Traveling with Mono

[JustinF]

Hi Everyone,

I was thinking, with the mass amount of people here with Monos, some of you MUST have traveled. And I doubt I am the first one to worry about this, but I am a little concerned about protecting my mono(s) in transit.

I was thinking of something to put around the edge to protect it from impact and something to wrap it in to protect the surface.

Anyone does anything like this before?

I was thinking something made of plastic shaped like a big U would work great, lined with foam on the inside. Not really something I can make at home though...

Any input is MUCH appreciated!

 

[SanderP]

How about a proper monofin bag? And if it's not enough, you can always add something soft into the bag to add some extra protection.

These bags aren't very expensive, SpecialFins and LeaderFins sell their bags for 20€.

 

[BennyB]

I was a bit paranoid when I left Australia for England. My Waterways had a standard bag (no lining), so I found some thin (1cm) styrofoam and cut it to shape the blade, put this on either side of the blade, then wrapped a layer of bubble wrap around it and taped this securely, then cut some cardboard to size so that it fit around the whole mono including the footpockets and taped this all nice and tight. Then I taped the corners to make sure they didn't poke out somehow. The whole thing just fit back into the bag. I could then check it in knowing that it should be ok. You almost always have to check it into oversized baggage and stick Fragile stickers all over it, but it hasn't had a problem so far.

I have a new, more expensive mono now that I would be hesitant to let out of my sight. I know a few people have travelled with their fins in with cabin luggage - my big fear here is that if I pack it the normal way it'll be too big to carry on. If I take the padding out it's not protected at all and there's a chance it still won't be allowed as carry on. I'm on the lookout for a smaller padded monobag that will help me out here. I'll also ring ahead to confirm if I can take it as carry-on from now on.

Cheers,
Ben

 

[JustinF]

I am having the same problem Ben. I have a monofin bag already of course, but I have 2 very expensive fins I want to bring to class. I am also very protective of them like you are! They get rinsed twice, towel dried, a big towel folded around them and filed neatly under my bed.

So if I wrap them really well I know for sure I will not be able to get them into the cabin, but I want something small and lightweight to protect them so I can get them into cabin if allowed.....

Maybe I will wrap them with wood along the leading edge and then a thick blankets tightly or something and hope for the best......

But then if they do not allow them in cabin I will wish I had done something more and just checked them in.....

 

[island_sands]

i have always taken mine as a carry on... i have a bag that [ame="http://forums.deeperblue.net/member.php?u=2651"]View Profile: Pablo@@AMEPARAM@@View Profile: Pablo</title>@@AMEPARAM@@Pablo[/ame]made for me and also a Special fins bag, it fits in the overhead compartment and i have never had any problems.

 

[JustinF]

I have the SpecialFins bag that fits up to 3 monos. Can you give me more details on the bag Pablo made PLEASE?? The bag from SpecialFins provides no protection...

Pictures would be awesome!

Thank you!

 

[iceselkie]

I made a bag for my own monofin, it's basically a huge drawstring pouch lined inside with towel. I've never gone on the plane with it, but If I had to, I'd probably wrap it in bubble wrap and then cardboard or something. Making the bag was super easy and it washes well.

 

[JustinF]

Thank you very much Brianna, I might just do something like that with an acrylic insert that will do the trick nicely.

 

[iceselkie]

No problem Justin Good luck and bon voyages!

 

[MBanks]

I have taken my monofin on a plane a couple of times in my bag that I made (images attatched - the strap is thicker now with & there is a dry section inside too). I think it's worth wrapping it in towels or bubble rap, after all, it's a small precausion to take which could prevent something horrible happening.

If you're putting it into baggage I'd put a fragile notice on it. Another suggestions is to find some hardboard or semirigid thin board and cut two sheets the size of your bag and sandwich the mono between them with some padding, just to prevent extremem bending.

Have a safe journey!

 

[JustinF]

Thank you Martin!

 

[pat fish]

Never ever give a mono away to the normal luggage. Always take it as a hand luggage! I have been traveling to many countries like this. Sometimes it takes a bit more time to pass the security checks, but I never missed a flight because of carrying a mono so far.
yours
Pat

 

[ADR]

I have travelled many times with my monofins in normal luggage and have not had a problem. I do however protect them by wrapping and taping them with thick reinforced cardboard. You need to protect the fin surface from sharp objects and also make it rigid enough so that the fin won't be bent and broken.