Do I really need a SnowBoard bag with Wheels.?

Question

I just bought my first snowboard, and am going to be taking it to a couple of places this winter. I'm from Texas and will be flying anywhere I go. I was looking for a bag and saw the Burton Wheelie Gig bag for like $100. At first it sounded like a good idea to get wheels on the bag, but the more i think of it I'm not really going to drag this thing around much. I'm going to check it in a the airport and take it to the rental car place wherever i'm at. At the resort, I'll take the snowboard out and walk to the lifts with the snowboard. So my question is, should i go with the regular (non-wheeled) Gig Bag or can anyone vouch for the importance (or convinience) of the wheels on the bag?

P.S. I have a 165cm board, and that bag comes in 166 and 181, is the 166 too tight? If I go with the 181, do you think its going to be sliding around in there. I'm planning to buy online so trying it out is not an option.

Thanks!

Answer 1

I have the wheelie gig bag and I'd say yes, you want wheels. Just waiting in line to check the bag alone I was glad it had wheels! Better to just be able to wheel it around than to have to keep picking it up and putting it down the whole time.

I don't JUST put my snowboard in my bag either - so it can get pretty heavy. I put my board, bindings, boots, outerwear, helmet etc etc in there.. last time I flew with it I had shoes and a sleeping bag and a bunch of other stuff in there, and I think it was something like 48lbs!

About the length, I'm not too sure. I have a 150, so either way my board is small for the bag. But I don't mind the extra room - like I said, I bring more than just my snowboard, so it gets filled either way!

Answer 2

I have a roller bag, and I would highly recommend it. You'll carry the bag much farther than you think you will, even just around the airport, and they get heavy very quickly. Some airports are monolithic, and you may find yourself pulling the bag 200 yards just from the baggage claim to the curb. It can be even more cumbersome to carry a snowboard bag if you have other stuff to carry as well. The 166 will be fine for your board. In addition to the Burton, look at the Da Kine low roller. It's a little cheaper, and has a smaller profile so it's hard to over pack.

Be wary of the 50 lb limit imposed by airlines, as well as them limiting you to only one checked bag. It's really easy to overweight these giant snowboard bags, so it will be a good idea to get a maximum size carry on in addition to the roller bag (and in addition to your personal item, like purses, backpacks, or laptop bags)

Answer 3

I think you shoud, cause carying a board around gets really annoying coz of the w8.

and rolling bags are so more convinient.

Answer 4

Seriously i'd just go for the traditional sling-over-the-shoulder bag. If you're shoulder get's tired from carrying it just switch to the other one or just carry it by hand. also i don't think rolling it around in the snow and ice to the lifts or lodge would work out too hot.

and get the 166 and if it doesnt fit too well send it back and just look somewhere else for one. having a 181 and having that board move around all the time would be a pain in the ***.

Answer 5

If you're going to be in an airport, I'd recommend getting one, cause you never know how long you might end up standing there with it, and if you go to a major airport, you may have to drag it around a bit.  If it was just being tossed under a bus, that's different, but this is a lot more travel.

Answer 6

If yor need it for travel, sure. On the hill/at the resort, waste of time.