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Best Snowboard Bags of 2024

JUMP TO: BURTON WHEELIE GIG | BURTON SPACE SACK | DAKINE HIGH ROLLER | PICTURE ORGANIC SNOW BAG | DAKINE LOW ROLLER | DAKINE FREESTYLE BAG | SPORTUBE SERIES 3 | BURTON WHEELIE LOCKER | BUYING ADVICE | COMMON QUESTIONS

Author: Rob Thijssen, Holly Price | Updated: Apr 1, 2024
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The Short Version

The Long Version

Packing for your upcoming snowboard trip can be as exciting as the trip itself.

The anticipation of making big, high-speed turns is motivation to start figuring out what gear to bring weeks in advance, preparing for anything the mountain has in store.

While the prep and planning can often be fun, what isn’t fun is having to haul all that gear across airports, stuffing it into cars, and lugging it into hotel rooms.

Enter the snowboard bag. Dedicated snowboard bags make packing and traveling with your gear even easier. You can store all of your gear and outerwear together in one bag. The biggest and best snowboard bags can handle a ton of equipment and clothing, allowing you to be organized and travel-ready, armed with everything you need for any and all mountain conditions that may be awaiting you.

So, whether you’re flying to your snowboarding destination or just driving to your local hill, having a good snowboard bag is crucial.

This article collects the best snowboard bags currently available. We cover a variety of options from premium tanker-sized bags with wheels that fit multiple decks and have different compartments for clothing and boots, to very basic bags that just provide protection against damage. Whatever type of rider you are, this review includes a board bag that covers all your needs!

If you love reading this review of the best snowboard bags, then you'll likely love reading some of our other gear review pages:

 

Need To Know What To Look Out For?

What should you look for in a snowboard bag? Do you need wheels or not? Should you consider a bag which can accommodate your boots and outerwear? Don’t miss our buying advice at the bottom of the article, where we answer these questions and more to help you find the best snowboard bag for you.

 

Best Overall: BURTON WHEELIE GIG

LENGTHS: 146 cm, 156 cm, 166 cm, 181 cm

WHEELS: Yes

MATERIAL: 600D Polyester with TPE Backing

PRICE: $$

PROS: It can carry up to three decks, plus clothing

CONS: Zipper needs to be handled with care to last you years

The Burton Wheelie Gig Bag received our Best Overall Award because it has everything you want in a snowboard transportation bag. Made from 600D heavy-duty polyester, backed up with a TPE liner for extra protection, this snowboard bag can take a beating while keeping your gear safe.

It has a full-zip access to the main compartment, which is lockable with a TSA-approved lock. The full zipper is ideal because you’ll have a good overview of your gear, and although we would have loved to see a heavier-duty zipper, with some extra love and care, this bag will last you years (I speak from experience).

An internal webbing strap keeps your board in place, and it has plenty of room for clothing, boots and your helmet. It has handles on the ends and side, as well as a removable shoulder strap for carrying and maneuvering.

The easiest way however, is just hauling it behind you as you go. The IXION™ Skate Wheel System ensures you’ll have a smooth and effortless ride all the way to the check-in counter!

Even though it’s not the most affordable bag in this review, the Burton Wheelie Gig is an outstanding snowboard transportation bag that’ll keep your gear safe and sound.

Best on a Budget: BURTON SPACE SACK

LENGTHS: 140 cm, 156 cm, 166 cm, 181 cm

WHEELS: No

MATERIAL: 600D Polyester with TPE Backing

PRICE: $

PROS: It provides a good amount of protection

CONS: No wheels

If you’re looking for a snowboarding bag that properly protects your gear from damage, but don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars, the Burton Space Sack is your go-to model. It uses a heavy-duty 600D polyester with a TPE backing to keep your snowboard equipment safe.

A full zipper gives you plenty of accessibility while (un)packing and since it comes in 4 different sizes, there’s always one that fits your needs. It’s big enough to fit one mounted and one unmounted board, so you can switch between boards during your snowboarding trip (and pad it out with your riding gear).

Even though it’s pretty basic in design, it has all the necessary features, like a detachable shoulder strap and a side and a front handle for easy carrying and handling. It doesn’t have wheels though, and you would have to carry it on your shoulder, so you might want to think twice about bringing that second jar of peanut butter on your trip.

