SVST Velcro Ski Strap

Three dollars of Velcro that protects a wax job and a pair of edges. Skis rattling loose in a car do two things: they scratch each other's bases, and they scuff the wax you spent an evening applying.

• Secures skis together for storage and transport
• Protects bases and edges from contact damage
• Helps preserve a fresh wax job

Strap them base-to-base, bindings offset so the brakes are not fighting each other, with one strap near the tip and one near the tail. A single strap in the middle lets the ends splay and knock.

A practical note on waxed skis: if you have ironed wax on and are travelling to a race, leave the wax unscraped and strap the skis together. The wax layer protects the base in transit, and you scrape and brush at the hill. This is standard practice in race rooms and it is the main reason straps live in every race bag.

Buy several. They are the item most often lost in a lodge, and having a spare pair in the bag costs almost nothing.

See accessories, ski bags, and waxing equipment.