Thinking of heading out with your Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu gear? Keeping it secure is key. Whether it's a local match or a distant training journey, getting gear insurance is not only clever but essential. This insurance safeguards your equipment from damage, loss, or from mysteriously going missing thanks to any unpredictable road hiccups that might pop up on your travels.
In this great article, we will give you some powerful recommendations about how to pack wisely and properly, how to choose environmentally friendly sustainable backpacks for your gear, and how to eliminate any troubles during your journey so you can focus on the battle on the mats.
Table of Contents
Choosing the Right Bag
Your bag is one of the most important apparatus for any grappler and here is a breakdown of the best bags to get. It has to be strong enough to protect your equipment during a hike yet it is easily portable. When choosing the right bag for your travels, here are some key factors to consider:
Durability
You need a bag that is in a position to endure more scraping, especially when traveling by air. When selecting bags, opt for those that are manufactured using material such as ballistic nylon or canvas, these materials are tougher.
Size
Depending on the quantity of equipment being transported, the dimension of the bag is of great significance. For the musicians, ensure the instrument carries within the airline allowed carry-on sizes or if it is checking it in, it should be large enough to accommodate multiple gis, belts and others.
Compartments
Choosing a bag with multiple pockets is preferred. However, it does mean you have a space for your sweaty clothes and another one for clean ones so you can see where your mouth guards, tapes or rash guards belong.
Ventilation
A good bag will have ventilation to help keep your sweaty gear from getting moldy or smelling too bad. After all, if you’ve just had a tough training session, the last thing you want is for your gi to stay wet in a poorly ventilated bag for hours or even days.
Protecting Your BJJ Gear During Air Travel
If you brought your BJJ gis from home then you’ll definitely need to pay close attention to your bags to ensure your BJJ gear stays in tip-top shape for the entire flight.
If you're flying with your BJJ gear, you’ll want to take some extra precautions to ensure it doesn’t get lost or damaged:
Carry-On vs. Checked Baggage
Where possible, aim at traveling with your gi as part of the hand baggage. In this way, you mitigate the probability of getting your checked in luggage lost or delayed to your destination. In case you had your bag checked, you should carry at least one gi as your spare in your hand luggage in case the main luggage is lost.
Invest in TSA-Approved Locks
Just in case you are checking your bag, be sure to lock it with a lock approved by the TSA. It also safeguards your equipment from theft while providing airport security clearance for checks on your luggage without necessarily inflatable your lock.
Use a Luggage Tag
It is advisable to make sure you have also put your name, home address and any other contact details on the luggage tag that goes on the bag. This can assist your bag return to you, if it gets misplaced.
Packing your Gi
Your gi is the most valuable item you will be bringing with you, so it should be packed right to avoid getting ruined. You do not want to show up to your tournament with wrinkled expensive gi. Here’s how to pack your gi efficiently:
Roll, Don’t Fold
Ironing your gi is not advised, but rolling your gi instead of folding it assists to reduce deep wrinkle and crease formation. This also allows for the optimization of space that is available within your bag.
Bring a Spare Gi
Most travelers recommend wearing a spare gi if you are going to train more than once during your visit. This way, you’ll always have one gi that is clean and dry to wear after training while the other is in the drying process.
Use a Dry Bag for Sweaty Gear
Nightwear, particularly gi, will definitely be soaked in sweat after a session. For the rest of the things you will need a dry bag or simply a plastic bag to protect the gi and get rid of bad smells. This is especially useful when on a long flight or a several days trip, where one cannot easily access washing facilities.
Conclusion
As you read earlier, carrying your BJJ gear should not be a tricky affair at all. With planning, it is possible to protect, secure, and preserve your equipment wherever your travels may be headed. With these tips and tricks, one will be ready to roll anytime, anywhere equipped and without much concern. Bonnes routes and good rolling to you all!
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I'm Andrew, the entrepreneurial mind behind AV SEO Consultant Boutique Agency, with a deep-rooted love for cats and a knack for crafting the perfect home office. As the co-founder of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World, my expertise has evolved from the mat to the digital realm, where I now leverage my SEO savvy to empower others. Though injury may have paused my BJJ and MMA journey, my commitment to sharing actionable insights and resources for these passions remains unshaken.