If you are willing to go without wheels, the Burton Space Sack is a decent carrying vessel for your snowboard and doesn’t break the bank.

Best for Keeping Gear Organized: DAKINE HIGH ROLLER

LENGTHS: 165 cm, 175 cm

WHEELS: Yes

MATERIAL: 600D Polyester

PRICE: $$

PROS: Handle-to-handle interface locks onto your rolling suitcase for one-handed operation  

CONS: Weighing around 11 lbs, it’s quite heavy by itself

Since it was founded in 1979, Dakine has learned to manufacture a lot more than only surf leashes, and the Dakine High Roller Snowboard Bag is a perfect example of their expertise in transportation bags.

Available in a regular and a coated version for extra durability and water-repellency, this snowboard bag excels in protecting multiple decks, your outerwear, boots and layers of riding gear – some of our team have used and abused this bag for several seasons and it remains a faithful companion.

Unlike the Burton snowboard bags, the Dakine High Roller comes with a sturdier zipper, which adds to its overall durability. Needless to say, this zipper can be opened fully for easy packing and unpacking, and the separate boot bag and removable clothing bag create a well-organized whole. 360° Padded Protection prevents your gear from getting damaged when it gets chucked on and off planes by aggressive baggage handlers. We especially like the two external, 1.5” compression straps that help turn everything into a tight pack.

This bomber snowboard bag is handled easily thanks to three handles, two on the ends and one on the side and two external zippered pockets allow you to store smaller items. One of the standout features of this bag are the oversized, highly durable, urethane wheels. These puppies will make you want to take an extra lap around the airport before checking in your luggage. They’re that smooth!

Even though it is one of the most expensive snowboard bags in this review, the Dakine High Roller is definitely worth the investment if you’re serious about taking care of your gear and want to be able to pack boards, boots, jackets and pants all in one bag.

Best for the Environment: PICTURE ORGANIC SNOW BAG

LENGTHS: 165 cm

WHEELS: No

MATERIAL: 900D 50% Polyester, 50% Recycled Polyester

PRICE: $

PROS:  Fair Wear Foundation certified – this ensures good working conditions in the textile industry.

CONS: Very basic model, though it does the job of protecting your gear

Picture Organic Clothing is an environmentally conscious clothing company that uses a blend of new and recycled materials to create high-quality products while reducing their ecological footprint.

The Picture Organic Snowboard Bag is made with 50% recycled polyester and is Fair Wear Foundation approved, meaning that workers in the textile industry are guaranteed good working conditions. Doesn’t that give you a good feeling when owning this snowboard bag?

The heavy-duty, 900D exterior also does an epic job of keeping your deck safe and although the zipper isn’t as long as on many other bags, it does provide you with plenty of access to the inside for easy packing. Two hand straps and one shoulder strap make carrying this bag around easy.

The lack of wheels could make this one a deal-breaker for some riders, but if you’re on a budget or just looking for a snowboard bag to throw into the back of your car, the Picture Organic Clothing Snowboard Bag does an outstanding job. Bottom line, you’ll get a great bang for the buck – and be able to enjoy your bag in the knowledge that someone somewhere was properly rewarded for their work.

Best Style: DAKINE LOW ROLLER

LENGTHS: 157 cm, 165 cm, 175 cm

WHEELS: Yes

MATERIAL: 600D Polyester

PRICE: $$

PROS: Exterior zipper pocket for easy storing of smaller items like tools or wax

CONS: Only fits one mounted board

The Dakine Low Roller is the High Roller’s little brother and this is most noticeable in its dimensions. Half as deep as the High Roller, you’ll have a lot less space to stuff your gear. Having said that, if you’re the minimalist type that packs light and prefers a lower profile board bag, this snowboard bag might be a good option for you.

The brawl-worthy, 600D polyester exterior with 360° Padded Protection provides a bomber shelter for your boards and other gear, perfect for when you’re traveling by plane. A sturdy YKK Lockable Full Zipper gives you unrestricted access to the main compartment, which, like the High Roller, has a removable boot bag. On the outside you’ll find a large zippered pocket for storing a tool, wax or your passport.

Two durable, 3.5” urethane wheels turn every stressful haul into a smooth float. The handle-to-handle interface lets you attach your rolling suitcase or bag to the handle, so you can operate all of your luggage with just one hand. Traveling by plane has never been so relaxed!

