Winter Vacation Travel is Tough on Luggage

Here’s Something Tougher

November 1998

Skiers and snowboarders headed to the slopes this season will face the formidable task of getting their expensive gear to the mountain in one piece. A faulty roof rack, the trash-compactor effect that crushes the gear on the bottom of the pile, the infamous baggage handler, slushy, cindered parking lots, crowded tour busses and hotel shuttles—are all ways to put nice new gouges in your equipment.

Luckily, L.L. Bean’s Ballistic Ski and Snowboard Luggage is rugged enough to take on anything winter travel throws your way. And, it’s exceptionally comfortable to carry, so your shoulders and back can handle long treks, precarious portages--any itinerary your travel agent dreams up.

L.L. Bean has put over 80 years of know-how into the toughest, most functional ski and snowboard luggage on the market. All Ballistic Ski and Snowboard luggage is made of multiple layers of rugged, coated polyester and firmly padded in key areas to protect equipment. The bottoms and side panels are 100% nylon heavy-duty ballistic cloth, which brings superior durability and abrasion resistance when your bag is being dragged by the baggage cart. The padded, articulated shoulder straps won’t keep sliding off your shoulder, so heavy loads are easier and more manageable.

The L.L. Bean luggage series consists of four customized pieces. The Single Boot and Cargo Bag carries one ski or snowboard boot in each side, separated from clothes and equipment in the large main compartment. This is an ideal lodge bag as it has just enough room for extra layers, goggles, hat, gloves and lunch.

For the extended ski or snowboard trip, Bean’s Rolling Double Boot and Cargo Bag is the way to go. It handles all the clothes you need and also has two separate compartments for wet, dirty ski or snowboard boots.

The Padded Snowboard Bag protects your board and provides extra abrasion-resistance in key wear areas. There is even an internal zip pocket to keep binding tools, wax and P-Tex.

The final addition is the Padded Adjustable Ski Bag that holds 2 pairs of downhill skis or three pairs of telemark or cross-country skis. It has full-length foam on the outside, a padded divider inside and strong web straps to keep skis from shifting around and scratching each other.

All of L.L. Bean’s Ballistic Ski and Snowboard Luggage can be monogrammed for positive identification at busy baggage claims and crowded lodges. L.L. Bean’s new 1998 Winter Sports catalog includes the Ballistic Luggage, plus a full assortment of gear and apparel for skiing, snowboarding and other winter activities. To order products, or ask for your free catalog, please call 1-800-809-7057, or visit www.llbean.com.

L.L. Bean, Inc. is a leading manufacturer and retailer of quality gear and apparel for outdoor sports for the whole family. The company was founded in 1912 and is headquartered in Freeport, Maine.