Ski bags for travel via plane?

Hey Everyone. Just looking for any thoughts on hard cases or soft cases for airplane travel. Headed to Europe this new years and am wondering if anyone had any recommendations. Soft cases are nice just because they can fold up and not take up so much room in the house, car or hotel after the travel is done, but obviously not as strong.

The Douchebag is the leading candidate.
mydouchebag.com/

Cheers,
DJ

I use a soft bag and have no problems. I can stuff in 1 or 2 pairs of skis + climbing gear/overnight gear and some cloths. The gear and bag is plenty tough to withstand being thrown around a bit. Wrap pointy stuff in some cardboard. I find wheels are nice on the bag since longs walks with all my stuff tend to happen to me in Euroland. My bag is a Da-Kine of some sort. The soft bags are also nice for stuffing under your bunk or bed if you sleeping in tight quarters. I carry on boots.

I wouldn't mention the dirtbag approach except that you brought up douchebag..   Duct tape the shit out of it and slip 'em into the airline provided clear plastic bag (not clear on who all provides them now, but I've done it twice with Alaska).  Why??  Because when you use a nice bag with a zipper, or whatever, TSA will open it, and the zippo, weed, and pocketknife will be gone.  3 for 3.  The guys downstairs know that people stash stuff in such bags..  Had a gf who checked her nice [girlie] bag one time ~ at destination, her personal articles of attire were missing..

just saying

I flew Swiss/United to Switzerland last year. I threw my skis in a cheap, soft ski bag and my boots and skins in a soft-sided duffel (both airlines count a ski bag + boot bag as one checked item). I had no problems.

Second the point about the wheels though, I did end up carrying my skis around a lot.

I second snoholic's recommendation of Dakine soft bag with wheels.

I wouldn't mention the dirtbag approach except that you brought up douchebag..   Duct tape the shit out of it and slip 'em into the airline provided clear plastic bag (not clear on who all provides them now, but I've done it twice with Alaska).  Why??  Because when you use a nice bag with a zipper, or whatever, TSA will open it, and the zippo, weed, and pocketknife will be gone.  3 for 3.  The guys downstairs know that people stash stuff in such bags..  Had a gf who checked her nice [girlie] bag one time ~ at destination, her personal articles of attire were missing..

just saying

Funny you mention that. Every time I have checked a ski bag, I get it searched and get the little TSA tag inside. Definitely would not recommend stashing anything questionable in one.