How to Protect Your Winter Gear During a Move (Without Damaging It)

If you’ve made it here, you’re probably passionate about winter sports — and you likely have gear you’ve invested in with care: skis, a snowboard, a helmet you definitely don’t want scratched, boots that need to hold their shape, or technical clothing you rely on year after year. And now comes the move — the moment when these items are the most vulnerable to damage.

Winter gear is sensitive, expensive, and easy to damage during transport. A bit of side pressure, an unstable box, or even a light bump into a corner can cause scratches, warping, or cracks that can’t be repaired. That’s exactly why, in professional moving, we focus on proper protection, the right packing materials, and precise techniques that minimize risk.

This guide helps you pack and transport each piece safely, so your winter gear arrives intact in your new home.

Which winter gear is most likely to get damaged during a move?

Winter equipment is designed to withstand dynamic forces on the slopes — not lateral impact or direct point pressure inside a moving truck. Many pieces have components sensitive to pressure, temperature, or vibrations, which makes them much more fragile than they appear. In professional moving jobs, we constantly see damaged items because they were packed in the wrong boxes, had empty gaps inside, or were placed incorrectly in the truck.

The most vulnerable items are:

• Skis and snowboards – metal edges can chip or bend, and surfaces scratch extremely easily.
• Ski and snowboard helmets – the EPS foam inside can crack from even minor impacts (even if the exterior looks fine).
• Boots – lateral pressure can deform them, affecting fit and ankle support.
• Ski poles – aluminum can bend, and carbon can crack under strong vibrations.
• Goggles and visors – lenses scratch easily when in contact with hard or metallic surfaces.
• Technical clothing – waterproof fabrics can tear if packed next to hard items.

From our experience, most problems come from:

• lateral pressure inside the truck
• boxes that weren’t fully filled
• items stacked on top of each other without protection
• storing items in the wrong positions

That’s why the first step in protecting your gear is identifying the sensitive pieces and treating them as fragile items, even if they look durable.

How to properly pack your skis and snowboard before a move

Skis and snowboards are among the most expensive pieces of winter gear — and also among the most sensitive to pressure, impact, and vibrations. Even a deep scratch or a slightly bent edge can affect stability and how they perform on snow. For this reason, in professional moving jobs we follow a very clear procedure:

1. Clean and fully dry all surfaces.

Snow residue, dust, or moisture can cause edge rust and mold during storage.

2. Protect the metal edges.

We use either edge guards or folded heavy cardboard along the length. The edges are the first to get damaged if they’re bumped inside the truck.

3. Pack in layers — not with a single wrap.

The professional order is:

• Layer 1: packing paper or kraft paper (reduces friction)
• Layer 2: bubble wrap (shock absorption)
• Layer 3: a protective sleeve or moving blanket (impact and pressure resistance)

4. Secure everything with stretch wrap.

Don’t over-tighten the wrap — it should hold the layers in place, not compress the surfaces.

5. Never store them flat.

Avoid flat or horizontal placement unless they’re inside rigid cases. Vertical positioning is the safest way to prevent uneven pressure.

6. Don’t place them near heavy items.

In the truck, skis and snowboards are never placed “where there’s room.” They have a dedicated space designed to eliminate vibrations and lateral pressure.

7. Use hard cases if you have them.

Hard cases provide the highest level of protection. If you don’t have one, the layered packing technique plus a moving blanket is the standard method used by professional crews.

This is exactly how we pack winter gear at Moishe’s for clients who travel with it or store it long-term. The goal is simple: zero scratches, zero warping, zero surprises when you arrive in your new home.

How to protect your boots and helmet during a move

Even though they seem sturdy, ski boots and helmets are among the most sensitive pieces of winter gear. Their rigid shape, technical materials, and internal components make them vulnerable — the wrong amount of pressure can leave permanent damage.

Boots / Ski Boots

Ski boots should never be tossed into a box with clothes or left to bang against each other.