It comes in three different dimensions, and either uncoated or coated (for better weather protection). Weighing around 6.6 lbs, it’s also considerably lighter than the High Roller.

Available in many different color combinations, this snowboard bag will surely impress your friends, and the price isn’t bad at all either!

Best Basic Protection: DAKINE FREESTYLE BAG

LENGTHS: 157 cm, 165 cm

WHEELS: No

MATERIAL: 600D Polyester

PRICE: $

PROS: An affordable and easy way to protect your setup during travel

CONS: Only fits one setup and, depending on your shoe size, a pair of boots

The Dakine Freestyle Snowboard Bag is definitely the easiest way to transport and protect your board during your travels. Just open the full-length zipper, throw in your setup, and you’re ready to go. Depending on your shoe size and the stance on your board, you might be able to fit your boots in between your bindings, but that’s about all the room you have in this bag.

Like with most Dakine snowboard bags, the Freestyle Bag is manufactured with 600D polyester, and the bottom is backed with a tarp-lined padding.

It is important to note that the top part isn’t padded though – meaning your gear is not protected that well. That makes this bag less suitable for air travel. But if you’re going on a road trip and planning on chucking your board into the boot of your car, or in a roof carrier, this might be an excellent option.

Equipped with a side handle and a removable padded shoulder strap, maneuvering it and carrying it around is a breeze. A medium-sized zippered pocket on the top lets you easily store smaller items like wax or a tool.

Being the simplest version of a snowboard transportation bag that you can get, the Dakine Freestyle Bag does its job well, even though it lacks padding on top.

Best Hard Case: SPORTUBE SERIES 3

LENGTHS: from 107 cm to 181 cm

WHEELS: Yes

MATERIAL: Impact-resistant, high-density polyethylene

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Best protection out of all the bags in this review

CONS: Closing it when fully loaded can be a bit tricky at first

If you’re the type who treats your board like your lover, then it’s likely you’ll want the best board protection available. Look no further friends, the Sportube Series 3 is the perfect bag for you (well technically it’s not a bag, but you get our point).

This snowboard hard case is made from high-density polyethylene and can take a serious beating, perfect for when you’re traveling to the snow by air.

The Sportube Series 3 easily fits two boards with bindings or a few decks with one mounted setup. Besides that, there is still plenty of room for a pair of boots, outerwear, and more.

After you’ve got everything loaded up, slide the cover on using the rail system and pop in the locking pin. At first this can be a bit tricky but after a few times it gets a lot easier. Thanks to a second slot you can keep your gear safe and secure with a small padlock. We recommend using a TSA-approved lock, so they can inspect it whenever they wish.

For easy handling, this bomber snowboard case has three burly handles and two sturdy wheels, that make hauling this bad boy a walk in the park.

Since it’s made from impact-resistant plastic, it can cause some minor scratches on the base of your board. But having said that, it will shield your board from major damage like no textile bag can.

The Sportube Series 3 is not the most affordable way to transport your gear around, but it offers by far the best protection from all the transportation options in this review.

Best Durability: BURTON WHEELIE LOCKER

LENGTHS: 156 cm, 166 cm, 181 cm

WHEELS: Yes

MATERIAL: 600D x 1200D Polyester with TPE Backing

PRICE: $$$

PROS: Internal zippered storage compartments to keep everything organized

CONS: Easily the most expensive board bag in this review

The Burton Wheelie Locker is like having a gear room and a luxury SUV in one. With a capacity of 157 liters (9.581 cu in), this thing is massive, and lets you store pretty much everything you’ll ever need during a snowboarding trip.

At 10 lbs. 6.9 oz., this is one of the heaviest snowboard bags in this review. That of course means that when you’re flying, you can bring less actual gear before you hit the luggage weight limit.

Having said that, a 600D and 1200D polyester exterior with TPE backing does an outstanding job of protecting your gear from damage so you may be willing to make the trade off (weight for space, protection, and durability). The heavy-weight material is also highly abrasion resistant, making this a very durable snowboard bag.

Adding to its overall weight is a high-quality IXION™️ skate wheel-system and a lockable, heavy-duty full zipper. Because the design team at Burton understands that carrying around all that gear can get quite heavy, they threw in a telescoping Comfort Cush handle for effortless hauling. Three burly handles, two on the ends and one on the side, make for easy maneuvering.

