Best MTB travel bags and boxes 2024 – the safest way to pack your bike for travel

Evoc Pro Travel Bag
(Image credit: Evoc)

Whether you're going on vacation with your bike or heading abroad for a big race, the best MTB travel bags, cases and boxes are a worthwhile investment for getting it there safely. 

It's scary to send your best mountain bike down the conveyor belt at the oversized baggage check-in and put it in someone else's hands for an extended period of time. You can be as cautious as you like, but overworked baggage handlers and automated baggage systems may not be quite as gentle. There are horror stories of airlines destroying bikes, but bike bags and boxes are pretty well designed these days and do well to deliver your pride and joy to your destination and back unscathed.

That's why it's important to pack it as well as possible, using the best mountain bike travel bags and boxes. These travel bags and boxes are specially designed to pack your mountain bike safely, with dedicated compartments and nooks and crannies for the most delicate components. Other things to consider include their portability, durability, and value for money.

To make this buying process easier for you, our expert reviewers have tested out the best MTB travel bags and boxes that you can buy today. Our top option is the Evoc Travel Bag Pro, while our budget choice is a cardboard box – usually free from your local bike shop. Read on for our complete list, or skip to the bottom of the article for our buying advice to help you choose the best option for you, and our tips and tricks for packing your mountain bike safely for its travels.

The best MTB travel bags and boxes

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The quick list

1. Best for big wheels

Evoc Pro Travel Bag

The Evoc Pro has room for anything from a lightweight roadie to a long and slack 29er enduro bike (Image credit: Evoc)

Evoc Travel Bag Pro

Best for big wheels and chunky tires

Specifications

External dimensions: 147 x 36 x 85 cm
Empty weight: 10kg with bike stand
Wheel size: Up to 29in
Hard or soft shell: Soft shell

Reasons to buy

+
Features an internal stand
+
Sturdy handles for good portability
+
Easy packing procedure

Reasons to avoid

-
It's a bit pricey

Around any bike event, you're likely to see a sea of Evoc bike bags, because they are some of the best you can buy. With room for anything from a lightweight roadie to a long and slack 29er enduro bike, the Pro version includes an aluminum tray that attaches to the axles of the bike inside the bag, and doubles as a work-stand when it's time to rebuild. 

Inside the bike is secured with a range of Velcro straps and purpose-built padding, and the external wheel pockets will hold up to a 29 x 2.6in wheel and tire. Inside the bag, there are internal pockets for tools and pedals and the removable plastic ribbing allows the bag to be rolled up for storage. 

The back features two ultra-smooth rollerblade wheels, and there is a third which slots into the front handle for easy transition from the baggage claim to your accommodation. 

2. Best for versatility

Pro Bike Mega Travel Case

The inside of the Pro Bike Mega bag has plenty of well-padded provisions to hold your frame securely (Image credit: Pro Bike)

Pro Bike Mega Travel Case

The most versatile

Specifications

External dimensions: 130 x 25 x 77cm
Empty weight: 8.1kg
Wheel size: Up to 29in
Hard or soft shell: Soft shell

Reasons to buy

+
Easy to pack
+
Lightweight, internal frame

Reasons to avoid

-
Can be cumbersome

With room to easily swallow road, TT and mountain bikes, the Pro Bike Mega Case is huge and features an aluminum base frame which connects to your bike at the axles. With so much room inside the case, the seatpost doesn't need to be removed, just lowered.

The inside of the bag has plenty of well-padded provisions to hold your frame securely, and the four 360-degree wheels at the bottom make the bag move easily in a straight line, but can be cumbersome in crowded baggage claim areas or train stations. 

With handles galore, the outer fabric seems to mark a bit in transit, however, it's robust and, weighing just over 8kg, you should be able to get your bike and a bit of extra gear inside before you tip into overweight-baggage territory. 

3. Best for easy packing

Scicon AeroComfort MTB on a white background

With the Scicon AeroComfort MTB you can pack your bike and hardly turn a bolt (Image credit: Scicon)

Scicon AeroComfort MTB

Best for easy packing

Specifications

External dimensions: 124 x 98 x 25 cm
Empty weight: 14kg
Wheel size: Up to 29in
Hard or soft shell: Soft shell

Reasons to buy

+
Easy packing
+
TSA padlock included

Reasons to avoid

-
It's not cheap
-
No handles on the base
-
Quite heavy

The beauty of the Scicon AeroComfort MTB is you can pack your bike and hardly turn a bolt. Packing is as simple as removing the wheels. 

The bag is built around the Antishock Bike Frame (ABF) which is 12mm and 15mm thru-axle ready and designed to secure mountain bikes of all sizes with up to 29in wheels. The reinforced wheel pockets are located inside the bag and feature plastic caps so your cassette won’t poke through the bag. 

At 14kg empty it is a bit heavy, but the weight penalty is more than made up for in packing ease and convenience. The bike straps into the bag securely, and the 360-degree wheels allow for easy one-handed dragging. With all of that said, we’ve seen baggage handlers stack Scicon bags upside down on baggage carts on multiple occasions so they won’t roll away, so consider some additional padding for your handlebars and shifters.

