Flying with tall boots

[jskowronek]

Hi everyone! Long time lurker but new member

The title is pretty self explanatory, but I will be flying with my tall boots for the first time in a few months and need help. I have flown with my helmet in a ringside backpack and put it at my feet with no problems, but never with boots too. My suitcase is too small to fit the boots (tear) so I’m a little stumped. I was thinking of putting them overhead in a boot bag, but am worried about them getting crunched by someone else’s bag. I also fly delta and the overhead restrictions say the bag cant be longer than 22 inches and I believe heel to top the bag is more like 27? which means I wouldn’t be able to stick them in heel first and have the tops out toward the opening, which would take up less space than laying them long ways and maybe lessen the chance of them being crunched. Its about an hour and a half flight gate to gate, if that helps.

Has anyone flown with tall boots in the overhead before? Does it work or is there something I should be worried about?

If anyone has any other suggestions, they would be greatly appreciated!!

Thanks in advance!

[mmeqcenter]

Maybe wear them and pack your sneakers (or whatever shoe you’d otherwise wear)?

If you think they’d fit under the seat in front of you, use them as your “personal item” in addition to your carry-on.

[IPEsq]

I’ve checked them in a larger suitcase. I’ve also known people who have worn them. In a pinch, especially if you have priority boarding, you could ask the flight attendants very nicely if they could go in the front closet. I’ve done that with a saddle before on a flight where I was worried about others really stuffing their bags into the overhead, even though the saddle fit into the allotted overhead space easier than a tall pair of tall boots.

[lorilu]

Frankly I would get a slightly larger suitcase to be sure they are safe; or, i would wear them.

[scruffy_the_cat]

I put mine and my helmet in a soft duffel and put it in the overhead bin. I rolled up a pair of breeches and stuffed them in the leg of one boot and rolled up a riding shirt and stuffed it in the other leg. And other than my gloves, that’s pretty much the only thing that was in the bag. It was so soft and moldable getting it into an overhead bin was easy and none of the gate people gave us a second glance.

[2DogsFarm]

Unless the flight is a very short one, wearing tall boots is not going to be comfortable

Cabin pressure causes your legs/ankles/feet to swell & that could be pretty tortuous.
If boots zip, unzipping to ease pressure could mean you won’t be able to re-zip when you land.

Put them in a boot bag, that can count as your +1 carry-on (like a laptop) & either go into the overhead, or as suggested ask crew if bag can go in the closet at the front of the cabin.
I doubt any other luggage put in the bin will damage boots in a bag.

[cbg]

I do not ever check luggage so I have to pack creatively when traveling. I have - on multiple horse shopping trips to Europe - worn my tall boots with skinny jeans and a pair of thin compression socks. As soon as I’m on board and settled, I take the boots off. I’ve never had a problem getting them back on and zipped up when we land.

If you do wear them, one suggestion is to bring an old toothbrush and a washcloth with you. It’s nice to be able to clean the soles and leather for the return trip.

[Catsnur]

For the boots safety and if you were to be travelling often with them, definitely invest in a larger suitcase or carry on. Depending on the flight, a carry on that is a few inches bigger than the standard is not a problem and the attendants won’t care. Especially, if there is no structure to it (e.g. bag like).

When I fly internationally and have checked luggage, I always fill the tall boots with socks or underwear so they maintain their shape, and set them in the middle of the suitcase surrounded by more clothes for padding. They then stay in good structural condition. I’ve even had the TSA open my suitcase and rummage around and they were still fine (though one time I put a note in and told them to please be careful!).

For the case that you don’t have checked luggage AND your carry on is not large enough, put them in a boot bag and treat it like a laptop bag or poster container. Stand at the end of the line for boarding, at that point the in-flight attendants could help you find suitable space where they won’t get crushed. For example, they may set them up front out of the way and will give them to you at the end of the flight.

Now my final alternative. Why not paddock boots and half chaps? The paddock boots are much easier to wear on the plane and half chaps flatten easily and fit into a carry-on.

I’m speaking from my of experiences, I work in Germany and fly home once a year and bring my riding stuff with me. I also save up my money and plan riding holidays (I highly recommend Ireland). For the riding holidays, I bring a backpack with half chaps cause I hate lugging around, let alone risking damage to, my tall boots. I’ve also never had an issue with spurs in my carry-on.

[soloudinhere]

I fly quite a bit and many of the new cabins arrangements omit the front “closet” that people are referring to.

Just get a bigger duffel bag and put it in the overhead. Someone is not going to shove a hardside suitcase against your bag in the overhead if it is already taking up a bunch of room.

and if your boots can survive being worn on a horse they can survive an hour and a half in an overhead bin.

[Guilherme]

@Catsnur

For the boots safety and if you were to be travelling often with them, definitely invest in a larger suitcase or carry on. Depending on the flight, a carry on that is a few inches bigger than the standard is not a problem and the attendants won’t care. Especially, if there is no structure to it (e.g. bag like).

When I fly internationally and have checked luggage, I always fill the tall boots with socks or underwear so they maintain their shape, and set them in the middle of the suitcase surrounded by more clothes for padding. They then stay in good structural condition. I’ve even had the TSA open my suitcase and rummage around and they were still fine (though one time I put a note in and told them to please be careful!).

For the case that you don’t have checked luggage AND your carry on is not large enough, put them in a boot bag and treat it like a laptop bag or poster container. Stand at the end of the line for boarding, at that point the in-flight attendants could help you find suitable space where they won’t get crushed. For example, they may set them up front out of the way and will give them to you at the end of the flight.

Now my final alternative. Why not paddock boots and half chaps? The paddock boots are much easier to wear on the plane and half chaps flatten easily and fit into a carry-on.

