Sportube 1 or 3

[Dylan_wick]

I have the opportunity to get a sportube 1 for $25, or a sportube 3 for around $130 (or both). Is there a major difference between the two that would justify getting the 3 over the 1? What are the differences between them?

[Stevie Boy]

@Dylan_wick the sportstube 1 will not work for you, you will not get your ski or any gear in it, sportstube 3 is the one, depends how you load it but you can get your ski and other gear in or though there is limitations on how much gear.

 

[skimtb]

3.

[jhughes]

Neither, spend the 130 on a soft bag that will frustrate TSA agents less, be more versitile, and absorb more energy.

[oldjeep]

The 3 is a good size. I used to fit a monoski, 2 pairs of regular downhill skis and 2 sets of poles inside one. The 1 is very small and would not fit a waterski.

[unksskis]

Sportube 3, over the 1 and a soft bag.

[BCM]

@oldjeep - you must not have very long skis. I can't fit my alpine or tele skis in a 3 it's too short... I bought a 2 and my slalom fits with a sleeve but it is a little tight. Looking at the dimension difference between 1 and 2, I don't think I would be happy with the 1. If they added 10cm in length to the 3 I would have been all over it.

 

The only reason I bought a 2 instead of a 3 was to fit snow skis, if it wasn't for those, I would have bought the 3. Although if it wasn't for the snow skis I likely would have looked at a soft one-event roller bag.

[dvskier]

I agree with @jhughes I have a K2 soft bag and a Dakine soft bag that works flawlessly. The TSA always inspects my bags when I fly. I’ve heard many horrendous stories of the TSA doing a lousy job when trying to repack a SportTube, many times resulting in damaged gear. Use a soft sided bag with sufficient padding (towels, boardshorts, vests, etc.)

My Dakine bag easily fits 2 pair of 200 cm snow skis.

[jhughes]

There is a reason that the airbag in a car is not a giant plastic rectangle.

[oldjeep]

@BCM my monoski is a 180 and my race skis are 182

[mfjaegersr]

I mean no offense, @dvskier...I had to laugh at your comment to the effect ‘use a soft-sided bag with sufficient padding (towel, vest, etc)’...because TSA is more likely to repack your soft bag and padding Mo Betta than they repack a Sportube? (I know the lock pin is the issue, moreso than repacking gear)

 

Sportube 3 with a safety strap (plenty of examples in other posts) is the best protection you can offer your ski. Using an ST AND a soft bag on the inside to organize your gear is money.

[mfjaegersr]

https://forum.ballofspray.com/discussion/22325/sportube-3-tsa-and-thank-yous#latest

[dvskier]

@mfjaegersr No offense taken, all good here.

[oldjeep]

The safety strap is a great idea. I've accidentally mis pinned my case when not paying attention, that makes it pretty fool proof.

[BCM]

@Oldjeep - how much extra length do you have? My teles are 185 and alpine are 188. I have to take the bindings of my teles to get both pair in my ST 2, both skis are about 105 underfoot, the width in the 2 is a problem.

[teammalibu]

TSA has let me repack my sport tube after the inspect it!

[LOTW]

that would be ideal if they let you repack it, how did you line that up? Put a note on the outside? I've always just picked mine up at the oversized area already dealt with.

[oldjeep]

@bcm none. The sportube 3 is only good for 183 max. Haven't owned skis longer than that since the 90s.

[skialex]

Was thinking of putting a zip ty along with the lock pin and put a duct tape with few unused zip ties next to it for anyone to use. Would that works? Sport Tube3

[drew]

https://www.masterlineusa.com/collections/travel-bags/products/one-event-roller

@mlusa has the best quality ski bags--much more functional than a sport tube, and does great for the plane

[Eljaybee]

I have a Masterline roller bag for sale if any one wants it. Used about 3-4 times. Check out the listing if interested - https://www.ballofspray.com/forum#/discussion/23148/masterline-roller-bag