On the inside, the Wheelie Locker has plenty of storage and easily swallows multiple boards, with or without bindings. A separate and removable boot and binding compartment keeps your wet boots and bindings separate from the rest of your gear, whereas various compartments in the top are perfect for organizing your outerwear and accessories.

Available in three sizes, the Burton Wheelie Locker can easily carry all your snowboarding equipment and more, making this a perfect choice when you want to go on a road trip visiting multiple destinations. If you can afford the splurge, treat yourself to the Rolls-Royce in snowboard bags.

BUYING ADVICE FOR SNOWBOARD BAGS

Wheels

The first thing you should consider is wheels or no wheels. If you’re frequently traveling by air to your snowboarding destination, we recommend you go for a model that has wheels. Having some decent skate wheels on your board bag makes getting to the check-in counter that much easier, and prevents you from starting your long-awaited holiday stressed and exhausted.

If you’re mostly driving though, and you’re just looking for a bag to shield your board from minor damages and protect the inside of your car, wheels aren’t really necessary and might even be more cumbersome.

Size

When you’re looking to buy a new snowboard bag, make sure you choose the right size, since having to carry around a floppy board bag can get pretty annoying. Many bags come in an array of different sizes, so choose the size according to your (longest) board.

Materials

With a few exceptions, most snowboard bags are made of heavy-duty polyester with a foam padding on the inside for protection. The thickness of the outer material is often indicated using the term denier, abbreviated D. 

Denier is a unit of measurement used to determine the fiber thickness of individual threads or filaments used in textiles and fabrics. Fabrics with a high denier count, for example 600D, are thick, sturdy, and durable. Fabrics with a low denier count tend to be thinner and more susceptible to wear and tear.

The thicker the material, the better it can withstand the sharp edges of your board and abrasion, thus making your bag last longer. This is both good for your wallet in the long run, and also better for the environment.

Handles

When shopping for a new snowboard bag, make sure you look for one with plenty of handles. This makes maneuvering it in and out of a car and hauling it around the airport a lot easier. Many snowboard transportation bags have a handle on every end and at least one on the side, as well as a shoulder strap.

Pockets

Having some additional pockets on the outside of the bag can come in handy. Exterior pockets are particularly useful for storing smaller items like wax, maintenance and tuning tools, your passport, or even a book for those long waits at the airport.

Padding

Padding is an important aspect to look out for in a snowboard bag. After all, the padding is what protects your board from major damage. Most snowboard bags have a TPE (Thermoplastic Elastomer) backing. This is a foam padding in between the liner and exterior.

Depending on your expected use case, think about what degree of padding is important to you. For air travel, having sufficient padding is more vital than if you are just storing your board and bag in the boot of the car.

Zippers

Look for a burly zipper, preferably YKK. This brand is #1 in the market and makes high-quality zippers that can withstand years of opening and closing. Check if the pull tab has the letters YKK on it, then you’ll know you have a decent zipper. Keep in mind that, as with the denier in fabrics, zippers come in many sizes. Since zippers are a weak spot in any garment or bag, and they aren’t always covered in the warranty, we’d recommend opting for a zipper with slightly heavier teeth.

Durability

All in all, look for a bag that feels like it can handle some abuse. After all, baggage handlers aren’t always very gentle with your baggage. A snowboard bag with a higher denier fabric, a heavier zipper and quality stitching might cost a little more, but having to buy a new bag after one trip because the fabric tears or the zipper teeth break will cost you more in the long run. Not to mention purchasing a new board because it got damaged...

COMMON QUESTIONS

Should the snowboard bag be the same size as the board? You will want a snowboard bag longer than your longest board. But don’t go too long, as the floppy extra space can get annoying. Look for a bag that is a couple of inches longer than your board.

Can I pack my helmet in my snowboard bag? Many snowboard bags are designed to store not just your board, but all of your other gear too, including your helmet, boots, goggles, and outerwear.

Are padded snowboard bags necessary?Padded snowboard bags are more expensive, but the extra expense is worth it if you travel with your board often. You can get away with a non-padded bag if you’re planning to mostly use it for storage.

Does a snowboard bag count as a checked bag? On most airlines, a snowboard bag is considered a standard checked bag. That means no additional fees, as you would expect to pay for larger gear like bikes or snowboards.

MORE INFORMATION

If you loved this article for snow gear-fiends, then you'll likely love dropping into some of our other ski and snowboard related content:

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