• Fill the inside with clean socks or soft paper so they keep their shape.
• Tighten all closure systems (buckles, BOA, straps) so nothing moves during transport.
• Wrap each boot separately with kraft paper or paper padding.
• Add a layer of bubble wrap only on the edges and sensitive areas, not all around (to avoid unnecessary pressure).
• Place them upright in a sturdy box, and fill all empty spaces with textiles or crumpled paper.

Ski boots are heavy, so the box must be small and double-walled — otherwise, it can tear at the base.

Ski / Snowboard Helmets

Helmets are much more fragile than they look. Their interior is made of EPS foam, a material that can crack from even small impacts, even if the exterior appears intact.

For proper protection:

• Place the helmet in its original bag if you still have it.
• If not, wrap it in two layers: soft paper + bubble wrap.
• Secure the visor or goggles separately if there’s any risk of pressure or scratching.
• Do not place the helmet under other items in the box. Vertical pressure can deform the interior.
• Store it in a small, stable box, labeled clearly: “FRAGILE – HELMET.”

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How to properly pack your technical winter clothing

Technical clothing — membrane jackets, waterproof pants, insulated gloves, or thermal layers — is expensive and can lose performance if stored incorrectly. Materials like Gore-Tex, softshell fabrics, PrimaLoft, or Thinsulate can be affected by pressure, moisture, or contact with hard objects.

In professional moving jobs, we follow a few simple but highly effective rules:

1. Clean and fully dry everything before packing

Any leftover moisture can cause mold, unpleasant odors, and membrane degradation.

2. Pack them loosely, not compressed

Do not use vacuum bags for technical clothing. The pressure can damage the membrane and fiber structure. We use textile bags or boxes with lids that allow materials to stay ventilated.

3. Protect zipper areas and visors

Place a piece of packing paper or thin fabric over zippers or rubberized logos so they don’t scratch other items.

4. Avoid contact with rigid objects

Don’t pack technical clothing in boxes with heavy or metal gear. A single scratch or pressure on a single point can damage the membrane.

5. Place small accessories in sealed bags

Beanies, balaclavas, ski socks, or thin gloves should go into separate pouches to prevent losing them in large boxes.

6. Group everything in sets

A jacket, pants, and gloves belonging to the same user should be packed together. This makes unpacking easier and prevents items from getting misplaced.

What types of boxes and protective materials are recommended for winter gear?

Winter gear has irregular shapes, sensitive materials, and vulnerable zones (edges, visors, soles, technical membranes). That’s why the type of box and protection you use matters more than the amount of packing material.

In professional moving jobs, we use the following options depending on the type of gear:

• Long moving boxes (ski boxes)

Ideal for skis, poles, snowboards, and splitboards. They’re rigid, don’t bend, don’t tear, and offer superior lateral protection. The more expensive the gear, the more this box makes sense.

• Small and medium boxes for boots and accessories

Ski boots are heavy; a large box can tear at the base. Medium boxes distribute weight properly and allow full cushioning along the edges.

• Fabric sleeves and hard cases

If a customer already owns them, they’re the best first layer of protection.

• Fabric sleeves: protect against scratches
• Hard cases: protect against strong impacts

In moving, the sleeve is always combined with an external cushioning layer.

• Paper padding

A professional material that protects effectively without applying pressure. For very glossy surfaces, add a thin layer of packing paper underneath.

• Bubble wrap — only on critical areas

Bubble wrap is used only on edges, visors, corners, and other critical areas — not over the entire surface. This prevents unnecessary pressure and reduces the risk of warping.

• Professional moving blankets

They protect against impact and vibrations. For expensive skis and boards, the blanket is the final outer layer, secured with stretch wrap.

• Corner and edge protectors

Made of heavy cardboard or dense foam. They are essential for snowboards and skis, where the edge is the most exposed part.

