A good bag like Dakine’s Low Roller can keep your gear all tucked into one place for easy transport. Photo: Marcus Culver/The Inertia
Snowboarding can take you to some pretty amazing places. The world is full of mountains to explore, and the ability to ride those mountains is a massive privilege to behold. But getting there can be a chore, and if you want to bring your own gear (as many of us do), it becomes even more of a task, and a risk as well. That said, a good snowboard bag that’s optimized for solid protection and easy transport will help mitigate those troubles.
The gear team at The Inertia knows how valuable good snowboarding gear is, both literally and sentimentally. To keep your shred setup in pristine condition is worth the investment in a good snowboard bag. We’ve been testing what’s available out there to give you this rundown on snowboard bags, with considerations for budget, snowboard size and the duration of the shred mission.
If you want to see how the following snowboard bags measure up to one another, check out our Comparison Table. If you’d like to know what went into the test, see the How We Tested section. If you’d like some advice on the best snowboard bag for your particular needs, check out our Buyer’s Guide.
The Best Snowboard Bags of 2024
Best All-Around Snowboard Bag: Season Snow Roller
Best Value Snowboard Bag: Element Equipment Padded Snowboard Bag
Best Deluxe Snowboard Bag: Burton Wheelie Flight Attendant
Best Budget Snowboard Bag: Atletico Snowboard and Boot Bag
Best All-Around Snowboard Bag
Season Snow Roller ($205)
Sizes Available: 165, 175, 195
Pockets: External pocket, multiple internal pockets with weather protection
Weather Resistance: Inside and outside
Wheels: Yes
Additional Features: Straps to secure the load, extra padding where you need it most
Pros: Great value, excellent design, packs up well
Cons: No mention of sustainable materials
Season was founded by pro skier Eric Pollard and pro snowboarder Austin Smith. Being jet-setting shred hounds, they know a thing or two on what makes a good travel bag. The good thing here is that by bridging the eternal feud between skiers and snowboarders, the Snow Roller bag works great with both skis and boards so star-crossed lovers or shred pals can share a bag while they travel. But for the sake of snowboarding, this bag hits all the right notes.
With a massive amount of room on the inside to hold two boards with bindings, as well as two external weather-protected pockets on the exterior, this bag holds more than enough gear for a massive trip. The inside pockets are well-positioned to carry accessories, with a clear view pocket in the middle to help you remember where you stashed everything should you need it in a pinch.
The wheels are rugged enough to go off pavement, yet didn’t get bogged up in the dirt. Exterior handles make quick movement in and out of a vehicle in a snap, and everything cinches down nicely. Season also offers a lifetime repair policy, so no matter how beat up your bag gets in transit, they’ll be able to make sure it stands the test of time.
Best Deluxe Snowboard Bag
Burton Wheelie Flight Attendant ($310)
Sizes Available: 156, 166, 181
Pockets: Three external accessory pockets, two internal mesh pockets
Weather Resistance: Inside and outside
Wheels: Yes
Additional Features: Internal straps, extra padding
Pros: Massive, can fit 2 boards with bindings, good padding, Bluesign approved
Cons: Might be overkill for most uses
If you are going overseas, or heading somewhere for an extended period of time, the Burton Wheelie Flight Attendant is a top pick for its size, storage space, and easy mobility. This bag is engineered from one of the world’s oldest and highest-performing snowboard brands out there – Burton. With a team roster of some of the planet’s top riders, Burton has access to R&D and real-world testing that other companies could only dream of. It certainly shows in this bag, with every pocket and compartment thoughtfully crafted to help you travel the world efficiently while keeping your gear intact throughout.
Best Value Snowboard Bag
Element Equipment Padded Travel Bag ($99)
Sizes Available: 165
Pockets: Single exterior pocket
Weather Resistance: Internal
Wheels: No
Additional Features: External slot for ID/Business card
Pros: Everything you need to take a board on an airplane
Cons: Only additional pocket is quite small
Not everyone needs all the bells and whistles in a snowboard bag, and that’s quite alright. If you don’t mind the lack of wheels and extra pockets, then this bag from Element Equipment will do the job. It has a waterproof interior to keep things tidy, and enough space to hold a board, boots, and some outerwear without much hassle. Extra padding ensures that any unforeseeable run-ins will see minimal damage. It’s nothing special, but coming in at $100 before tax it has many features that others at this price point don’t. So if your baseline expectation is some weather resistance and padding, this might be the bag for you.
