While hauling snowboarding equipment around is always worth it once you arrive at the mountain, a snowboard bag can make your journey a total breeze. And with the high value of snowboard gear, you need a bag that provides ample protection.
We tested 13 snowboard bags from well-known winter sports brands as well as under-the-radar Amazon options. In the end, our favorite is the Burton Wheelie Gig Snowboard Bag, which blew us away with its ideal size and smooth wheels. Traveling with a family of shredders? We tested a double bag perfect for family ski trips thanks to its huge capacity for multiple boards. Hard-sided and budget-friendly picks also impressed us during testing.
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When it comes to snowboarding gear, you can’t go wrong with industry-leader Burton. The Wheelie Gig Snowboard Bag wowed us in every aspect of testing, earning the top spot on our list. The 600D polyester material feels premium and heavy-duty while remaining lightweight for superior portability. After three months of use, it is still holding strong without any signs of damage and the sturdy zippers still run smoothly. We were able to fit one snowboard, a pair of boots, ski clothing, accessories, and several off-mountain outfits for a winter getaway with room to spare, too. Even when packed full, the zippers feel sturdy and the wheels roll extremely smoothly. We love that the handles and shoulder strap are comfortable and placed perfectly for even weight distribution on rough and slippery terrain.
We’re confident that the all-around padding will sufficiently protect the bag’s contents in most situations, but we wish the padding was a bit thicker for air travel. The interior straps allow you to tie down and secure the board, and there is plenty of space to stuff clothing in the main compartment for extra protection. Plus, Burton makes this snowboard bag in four different lengths and six patterns so you can choose the best size and style to protect your board.
The Details: 146, 156, 166, 181 centimeters | Two snowboard capacity | 600D Polyester
Ben Ellefson
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We’re fans of the Dakine High Roller Snowboard Bag for its ability to carry two snowboards and gear with ease. It comes with a removable boot bag to separate the footwear from the snowboards for extra protection, and there are two spacious pockets for clothing and accessories. We were able to fit one snowboard with bindings and one without in the main compartment, and we appreciated the all-around padding for peace of mind while traveling with pricey gear.
We love the lightweight, yet heavy-duty materials along with the included stuff sacks, the exterior pockets, and the sturdy wheels. The padded shoulder strap also provides an additional way to comfortably carry the packed snowboard bag, and we were even able to hoist it into a car roof carrier with ease.
The Details: 165, 175 centimeters | Two snowboard capacity | 900D Recycled polyester
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Michael Weisbaum
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Michael Weisbaum
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The cost-effective Unigear Ski and Snowboard Bag earned perfect scores in all of our testing categories, making it one of the best bags we tested. The no-frills bag has everything you need to pack your gear safely, and we especially liked the capacity that was ideal for one snowboard, boots, and clothing. It is even wide enough to fit boots. Although the bag doesn’t have wheels, the shoulder strap is padded, and we found it to be perfectly comfortable thanks to the lightweight (but durable) feel of the polyester bag. Our gear felt protected with the interior straps, and there are a variety of pocket sizes to store items like waxing tools, gloves, clothing, and more.
The Details: 155, 165, 175 centimeters | One snowboard capacity | 600D Polyester
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Michael Vlaho
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![Unigear Ski/Snowboard Bag before opening the packaging]()
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PHOTO: Travel + Leisure / Michael Vlaho
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A family of powder hounds will appreciate High Sierra’s spacious bag that can accommodate both skis and snowboards. We were able to fit two boards without any issues, and thanks to the padded separator included, the boards were well protected from scraping together during travels. Since the bag is designed with a capacity big enough for family ski trips, it might be too big for solo travelers. However, if you’re flying to a mountain resort, this bag can be used as an all-in-one piece of luggage for packing a board, boots, and clothing items with ease. We had no issues rolling the bag over paved surfaces, but if you reach bumpy terrain, you’ll have to lift it up using the tote handles, so we wish there was a shoulder strap, too.
The Details: One size, 215 centimeters | Two snowboards, two ski capacity | Nylon
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Whether you’re flying or driving to your winter adventure, you’re making a wise choice with a padded bag like this one from Element Equipment that has extra cushioning to protect snowboards. The bag has 360-degree padding made with double-stitched PVC-coated polyester, that protected all of our gear throughout the three months of testing. Although the bag is made with heavy-duty materials and doesn’t have wheels, it had a lightweight feel when we carried it after packing two snowboards into the main compartment. There wasn’t much room for more than two snowboards, but we think the capacity is just right for flying, especially if you use the interior straps to tie down the boards for extra protection.
The Details: 157, 165 centimeters | Two snowboard capacity | Polyester
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We love that the EQ Sport Padded Snowboard Bag with Wheels is designed to roll up for hassle-free storage once you arrive at your destination. It comes with straps on the outside to tie down the bag so it can be stored at a fraction of the typical snowboard bag size. When it comes to traveling, we’re confident the waterproof 600D polyester bag will protect your snowboard and other gear with its ample padding and interior straps for tying down your board. Plus, it comes with a boot bag to separate packed gear, avoiding any damage from abrasion during transit. The capacity of the snowboard bag was just right, as there was enough space for boards, boots, and snow gear. However, the length was a little long, and it dragged slightly when we wheeled it across the floor.
The Details: 158, 168 centimeters | One snowboard capacity | 600D Polyester
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While most snowboard bags are soft-sided, Sportube is known for making top-tier hard-sided cases for traveling with gear. The Series 3 was a winner in our eyes thanks to its impressive capacity and ultra-durable plastic shell design. We easily fit two pairs of skis and could have added one more — the bag is designed to fit up to two snowboards and boots which seems more than doable. The thick plastic material is a bit heavy, but, after three months of testing, we love the slick wheels that make it easy to transport the packed snowboard bag through an airport or hotel. For extra protection, the interior of the bag has a total of six straps to tie down your gear and each end is padded to protect snowboard and ski tips from damage. We think this hardshell snowboard bag is one of the best on the market for protecting your snowboard against possible damage whether you’re flying, driving, or taking a train to the slopes.
