UKC

What’s the current state of the art for bouldering mats going in the hold for flights? Wrapping it in cling film used to be common, I found one online in the states by Metolius but was wondering if anyone else made one. Otherwise I guess it’s a general purpose equipment bag?

When I last flew with mine I just chucked it in as is. Maybe just take off any straps you can. Although this was the best part of 20 years ago, so maybe not that helpful

Why on earth would you cover it in anything?

The oversized hold luggage is priced on dimension rather than weight, and a pad is very light anyway. It’s useful to stuff it full to keep down the weight of other checked luggage so it’s useful to have a cover to keep it all secure.

We’ve made something up from a cheap amazon storage bag (pictured) to fit a Moon pad which we’re using for a trip this weekend but would still like to find something a bit more robust!

cheers Paul

That looks pretty decent and much better than I was expecting from the description! 😁

We always just fill our bouldering bags with spare shoes, chalk, extra jackets etc and cinched the pads tight (but made sure that a bag strap was threaded through a pad strap just in case...) Never had a problem.

Cheers, I’m probably overthinking it. We have generally gone on european trips in the car so easy to pack pads. Flights have been generally for sport climbing. However, off to Font via Manchester-Orly-hire car this weekend is a relatively new one on us. 

Make sure the hire car is big enough...

I mean nobody would make that daft mistake....

(Not us actually)

Have good trip! Currently driving towards Czechia/Polish border where it's 30 degrees....

Does your pad have openings? If so, could you stuff all your kit inside the pad? Like, properly inside, with the foam?

Just be careful about filling space in oversize luggage with random stuff. They don’t like this and it says so in the terms. People have stuffed bike boxes and surfboard bags with clothes etc so they cracked down on it over the last 10 years. 

‘no other items can be carried in the bicycle box/bag (i.e. clothing)’ 

thanks for the intel

Paul

I still do this with a ski/snowboard bag and have never had it queried. May not have the same rules I suppose.

The bouldering mat cover made it intact to Orly airport, now in an AirBnB in Milly la Foret 

photos