Best Budget Snowboard Bag
Atletico Snowboard and Boot Bags ($35)
Sizes Available: 165
Pockets: None
Weather Resistance: None
Wheels: No
Additional Features: None
Pros: Dirt cheap
Cons: Bare minimum in protection, not super durable
This is our dirt cheap option, yet it’ll do the trick. If you’ve blown all your money on a season’s pass and the latest gear, but still want some way to move said gear around, then this will do that, but not much else. The bonus here is that it was the only bag we tested that came with an included bag for boots, which can actually fit more than just a pair of boots. Even without the boot bag you can fit a board, boots, jacket, and pants inside the main bag and move it around easy enough to stash in your truck or the roof of your car. Just be careful with how you pack it, and be sure to dry it out when you get home.
Best of the Rest
Dakine Low Roller ($160)
Sizes Available: 157, 165, 175
Pockets: 1 small external, 1 weather-sealed internal
Weather Resistance: Internal and External
Wheels: Yes
Additional Features: Handle clips to carryon roller for easy transport
Pros: Compact design, keeps things tidy when open, Bluesign approved materials
Cons: Not many pockets
There are still good padded, wheeled bags out there without a ton of bulk, and the Low Roller from Dakine is one of our favorites for that. It’s made from Bluesign approved recycled materials, so buying this is also a win for Mother Nature. But the bag has everything you need to go on a trip and get your gear there safely.
It’s definitely a pared-down version compared to some of the other wheeled bags available, but that doesn’t mean it sacrifices quality. We appreciated the fact that when opened up, the bag still rises up without collapsing so gear doesn’t splatter out. There are a lack of pockets when compared to some of the bulkier bags, but this bag is going for a slim-to-win approach and if space is a concern and you don’t need major bells and whistles, this bag has great value and will last for many seasons to come.
Athalon Fitted Snowboard Bag ($49)
Sizes Available: 170
Pockets: 1 small external accessory pocket
Weather Resistance: Minimal
Wheels: No
Additional Features: None
Pros: Nice compact shape, still has plenty of room inside
Cons: No padding or straps to secure the board
If you just need a bag to keep things all contained in one unit, you probably don’t need anything fancy. The Athalon Fitted Snowboard Bag will serve that purpose, but admittedly not much more. It has a fairly basic design yet will fit a board, boots, and outerwear inside without much fuss. Just don’t expect it to punch above its weight, and it could be problematic taking this on a flight since it doesn’t have any padding. Still, it’s a bag that works, and the price won’t cause any seizures.
Dakine Pipe ($60)
Sizes Available: 148, 157, 165
Pockets: None
Weather Resistance: DWR Finish
Wheels: No
Additional Features: None
Pros: Durable for being a basic bag
Cons: No padding
When you want something basic, that will still hold up for years, the Dakine Pipe is one of our favorites. It sports a minimalist design with only the one main compartment, a handle, and a shoulder strap. But what it does sport is durability in the thick polyester design, good quality zippers, and a thick strap that can carry a decent amount of weight. You can stuff this pretty full without the bag falling apart. It would be nice if it had some padding, but then it wouldn’t be as packable as it is for when it’s not in use, which is handy if you’re living in a ski town with 5 other roommates or a city apartment just jonesing to get to the snow. Either way, this bag will endure many good trips and keep things safe within reason, so long as you aren’t dropping it off a balcony in a hurry.
Burton Space Sack ($70)
Sizes Available: 140, 166, 181
Pockets: None
Weather Resistance: DWR Finish
Wheels: No
Additional Features: Handles
Pros: Handle straps for easy loading/unloading
Cons: No padding, thin material
The Space Sack is Burton’s bare bones option, but that doesn’t mean that there wasn’t a lot of thought put into it. The way the zippers are made makes for easy access when it’s stuffed without everything spilling out. And we loved the extra handles in the middle of the bag to make loading and unloading much easier. Like the Dakine Pipe, it doesn’t have any extra padding, so you don’t want to be abusing the contents. But with a weather resistant DWR coating, it’s a heck of a lot better than leaving everything loose and trying to carry it all separately. Plus, Burton uses Bluesign approved materials in the construction of this bag, meaning less impact on the environment.
