Does your young and aspiring athlete still wear a school bag to their after-school practice? Why not get him proper sport bags for kids instead? Sports bag are built differently as they need to be durable, lightweight, and holds some resistance towards moisture, unlike other types of bags. Getting the proper bags for your young athlete is one of the best ways to support them. Read on to find the destined one.
How To Choose The Best Sport Bags for Kids
Choosing the best sport bags for kids seems trivial that anybody can do that. But in reality, it’s so easy to get lost amidst the sea of products in the market! It’d be helpful if you can find a guide to get through all potential products until you find the one that suits what your young athlete needs the most. To get you started, we’ve compiled several pointers to get you started.
Load Capacity and Compartments
The first aspect you should consider is the form factor. Sports bags should always have more room for stuff than ordinary school bags or book bags because it will contain bulkier items like towels, clothes change, or water bottles. It’ll need to be even bigger if a pair of shoes are involved. A good sports bag should be able to carry these items appropriately; not too small that it becomes stretched and not too big that stuff gets moving around.
Compartments could be as important as the size. When the sport involves smaller size gears gloves or goggles, it’s so easy to get them lost in the sea of stuff. Compartments help to organize these items to minimize time lost trying to fish out a certain item. Wet/dirty and shoe compartments are a plus to have in sport bags for kids so they don’t have to come home with a messy bag after practice. What about sports gear like a soccer ball or a basketball? If you don’t have a special container for those, find the bag that can contain an extra ball or seek one that’s specifically made for the sport.
Comfort
What we want certainly is the best for our children. We‘d hate to see them come home with sore shoulders or hands after carrying their sports bag the whole day. That’s said, sport bags for kids has to have softer materials and a well-thought design – particularly when it’s worn for after-school practice. Our rule of thumb is ‘seek for some padding’. Padding helps to distribute weight better so the shoulders won’t get tired easily or worse, hurt. If it’s a drawstring bag, always look for the softest and thickest strings you can find.
Material
Great looks will be an issue if it doesn’t come with durability. If you have a young athlete in your care, you need to get them the best long-lasting sports bags you can find since they will use them very often. Luckily, it won’t be too hard to find durable bags these days thanks to the invention of polyester and nylon. These materials are today’s standard for sports bags for kids. The great news is, these types of material are also somewhat water-repellent!
Can I use a school bag as a gym bag?
Theoretically, yes. However, school bags are designed to carry books and laptops that often lack useful compartments found in a sports bag such as a shoe compartment or a wet compartment. Therefore, though it’s possible, we wouldn’t recommend it. Typically, overnight bags and duffel bags are better alternatives.
What is the best size for sport bags for kids?
Depending on your child’s age, body characteristics, and duration of use, the proper size will vary. A small adult duffel bag should carry it a long way for your little victor’s weekly or daily practice. If it’s a longer trip like sports camp or championship, it’d be more helpful if the bag can contain all their necessity in one go, so a big sports backpack, a rolling bag, or an adult size duffel bag should be enough. That is if they feel they can carry it with ease and within a fairly short period. Straps will play a great part in this, so padded ones are a must.
Can a sports bag be a carry-on?
Most sport bags for kids that are not bigger than 9 inches x 14 inches x 22 inches are passable for most flights. To be safe, check IATA for a more thorough guideline.
Youlerbu Dry Wet Gymsack
13
The first entry in our list is Youlerbu Dry Wet Gymsack that has become a favorite among young athletes for its simplicity and functionality. Many of these athletes are also students who also use this cinch bag as their occasional book bag, especially on rainy days! Why? Because this bag is highly water-resistant to repel water both from the outside and the inside.
The thickened oxford fabric and PVC backing on the base make the bag surprisingly strong and durable. The main compartment is engineered to be expandable so even a soccer ball can fit itself right in. At the base, there’s a zipper opening that allows you to access a separate compartment where your little athlete can put their practice shoes, swim gear, or wet clothes. There are many colors and patterns you can choose from. We’re sure you’ll find the one that fits their personality!
What We Like
A waterproof cinch bag for sweaty days!
