SKB Travel Hard Case Review

[fezzerino]

Perhaps you've seen today's video of baggage handlers at the airport.

Perhaps you're just looking for your first travel bag, and deciding between a soft bag and a hard bag.

Perhaps you're a frequent American, Delta, or United traveler who has seen their airline's policy on Golf Equipment, and don't want to release the carrier from damage liability if using a soft case.

Or, perhaps you're just wandering the forums looking for topics to comment on.

In any case, here's my review of the SKB Hard Case -- the ATA Staff Pro XL, to be specific. I chose this because SKB's site has the following disclaimer about the non-XL Staff Golf Case:

Quote

"***NOTE: This case WILL NOT FIT newer stand or cart bags with protruding top molded handles that exceed 12" in overall width. If your bag has the top molded handle, please order the SKB Pro Staff XL Golf Case, model number 2SKB-SPXL.***".

A quick blurb about me: I’m a new golfer (about a year in) and hooked. I also happen to work for an airline and have traveled just shy of 2 million miles in the last 10 years. For carry on luggage, I've owned or tried all of the big name brands (TUMI, Rimowa, Luggage Works, Travel Pro, Briggs & Riley, etc) and have strong opinions on those. This was my first travel case, and I didn't want to spend money on a bag I didn't like, so I went with the best option, first.

At this point, my SKB Golf case has done 8 flights across some 25,000 miles: two round trips from Chicago to Cancun, and one trip from Chicago to Sydney (with stops in California each way), and one Chicago-Virginia round trip.

First of all, and the reason most people shy away from a hard case: it's heavy. And bulky. The amazon listing has it at 18.16 pounds, and my luggage scale has it at 18.0 -- either way, if your limit is 50lbs, this case is eating a good chunk of your weight allowance. Fully packed with my Vessel Lux XV 2.0,  2 boxes of balls, my clubs, a stiff arm, three hats, a golf umbrella, some clothes and towels to prevent rattling, and my golf shoes, the bag weighs in at 54lbs (53.8 on the scales at the airport). (Image altered only to remove my name & logo on the bag)

The 3 latches across the side are amazing. You know when they're open and when they're closed. The TSA lock in the middle latch provides some peace of mind that the latches won't fly open, but as with any TSA approved lock, don't assume your stuff is safe behind it -- the TSA friendly feature also makes them horribly insecure.

Coupled with the gasket all around the edge of the closure, the latching system as a whole provides an almost airtight seal. It can be a bit tricky opening the bag after arrival at the hotel or home. On the other hand, this case can sit out on the ramp between the airplane and baggage sorting rooms in a downpour and likely nothing will be wet. It also handles rolling through some light snow without getting wet or gross.

The two included handles are positioned right where I’d want them to be and I have no complaints there. Such a simple thing can so often be wrong (TUMI, I’m looking at you)

My biggest complaint about the case so far are the wheels. For such an expensive (~$350 USD) case, the wheels suck. Sure, they have a bearing, but they riveted in and thus, are not end user replaceable. I’m not necessarily opposed to the concept, but if you’re going to do this, the wheels need to be sturdier than the crappy plastic wheels that SKB went with. I fully expect these wheels to break at some point. We’ll see what SKB does/says about it, but otherwise, when the time comes, I’ll have to figure out a better way to mount them.

As far as durability… let’s just say there’s a reason that airlines won’t cover damage to equipment in soft bags. My case has been chewed on pretty good by something at some point along the way. If that had been a soft sided bag, I have to imagine that there’d be holes or rips there by now. Instead, you can hardly even see the scuffs unless they’re pointed out in the correct lighting. 

Overall, keeping price in mind, I'd give it a solid 8.2/10. The wheels alone cost it about a point and then the extra bulk through the airport is the other negative thing about it.

[Tom the Golf Nut]

As a former SKB hard shell user I can say I had the case broken three times in two years.

I) Wheel was ripped off. Molded shell was damaged. Delta gave me the actual cost to replace it. I drilled a through hole and put a steel axle straight through, drilled and tapped holes in each end to mount the wheels to. I ordered a replacement wheel from SKB.

I put the money aside less the cost of the wheel.

2) Broken latch. Delta again gave me the replacment cost. Ordered a new latch, drilled out the rivets, replaced the latch.

Put the money aside again

3) Broken TSA lock.

The heck with it. I purchased a Club Glove Pro. 7 years no issues.

The airlines baggage claim guy said that the hard cases are to long to make the turns in the conveyor systems. The softer ones have more give. I also use a stiff arm.

 

 

Edited May 22 by Tom the Golf Nut

[cksurfdude]

Good review, good info! 

Also had an SKB case, and also had problems with it...

But I do prefer a hard case when flying so ended up with a Samsonite - still a bit chunky at 15lbs but plenty of room for extra stuff; also has 4 wheels on the bottom so it's easy to roll standing on end, plus two more wheels on a bottom edge for rolling it on a slant.

So far so good

[funkyjudge]

4 hours ago, Tom the Golf Nut said:

As a former SKB hard shell user I can say I had the case broken three times in two years.

I) Wheel was ripped off. Molded shell was damaged. Delta gave me the actual cost to replace it. I drilled a through hole and put a steel axle straight through, drilled and tapped holes in each end to mount the wheels to. I ordered a replacement wheel from SKB.

I put the money aside less the cost of the wheel.

2) Broken latch. Delta again gave me the replacment cost. Ordered a new latch, drilled out the rivets, replaced the latch.

Put the money aside again

3) Broken TSA lock.

The heck with it. I purchased a Club Glove Pro. 7 years no issues.

The airlines baggage claim guy said that the hard cases are to long to make the turns in the conveyor systems. The softer ones have more give. I also use a stiff arm.

 

 

I had owned two SKB hard cases for my golf clubs, etc. over the last 20-25 years. The first one was absolutely horrible, and it was broken beyond repair or further use within a year.  The second one was not a lot better, and it only lasted about 2 or 3 years before it was cracked, the continuous hinge was mangled so badly that it wouldn’t close properly, and the two wheels and their mounts were broken off (SKB didn’t make these cases with 4 wheels back then).

Since then, I have had a Samsonite case that was OK and that never resulted in any damage to my clubs or other contents, and a Sun Mountain Club Glider, which is the absolute best golf travel bag, in my opinion. It has made trips to England, Ireland and Scotland (and several domestic destinations), and it still looks brand new. The combination of a hard shell on the underside, plus down jacket- like padding on the top half, along with the use of a stiff arm, provides superb protection.

Never again will I own a SKB hard shell golf travel case!