Airline travel: Sitka Nomad VS Cabela's Ripcord

[elkstabber]

I'm looking for the best way to travel with a bow/archery/hunting equipment. Its important to protect the bow and also avoid additional luggage fees. It seems like a rolling duffel is the best way to avoid oversize charges as well the best way to avoid excessive TSA scrutiny.

Both the Sitka Nomad and the Cabela's Ripcord are very similar. Is one tougher or more durable than the other? Are there any features that make one better than the other?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Brightwhite]

I would have to go back and confirm, but when I looked at the big Sitka Nomad, the dimensions out it in the "oversized" category on United. Not sure about other airlines, but something to look into.

 

[elkstabber]

Both of them are 42" long and technically both are "oversized" but according to other posts here on Rokslide they are much less likely to get an oversize charge than a hard case would. Plus, a hard case is an extra piece of luggage.

The Sitka Nomad is 42x16x14 and the Cabela's Ripcord is 42x18x18. The Nomad has internal straps to compress it. The Cabela's Ripcord has a one year warranty.

 

[Blockcaver]

My Cabelas XL Ripcord has two internal compression straps to stabilize luggage inside, which is how I anchored my soft Prime bowcase with two bows, arrow tube, quiver, etc to the bottom of the Ripcord. Then I packed sleeping bags, clothes, boots, etc around the soft bowcase. It holds a ton of stuff, but I try to keep it less than 50#s.

The Ripcord is Cordura and has two nylon loop handles you pick up together to carry one handed if you want....but mostly I rolled it with the hard handle extended just like any other rolling luggage. It also has really nice nylon handles on each end so you can carry it much like a cooler which is very handy when loading it into a car or truck, and probably for baggage handlers. You could compress the case externally if you only partially fill it....cord, compression straps, etc if you saw the need.

My Ripcord shows no sign of wear and tear after 8 separate flights where it was loaded and unloaded from a commercial airliner. I'd buy another in a heart beat especially when you have Cabelas credit card points to cover the bulk of the $159 cost. I assume that it will last for my hunting trips for many years. Good luck with your choice and hunts!

 

[Wapiti1]

Are you wanting to put your bow in a duffel? You don't have to. A hard side bow case is considered sporting equipment and incurs no additional fees over the normal checked baggage fee. Pack clothes and other gear in the bow case with your bow until you hit the 50lb weight limit.

If you're talking about a take down bow, though, that is a different animal.

Jeremy

 

[elkstabber]

Are you wanting to put your bow in a duffel? You don't have to. A hard side bow case is considered sporting equipment and incurs no additional fees over the normal checked baggage fee. Pack clothes and other gear in the bow case with your bow until you hit the 50lb weight limit.

According to people who have done this recently the airlines aren’t as lenient as they used to be so this saves on the number of checked bags and additional oversized fees.

 

[Wapiti1]

I would be curious to hear who they flew with and what that situation was. My experience from last fall was business as usual with bow and rifle cases. At least on Delta and United.

Jeremy

 

[Wapiti1]

Nevermind. Found the thread on the general forum. Interesting.

Jeremy

 

[elkstabber]

Jeremy, I haven’t had any problems yet either but other people have and I think it’s safe to say that the airlines will only be tightening up. So I’m trying to plan in advance.

 

[Trial153]

I havent been dinged for an overage with the nomad yet. I keep the weight under the limit. So far i havent had break out a tape measure yet. I expect at some point my luck runs out and i will have to pay up.

The nomad is a quality piece, plenty secure for your bow and gear.

Sent from my SM-G950U1 using Tapatalk

 

[Steve O]

I have used my Nomad since they came out without issue. The latest trip in March. Flights all over the continental US, Canada, Alaska, and Africa.

 

[kalandvogt]

I fly Delta almost weekly with a large SKB case. I usually fly business/first class, never been charged. If you have any sort of status on the airline, they let you get away with a lot.

 

[Capra]

I have used the Nomad on two international hunts without oversize fees. I do stay under the weight limit though which in the past has always been the one thing I have seen the airlines stick too. So if you are over you will pay.

It is nice and I would recommend it. I do not know anything about the Cabelas piece but I would consider the weight of the empty bag in my decision.