The problem with sports gear when travelling
Sports equipment is one of the most vulnerable luggage categories. Skis, boards, bikes, golf clubs and diving gear are expensive, look alike and are taken to places where hundreds of other people have identical or very similar equipment.
The identification problem here is different from a classic suitcase. On a ski slope all the skis lie together at the lift. On the beach kitesurfers leave their bags in groups. On the golf course bags wait by the buggies.
A pair of professional skis costs between 500 and 5,000 EUR. A full set of golf clubs between 1,000 and 8,000 EUR. Kitesurfing gear between 2,000 and 10,000 EUR. A QR tag on sports gear solves the identification problem without needing to memorise serial numbers.
Skis and snowboard - labelling on the slope
Skis and snowboards can be mixed up or taken by mistake particularly at popular ski resorts where hundreds of people have similar gear. The problem is compounded at equipment storage rooms and lifts where skis are left.
A QR tag on skis is best placed on the bindings or on the side of the ski in a spot that is visible when the skis are standing upright. A durable laminated sticker or a metal tag attached to the binding works best in the atmospheric conditions of the slope.
It is also worth labelling the ski bag or boot bag with the same QR code. When the gear is in storage or transit, workers see the label on the bag rather than on the skis themselves.
Bike and cycling gear
A bike is one of those most often left behind by mistake or lost during a cycling trip. A QR tag on a bike primarily serves as owner identification when the bike is found.
The best places for a QR tag on a bike are the frame near the head tube or on the seat tube, the handlebars or the stem. The label should be in a place that is easily visible but protected from direct exposure to weather.
Panniers and handlebar bags are a category of equipment that is frequently lost or left at hostels and hotels during a longer touring trip. A QR tag on each pannier allows the accommodation staff to identify the owner.
Golf clubs and golf bag
A golf bag with a full set of clubs is one of the most expensive gear sets that travels with its owner. A set of professional golf clubs costs between 1,000 and 8,000 EUR or more.
On the golf course bags are stored at golf carts or in the club storage room. Staff handling golf bags rarely know the owner by name and identification is based on the label or the visual appearance of the bag. A QR tag on the golf bag solves the identification problem with one scan.
It is worth labelling not just the bag but also the golf trolley if you use your own, the bag cover and the accessories pouch. Each of these parts can become separated from the main bag and get lost independently.
Diving and kitesurfing gear
Diving and kitesurfing gear is a category where the similarity of different owners' equipment is particularly high. Regulators, BCDs, kite and board setups look very similar regardless of manufacturer.
For divers: a QR tag is best placed on the mesh bag or gear cover, on the tank or on the BCD backpack. Diving gear is regularly rinsed with water after dives, so the label must be especially durable and waterproof. A metal tag with an engraved QR code is the most resistant option.
For kitesurfers: kite bags and boards are often left on the beach during a session and can be taken by mistake or stolen. A QR tag on the bag and on the board separately provides good protection.
How a QR tag works on sports gear
A QR tag on sports gear works the same way as a QR tag on a suitcase: a finder or venue staff member scans the code with their phone and sees the owner's contact page. No app is needed and there are no contact costs when using the contact form.
The owner configures what is visible after scanning: name, phone number, hotel address or just a contact form. For sports gear the option to show the current accommodation address is particularly useful. Ski resort staff who found your skis can see the lodge address where you are staying and get in touch directly.
The notification system sends an email to the owner every time someone scans their label. This means you know when and where your gear was found, before the finder has even sent a message.
How to attach a QR label to sports gear
The choice of label type depends on the type of gear and the conditions it is used in. For gear used in dry conditions, such as golf clubs or sports bags, a good laminated sticker printed on a regular printer is enough.
For gear exposed to weather, water and frost, a better choice is a plastic or metal tag with a printed or engraved QR code. Metal tags are available as standard luggage accessories and last for years even with intensive use.
For gear that is regularly rinsed with water such as diving gear, kitesurfing and windsurfing equipment, we recommend labels printed on waterproof self-adhesive film or metal tags with engraved codes.