I’m speaking from my of experiences, I work in Germany and fly home once a year and bring my riding stuff with me. I also save up my money and plan riding holidays (I highly recommend Ireland). For the riding holidays, I bring a backpack with half chaps cause I hate lugging around, let alone risking damage to, my tall boots. I’ve also never had an issue with spurs in my carry-on.

Regarding spurs in a carry on, many years ago I was in Dallas on business, went to Ft. Worth, and found some nice stuff including a nice pair of Western spurs. I got everything into my carry on and proceeded through security. I quickly notice the number of checkers had grown by four or five and they were looking at ME! As I went to retrieve my bag one approached me and asked if the my bag was my bag. I said, “Yes.” He asked, “Do you have any weapons in the bag?” I said, “No.” He then asked, “Do you have any spurs in the bag?” I said, “Yes.” The then said that spurs were considered weapons and asked to to get them out. I guess I must have looked as shocked as I was as I unpacked them. He examined them and gave them back, saying I could repack them. I told him I didn’t know that spurs were considered a weapon. He then said that a few weeks before a flight attendant had, in fact, been threatened by a passenger with a Western spur. He then said I could carry them if I would sign an affidavit promising not to interfere with the flight crew. I quickly agreed, signed, and was on my way!

G.

[2DogsFarm]

@cbg

I do not ever check luggage so I have to pack creatively when traveling. I have - on multiple horse shopping trips to Europe - worn my tall boots with skinny jeans and a pair of thin compression socks. As soon as I’m on board and settled, I take the boots off. I’ve never had a problem getting them back on and zipped up when we land.

If you do wear them, one suggestion is to bring an old toothbrush and a washcloth with you. It’s nice to be able to clean the soles and leather for the return trip.

Curious how you get around the restrictions on biologicals when you go through security.
I had paddock boots in my carry-on along with my helmet & returning from Spain & Holland was asked if I had been on a farm.
When I answered"Yes", boots were taken to be disinfected & returned to me.
Whatever they used did not harm the leather.

[jskowronek]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Unfortunately I don’t think getting a bigger suitcase is really an option right now, I live in a dorm room with limited space and just bought my current one less than six months ago. I am showing at home, which is the reason I need to bring my tall boots. I need to carry on my backpack still and that usually goes under the seat - although it has been suggested that I could grab everything I need, put it in the overhead, and keep the boot bag under the seat which I think might work! I also really like the idea of a duffel overhead - only thing is I don’t wanna lug it around the airport on my shoulder since I’ll already have my backpack.

I’m also wondering if anyone has ever put tall boots in a backpack? I bring my noble outfitters ringside which has substantial space, so I’m wondering if I could just put the boots in there and they could go under the seat. That would avoid me having to check a bag.

To anyone that has had their boots removed from their bag by security - did this happen on an international or domestic flight? I’m flying domestic so I didn’t think it would be an issue, but should I be worried?

Also, who/when do you ask about putting them in the closet (if there is one)?

Thanks for answering my multitude of questions lol! Flying (esp alone) makes me nervous so I wanna be suuuuuuper prepared

[anicolle]

When I went to Spruce I just stuffed my parlatnis in a backpack… the leather was super broken in and I was able to roll them up essentially.

[scruffy_the_cat]

In my case, I didn’t mind carrying the duffel around the airport in addition to my handbag because the boots really didn’t weigh much and I got a really lightweight duffel. That was only during the time I was actually in the airport. After we picked up our checked rolly bag, I just rested the duffel on top and rolled it around. In fact, I’m pretty sure that duffel had a sleeve that went over the handle of the rolly suitcase. It was super easy and this was in giant international airports.

[jskowronek]

[QUOTE=soloudinhere;n10329106]
I fly quite a bit and many of the new cabins arrangements omit the front “closet” that people are referring to.

is there a way to find this out before getting to the airport/on the flight?

[jskowronek]

@soloudinhere

I fly quite a bit and many of the new cabins arrangements omit the front “closet” that people are referring to.

is there a way to find this out before getting to the airport/on the flight?

[aregard]

I don’t think you’ve measured your boots. From my heel to the top of my knee, (the TOP, not the side), is 20 inches and I’m 5ft6 and somewhat long legged. IIRC, the shaft of my custom boots was 16 inches. And that’s without ankle break down. You may be very very tall and your measurements may be correct, but I’d suggest you measure again.

I used to bring scotch back from Scotland for my husband by sticking a bottle in each boot inside my luggage, so they fit in a carryon.

[Madison]

@jskowronek

is there a way to find this out before getting to the airport/on the flight?

Not with any certainty, because no matter what aircraft is assigned to your flight, there is always a possibility of a last minute change. If your boot bag is too large, find a carry on bag they fit in and carry them on. They will survive the overhead bin. I routinely put my saddle in the overhead bin with no problems when I had to fly with it.

[jskowronek]

@aregard

I don’t think you’ve measured your boots. From my heel to the top of my knee, (the TOP, not the side), is 20 inches and I’m 5ft6 and somewhat long legged. IIRC, the shaft of my custom boots was 16 inches. And that’s without ankle break down. You may be very very tall and your measurements may be correct, but I’d suggest you measure again.

I guess I misspoke. The boot BAG i own is 26 inches tall per the specifications. I’ve actually never measured the boots on their own (tehe) so I was just going off the length of the bag. I’m 5’5.5" w/ longer legs so I would assume my boots are relatively similar to yours in height. I was thinking of trying not to bend the bag because I’m worried about the tops bending but I guess if I just stuff clothes on top of the trees that would prevent it. That’s great because that means I can just put them in the overhead! Thanks for pointing that out :lol:

[Eleanor]

I bought a hard sided suitcase for my trip to Ireland, the had my boots and helmet in it. I roll up shirts and stuff in my boots so that I have more room for everything.