When you spend a large chunk of your time practicing and competing in your favorite sports, it can be a real game-changer to get a dedicated sports backpack. That way you can fit more gear into one bag and don’t have to pack your dirty clothes into the same daily driver backpack as your lunch for work.
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1. Editor’s Choice: Under Armour Team Hustle Pro Backpack
Pros:- Tough water-resistant material
- High storage volume
- Two water bottle pockets
Cons:- Bottom panel could be stronger
- Lacking sternum strap or other added support
- Heavily branded
The Team Hustle Pro is a sports backpack that earns my recommendation because of its great compartmentalization and multi-layered water-resistant material. This large and stylish bag will keep your goods dry whether they are in one of its two spacious main pockets, or one of its two slip pockets for smaller items.
The total volume of the pack is 32L, not counting the two side water bottle pockets or the extra storage potential of the side straps from which you can clip water bottles and keys. The main pocket has a laptop sleeve that fits most 15-inch laptops. There is also a deep pocket on the underside of the bag. It’s a great place to put cleats or a sweatshirt.
One downside to this otherwise durable pack is that it lacks a padded or otherwise reinforced bottom panel. You have to be a little more gentle when plopping it on the ground. The adjustable HeatGear shoulder straps are quite comfortable, making the Team Hustle Pro a big winner, especially if you live in a rainy climate like I do.
Find more Under Armour Team Hustle Pro Backpack information and reviews here.
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2. Best Soccer Backpack: Athletico National
Pros:- Front vented ball pocket
- Padded ergonomic straps
- Water-resistant design
Cons:- Could use more compartments
- Limited color options
- Finicky zippers
The Athletico National Soccer Bag is perfectly designed to hold all the necessary gear for the average soccer player, making it the easy choice for aspiring strikers. The main appeal of this bag over others is its front ventilated ball pocket, which can fit a soccer ball (or basketball).
It also has a lower compartment to store soccer cleats and dirty clothes and two water bottle pockets on the sides. To add even more value, this bag has a laptop pocket with a padded sleeve designed to fit a 15-inch laptop. The bag is made from water-resistant materials and has plush shoulder pads to relieve pressure.
As a quick note, this bag is designed to comfortably fit adult soccer players, but the youth version of this bag can still hold a size 5 soccer ball so it is a viable option as well for those with smaller frames.
Find more Diadora Squadra II Backpack information and reviews here.
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3. Best Basketball Backpack: Nike Hoops Elite Pro
Pros:- Large main compartment
- Comfy padded shoulder straps
- Large 38L storage capacity
Cons:- Zippers can be finicky
- Doesn't stand up well
- Thin material
The Nike Hoops Elite Pro from Nike is a unique bag whose most striking feature is a top-loading main compartment that can fit two whole basketballs in it at once. It fills out most of the bag’s 23 x 13 x 9 inch dimensions (38L), though the bag also has two zippered side pockets and a small zippered compartment on the top flap.
The water-resistant material is quite nice but even better is the material used in the Max Air shoulder straps. The shoulder straps are well-cushioned and ergonomically shaped to provide maximum comfort. It’s hard to find something to criticize this bag for, other than the fact that its zippers can be a little finicky.
This minor gripe aside, the Nike Hoops Elite Pro is a stylish and functional bag that can do it all.
Find more Nike Hoops Elite Max Air Team 2.0 Basketball Backpack information and reviews here.
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4. Best Baseball Backpack: Athletico Bat Bag
Pros:- Spacious top loading main compartment
- Straps above water bottle pockets hold down baseball bats
- Low price tag
Cons:- No small compartment for electronics
- Total capacity could be larger
- So-so zippers
Truthfully, the Athletico Baseball Bat Bag is not all that different from a normal backpack. The one feature that really sets it apart is a set of straps above its two water bottle pockets to hold down two baseball bats.
Then again, it also has a top-loading main compartment large enough to hold a baseball helmet, batting gloves, cleats, a baseball cap, and a catching glove. The main compartment is where you would carry most of your stuff. Cleats and dirty clothes can go to the well-ventilated subcompartment on the bottom.
The bag is made from 600D polyester, which withstands rips and tears from even the most abusive use. The bag is lacking a secure place to put valuables like your phone and wallet, as they risk getting lost in the larger main compartment.
Baseball players will immediately fall in love with this bag, but like the rest of our favorite bags, this could be a day to day bag for pretty much any need.
Find more Athletico Baseball Bat Bag information and reviews here.
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5. Best Lacrosse Bag: Athletico
Pros:- Massive 65L storage
- 2 lax stick straps
- Seperate cleats compartment
Cons:- Bulky design
- Limited color options
- Doesn't stand up on its own
I know what you’re thinking. For how much gear lacrosse requires, you could almost just snag a cheap rolling backpack and call it a day. But you don’t have to. The Athletico Lacrosse Bag is large enough to hold all the gear you could possibly need, provided you can prop it all up.
This bag can fit two lacrosse sticks (strapped to the outside), a helmet, a full set of pads, gloves, goggles, cleats, and two water bottles, and still have room left over. This bag measures 24 x 15 x 11 inches and has an approximate volume of 64L. For added context, it is way too large to fit as a carry-on item. But it has a place for everything, including a set of external double straps to hold a helmet, the two external lax stick straps, and a separate, vented compartment for your muddy cleats.