Snowboard Bags Comparison Table
| Name | Price | Sizes (in cm) | Pockets | Weather Resistance | Wheels | Additional Features |
| Season Snow Roller | $205 | 165, 175, 195 | Many | Inside/outside | Yes | Additional handles for easy loading |
| Element Padded Snowboard Bag | $99 | 165 | Outside | Inside | No | ID pocket |
| Burton Wheelie Flight Attendant | $310 | 156, 166, 181 | Many | Inside/outside | Yes | Extra padding |
| Atletico Snowboard and Boot Bag | $35 | 165 | None | None | No | Shoulder strap, boot bag |
| Dakine Low Roller | $160 | 157, 165, 175 | Outside, weather resistant inside | Inside/Outside | Yes | Handle clips to rolling luggage |
| Athalon Fitted Snowboard Bag | $49 | 170 | Small outside | None | No | Shoulder strap |
| Dakine Pipe | $60 | 145, 157, 165 | None | DWR finish | No | Shoulder strap |
| Burton Space Sack | $70 | 140, 166, 181 | None | DWR finish | no | Handles in the middle |
These were our top picks based on storage space, portability, and budget. Photo: SA
How We Tested The Best Snowboard Bags
Testing snowboard bags isn’t exactly an art form. We took our gear, piled as much as we could into the bags, and schleped them around to see how they felt. It was actually one of the easier tests to do because it’s so objective. Did the bag have protection against the elements? Inside and outside? What sort of pockets does it have? How easy is it to get to those pockets in a hurry? Is it going to hold up even against disgruntled airline baggage handlers? Ok, maybe that last one was subjective, and no offense to gruntled baggage handlers, but we did (safely) toss our gear around to make sure contents wouldn’t shift too much during transport.
As we continue to log miles with these bags we will keep you updated to note how they hold up and withstand the wear and tear of traveling around, moving about, and getting in and out of cars, hotel lobbies, and the like. But all-in-all, the bags we have listed all have been given the seal of approval with the appropriate disclaimers on the cheaper options that they simply aren’t made the same way that the more premium models are.
Editor’s Note: For more in-depth reviews of the top snowboard gear in the industry, check out our guides to: The Best Snowboard Jackets, The Best Snowboard Pants, The Best Snowboard Goggles, The Best Snowboard Boots, and The Best Snowboard Mittens. Curious about the brands behind it all? Check out The Best Snowboard Brands. Looking to protect your head? We’ve reviewed Ski and Snowboard Helmets, too.
The Snow Roller bag has plenty of room for all kinds of gear. Photo: Steve Andrews/The Inertia
Snowboard Bags Buyer’s Guide
What to look for when choosing a snowboard bag
There are a few main non-negotiables when it comes to a good quality snowboard bag. Running the mental checklist through these different criteria will help you choose the best snowboard bag for your needs and budget.
Materials: Look for durable materials and extra padding such as neoprene to help buffer impacts. If sustainability is a concern (hint, it should be) then look for recycled materials and for the Bluesign seal of approval. Nylon and polyester are the main materials used, but also look to see if there is reinforcement at the ends or where edges go. This will help prevent the material from ripping over time, especially if you keep your edges tuned. A high denier count is thicker and more robust. Try holding the material to some light. If you can see through it, then it’s a safe bet that it won’t be very protective.
Extra Pockets: Not only how many pockets, but where are they located? If you’re the type to pack mad accessories, extra pockets will be important. If you’re a minimalist and don’t care about wet gear causing a smell, then maybe not so much. But the main consideration is if there is an extra pocket that is waterproof/resistant so that a wet snowboard won’t get the rest of your gear wet (especially underlayers). This can be an issue if you are moving about and can’t get every last speck of snow off the board. But if your other gear is in a separate compartment, you’ll save a ton of time and hassle later by not needing to dry your gear out on the other end.
Weatherproofing: If the bag will ride in the back of a pickup then you’ll want something that is weather resistant, both inside and outside. More premium models have a tarp material on the inside to help keep melting snow at bay.
Size: Check the size of your board to see if it’ll actually fit the bag you’re looking at. Generally it’s good to have a few centimeters on either end as a buffer so it’s not stretching the bag. but you don’t want too much room or it’ll jostle around. Too big can be just as problematic as too small.
Padding: A good snowboard bag will have padding around the sides to protect it from unwanted bumps and scrapes along the way. Depending on how much gear you have and how rough you are with it will depend on how much padding you need/want. But for airplane trips, it’s always a good idea to get as much padding as possible since you wont’ have eyes on the bag all the time.
Portability: Do you need wheels to take it long distances? Or will a shoulder strap do? If the shoulder strap is on, is it comfortable? Will you need straps on other ends to load and unload? All of these are important conditions to consider when deciding what snowboard bag will suit your needs the most.
Ventilation: A good snowboard bag will have a vent on the corners to help with drying out your gear. For some it’s a must-have, especially if the bag is going straight from the mountain to the airport. The worst thing that can happen is getting mildew on your gear after a long flight because it didn’t have adequate ventilation.