4. Best big size

Thule Round Trip Traveler

Thule's RoundTrip Traveler folds down completely flat when not in use (Image credit: Thule)

Thule RoundTrip Traveler

The biggest of the bunch

Specifications

External dimensions: 130 x 36 x 81cm
Empty weight: 7.7kg
Wheel size: Up to 29in
Hard or soft shell: Soft shell

Reasons to buy

+
Lightweight
+
External bike wheel pockets
+
Multiple internal pockets for extra storage

Reasons to avoid

-
No additional frame padding included
-
Fork mount awkward with thru-axle

Bike bags are expensive, and if you don't have a bundle to drop on a soft-travel case, the Thule RoundTrip Traveler does well to toe the line between price, performance and protection. Using removable plastic ribbing for shape, the RoundTrip Traveler folds down completely flat when not in use.

The bike is secured with a fixed-fork block which has adaptors for all modern axle standards and uses a padded bottom-bracket block, similar to the standard Evoc bag. Inside there are heaps of zippered pockets for items such as tools and pedals, and the bag sees padded wheel pockets big enough for 29er wheels and tires. 

At the back, there are two sizeable alloy roller wheels that don't get caught up on cracks or doorways and, at 7.7kg empty, it's noticeably lighter than pricier models.

5. Best budget hardcase

B&W International Bike Box II on a white background

The B&W International Bike Box II uses six self-tightening velcro buckles to prevent the case from slipping open (Image credit: B&W)

B&W International Bike Box II

Budget-friendly hardcase

Specifications

External dimensions: 120 x 88 x 39cm
Empty weight: 11kg with padding
Wheel size: Up to 29in
Hard or soft shell: Hard shell

Reasons to buy

+
Hard case offers superior protection
+
No latches or hinges to break
+
Good value for money

Reasons to avoid

-
Frame not totally secured inside the box

The B&W International Bike Box II is one of the simplest options on the market. There are no complicated packing procedures – instead, you get a few layers of foam to protect the frame from the wheels and box, and it all fits inside two interlocking plastic sides.

The clamshell design uses six self-tightening Velcro buckles to prevent the case from slipping open, and it features a surprising number of handles given the design. B&W International has updated the case with a new plastic designed to flex and not crack and there are no latches or hinges to break.

With room for up to a 62cm frame, the case rolls on four wheels, two fixed and two free rotating, and weighs 11kg with the included padding.

6. Best inflatable padding

Biknd Jetpack

The Biknd Jetpack is well padded and big enough for just about any bike (Image credit: Biknd)

Biknd Jetpack

Innovative soft case with inflatable padding

Specifications

External dimensions: 130 x 25 x 80 cm
Empty weight: 9.8kg
Wheel size: Up to 29in
Hard or soft shell: Soft shell

Reasons to buy

+
Air padding offers great protection
+
360-degree opening

Reasons to avoid

-
Long-winded packing process

Using unique inflatable padding and strategically placed rigid reinforcements, the Biknd Jetpack is well padded and big enough for just about any bike. The Jetpack does well to keep everything separated and insulated from clanging into other parts of the bike during transit, and the inflatable cushions insulate your wheels from the outside of the bag without adding much bulk. 

The bag opens flat to simplify packing, and the bike connects at the axles to an aluminum frame – Biknd includes adaptors for every modern axle standard. With access to both sides of the bike, packing is simple, although you will need to remove your bars.

7. Best cardboard box cover

YT Body Bag

The Body Bag is a box cover made from water-resistant nylon (Image credit: YT Industries)

YT Industries Body Bag

Best if you've already got a YT cardboard bike box

Specifications

External dimensions: 34 x 90 x 134cm
Empty Weight: 4.5kg
Wheel size: Up to 29in
Hard or soft shell: Soft shell

Reasons to buy

+
Cheap price
+
Solves lots of problems with cardboard boxes

Reasons to avoid

-
Specific box needed for best performance 

The YT body bag combines the best aspects of using a cardboard bike box and purpose-built bag to travel with your bike. The Body Bag is basically a box cover, made from water-resistant nylon with replaceable rollerblade wheels on and handles galore. 

With reinforced corners, the bag features internal cinch straps, the zipper goes nearly all the way around the case, and YT even includes a TSA friendly lock. 

Weighing just 4.5kg, you’ll need to source a box that measures 34 x 90 x 134cm, which unsurprisingly happens to be the dimensions of the boxes YT uses.

Which brings us to...

8. Best free option

Cardboard Bike Box

A cardboard box is the easiest solution for those who don't travel frequently (Image credit: Boxes Direct)

Cardboard bike box

Best for the frugal traveller

Specifications

External dimensions: Varies
Empty weight: Varies
Wheel size: Varies
Hard or soft shell: Soft shell

Reasons to buy

+
Free (usually)
+
Recyclable
+
Lightweight

Reasons to avoid

-
Maneuvering and packing can be difficult
-
Limited moisture and puncture resistance 

Yes, we realize the irony in recommending a cardboard box after we've spent all this time talking about the merits offered by purpose-built bike travel cases; but considering a box is how even the most expensive bikes are shipped from the factory, they work pretty well for travel, too.

