ION splits its wing board bags and travel bags into two lines: Core and Tec. Core is light, simple and cheaper, and lets you store the board with the foil still mounted. Tec doubles the padding to 10 mm and adds backpack straps, Bag_Breeze 2.0 ventilation and a system to carry the dismantled foil securely. For wing there are both versions in day bags and in wheeled travel bags, and in pump foil too. Below you'll find each pair head to head, with ION's official specs and what we currently have in store.
Wing day bags: Core and Tec head to head
This is the most direct comparison, because both bags share one size (5'0" × 24", for boards up to 152 × 61 cm). Data from ION's official product pages; Popkite price and stock as of today:
| Wing Boardbag Core 2026 | Wing Boardbag Tec 2025 | |
|---|---|---|
| Padding | 5 mm | 10 mm |
| The foil | Mounted: velcro opening underneath for the mast and wings | Dismantled, inside, with dedicated straps |
| How you carry it | Centre handle; optional shoulder strap (not included) | Centre handle, stowable backpack straps and removable shoulder strap included |
| Ventilation and heat | White PE base that reflects heat | Bag_Breeze 2.0: TPU patches and EVA-padded mesh vents |
| Pockets | Two velcro pockets on top and one inside for accessories | Two velcro pockets on top |
| Fabric | Waste2Wear 450D recycled polyester with PU | Waste2Wear recycled outer fabric |
| Outer dimensions (5'0" × 24") | 165 × 75 cm | 160 × 65 × 22 cm |
| Weight (5'0" × 24") | 1.8 kg | 3.1 kg |
| Sizes | Six, from 4'4" to 6'2" | Two: 5'0" and 5'5" |
| Popkite price | From €80.99 to €103.49 | €224.99 and €233.99 |
Protection: 5 mm vs 10 mm
This is the difference you notice most. The Core has 5 mm of foam, which is what you need against boot scuffs, sand and the small knocks of everyday use. ION itself is clear about it: if you want more protection with the Core, put wetsuits or towels inside.
The Tec doubles the padding to 10 mm. A wing board has rails and a foil box that suffer with any hard knock, and those extra 5 mm are what make the difference when the bag lands on a rock, falls off a roof rack or travels in the hold of a bus.
The foil: mounted or dismantled
Here the two bags take opposite approaches.
The ION Wing Boardbag Core has a velcro opening underneath so you can store the board with the mast and wings still on. You finish your session, slide the board into the bag and load it in the car without undoing a single screw. If you always ride the same spot, it doesn't get more convenient than that.
The ION Wing Boardbag Tec doesn't have that opening. Instead, it has a system of straps inside so the dismantled foil (mast, fuselage and wings) travels alongside the board without moving around. It's travel logic: everything packed, everything protected, in a single bag.
Carrying: handle or backpack
Both have a centre handle, designed for bulky boards. From there:
- Core: takes any shoulder strap with two snap hooks, but doesn't come with one. If you want one, the ION Shoulder Strap Core is the matching one.
- Tec: comes with integrated backpack straps, which tuck away when you're not using them, and a removable shoulder strap included.
If it's fifty metres from the car park to the water, the Core is plenty. If you have to walk down a path, cross dunes or ride a bike, carrying the board on your back with your hands free makes a big difference to your day.
Heat and moisture
The Core has a white PE outer base that reflects the sun and keeps the inside cool, which is handy when the bag spends hours on the sand or in a car parked in the sun.
The Tec comes with Bag_Breeze 2.0, ION's ventilation system: two TPU patches front and back and mesh vents at the nose and tail, padded with EVA so you don't lose protection in those areas. It stops the board being shut away damp and avoids bad smells, which is exactly what happens on a trip of several days with back-to-back sessions.
Weight and size
In the 5'0" × 24" size, the Core weighs 1.8 kg and the Tec 3.1 kg. That's 1.3 kg more for double the foam, the straps and the foil system. On the outside, the Tec is more compact (160 × 65 cm vs 165 × 75 cm): the Core needs more room because it has to leave space for the mounted mast.
