Best Ski Bags 2022

Nov 14, 2023

With skiing comes an indescribable feeling of joy: Powder floats up around you, the smell of fresh snow fills the air and your friends’ hoots and hollers play in your ears like a tune. Getting to that point of pure bliss, however, can take some schlepping. And although there’s no getting around the relatively long list of gear required to hit the slopes in style, there is a way to make carrying your skis, boots, poles and accessories a little easier. Fine tuned to lend organization to your packing, the best ski bags of today make the trek to and from the mountain as easy as possible, no matter how far from home you’re traveling.

The best ski bags make it easy to transport your sticks, boards and assorted equipment.

In choosing the best ski bag for the winter ahead, it’s important to consider the trip you’re embarking on. Is it just to the local hill, or to a holiday in the Alps? Distance, duration of trip and how lightly (or, let’s face it, heavily) you intend to pack all determine which bag is the right fit for the season. We’ve rounded up the top ski bags out there, noting characteristics like available lengths, compartments for essentials (like a ski jacket, gloves and goggles), pockets, wheels and more to parse out how to travel efficiently this season. After all, less time on the train and in the parking lot makes for fresher turns ahead.

REI Co-op

Available Lengths: 175, 192 centimeters | Weight: 7.9 pounds (192 cm) | Dimensions: 79.5 x 13.4 x 7.5 inches (192 cm)

There’s a reason Thule roof racks are so well revered: They serve their purpose, and they do so with a simple-yet-effective design. So too does the brand’s Thule RoundTrip Roller Bag keep things simple yet efficient with a sleek and well-thought-out take on the ski bag. The main compartment fits up to two pairs of skis at 192 centimeters and under, while still leaving room for poles and a few smaller pieces of gear. A padded divider runs the length of the bag and unlike other ski bag dividers and pads, this one is removable and can be used as a standing pad to keep ski socks dry when transitioning at the resort. The zippered lid houses two internal pockets for organizing goggles and gloves, and on lighter days, the internal and external compression straps keep gear snug.

Pros:

Cons:

REI Co-op

Available Lengths: 175, 190 centimeters | Weight: 1.5 pounds (190 cm) | Dimensions: 10 x 5 x 73 inches (190 cm)

Travel comes with enough logistics before you add a complicated ski bag to the mix. At least, that must have been Dakine’s outlook in creating the Ski Sleeve. The durable, 600-denier ripstop polyester bag offers a main compartment to carry one pair of skis and poles; the lack of exterior pockets keeps the bag streamlined for navigating tight European trains or weekly commutes to your kid’s ski club in the packed family car. Without tacking on any padding or wheels, the Ski Sleeve ditches any access weight, and a full-length zipper makes it simple to load up after a long powder day. One minor comfort: The removable shoulder strap is padded.

Pros:

Cons:

Evoc Sports USA

Available Lengths: 160 (M), 175 (L), 195 (XL) centimeters | Volume: 155 liters (XL) | Weight: 7.7 pounds (XL)

While packing for your next vacation, there’s no need to decide which of your favorite skis to bring. Enter the Evoc Snow Gear Roller XL, which comfortably packs two pairs of skis with room leftover for poles, jackets and more. A padded divider overlays skis to keep down layers from tearing on ski edges, and a tarp-like fabric lines the bag for easy cleaning after spring-ski missions. A specific avalanche compartment is sized to fit a shovel, beacon and probe, while additional exterior pockets provide easily accessible storage. Add in wheels, a reinforced handle and the fact that the Snow Gear Roller packs down to easily stash away after the season ends, and it’s is a no-brainer for multi-stop trips that come with a long packing list.

Pros:

Cons:

Patagonia

Available Lengths: 193 centimeters | Weight: 10 pounds | Dimensions: 78.8 x 14 x 8.3 inches

Any beef between skiers and snowboarders vanished a few freeze-thaw cycles ago, and Patagonia’s Snow Roller Bag further placates any tension. With a width of 14 inches, the bag can accommodate a snowboard or two pairs of skis—or riders can opt to store a single pair of skis and use the rest of the storage space for their helmet, outerwear and more. A mesh interior pocket provides a safe space for small-ticket items, and when the bag isn’t in use, it can fold down to a third of its extended size. True to Patagonia’s environmental ethos, the brand uses fabric scraps from their Black Hole line to create the polyester ripstop outer fabric; it’s durable enough to combat everything from snowstorms to airport baggage claim. The encased wheels and six exterior handles make transport a cinch.

