
But this is a shortsighted approach that could - and probably will - result in items getting damaged, crushed, or lost. On the surface, it might seem okay to simply toss your gear inside a hockey bag without much thought. Features such as these are especially important if you play on a traveling team, as your equipment bag needs to double as a piece of luggage, as well. Top-of-the-line bags account for this by placing extra padding along the shoulder straps, a pull-out handle in the front, and a pair of casters at the rear. The majority of hockey equipment bags weigh between three and 10 lbs., which could represent a burden once combined with 15 extra pounds of gear. It's also beneficial for any bag to include at least one ventilated pocket, so that your sweaty attire can breathe. It's safe to assume that any hockey equipment bag will get damp and dirty, which is why you'll want to confirm that a bag's material is machine-washable, water-resistant, and perhaps even odor-resistant. Certain upscale bags are also designed with extra straps along the back so that players can fasten their sticks to the unit.

A lot of superior bags are double- or even triple-stitched with reinforced lining along the central compartment and the pockets.Īn average equipment bag measures between 24 and 36 inches long, allowing enough space for all of a player's pads and other gear (with the exception of a stick) to fit inside. Most bags are made out of heavy fabrics, including nylon and polyester blends. With that in mind, a consumer's first priority should be confirming whether a bag is durable. Hockey bags are required to carry a considerable amount of equipment, including jagged pads and sharp blades. Of course, if your stuff already stinks, and you keep it anywhere within striking distance of anyone else's nose (an attached garage, your car trunk, etc.), that mesh is also going to let all those smells out more readily, so be careful how you apply it.
#Grit hockey bag pro#
Ventilation is also one of the most important things to look for, which is what's so exciting about the Grit PX4 Pro Series, which applies mesh paneling on four of its sides to really let your gear breathe. This is why we sent off the AmazonBasics Duffel and the Gothamite ICE USA, as neither were truly designed with hockey players in mind. Trust me, my first hockey bag was my dad's old vertical military duffel from his time in Vietnam. That's a lot of stuff to simply pile into a single compartment and haul away. Those include durable, lightweight materials and an organizational system that can make sense of skates, shin guards, hockey pants, a cup, elbow pads, a chest protector, gloves, a helmet, and a variety of accessories. We still really like the Grit Airbox due to its impressive airflow, but you'll want to be a little careful with it as it's not quite as durable as its more expensive relative.Ī good hockey bag requires a certain set of features that set it apart from a simple duffel.

Most of our other selections are unaltered. If you want something bigger than the PX4 Pro, the Athletico XXL is about as big as they get.


The best on the market is the Grit PX4 Pro because it's built to last for years, and durability is the biggest concern aside from size. But never fear, we've found a couple great models to replace our top selections. Sadly, our former #1 pick from Pacific Rink is extremely hard to find, so we can no longer recommend it.