The Core comes in six sizes, from 4'4" × 19.5" to 6'2" × 28", and there's also a Wing Boardbag Core Slim version for long, narrow boards (from 5'5" × 20" to 6'7" × 24"). The Tec only comes in two: 5'0" × 24" and 5'5" × 27".
Same story in pump foil
In pump foil the difference follows the same lines, with one nuance about the foil:
- ION Pump Foil Boardbag Core: 5 mm of padding, an opening underneath to store the board with the mast mounted, a white PE base and a weight of 1 kg. Size 3'10", for boards up to 117 cm long.
- ION Pump Foil Boardbag Tec: 10 mm of padding, backpack straps and an external system of slots and adjustable straps that holds the mast, fuselage and wings on the outside of the bag. Size 3'4", for boards up to 100 × 45 cm, and a weight of 2.6 kg.
Watch the sizing: they're not equivalent. The Core takes longer boards; the Tec is designed for short pump and dockstart boards. Measure your board before choosing.
Wing travel bags: Core or Tec
For checking in on a flight, ION makes a wheeled travel bag in both lines:
| Wing Gearbag Core 2026 | Wing Gearbag Tec | |
|---|---|---|
| Padding | 5 mm on the sides | 10 mm |
| Capacity (5'0") | 1 board and up to 2 wings | 1 board and 3 wings |
| Base and ventilation | Ask us | CURV® plate and Bag_Breeze 2.0 |
| How it moves | Integrated wheels and a handle to hook it onto a trolley | Reinforced wheels, Connective_Handle and Sherpa_Belt |
| Sizes | 5'0" and 5'5" (boards up to 165 × 68 cm) | From 5'0" to 6'8"; 2 boards fit from the 5'9" up |
| Weight (5'0") | 4.4 kg | 4.2 kg |
| Popkite price | €152.99 and €161.99 | From €251.99 |
A curious detail: in the 5'0" size, the Tec weighs slightly less than the Core according to ION's product pages (4.2 vs 4.4 kg), with double the padding and room for one more wing. What you pay extra for in the Tec is protection and comfort in transit, not kilos. If you travel with two wing boards, only the Tec comes in sizes for that.
Which one to choose
Go for Core if…
- You drive to your spot and the bag spends most of its time in the boot or at home.
- You don't want to take the foil off after every session.
- You want the lightest, cheapest bag that genuinely protects against everyday wear.
- You take one or two trips a year and a simple wheeled bag is enough for you.
- Your board is a size the Tec doesn't cover (very small, very big, or long and narrow).
Go for Tec if…
- You walk or cycle to the spot and want the board on your back.
- You travel with the board and foil and want to carry everything together and secure.
- Your board is expensive or delicate and you want double the foam.
- You ride several days in a row and want the bag to breathe.
- You check in often and want more foam, a rigid base and room for an extra wing or a second board.
For flying, either line has its own wheeled travel bag (you've seen them above). We also compare bags from other brands in light vs padded travel board bags.
If you kite as well, there's the same comparison for twintips and kite travel bags in ION Core or Tec kite board bags and travel bags.
Official video: ION Wing Boardbag Tec
The Core range for other boards
The Core line isn't just for wing. There's a Core bag for almost any board, and these are the ones we currently have in store:
- ION Foil Boardbag Core Downwinder 2026, for long downwind boards.
- ION Prone Foil Boardbag Core 2026, for prone foil boards.
- ION Surf Boardbag Core 2026 and ION Wake Boardbag Core 2026.
Frequently asked questions
Can I check in the Core on a flight?
ION designs it for everyday use: car, beach and storage. If you're going to check it in, the brand itself recommends adding wetsuits or towels for extra protection. For frequent travel, the Tec or a wheeled travel bag is a better fit.
Can I put the board in the Tec with the foil mounted?
No. The Wing Boardbag Tec has no opening for the mast; the foil goes inside, dismantled, in its straps. If you want to store the board with the foil on, the Core is the bag for you.
Which size should I choose?
Measure the length and width of your board and look for the size whose maximums cover them. The size charts for each bag are on its product page. If you're torn between two, the bigger one leaves room for fins, the foil or an extra towel.
Are both made from recycled material?
Both have Waste2Wear recycled outer fabric, made from PET bottles. In terms of overall composition, both contain 30% recycled polyester.
