The Best Ski Bags for Storm Chasers and Bucket List Skiers

This article originally appeared on Ski Mag

There are lots of different types of ski bags out there, but a word of caution: Choose yours wisely. Not all ski bags are created equal, something we've learned over the course of many seasons and ski trips.

Here, we list the bags that haven't let us or our ski gear down. The bags that have wheels roll like they're supposed to, and the bags that claim to hold two pairs of skis, can, in fact, fit two pairs of skis.

But rest assured that these bags are all made from materials durable enough to withstand even the roughest baggage handler, and each features padding galore to keep your babies snug and secure.

Related: The Best Boot Bags for Weekend Warriors and Destination Skiers

This is the motherlode of ski bags, designed for your most epic destination ski trips. Featuring skate wheels and a durable grab handle at the top of the bag, the Snow Gear Roller is a breeze to maneuver between airport concourses and around baggage drop-off queues even when it's packed to the gills.

It comes in three different lengths to accommodate your length of skis (M fits skis up to 160cm; L fits skis up to 175cm; XL fits skis up to 195cm), but each is wide enough to fit two pairs of fat skis, all of your outerwear, and extra layers. Plus, a dedicated avalanche safety equipment pocket on the exterior keeps your avy shovel blade and probe safely tucked away from your ski edges and down layers. The whole bag is tarp-lined and features an extra layer of padding that folds down on top of your skis. Lastly, adjustable interior straps keep your skis safely tucked in throughout the journey. A great buy for those who travel the world checking off their bucket list ski destinations. [$260, evocusa.com]

On the other end of the spectrum, the SporTube Single Ski Bag is a great choice for those who just need to get from A to B. It doesn't have wheels, but because it's more compact and only designed for one set of skis and poles, it's not a huge load to shoulder. And though it dispenses with the bells and whistles, it doesn't skimp on protection. The bag is made with heavy duty polyester and PVC laminate. The Traveler fits skis up to 190cm and holds around 88 liters, so there's room for outerwear and layers on top of skis and poles. The best part about this bag: Last we checked, it meets the ever-more-restrictive checked baggage dimensions of most airlines. [$140, sportube.com]

If there's one thing we’ve learned over the years traveling with ski bags in tow, it's that you need one that will not only protect your precious skis from the baggage handlers, but also one that will make your life easier on the go. The Douchebag delivers. This snow roller can comfortably fit two pairs of even the longest skis, and will protect your goods with a durable polyester outer shell, polyester lining, ABS protection ribs that reduce weight yet keep your skis from being crushed. Favorite features: length adjustability and hook-up system. If you have shorter skis, you can adjust the length of the bag by rolling and cinching the top down to snuggly fit against the tips of your skis--no more floppy top. And DB's hook-up system allows you to attach other DB bags (like the Hugger 30L) for piggy-back rolling. [$349; us.dbjourney.com]

Related: The Best Ski Touring and Backcountry Skiing Backpacks

Skis? Check. Poles? Check. Ski Boots? Check. The hardsided Fall Line Ski Roller fits all your ski gear if you only need to schlep one pair of skis. Take the ski boots out and carry them separately in the removable boot bag, and you can comfortably fit two pairs of skis plus your outerwear and clothes for the weekend or week. Cram anything else that's small and you need on-the-go access to in the convenient outer stash pocket.

With a bomber outer shell made from recycled and scratch-resistant ABS + PC, efficient wheels that make the Fall Line easy to tow around whether you're navigating snowy streets or bustling airport terminals, and a TSA-approved combination lock for peace of mind, this bag is the Cadillac of ski travel vessels. It can also be fastened to your car’s rooftop crossbars via a tie-down system, eliminating the need for a rooftop carrier. Brilliant. [$380, dakine.com]

This is the Rolls-Royce of ski bags, which is no surprise since it's made by Thule. This brand just knows how to transport ski gear safely and designs racks and bags that feature everything a skier could want or need. The RoundTrip Ski Roller is a double ski bag that comes in a 175cm and 192cm length and features more padding than your car has airbags.

Two cinch-top ski sleeves and a removable padded divider keep skis from rubbing against each other; internal and external compression straps allow you to cinch your sticks down even more securely; a dedicated ski pole pocket keeps those poles in line; and the large volume and internal mesh pocket let you stuff all your extras in there, too, to add an additional layer of protection. And while bigger ski bags can get a little floppy and awkwardly shaped once filled with gear, structural reinforcements keep the RoundTrip Ski Roller more rigid and easier to handle. [$300, thule.com]

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