Photo Courtesy Skboot
Caroline Graham has skied all over the world. As an Australian, skiing often means traveling by air. In 2008, she looked at her options for transporting her ski boots and decided that there had to be something better.
“I found that I couldn’t physically carry my ski boots in the boot bags that were currently available as they were too heavy and awkward,” states Caroline. She didn’t like packing her boots in her regular luggage because of the weight, so she began looking for something more durable, functional and stylish. When she couldn’t find what she wanted, she designed her own bag. “I was just going to get someone to put wheels on my cheap, nylon bag, but then the idea grew legs and I ended up going into full production with the Skboot.”
Photo Courtesy Skboot
The Skboot has all the features Caroline was looking for: a main access area for boots, helmet and gloves; two side pockets; a small front pocket for keys or travel information; a removable padded laptop sleeve; a fur-lined goggle pouch and a removable wet storage bag with carrying straps. There are also two mesh side vents which open to allow air circulation, a snap-on shoulder strap and, of course, wheels.
Small and Light, But Big Enough
So how does the Skboot work? Based on my experience, pretty darn well. The bag comes in two sizes, medium and large. Caroline sent me a medium bag to try. The medium bag comes in black and red and measures 15 x 15 x 12 inches for 1.13 cubic feet of packing space. It weighs 7.5 pounds. The large Skboot comes in black and grey and measures 16.5 x 16.5 x 12 inches with 1.34 cubic feet of packing space. It weighs 8 pounds.
Will it all fit?
My first reaction was “that’s a cool looking bag, but it seems small.” Curious about how everything would fit into the medium Skboot, I started packing. Referring to a photo on the Skboot website showed me where to put my helmet and then it was easy. I put in everything I would need on the mountain for a ski vacation except for my skis and clothes. I actually had room leftover in the side pockets for extra socks, an additional baselayer or maybe a book. Once packed the bag weighed in at 26 pounds, including my 13″ laptop. Heavy to carry, but easy to roll.
All in, with some room to spare.
The medium Skboot held everything I needed. I can only imagine the luxury of packing the large Skboot. What would I add? A sweater, a shell or more socks?
Simple Luxuries
When something is well-designed and well-made, it feels luxurious. One thing I love about the Skboot is the attractive and smart design. Everything you might want to bring along has been considered and devoted some space. The bag looks good and even the logo is stylish. Handling this bag, I could almost imagine myself in a fur coat, pulling it gracefully through the Geneva airport and feeling quite luxurious. Not schlepping at all. But the real luxury? The ease with which I can move all this gear, without slipping shoulder straps or a tired back.
Carry-On?
The Skboot, with included bag for wet items.
If only ski boots weren’t so heavy, the Skboot would be an ideal carry-on bag. Because weight is the limiting factor, the Skboot is made to be checked with reinforced handles and corners to prevent bag-handling wear and tear.
Perfect for Families
No fur coat, no Geneva. But I still feel fashionable!
When I am skiing, one thing I hate to see is a parent, usually a mom, laden down with gear for all of the kids and herself. Been there, done that and it isn’t fun. In fact, gear logistics can make skiing more trouble than it is worth for some families.
Our local resort has a central parking lot and when our kids were little we had pull bags for them to drag their boots and gear into the lodge. The Skboot is ideal for this. It’s not too big or too heavy, so even small kids can pull everything they need into the lodge, or through the airport.
Skboot Giveaway
Skboot founder Caroline Graham has graciously donated a red and black medium Skboot as a giveaway to a reader of the Brave Ski Mom. One winner will be chosen in a random drawing on Tuesday, November 22 at 9:00 MST. To enter, please leave a comment. For a second entry, please follow Skboot on Facebook.
Good luck!
To facilitate this post, I received a medium Skboot bag to try. All opinions are my own and are exactly what I would tell my family and friends.
This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Linda!
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That looks great. I’m always carrying way too much so this would be so nice!
I know! It’s size is efficient, but not so big you’re tempted to overpack! Good luck.
Liked them on facebook
I have never had a boot bag, but it looks like I might show up at the mountain with everything I need if I actually had some organization like that! On my wish list! (for me or my kid…!)
Your wish may just come true! Good luck!
Great concept. Crossing my fingers.
I know. And the cool thing is, Caroline thought of it and then executed her great idea!
Great looking bag. Thanks for the review!
You are most welcome!
Looks cool. Love that you can pull it. Hate carrying all that gear!
The pull feature is essential, no? Good luck!
I use to always just throw stuff in the back of the truck and go; but when you start taking the entire family skiing some kind of organization is crucial. This would also be ideal if you have a ski locker at a resort and just need to transport your boots and gear 😉
Everything about having a family seems to require some organization! This definitely helps! Good luck.
Looks like a dandy design. Might avoid a few bruises from hanging my boots over my shoulder and letting them bonk my back and chest!
Yes, you’ll travel in much more comfort — and bruise free! Good luck!
would love one of these…maybe the kid could fit in it too?!?! 😉
Wouldn’t that be the cutest picture? A little sweetie bundled up and smiling from the top of the bag! Cute, but probably not very realistic! Thanks!
That bag looks great. I could use a new boot bag. Mine got ripped up when I traveled to Steamboat last year. I looked all over town for a new bag to get my boots home, but didn’t find one I liked (that was in my price range). So I ended up fixing my boot bag with good ‘ol duct tape! It worked splendidly, and lasted the rest of the year. But it would be nice to have a shiny new bag – without the duct tape!!
But thank goodness for duct tape, right? Saves the day. Good luck!
This bag is fantastic! I love that it is so stylish too. Having a skboot bag would make my skiing experience even better.
Thanks for commenting! It is a great bag, isn’t it? Good luck!
I’d love a bag for my boots!! Up until now, I just skied in CO and left my boots out there – now we joined a local ski hill in WI, to get the kids skiing all winter long, I’m going to need to transport my boots to and from as well as the car seats, stroller, kids skis, etc that we all know about schleping through the airports as well as the kids themselves!! Pick me! Pick me! (I know, it’s random, but maybe the universe is listening!!)
You crack me up! Perhaps the universe is listening! You’ll find out in a week! Thanks.
So want that to put my new Technica’s in!!!! Awesome and finally.
Agree…finally! How exciting to have new boots!
Whoo hoo – something the kids can wheel all by themselves and look cool all at the same time! Well done
Cool, isn’t it? Good luck!
Love this bag! Anything to make life a little more organized is a good thing in my book.
So true — organization is a good thing! Thanks.
I love that bag! It looks like the perfect solution to schlepping ski gear!
Good luck and thanks for commenting!
Looks extremely handy…I could use one or two of them!
Two hands? Two bags! Good luck!
Very funny, I like…
Nice design, no more missing goggles or gloves.
I agree. Thanks!
My boots need a home!
Every boot should have a home. Good luck!
It may be a great way to tuck those ski essentials away in the off-season, but I see it being useful for a weekend get-away, holding cumbersome hiking boots, climbing gear..maybe para-sailing. It’s nice to know that a piece of equipment has the potential of added versatility than exclusion 3/4ths of a year, in storage, in the back of the closet.
Thanks for your wise comment. You make a great point! No reason the Skboot should only be for skiing. Thanks!
Looks sweet! Hope I win it.
Good luck to you then!
Great design, this will be a very useful piece of luggage!
Thanks for your comment! good luck!
Looks good. Throw my name in the hat. 🙂
You got it!