 Poster: A snowHead
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I guess this is a FAQ, but I can't find it via search because there are so many threads about ski boots in hand luggage! 
What's the latest advice concerning whether soft/snowboard boots can be worn as footwear through check-in and on board planes?
It is this a common technique for keeping luggage weight down, or is it now prohibited given all the plastic explosive one can hide in soft boots?
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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bit of a pain when you have to take them off through security 
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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crosbie, mountaineers have been wearing heavy boots on planes for years. How heavy are your boots though?
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rayscoops, no doubt. But then it's a bit of a pain having to pay wodges of dosh for excess weight. I have one pair of hard boots to take through as ski kit, and one pair of soft boots as other luggage. Can't tell between hard pack or powder much in advance. If wearing soft boots was typical/common that may save a fair tad (I can't say I've looked much at others' footwear last time I flew).
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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Swirly, I've got step-in soft boots that are pretty hefty. K2 Clicker Firebirds.
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crosbie, fair enough, I think you'll be ok I've flown in B3 mountaineering boots although it was about 4 years ago.
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I guess Swirly, you didn't have crampons fitted to them at the time, but does the B3's soleplate trigger the metal detectors?
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crosbie, I had to take them off for the metal detector. This was amusing on the way back when I'd been wearing them for almost 5 weeks.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Swirly, did you take them off because you thought it was a good idea (despite aroma  ), or because you were asked to?
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crosbie, I was asked to, the guy laughed when he saw what I was wearing. He stopped laughing when he got the smell. This was in Venice btw, I can't remember what happened on the way out.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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crosbie, technically I doubt there would be an issue, they are just like big hiking boots really I suppose.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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I've seen people on planes wearing ski boots.
Snowboard boots are just big clumpy trainers really aren't they. I can't imagine they're any more of a security hazard than, say, Uggs.
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You know it makes sense.
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The chap I saw still had them on after luggage reclaim as well. I shared a bus with him, and watched him do that funny ski-boot walk to his car at Purple Parking.
I'm guessing he didn't drive home in them though.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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has any one ever seen someone or knows of someone wearing either ski boots or snowboard boots on a flight ?
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Poster: A snowHead
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Er.
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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paulio, cough it up son
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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rayscoops,
didn't paulio just said he saw one???
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Kruisler, missed that 
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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paulio, i must learn to type quicker 
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Oi skiers, you've got 50 threads about ski boots on planes. Let's keep this to snowboarder's soft boots eh? 
At least soft boots are plausible as permitted footwear.
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To be honest when I first mentioned mountaineering boots I meant plastic boots then as they're the heavy ones.
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Swirly, yup, I noticed there were plastic B3s as well as leather ones. I thought "Nah. He can't have meant the plastic ones, they look like ski boots!"
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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crosbie, mine are leather but yeah the guys off to the greater ranges tend to wear them.
Back in the day it wasn't unknown for people to make karabiner vests to wear on the plane! You definitely wouldn't be allowed to do that now.
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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Kruisler, hey no worries, I only board with skiers anyway these days (the only ones who can keep up with me). Moreover, I carry both hard and soft boots, hence my weight predicament. 
I'm just keen for those few boarders on Snowheads to tell me if they've EVER noticed any boarders walking about the departure lounges in soft boots (better still, if they've worn them).
I know the subject of ski boots is far more interesting to most, but, MUST... keep... on... topic... nngh!
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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crosbie, I know people who've done it, but since the airlines keep moving the goalposts every five minutes you won't know for sure until you try it.
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Lizzard, sure. I've even considered buying a sacrificial set of boots to take in case the security bods shake their heads. It would thus also be informative to know if anyone's had to leave their boots behind because security considered them a 'risk'.
It's getting to the stage where NASA astronauts had more leeway in terms of what they were allowed to wear or carry.
These people you know who've done it. Are we talking 10 years ago or last year? And I guess it was more for portability/preference than to avoid luggage restrictions/surcharges?