The Details: One size, 183 centimeters | Two snowboard capacity | Polyethylene | 14 pounds
Travel + Leisure / Frances Crouter
Other Snowboard Bags We Liked
We still like the bags listed below, but they fell slightly behind due to minor inconveniences we found during testing.
Athletico Conquest Padded Snowboard Bag with Wheels: This bag is easy to maneuver around when it’s packed full and the capacity is generous. We think it’s best for someone looking to travel with lots of gear or for particularly long trips, but it may be too spacious for general use.
Dakine Low Roller Snowboard Bag: We love that this bag is lightweight and that it comes with a separate compartment for snowboard boots. However, the bag was slightly awkward to carry, and we wish it came with an interior strap to tie down a snowboard or a shoulder strap to transport it another way.
Our Testing Process
T+L’s expert mountain cruisers tested 13 snowboarding bags from notable snow gear brands like Burton and Dakine. We evaluated and compared each snowboard bag based on traits like capacity, portability, durability, and design during our three-month testing period.
Travel + Leisure / Ellysha Gravel
The first thing we did was examine the quality of the bag, paying close attention to the functionality of the zippers, fabric, straps, wheels, and pockets. Our top performers were made with durable materials that felt very protective with pockets and straps that made packing up gear easy and organized. After evaluating the capacity by placing our snowboards and gear into the bag, we headed to the mountains with the packed bags to test portability and durability.
Travel + Leisure / Jamie Major
Tips for Buying a Snowboard Bag
Consider the length options
It’s important to pick a snowboard bag size that closely resembles the length of your board. You can opt for a longer bag if you’re traveling with multiple snowboards or want extra room for other gear and clothing. Because snowboards have bindings that stick out, you’ll also want to check the capacity of the bag to ensure that it will fit multiple boards with bindings.
Buy for your intended use
Snowboard bags are a must-have for frequent travelers, as you’ll need one for checking a snowboard while flying or for protecting it during a road trip. We think it’s worth it to splurge on a padded, durable bag for snowboarders that travel often, but if you’re planning on just using it for storage, consider getting a non-padded or less expensive option.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can I fly with a snowboard bag?
Like travel golf bags, snowboard bags can be flown as checked luggage, but airlines have different rules for checking in snowboards that may count as oversized luggage. When it comes to checking in a bag, you’ll want to try to stay under 50 pounds to avoid possible fees for an overweight bag.
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Are ski bags and snowboard bags the same?
Ski and snowboard bags can certainly be used interchangeably with the main difference being the size of the two bag styles. Snowboard bags are typically wider than ski bags, meaning your skis might be swimming in the extra room if you use them in a snowboard bag. However, this could be helpful for packing multiple pairs of skis and gear for a trip since there’s a bit more room.
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Do snowboard bags hold boots?
It ultimately depends on the size of the bag you purchase. If you opt for a larger bag, you’ll be able to fit more items like boots, snow gear, or other clothing. You can also get a boot bag for storing and organizing snowboarding boots and gear.
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How should I pack a snowboard bag?
There are a couple of smart, efficient ways to pack your snowboard bag to stay organized while avoiding overweight baggage fees. First, place your board in the bag and remove the bindings to create space. Next, stuff smaller items like socks and beanies into your boots and place them in the boot pockets of your bag. If your bag doesn’t have boot pockets, place your stuffed boots in the bag facing opposite directions.
Place your googles and smaller items in your helmet, and position the helmet facing up. Tightly roll or fold your outerwear and additional clothing, such as hoodies and long sleeves, and place them on top. This will not only add extra cushioning for your gear but will also make it easier for you to grab essential clothing items. Lastly, use any available buckles and straps to compress your clothing so that the bag is easier to zip up. Don’t forget to fill any extra zippered pockets with smaller snowboarding essentials like additional boot laces or rub-on wax.
Other Snowboard Gear You May Need
Our favorite snowboard bags were easy to carry, had a capacity that was just right, and, most importantly, protected our snowboards from damage during transit. When the testing was complete, we uncovered the price of their snowboard bag, compared the cost to its performance, and determined an overall value score.
Investing in a high-quality bag to transport your gear is important, but it’s also important to choose the best products to ensure a successful day out in the snow. We’ve collected some of our favorite tested products for snowboarding to start you on your shopping journey.
Ride Deep Fake Unisex Snowboard: This snowboard is our favorite choice for its amazing stability with quick edge control and a tapered linear quadratic sidecut. This medium flex board comes in a wide array of lengths designed so any snowboarder can find their perfect match
Sweet Protection Connor Rig Reflect Goggles: These stylish goggles are designed with gore fabric in the ventilation system to provide optimal breathability that won’t fog. The lenses themselves provide incredible definition in a wide range of conditions, so you can protect your eyes in sunny or cloudy conditions without losing vivid colors or crisp views.
Flylow Foxy Bib Pants: We love a good pair of bibs for a long day on the mountain since they’re ultra-comfortable and don’t slip regardless of movement. These Flylow bibs feature 20K/20K waterproofing and breathability and come in petite, regular, and tall sizes.
Why Trust Travel + Leisure
Anna Popp is a commerce writer at Travel + Leisure, where she writes and reviews travel products. 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. Anna worked closely with our outdoor gear editor to compile the list of the best snowboard bags we tried.
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