Warranty/Repair: This is a big differentiator between some of the more established brands and the budget ones. Since you’re moving the bag around, often in a hurry, and often with others handling your gear, things can get some wear and tear. The best snowboard bags will have the backing and guarantee that they can be fixed when things start to break. Make sure you’re aware of any warranty or repair policies that will affect the buying decision. It could very well mean that a pricier snowboard bag will end up costing less in the long run because you don’t need to replace it.
Budget: Last but not least, how much money you have will help to determine the best snowboard bag for you. We believe it’s worth shelling out a bit extra to protect your investment, but appreciate that most of us aren’t made of money. Choose carefully, as some extra dough upfront may help prevent an expensive edge repair later on.
The Burton Wheelie Flight Attendant can fit a whole lot more than snowboard gear, if you are so inclined. Photo: SA
Caring For Your Snowboard Bag
Snowboard bags are built to withstand a bit of abuse, but that’s no reason to go ahead and abuse it. By caring for your bag it’ll likely extend the life for many seasons to come. Here are a few tips to help your snowboard bag have a long and happy life:
Drying: After each use, it’s best to open up all the pockets and hang the bag up in a well-ventilated area. Even a bit of dampness can turn into mildew in no time if the bag doesn’t have time to dry. If you take everything out and let the bag itself dry, the chances of mildew buildup go down tremendously.
Cleaning: Mud and dirt can get inside the bag pretty easily. Make sure you clean it out with a damp cloth to keep it clean, and it’ll do a better job of protecting your gear.
Waterproofing: An aftermarket Direct Water Repellant (DWR) coating can help protect the snowboard bag from the elements. We are fans of Nikwax, which is a leader in water repellant treatments.
Even when driving to the hill with friends, a snowboard bag helps keep everyone’s gear neatly contained. Photo: SA
Tips For Traveling With Snowboard Gear
It can sometimes be a bit overwhelming traveling with oversized baggage, especially to far-off time zones. But a few of these tips will help you travel more efficiently, saving you more time and energy to have fun on your trip.
Boots: Place the boots between the bindings for the most efficient storage. You can reverse one of them so that they fit together the easiest while minimizing dead space.
Outerwear: If there are separate pockets for outerwear, makes sure to utilize it. Otherwise, fold up your jacket and pants and place them at the ends of the bag so that you can have some extra padding on the corners.
Lock: Make sure if you get a lock that it’s TSA-approved for security checkpoints. This will save some time and hassle if they decide to search your stuff.
Catching a ride: If you are getting a taxi, Uber, or other ridesharing service, make sure you mention that you have an oversized bag. Many smaller cars won’t fit a snowboard bag easily, especially if you’re traveling with several people. We always ask for a van ahead of time to save any headache.
Weight: The weight of these bags can fill up fast if you’re adding more than gear, so just be mindful of the 50lb limit on most airlines (or be ready to pay a huge penalty). Also be mindful of if you’ll need to carry it as opposed to wheeling it, and to have a balanced load that isn’t too heavily weighted on one of the extremities.
With a great price and holding everything you need, the bag from Element Equipment was our top pick for a budget snowboard bag. Photo: SA
What’s the Difference Between Ski Bags and Snowboard Bags?
Although it might seem reasonable to stuff a snowboard into a ski bag and vice versa, there are a few differences that make it difficult to mix-and-match the wrong kind of gear. Here are a few reasons why you should stick to a snowboard bag for snowboards:
Length: Snowboard bags are generally shorter than ski bags because – you guessed it – snowboards are generally shorter than skis. It doesn’t make sense to have a 155cm board in a 190cm bag. Not only would it be more difficult to carry, the excess room inside means a higher chance of damage.
Width: Since snowboards are wider than skis, snowboard bags are generally wider, too. Trying to stuff a snowboard into a bag made for skis could very possibly end in the bag ripping. It’s best to have a wide bag built to hold snowboards so that you aren’t busting any seams while traveling, which would just end up being a big hassle and waste of time.
Straps: Snowboard-specific bags often have straps to keep the board in one place. If you’re using a ski-specific bag the chances are the straps won’t reach all the way around a board. That’s why it’s best to have the right tool for the job, and in this case it’s the right bag for the board.
Return To Comparison Table | Return To Top Picks
The Burton Space Sack helps keep gear organized in a rooftop box for easy loading and unloading. Photo: Steve Andrews / The Inertia
Editor’s Note: For more gear reviews and features on The Inertia, click here. For in-depth reviews of the top snowboard gear in the industry, check out our guides to The Best Snowboard Jackets, The Best Snowboard Pants, The Best Snowboard Goggles, The Best Snowboard Mittens, and The Best Snowboard Boots.
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