Heading overseas next week with a number of kites & boards in two Dakine Club Wagon bags (for two of us).
Would appreciate advice from those who've travelled with kites - which is better - to very (gently) fold/roll kites and use them as padding/cushioning, or to use vacuum/compresssion bags?
thanks for advice
Juddy
i travel with surfboards so i strip my wax, remove fins and use them as padding.
be sure to take one kite bag for daily use though.
enjoy your trip!
I've rolled up a kite really tight, strapped it up and put in a back pack as carry on. Ive done this a couple of times no probs.
Hi Juddy
What is your limitation. Vacuum bag adds weight and saves space.
I prefer to avoid adding more weight so I fold and pack kites only in the top compartment of my tavel bag and board, fins, pump, harness etc. in bottom padded compartment. (Or divide 2 halves with towel between)
I'll arrive after you leave and before Nic and Tim arrive. Would appreciate a wind report.
Enjoy your epic trip
Do not vacuum, put them in strong pillow cases and these will act as a carry bag and storage on holiday. make sure all valves are open.
Ive only travelled once by air (so limited experience!!) with my kites and board and used an ozone bag without wheels to save 'dead' weight.
I like the 'fold carefully' approach but also deflate/pump all of the air out of the kite to remove all air. I agree with ^^^^ the vacuum bag approach just adds weight.
The only other tip (for others planning an OS trip) is to carefully consider your all up baggage weight and if it is going to exceed your allowance - prepay you excess when you book - its about half of the price that you will be slugged when you turn up at the airport - ouch!!
Rob, when do you arrive?
I'm in Jakarta 16th -19th June, Banda Aceh 19th June to 4th July (Frothing).
I fly often. Make sure you have well protected valve clips on your 1 pump before using these, and a protected inflation screw/cap with flap closed (aka ozone). I've never had damage to kites from them. They are dry bags/compression bags from a camping/disposal shop. Made from ultra thin nylon (similar to a kite canopy) with a roll top and 1 way valve, and plastic view window. You just squeeze air out after rolling top. They weigh nothing, less than a pillow slip. You have the benefit of having a dry bag with you for any adventuring. I was using them as my everyday kite bag. I think the brand was black wolf. You need the large one. As surfingboye said; take your backpack normal kitebag, for those 'fun trips on the motorbike'. Pack a small repair kit, in case you end up anywhere without assisted launch, as that indo coral is nasty.
found a link
www.blackwolf.com.au/expert-advice-product-bag/
Why exactly do ppl take the kites out of their original compression bags? Surely the compression straps allow the kites to be compressed pretty well for stowage in the quiver bag?
I'm asking as I've never travelled with kites n boards in this type of luggage carrier...
Quite often you are allowed to take a suit bag as well as a carry on bag. Suit bag = kite bag!
With 2 x Clubwagons you could get all your kites all your boards and me onboard!
Lots of teuros I know use the vac bags, others use the sit on & tape method.
Either way you will pack down kites to about 1/3 of normal good pack down size.
Just be careful when folding to make sure valves are not bent over.
vac bags are great , i used mine in indo to get my kites over, then used them to put a few clothes in to put in my kite bag, and did a huge downwinder to a great little bar and restaurant, got my dry clothes out of the bag kicked back had a few beers and a meal, sweet
vacuum a coupla kites and put them in as ur carry on luggage, just wondering how many u could fit into ur carry on bag 2~3 ?
