5 Best Snowboard Backpacks: Finding the Perfect Suit to Carry Your Gear

The best snowboard backpacks are durable, lightweight, and offer plenty of storage space for all the necessities that go along with hitting the slopes. If you’re looking for extras like built-in safety lights, pockets for your goggles and snowboarding helmet, or a way to keep your best gear dry on those snowy days (or wet on the ones you’re not fortunate enough to ride in), be sure they come standard with whatever best snowboard backpack you choose.

We recommend reading through a few of these critical aspects to learn more about the different types to make an informed decision.

Size – Snowboarding backpacks come in all different sizes, so be sure you pick one that matches your needs. If you’re looking to make a fashion statement with your best gear on the slopes (or carry around an extra pair of shoes), choose something more prominent. However, if you’re looking for something more compact that can hold your board and a few small accessories, check out the best snowboard backpacks with smaller dimensions.

Durability: You want to make sure whatever backpack you choose is made of sturdy material without being too heavy or bulky. If you’ve ever dealt with flimsy zippers before, you know that they can be more trouble than their worth. Material like polyester, ripstop nylon, Cordura (Dyneema), and ballistic are all great options for keeping your best snowboard backpack safe without weighing it down.

Accessibility: Snowboarding backpacks come with many different features to make them easy to use at a moment’s notice. Some come with a hydration pack system for easy access to water on the slopes. In contrast, others offer dedicated compartments and pockets just for your snowboarding helmet or goggles.

Fashion/ Style: As much as we all love being seen in our best gear, style is often the last priority when it comes to what you keep inside your best snowboard backpack. However, if you want to make a fashion statement at the top of your favorite run, look for those with plenty of color options and features like reflective accents.

Capacity: Some backpacks come with just enough space for the necessities, while others are made to hold your board along with all of its accessories. If you’re looking for something that can go on multi-day snowboarding excursions without running out of room or weight capacity, be sure to check how much each one holds before making a purchase.

Carrying Style: There are several different ways to take a snowboarding backpack, but the most important thing is that you’re comfortable. Those who prefer not to wear their best snowboard backpack throughout their entire day of riding (or don’t want it swinging around as they move) look for options with removable straps or other features that make carrying easier.

Price: With all the different options out there, you’re bound to find a snowboarding backpack that fits your budget. Remember: just because it’s cheaper doesn’t mean it has to be of poor quality.

Fit- It’s essential to make sure you choose the best snowboard backpack that fits well. If it doesn’t work correctly, the worst-case scenario is your gear falls out.

Pockets: If you’re looking for a snowboarding backpack with plenty of pockets and compartments, be sure to look through all the features before making your final purchase.

Water Resistance: Your best snowboard backpack will inevitably get wet at some point, but you don’t want it to be because of melting snow or the elements. At the very least, look for those with water-resistant materials and zippers, so everything inside stays dry.

Weight: Depending on how much room and what kinds of features the best snowboard backpack has, it’s bound to have a little extra weight on your shoulders. Make sure the capacity is worth carrying around before making a purchase.

Width: While some snowboarding backpacks are narrow enough to fit between chairlift lines, others might be too big or bulky for that purpose alone. If you plan on boarding in tight spots or through trees, make sure you get one that fits the bill.

Hydration Pack Compatibility: If you plan on being out in the snow for a long time, make sure your best snowboard backpack has a way to carry water. Some offer hydration pack compatibility, while others come with dedicated compartments and pockets just for water bottles.

Additional Features

Board carry system: Another option on a snowboard-specific backpack is to bring your board. Depending on personal choice, it is possible either vertically or horizontally, but the most important thing is that the bag can fit your board.

Hydration bladder compatibility: This is a nice feature if you’re one to take a water bottle along with you. The hydration bladder will provide you with all the necessary fluid you need to make it through your day on the slopes, and in some cases, these bladders are removable for easy replacement or cleaning purposes.

ICE AXE / POLE LOOPS: These are excellent features to have if you’re the type of rider who enjoys extra excursions, like hikes or even ski tours.

Zip-off day pack: Many older backpacks didn’t include this feature, but it’s something to consider when deciding on a new one. If you’ve gone through your share of frustrating zipper malfunctions, you’ll know the appeal of a removable day pack in a heartbeat.

HELMET CARRY SYSTEM: This is an excellent feature if you’re the rider who always brings their helmet on and off the mountain. Whether you’re tired of holding it while riding or your hands are too cold, a snowboarding backpack with this feature will save you from having to keep carrying that pesky thing around all day!

Security: A lot of backpacks come with different methods of protection. Some bags include locking zippers and hidden pockets that stow away any valuables you might like to keep safe while on the mountain or in transit between resorts!

Waterproofing: For most people, waterproofing isn’t a priority. But if your winters tend to get very wet, you might want to consider this feature. It’s especially nice if you live somewhere where it tends to snow a lot but also gets cold and wet.

Compression straps: These are great for tightening up your snowboarding backpack after it’s already stuffed to the brim. While this might not be a high priority, it contributes to the overall appeal of being able to fit more into your backpack.