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Cigars are fantastic travel partners. They’re there to help you relax at the end of a stressful travel day; they’re a social tool to help you mingle and network with other travelers; they’re the perfect aperitif after a hefty dinner at a ritzy restaurant.
However, traveling with cigars means overcoming a few challenges. For one, these are delicate pieces of craftsmanship, vulnerable to cracking and peeling if jostled. Next, premium cigars thrive in precise micro-environments of suitable relative humidity (RH), and will dry or even grow moldy if kept in unideal conditions.
Proper storage is a must, especially while traveling. That’s where a quality cigar travel case (and humidity control solution) comes in handy. In this article, learn the types of cigar cases, key features to look for, packing and care tips, and best practices for cigar travel.
Types of Cigar Travel Cases
Travel cigar cases come in all shapes and sizes. Your choice will depend on a) how many cigars you’re carrying, b) how much room available room you have in your luggage, and c) the nature of your travel plans.
Here’s a quick rundown of your options:
- Portable Humidor Cases: These are basically humidors as you know and love them, only scaled down a bit. They typically feature a hard case, roughly the size of a lunch kit, with additional pockets for your cutter, Boveda pack, hygrometer, and lighter. They’re probably the most robust option, though they take up quite a bit of space.
- Soft Cases: Soft cases feature a degree of airtightness, though not quite as much as a hard-shelled humidor. The trade-off here is that soft cases are often smaller and lighter, slipping easily into a pocketed compartment of your luggage. You can find fabric options, though the best are made from leather, which adds some protection in addition to looking great.
- Humidor Bags: These are durable, waterproof, and dust-proof plastic bags that zip up pretty airtightly. They’re by far the least expensive option and the most lightweight to boot. However, you need to take extra precautions to limit jostling or pressing, as plastic bags offer minimal physical protection.
If you’re gone for a month and want to bring several premium cigars, go for the hard-cased portable humidor. For shorter trips or weekend excursions, you can get away with one of the latter options.
Key Features to Look For
At a minimum, you need a case that’s airtight, since open exposure to oxygen can quickly wreak havoc on a fine cigar. A simple zip-top bag will not suffice.
Beyond that, you want a system of humidity control. You might hear all sorts of DIY “hacks,” like wet stones or soaked clay, but these are imprecise at best. Instead, bring along a couple of Boveda’s humidity packs for cigars, which dial in the internal RH of the cigar case to keep your stogies rich and well-preserved.
Next, you can consider material. Are you going for functionality, aesthetics, or somewhere in the middle? A travel humidor is highly functional, but many look clunky. Leather cigar cases are the Goldilocks options, offering some protection while looking sophisticated. And travel baggies make a case for themselves (pun intended) because they’re easily stowed out of sight, perfectly functional for short trips (provided you have a Boveda pack in there), and inexpensive.
Packing and Care Tips
Before you leave, ensure that you follow a few steps:
- Make sure your cigars are correctly humidified before transferring them to the travel case.
- Arrange your cigars and case so as to minimize damage. Avoid putting them at the bottom of your luggage, opting instead for an external pocket of your carry-on bag.
- Maintain humidity: As mentioned, pop a Boveda 2-way humidity control pack in whatever travel case you use. This will ensure the cigars stay at a consistent, ideal RH throughout your voyage.
- Double-check security regulations: Most airport security organizations (including the TSA) allow you to bring cigars in your carry-on, but it doesn’t hurt to double-check.
- Assess and adjust: Assess your cigars semi-regularly to ensure they are intact and properly humidified. If need be, adjust your case’s position or replace the Boveda pack.
To recap, it’s essential to bring a dedicated cigar travel case that offers some degree of protection against physical damage and humidity fluctuations. Choose the case that best suits your needs, and remember to pair it with a humidity control pack.