Pros:
- Easy to use
- Drawstring and zip closure
- 2 mess pockets
- Fits a soccer ball
- Wide shoulder straps
- Durable PVC
- Waterproof
- Lightweight
Cons:
- Straps often twist in the mechanism
Zuca Sport Bag Colorbox Party
12
Sometimes, you have to go big or go home! Zuca Sport Bag Colorbox Party is the bag for your little athlete when they need to travel with their sports gear or attend a sports camp. The bag is basically a rolling deep cavern in a super-strong but lightweight cage. However, the cage isn’t merely a frame for the bag, but it also serves as a fully functional portable seat! It can even hold up to 300lbs worth of weight on top of it!
The main compartment of this bag is made from 600D polyester that’s quite durable and water-resistant. On the side, there’s a mesh pocket for water bottles or quick access items. The entrance opens like a door and is fastened with a help of a smooth action zipper. It has multiple compartments on the inside with some of them use Velcro and zipper. Just from how it looks, this bag is a solid unit that’s indispensable when your child is taking their sports on-the-go. Invest now to show your support!
What We Like
The tank of all sport bags for kids! It’s great for a sports camp and longer trips.
Pros:
- Extra spacious
- Rolling action
- Aluminum frame
- Water-resistant removable insert bags
- Sturdy telescopic handles
Cons:
- The size makes it less practical
Adidas Unisex Diablo Bag
11
Adidas Unisex Diablo Bag is the compact gym bag you never knew you needed! This is one of the most popular sport bags for kids in the market nowadays. The color options and the durability are its strong points that are difficult to match, especially when you include form factor in the equation. It’s simply an indispensable piece of a bag to complete your little champ’s athletic gear!
Made entirely from polyester, the bag is definitely lighter than we thought. The hand-carry straps feel firm in our hand thanks to the effectively reinforced stitches. When we opened the D-shape zip entrance, we were welcomed by a cavernous inside that we were worried we won’t be stuffing it enough. We figured we could even fit 2 pairs of shoes inside it with still a lot of room left. That makes this bag perfect for a quick trip to the gym!
What We Like
A compact sports bag yet spacious enough to eat up a lot of stuff!
Pros:
- Compact but with spacious interior
- D-shape top opening
- Polyester exterior and interior
- Padded shoulder straps
- Roomier than you thought
- Well-made
Cons:
- No organizational pockets
- Lack of compartments
Wandf Drawstring Backpack
10
Looking for a bag to accompany your little champ for their after school practice? Wandf Drawstring Backpack is a cinch bag up for that challenge. It’s great to use both as a book bag and a sports bag with its ample interior and separate compartment for shoes or wet clothes. While the main opening is at the top, the separate compartment is accessible via a zipper closure at the back. It’s quite handy especially when your child isn’t the patient type. He only needs to stuff everything in, cinch it, and he’s ready to go!
Available in several vibrant colors, this bag is entirely water-resistant and scratch-resistant. It’s equipped with pockets in strategic places that will satisfy every organization lover out there. There are a few ones inside the bag, one zipped pocket at the front, and one hidden pocket at the back. In our eyes, this product is one of sport bags for kids with great craftsmanship. If you decide to have one for your child, expect a long time before your buy another one!
What We Like
A compact and durable gym bag.
Pros:
- Polyester
- Well-made
- Wide shoulder straps
- Durable
- Water-resistant
- Adjustable straps
Cons:
- Compact space
Dalix Sports Bag
9
Isn’t it just annoying when you can’t find that specific item in your bag until it seems it’s gone forever? Well, you can rest assured that that will never happen to your child if they Dalix Sports Bag in their arsenal. This mini-max bag is wrapped in lightweight and water-resistant polyester fabric with removable base support. It’s spacious enough to contain their sports practices and even a soccer/basketball inside. The D-shape opening makes it easy to expose the content right away for easy access.
This well-thought bag has huge zip pockets on each side. They’re separate compartments so it’s only natural that you use them as a shoe compartment and wet compartment respectively. The smaller pockets can be used to store quick-access items like tennis balls or socks. The main compartment can be used as a wet compartment as well because it’s lined with waterproof PVC. If the bag is dirty, please hand-wash it to avoid damaging the waterproofing.
What We Like
The one-for-all sport bags for kids to support young athletes.
Pros:
- Polyester
- Plenty of color variants
- Multiple compartments
- Padded shoulder strap
- Mesh pockets
- Fits a soccer ball
- D-shape opening
Cons:
- Not waterproof
- Light-duty build
Sportsnew Sports Bag
8
Sportsnew Sports Bag may look and feel compact, but this sports bag is roomier than you think. With the dimension of 19 x 12 x 10 inches, the bag should help your little athlete organize his stuff whenever he needs to go to a PE class or practice. There are 7 options of color schemes waiting to be picked home and serve any aspiring young athletes!