Common mistakes that lead to damage

• Packing heavy and fragile items in the same box: A mixed box (ski boots + helmet + goggles) is the perfect recipe for internal cracks and scratches.
• Using large boxes for dense items: Ski boots or metal gear can break the bottom of large boxes the moment they’re lifted.
• Leaving empty spaces inside the box: Any movement means impact. Even a single unfilled gap can hit the edges of skis or the visor.
• Storing skis and snowboards horizontally: This is one of the most common causes of warping. The correct position is vertical, with stable side support.
• Overusing bubble wrap: Thick layers create pressure that can bend edges or deform surfaces. In professional moves, only sensitive zones are protected.
• Poorly secured protective materials: Moving blankets placed “randomly,” unzipped sleeves, or loose stretch wrap lead to lateral impacts inside the truck.
• Keeping gear next to heavy furniture: A table, drawer unit, or piece of furniture can shift during braking and hit the gear.
• Rushed loading without a final check: Most damage happens in the last few minutes, when the final loading is rushed.

When you need professional help

Moving winter gear doesn’t seem complicated at first glance, but the pieces are bulky, sensitive, and expensive. If you have high-end skis, a premium snowboard, a helmet you don’t want scratched, or boots that need to hold their shape, sometimes the safest solution is to leave the packing and transport to a professional.

Here are a few situations where an experienced mover makes a real difference:

• you have multiple sets of gear for the entire family
• you own premium items (performance skis, carbon snowboards, high-end helmets)
• you need to move quickly and don’t have time to pack everything properly
• you don’t have professional packing materials or the right boxes
• you live upstairs, have narrow staircases, or difficult access
• you don’t have a safe way to keep skis upright during transport

In these cases, the Moishe’s Moving team can take over the entire process — layered packing, edge protection, dedicated boxes, and correct positioning inside the truck. Everything is planned so your winter gear arrives in your new home in the exact same condition you use it on the slopes.

And if you don’t have space in your new place for your winter equipment, we offer storage options: a simple and safe way to keep your gear protected all year long!

Frequently Asked Questions

• How can I quickly pack my skis if I don’t have professional materials?

Use a thick blanket, wrap it tightly with tape or stretch wrap, then place the skis vertically in a long box or between two stable objects so the edges don’t touch hard surfaces.

• Can I put my ski boots in the same box as my helmet?

No. Ski boots are heavy and can crack the helmet through vibration or pressure. Each item needs its own box or a compartment that prevents direct contact.

• Is it safe to transport a snowboard horizontally?

No. A horizontal position can cause bending or uneven pressure. The correct way is vertically, with edge protection and lateral stabilization.

• Can I use vacuum bags for ski jackets?

Not recommended. Pressure can damage the waterproof membrane. Technical clothing must be packed loosely, in fabric bags or ventilated boxes.

• How do I prevent my ski goggles from getting scratched?

Place them in their original pouch or wrap them separately in soft paper. Never store them near zippers, buckles, or metal objects.

• Do I need to disassemble ski poles for transport?

Yes, if they have telescopic adjustment. Disassembling or shortening them prevents bending and helps them fit into safer boxes.

• What if I don’t have a long box for skis?

Use a thick blanket plus a layer of rigid cardboard as an outer layer. Secure the layers well and transport the equipment vertically in a protected area of the truck.

• Are moving blankets necessary for a snowboard?

Not necessary for standard boards. For premium models or sensitive materials (carbon, splitboards), yes — they are recommended.

• How do I protect my helmet if I need to pack it with other items?

Wrap it in two layers (soft paper + bubble wrap) and place it at the top of the box with nothing above it.

• Can I move winter gear in a regular car?

Yes, if everything is packed correctly and nothing is loose in the trunk. Skis should be kept upright; boards must have edge protection and be secured so they don’t move during braking.

Moving during the cold season comes with extra challenges: low temperatures, slippery surfaces, more difficult transport, and a higher risk of damage to the winter gear you want to keep in perfect condition. That’s why proper packing, the right materials, and careful positioning in the truck become essential.

Whether you have advanced skis, a premium snowboard, or just a few important pieces, protection starts with good organization: layers, stabilization, proper boxes, and attention to how each item is handled.

If you need additional guides for other sensitive items or different types of moves, you can always explore our dedicated articles. They’ll help you make every step safer, no matter the season or the type of move.