I tend to drive or get the train to the Alps these days to avoid the problem completely, but North America has to be flown to (I'll get a ship if I can ever afford the time and money).
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You know it makes sense.
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| Quote: |
has any one ever seen someone or knows of someone wearing either ski boots or snowboard boots on a flight ?
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Yep. One of our group came out with us on Ryanair wearing snowboard boots and Jacket to keep hand luggage down. Stopped short of wearing a helmet - reserved for the most faint hearted fliers . Not really that much that much bother and not troubled by security. Ski boots is pushing it a bit - much more faffing around.
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Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:
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Poster: A snowHead
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crosbie, no, it was to keep baggage weight down - 15kg doesn't go far when you're away for six months. And I don't know about when exactly, within the past five years or so, I would say. Not much help, really!
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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I have taken my snowboard boots in my hand luggage for every trip for the last 4 years. If I pack them in a sort of , ahem, 69 position, they fit really nicely in a small/medium rucksack along with my padded shorts, snowboard trousers and base layer. Socks, spare undercrackers, wristguards and goggles are stuffed in each boot neck, and i wear my jacket, so I'm good to ride on arrival if my hold luggage doesn't make it.
In fact one year we flew an entire 4 day trip on Ryanair to Salzburg on hand luggage only, we just had the addition of spare pants/socks and bra's (for the ladies) hanging out of all our pockets and wore a spare T-shirt and jumper. Looked like the michelin man going through security.
Never worn my boots for the flight though,
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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UPDATE:
I wrote (9th Dec '09):
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I've just been informed by my tour operator that "With regards to wearing snowboard boots you need to contact the airline."
So, because the weight of snowboard boots are no longer included in the ski carriage fee, but now come off the hold luggage limit, I'd like to know if I can wear them as footwear onto the plane? Bear in mind that they are 'soft' snowboard boots and so quite comfortable and practical to walk around in (unlike hard ski boots).
Given the heightened security these days I am naturally alert to the possibility that for some peculiar reason I might not be allowed to board the plane with them. This would be a terrible predicament, so I am concerned to obtain a definitive answer from you in advance of travel. |
The airline replied (11th Dec):
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Thank you for your email regarding snowboard boots.
If they are “soft” and “wearable” as mentioned in your email you will ok to travel in them, you will have to remove them at security as they will be put through the scanner but there will be no problem wearing them on the aircraft.
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Obviously your tour operator, airline, and airport security policy may vary, but this might shed some light on this issue.
I will still only wear them if my kit is close to the weight limit, but at least I'm now slightly more reassured that wearing them is an option.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
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crosbie,
We flew from Luton two days ago and there were a couple of lads who we saw in departures wearing soft snowboarding boots.
I can't imagine there'd be any difference between travelling in snowboard boots as opposed to moonboots - which seem to be widely accepted on flights.
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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No difference but you will be laughed at
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You'll need to Register first of course.
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Thanks Bergmeister, interesting to have accounts of actual sightings. I don't suppose you noticed everyone laughing at them? Unless DebbiDoesSnow meant that moonboots were the shoes to laugh at. 
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I had the pleasure of seeing some idiot I used to work with at geneva airport wearing his rentals home,.... boy did we laugh at him ... a lot
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DebbiDoesSnow, I presume he was still wearing them by mistake having forgotten to return them to the hirer? Was that the amusement, as opposed to wearing softboots? Or perhaps he hired them from the UK?
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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No he had either bought them or stolen them and more importantly ...... He looked like an idiot !!!
put 'em in the hold, they don't weigh much, your going to the mountains not a fashion parade so you only need a few clothes (this coming for a girl) so you won't use all your weight allowance ? the things people do to avoid sticking to the airline baggage rules....
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DebbiDoesSnow, where've you been hiding?
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FAQ
Well I thought so, but it did make them xray them and stick there thing inside as well. They even wipped and then put the cloth through a special machine to check for expolsive nitrate or something like that. All very interesting I thought, but I did have loads of time to waste before my flight. All in a days fun. 