The skin of this bag is made of lightweight and water-resistant polyester that can stand a hefty amount of weight. From the outside, you can immediately see the front pocket, mesh pockets for water bottles, and an opening to a separate shoe compartment. From the top, the double-pull zipper opens up like butter to expose the interior. You can see there are several compartments inside such as patch pockets, small-item pockets, and one particular pocket we like: a clear PVC pocket to store wet clothes!
What We Like
The all-rounder sports bag for athletes!
Pros:
- Separate shoe compartment
- PVC-lined pockets
- Spacious mesh pockets
- Easy-pull zipper pulls
- Dry and wet compartments
- Versatile carry
- Durable and water-repellent polyester body
- Multiple organizational pockets
Cons:
- Prolonged exposure to the sun way damage the exterior
Bago Gym Bags
7
With the rave reviews and good craftsmanship, it’s hard not to put Bago Gym Bags among the best sport bags for kids in the market. The 40L sports bag surpasses our expectations with its durability, lightweight feature, and ease of carrying. Its durability comes from the Honeycomb Ripstop nylon that’s proven in terms of strength and scratch resistance. It’s a great choice of material since the additional perk of this fabric is that it’s water-resistant.
The bag itself has plenty of compartments down to the little stuff, among those are 2 water bottle holders, 2 front pockets with zips, and a shoe compartment, and some slide pockets. The main compartment is very spacious to store all necessities. Worried if the bag gets smelly due to dirty clothes? Worry not! This bag has an odor-proof interior to keep things fresh!
What We Like
A hip sports bag for athletes who like to look good and fit at the same time.
Pros:
- Waterproof and odor-proof
- Lightweight
- Durable ripstop
- Foldable
- Plenty of pockets for organization
- Separate shoe and wet compartments
Cons:
- It needs some reinforcement at the base
DashSport Sports Bag
6
While most sports bags for boys opt for shoulder or hand carry, DashSport Sports Bag wants to keep the hands-free experience intact. This sports backpack has several features worth-noting especially when you’re looking for a bag to equip your little goal-scorer as a reliable companion. So, it’s no wonder if its main feature is to contain a full-size soccer ball!
Would it take a lot of space? What about other stuff they need to carry? Fortunately, the great thing about getting this bag is that there’s always some room to contain all of your soccer gear! Shin guards? Tuck them away in the back compartment. Water bottles and socks? Slip them into the mesh pockets on the side. Need some towels and clothes change? Store them in the main compartment. To top it all off, the bag is also waterproofed thanks to its super durable 420D PVC backed nylon!
What We Like
A sports backpack with plenty of room for everything!
Pros:
- 420 denier nylon with PVC backing
- Great to contain soccer equipment
- Fits one basketball
- Ventilated side pockets for water bottles or dirty clothing articles
- Roomy
Cons:
- The PVC backing may crack after some time, especially when it’s under a deal amount of UV rays
Adidas Young Creator
5
Adidas Young Creator was created to cater to the needs of today’s youth who are more active and creative. It’s vibrant, straight-forward, and fully functional – perfect for children who are very mobile and want to get things done effectively. This polyester bag is uber-comfy to carry thanks to the adjustable padded straps and proper shoulder height.
The interior has a separate compartment at the back. Its purpose is to accommodate exercise shoes so you can keep other stuff stay clean. It also makes a good laptop compartment when it isn’t a practice day (clean it after use to prevent dirt) due to its smooth material. Meanwhile, the exterior houses zippered pockets: a small one to store small items and a bigger one to store ready-to-access items. To sum it up, this bag will be a great addition to your little champ’s daily gear for its versatility and simplicity!
What We Like
It’s specifically engineered for athlete students who juggle between school and practice!
Pros:
- Lightweight
- Vibrant color and pattern schemes
- Padded shoulder straps
- Polyester lining
- Ventilated back
- 3 zip pockets on the exterior
Cons:
- The shoulder straps are the first part to have some fraying
Fila Sprinter Sport Bag
4
Coming from the legendary company that has produced amazing sports gear products, Fila Sprinter Sport Bag is a small powerhouse for a little champion. This Italian-made bag is engineered so meticulously that it would take some time to understand its full potential. They are compact sport bags for kids worth-owning.