Pros:

Cons:

Backcountry

Available Lengths: 190 centimeters | Weight: 7.6 pounds | Dimensions: 80 x 13 x 7.5 inches

There’s no harm in staying put. Unless, of course, it’s dumping somewhere else, in which case the Backcountry Double Ski and Snowboard Rolling Bag offers a home on-the-go. The 142-liter bag is large enough to store two pairs of skis or two snowboards; leave one ride at home and use the extra space for additional storage for coats, ski pants, poles and more. An adjustable length also makes it easy to chuck in all your gear—then roll it down and lay flat to stash under a friend’s couch or spare bedroom. Padded edges and a tear-resistant, waterproof lining defend against long winters on the go, and oversized wheels make it slightly easier to drag this beast over snowy sidewalks.

Pros:

Cons:

Amazon

Available Lengths: 185 centimeters | Weight: 2.5 pounds | Dimensions: 16.5 x 13.5 x 4.8 inches

Between season passes, equipment upgrades and ski-lodge french fries, there’s no question that skiing is an expensive sport. The Diamond Trail Padded Ski Bag from Athletico presents a no-frills ski carrier that holds one pair of skis and poles without draining the après fund. The Diamond Trail doesn’t sport much padding, but the polyester fabric with a water-resistant coating wards off weather and any bumps or nicks from the back of the truck or those tight resort parking spaces. Available in two sizes (170 or 185 centimeters), it’s a solid choice for almost every fit ski n your quiver. Carry the bag in comfort with its adjustable shoulder strap, and the side zipper running the length of the bag allows for easy packing.

Pros:

Cons:

REI Co-op

Available Lengths: Up to 212 centimeters | Weight: 7.9 pounds | Dimensions: 83 x 6.87 x 5.5 inches

Skis don’t come cheap, so why treat them that way? The Sportube Series 1 Case levels up travel insurance with its high-density polyethylene construction—a hardshell casing that can withstand being fumbled through TSA or strapped directly to a car’s roof rack. The polyethylene is cold-resistant, too, which means it won’t crack in cold temperatures, and the Series 1 Case’s rubber wheels are designed to hold up even when trekking over salted roads or uneven snowbanks. Inside the case, foam pads coat each end of the tube to protect edges. A packing pro tip: To get the skis to properly fit, face the bases outward and lie skis tip to tail, similar to putting shoes in a shoe box.

Pros:

Cons:

REI Co-op

Volume: 45 liters | Weight: 1.8 pounds | Dimensions: 18.5 x 13 x 11.8 inches

Finally, a boot bag that doesn’t look as if you have a boulder slung over your back. The Thule RoundTrip Boot Pack nails its day-to-day sizing at 45 liters—it’s large enough to comfortably pack a pair of boots in the main compartment and gloves, goggles and smaller accessories in the side and padded top pockets, and that’s about it. Unzip the back panel for a standing mat to keep socks dry in the morning, or easily pack up boots at the end of the day in this rear-loading compartment to head to the hot tub a little quicker. External loops allow for additional storage, like helmets, and padded shoulder straps lend some always-appreciated comfort.

Pros:

Cons:

We handpicked the best ski bags by drawing on our experience in the ski and board space: We’ve researched and published dozens of winter sports stories and we’ve tested a handful of ski bag models ourselves, including the Backcountry Double Ski & Snowboard Rolling Bag and the Dakine Ski Sleeve. Each option on this list comes from a reputable brand and features best-in-class materials and construction.

This story is regularly updated to ensure all product picks and information are up to date. It was last updated in December 2022.

First and foremost, your ski bag should be long enough to fit your skis. It should have a snug fit that secures your skis in place, but it should also offer a little room for accessories, from a rugged ski helmet to packable thermal underwear. Generally speaking, we recommend investing in a bag that’s no more than 15-20 centimeters beyond the length of your skis.

Beyond its length, a good ski bag should be padded to protect your equipment, and it should embrace additional features such as wheels, compartments and carrying straps. While some ski bags are decidedly simple, others are more complex to withstand the realities of far-flung trips abroad. Ultimately, a good ski bag should meet your needs whether you’re hopping in the car to hit up the local resort or packing for a flight to distant slopes.