a damp neck warmer when you need it. It also protects the contents of a bag that can be damaged by excessive moisture.

This means you won’t want a fabric that’s thin or flimsy. The best and most common choices are polyester or other synthetic fabrics.

Alongside the type of material, you can choose the color of the material as well. Once upon a time, almost all ski boot bags were a standard black but you can get a wider range of styles and patterns anymore.

Size

This is perhaps one of the most important features to consider when looking for a ski boot bag. If you buy a bag that isn’t big enough for your ski boot size, you’re aren’t going to be able to use that bag to carry your gear. From an opposing view, if you get a large bag when you don’t need one, you might find that it’s a little bulky. Yet, when given the choice, it’s a good idea to be safe and go for a larger bag than you need rather than a smaller one. That way, you know you’ll have enough room to store your gear.

There are a few ways to determine the size of a bag when you’re shopping online. Dimension measurements are one way to gauge how much room you’ll have. What puts the size of the bag into an easier perspective for most is the highest ski boot size the bag is recommended for. Most ski boot packs are made to accommodate almost all ski boot sizes but it’s still a good idea to check. You might also want to look for a smaller size if you’re looking for a carry on bag.

Quality

Quality is an essential factor in choosing the most efficient ski boot bags. Obviously, you aren’t going to get a low-quality option because no one prefers to make an investment that isn’t going to pay off in the long run. With that concept in mind, quality is often directly linked to cost and there are different levels of quality for different skier’s needs.

A professional or frequent skier is going to want to invest in a high-quality option. This is because if they get a low or standard quality option, there’s the potential that they will run through bags faster. In the long run, frequent replacements are going to come at a higher cost over time than a one-time investment that’s going to last you years.

In this comparison, it doesn’t mean that beginners and casual skiers should buy low-quality ski boot bags. They just might not need top-of-the-line options that come at a high cost. Luckily, there are high-quality options – included many of the options we looked at earlier – that are budget-breaking for skiers that aren’t looking for or need to spend a lot of money on something they’ll only use from time-to-time.

Generally, quality is definitely something to look out for. It’s also important to make the distinction between price and quality. There are plenty of low-cost options that will last you years to come.

Waterproof

Investing in a waterproof bag is going to go a long way in protecting your gear. Boots for skiing, the clothes inside, and even ski boot bags themselves can suffer from being left wet between ski outings or during the offseason. On top of that, you’re going to be frustrated if you pull out an extra balaclava just to find it soaking wet. To be fair, though, the freezing temperatures do help keep things dry as well but waterproof features are still worth considering. Waterproof bags include waterproof fabrics and/or water-resistant zippers.

On the topic of dealing with water in your bag, you’ll also want to look at ski boot bags with vents and drains. These are specifically geared toward dealing with water already in the bag. For example, if you had to toss your wet boots into your bag on the way back from the slopes, these features will allow the water in the bag to drain out and offers fresh air in the bag. There are a few answers about how ventilated backpacks work. Namely, you’ll see that this helps to reduce the smell that can follow wet, worn shoes in a completely closed off bag.

Handle

The handle of your bag makes it easier to carry when you aren’t carrying it on your shoulder. Much like shoulder straps, you’re going to want something that’s comfortable to hold. This could include an ergonomic hard handle which is more common on a wheeled bag rather than a backpack-style pack. For the latter, the handle is typically padded like the shoulder straps.

Type

Most ski boot bags – like the ones we’ve looked at in this review – are soft-shelled. They’re made to protect your boots and other gear without being too bulky. Most bag types are larger near the straps and narrow out near the front of the bag. These ski boot bags are described as trapezoid bags.

There are a few different options with the straps. You can purchase ski boot bags with a single shoulder strap, double shoulder straps, chest straps, waist straps, and even a wheeled ski boot backpack option. This is something that comes down to preference more than natural superiority.

Construction

We already looked at the types of fabrics that will make for the most durable bag: polyester and other synthetic options. How that fabric and the bag is constructed is just as important to consider.

Mainly, you’ll want to pay attention to the density of the fabric. This is referred to as denier and the higher the number is the better it is. Lower numbers refer to loosely woven cloth and you’ll want to look for tightly woven cloth for the most efficient ski boot bag. The standard denier for a backpack sits at around 600 but a bag should be tougher than that around 1050. The strongest denier is sometimes labeled as “ballistic.”

Comfort

Comfort means a lot in any product you buy including ski boot packs. A top-rated bag for skis shouldn’t be a pain to lug around. What is comfortable for you can vary from person to person but there are some aspects to consider when choosing what works for you.

First, padded straps are going to make life much easier. These will prevent the straps from digging into your shoulders. Some packs have padding on positioned to make the pack more comfortable on your back as well as your shoulders. It’s worth pointing out that some skiers find it easier to use straps that aren’t padded for carry-ons and packing up for long car trips to the slopes.

Another feature is how comfortable it will fit on your back. This is where online shopping might be seen as a disadvantage since you can’t try the backpack on before buying. A way around this is to look at the reviews that other users have left. They’ll delve into the details that the advertised features might not. That’s why we included honest customer opinions in our ski boot bag review.

Compartments and Pockets

While the goal of ski boot bags is to carry your boots, most go the extra mile but offering storage for other gear. First, let’s look at the main compartment. The section of the bag for boots is usually one large compartment for your boots. Some ski boot packs have this compartment split into two so the boots are separated from one another.

There are also often initial compartments inside the bag for gear like goggles. This helps to keep everything organized and in top shape.

Some ski boots backpacks also have external pockets for extra storage. These are usually smaller pockets just similar to the extra zippered compartments you’d expect from an average backpack. Instead of being big enough for most gear, these are meant for smaller items such as gloves and balaclavas. Some packs also have external shock cord lashing to add extra external storage.

Zippers

The quality of the zipper on your bag is just as important as the quality of the bag itself. There’s nothing quite as frustrating as getting ready to put your gear away for the day only for the zipper to snap off your bag. Because of this, it’s a good idea to look for ski boot bags with metal zippers instead of flimsier plastic zippers. Small zippers are also more likely to break than larger ones. We already covered waterproof zippers which prevent water from leaking through the seal.

You can protect your zippers for longer by avoiding overstuffing your bag. If you need more room, it’s better to just invest in a large bag.

Additional Features

One additional feature of more high-end ski boot bags is heating. This can be used to warm your boots before you hit the slopes or to help them dry after a trip. They work by plugging the bag in and many work with a car’s 12V plug. Direct heat isn’t the best for boots so many of these ski boot bags have an extra protective layer to keep them safe. You can find ski boot bags with multiple heat settings. Any heated bag should have some sort of draining or ventilation system since the heat will melt any residual snow on your gear.

FAQs

Globo Surf Overview

A day on the slopes doesn’t have to come with the stress of wondering how you’re going to transport your gear to and from the slopes. The best ski boot bags can help take the hassle out of your next trip. Any of the 10 ski boot bags we looked at above would make a good investment for any ski trips to come.

More Snow Reviews:

• Snowboards
• Winter Boots For Women
• Heated Jacket
• Thermal Underwear
• Cross Country Ski Gloves
• Snowboard Bindings
• Snowboard Jackets
• Snowboard Helmet
• Base Layer
• Ski Socks