On the sides are the zip pockets with different functions: an enclosed one for shoes and an Exovent pocket for wet items. The interior is accessible via a D-shape zip closure that makes accessing things a breeze. This main compartment is quite roomy and can fit a 3-day worth of clothing. Just like the aforementioned side pocket, the main compartment is also equipped with an Exovent to keep the cabin breathable and keep the odor out! This bag is a great investment for your little athlete’s future, especially when they often go on a championship tour!
What We Like
A ventilated bag that will keep things fresh even after prolonged use.
Pros:
- Exovent compartment
- Padded shoulder strap
- 600D ripstop nylon
- Highly durable
- D-shape top opening: easy access
- Supported base
- Strong zippers
- Organization pockets
- Vibrant color schemes
Cons:
- The shoe compartment may not fully support big sizes
- A little on the heavier side
Gym Maniac Carry Bag
3
Great bags focus beyond their function to carry goods; they also try to find a good balance between functionality, looks, and protection. Gym Maniac Carry Bag is determined to achieve that sweet spot between the 3 aspects and so far, in our eyes, it’s succeeded. These are the sport bags for boys every little athlete should have for their versatility and customer-oriented design.
Water-resistant and durable, the strong 210D polyester fabric protects the bag from scratches and weather. This particular fabric is known for its use in tents and sails for its lightweight feature and longevity. Interior wise, this bag has a compartment for almost everything you need. Two of them are shoe compartments that also double as wet/dirty clothes compartments. Depending on your carry style, this bag is highly versatile to have 3 ways in one bag. You can either carry it as a backpack, a shoulder bag, or a handbag!
What We Like
The sports bag sets a high standard for its competitors.
Pros:
- Waterproof
- Multiple compartments and organization pockets
- Sturdy and durable
- Versatile carry
- Ergonomic
- Anti-snag zippers
Cons:
- The interior zippers are weaker than that of the main closure
PUMA Contender Bag
2
The bag that started it all out, PUMA Contender Bag remains almost undisputed in supporting young athletes alike. Robust and aggressive, the bag becomes the inspiration for sport bags for boys in circulation. The secret of its success is keeping everything lightweight, practical, but while looking good altogether. When people say that old school is cool, this sports bag is the embodiment of it.
The bag is made of 100% polyester both for the exterior and interior. It has a separate shoe compartment accessible on one side and a zip pocket on another. Another smaller zip pocket is also embedded at the front where you can store small items such as favorite earphones or energy bars. Carrying this bag is also pleasant! Thanks to the padded shoulder straps and shorter handles. Whenever you’re looking for the bag to up the game of your little athlete, think of this bag!
What We Like
The ‘everyone’ bag’s been known for its durability and longevity.
Pros:
- D-shape top opening
- Side zipped pockets
- Padded shoulder strap
- Polyester exterior and interior
- Separate shoe compartment
- Very spacious
Cons:
- Limited color option
Under Armour Undeniable 2.0 Sackpack
1
Our little victor won’t be always willing to carry a bulky gym bag or backpack. Sometimes (if not always) they just want to carry just enough for the day of school and practice. It’s the thing that Under Armour Undeniable 2.0 Sackpack strives for: to support little athletes whenever they need it. The drawstring action never fails and the no-fuss approach seems to tug young athletes at the heart.
This bag is made of strong and long-lasting polyester that’s so light when being carried. The interior is big enough to carry textbooks for a day or a pair of shoes including a piece of towel and a water bottle. The smaller stuff can go to the front, to the zipped front pocket that’s equipped with some patch pockets at the top. When carried, the drawstrings never dig or pinch into the wearer’s shoulder thanks to its smooth woven texture and wide width. To wrap it up, this bag is simply fail-proof with almost no discernible flaw except for its size. It’s definitely a must-have item for every young athlete.
What We Like
A lightweight cinch sports bag for a very active student-athlete!
Pros:
- Easy to use with cinch mechanism
- Sporty look without the effort
- Lightweight polyester
- Interior compartments
- Zipped mesh pocket
- UA sternum clip
- Attachment ring at the front
- Soft-to-touch drawstrings
Cons:
- No separate compartment