First and foremost bike boxes are free. Boxes are also lightweight, meaning you can throw other gear in for extra padding. Sometimes it can be a struggle to manipulate your bike and get it securely packaged inside but it's the easiest solution for those who don't travel frequently.

That said, a cardboard box is not weather resistant and if it's raining or gets wet, the integrity of the box can be compromised.

How to choose the best mountain bike travel bags and boxes

Hard or soft shell?

Hard shell trombone-case-style bike bags were the best way to travel with a bike for quite some time; however, engineers at bike brands are pretty clever and softshell bags are nearly on par for protection, weigh less, and often have removable ribbing so they can be rolled up for storage. 

Does its empty weight matter?

With a plastic base, wheels, internal skeleton, and robust materials, bike bags are heavy before you put anything inside, and some are considerably bulkier than others. Most airlines will give you 23kg / 50lbs before they hit you with an exorbitant overweight baggage fee, and when your bag weighs 12kg empty, when you pack a 10kg mountain bike, shoes, and a track pump you'll be nudging up against that limit. 

Do I need to disassemble my bike?

No bike bag will take your bike fully assembled, but some require considerably more disassembly and mechanical acumen than others. At the very least you’ll have to pop your wheels off, but some bags also require you to remove your seatpost, handlebars, and even the fork. 

What size box do I need?

Are you just looking to travel with your bike, or will you be taking trips with your mountain bike, too? Does your roadie have an integrated seat mast or aero bars? Are you riding an XL frame? These are all things to take into account when shopping for a bike travel case because some of the more compact options are simply too small for certain bikes and frame sizes.

Are wheels and handles a useful addition?

For something designed to help you move around with a bike in tow, bike travel cases are surprisingly awkward and cumbersome to move around with. At the very least you'll want plenty of handles to help you hoist your bag onto a conveyor belt or into the back of a car. If you'll be walking much after you land, a good set of wheels will make your life easier.

How to pack your bike into a bag or box

All bike boxes and travel cases require a different amount of disassembly, but these tips and tricks to packing your bike should help you make a smooth job of it.

1. Remove the derailleurs and rotors

Just about every bike bag out there comes with some sort of protection for your rear derailleur and brake rotors, but airlines have a knack for rendering them ineffective. Learn from our mistakes and just take the suckers off, as there's nothing worse than beginning to unpack your bike to find a bent rotor or a broken derailleur hanger. If you are removing rotors, don't forget to put a brake block in the caliper to prevent the pads sticking together or the pistons getting stuck – in a pinch, a folded over business card works too.

2. Deflate your tires

When you’re packing your bike, take a second to let the air out of your tires because airlines don’t allow anything pressurized into the cargo hold because it violates civil aviation safety regulations. Before the engineering types slide into the comments, yes we know that the cargo hold is pressurized to ~10,000ft which will only add 3-4psi to your tires, and it’s extremely unlikely a tire will burst in transit. The reason you need to take this step, is because if you do send your bike through with the tires inflated, there is the distinct possibility that an airline employee will pull your bag up and attempt to deflate them – we’ve heard horror stories of bags and tires cut. Avoid the drama and just let the air out. 

3. Add some extra padding

Yes, we have just spent the last few hundred words saying how great bike bags and boxes are, but there's nothing wrong with a bit of added peace of mind. Some bags come with foam tubing, however pipe insulation or a sliced up pool noodle is perfect for an extra layer of protection. You can also pop into your local bike shop and, if you ask nicely, they might even give you some of the packaging from a newly unboxed bike.

4. Fill the gaps

If you have a few spare kilos in your bike bag once it's packed, throw your shoes, riding clothes, bars and gels and whatever else will fit without tipping your bag over the limit. If you've paid for 23kg / 50lbs, you should use it.

5. Invest in a paint pen

Saddle height and bar roll aren’t something you often think about until either one is a little bit off, and the last thing you want to do on your riding vacation is to pull over constantly and faff with minor adjustments. A couple of dots and lines with a paint pen will allow you to replicate your preferred position on the bike first try every time.

Colin Levitch
Freelance writer

Born and bred in Colorado, and now based in Australia, Colin comes from a ski racing background and started riding as a way to stay fit through the summer months. His father, a former European pro, convinced him to join the Colorado State University collegiate cycling team, and he hasn't stopped since. It's not often he pins on a number nowadays, and you'll likely find him in search of flowy singletrack, gravel roads and hairpin corners. Colin has worked at Bikeradar and is a regular contributor to Australian Mountain Bike and Cyclist magazines. 

Rides: BMC Team Machine SLR01, Trek Top Fuel 9, Ibis Ripley

With contributions from