The bag has comfortable shoulder straps and a hip belt to help disperse weight. It also has a fence hook, which is nice since it is a little front-heavy when fully packed. Ultimately, this bag’s massive size is what I like so much about it. But if you find yourself wanting a more simplistic lax bag then you might instead consider the smaller Athletico Turf Bag, which is also quite nice.
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6. Best Water Polo Backpack: Speedo Teamster 2.0
Pros:- Large opening makes it easy to pack and unpack
- Tough and water-resistant exterior
- Included stadium seat allows you to sit comfortably anywhere
Cons:- Could use larger secondary pockets
- Lacking sternum strap or other added support
- So-so zippers
You might know them for their — ahem — aerodynamic swimwear, but Speedo actually makes everything an intrepid athlete might need, including a heavy-duty waterproof backpack that is great for swimmers or water polo players.
The Large Teamster 2.0 Backpack has a tough exterior shell with a water-resistant bottom that makes it perfect for rainy weather or the locker room, and a great arrangement of pockets for storage.
This water-resistant bottom padding is even removable and can double as a stadium seat cushion when needed.
True to its title, this pack has a 35L volume, with a handy top-load main compartment. This main pocket has a laptop sleeve that could easily handle most 17-inch laptops, plus a removable dirtbag to keep soiled gym clothes separate from your electronics.
The other pockets are much smaller, and only offer room for small valuables. The backpack has two tall water bottle pockets for storing bottles, which is always a huge plus for me.
The backpack straps are adequately cushioned, as is the back of the pack, but there are no additional support features for those who need them.
Just because it is built for swimmers doesn’t mean the Speedo Large Teamster Backpack won’t be perfect for you too. It is still a well-priced and good-looking pack that comes in a variety of colors. You will get plenty of use out of it, even if you never take it to the pool.
Find more Speedo Teamster 2.0 Backpack information and reviews here.
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7. Best Tennis Backpack: Himal Outdoors
Pros:- Holds 2 rackets
- Lightweight and durable
- 2 water bottle pockets
Cons:- Limited color options
- Could use more storage
- Handle could use more padding
The Himal Outdoors Tennis Backpack is the ideal bag for any of the major racquet sports, including squash, pickleball, and badminton on top of tennis. It is the right shape and size to hold two rackets and it has a dedicated pocket for holding balls as well.
The bag has an all-purpose pocket running through the rear of the bag as well but it is only large enough to hold some shoes and a change of clothes. Suffice it to say you won’t be bringing a 15-inch laptop onto the court with this one.
The bag’s contents are well-secured though, as the bag has a waterproof coating and is made from durable 600D polyester. And the two side water bottle pockets are a godsend on a hot day. Considering the low price of this bag, it is well worth getting if you play tennis at least once a week.
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8. Best Drawstring Backpack: Soccerware
Pros:- Large main compartment
- Lightweight and durable
- Waterproof and ventilated
Cons:- Drawstrings are uncomfortable
- Limited carry capacity
- Doesn't stand up on its own
A fully loaded sports backpack can be a godsend if you carry a lot of gear, but if you tend to pack light to practices, then a large backpack can almost be a burden. If this applies to you, then this Soccerware Drawstring Gym Bag is a good compromise.
“Sackpacks” are lightweight, durable, and big enough to carry most things you’d need in a day. This bag is 19 x 16 inches and has a 12.5L carry capacity, but there is also a slightly smaller kid’s version of this pack.
12.5L of storage space gives you just enough room to hold a full-size ball, plus cleats or a water bottle in the two mesh side pockets. This is also a small zippered compartment at the front for your valuables.
Ultimately, this bag will carry your gym supplies or your school supplies with ease, but it can’t fit both. Furthermore, you wouldn’t want it to, as the small drawstring straps just aren’t comfortable over long periods of time.
But if you just need a lightweight extra bag, the Soccerware Drawstring Gym Bag is a solid pick.
Find more Soccerware Drawstring Gym Bag information and reviews here.
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9. Best Gym Bag: Everest Sports Duffel
Pros:- Lots of external storage compartments
- Lightweight and durable
- Low price tag
Cons:- Base could be more padded
- Limited carry capacity
- Bag does not hold shape when empty
One reason people might prefer a backpack over a duffel bag is that duffel bags usually have a limited number of compartments to organize your stuff.
The Everest Gym Bag is an exception to this, offering two zippered pouches, a water bottle holder, and two slip pockets to store shoes or wet gear.
The over-the-shoulder bag is 18 x 11.5 x 10.5 inches, which gives it a reasonable 32L storage volume. This is not even as large as the smallest size Adidas Defender II Duffel, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing, as those bags are freakishly huge.
On the contrary, you have more than enough room to fit a ball, a change of clothes, and whatever other gear you use in a week. Its contents will be kept safe and dry by its 600D polyester material, though the padding at the bag’s base is light.
The material is also thin enough that the bag doesn’t keep its shape when empty, which can be a negative for some. Personally, I have plenty of things that I never remove from my bag, so this is a fine pick overall.
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10. Best Hockey Backpack: Athletico Hockey
Pros:- Vented skates compartment
- Durable molded bottom
- Padded laptop sleeve
Cons:- Only fits skates up to size 14
- Limited color options
- Bulky design
Whether you play ice hockey or roller hocket, the Athletico Hockey Backpack is a great way to get your skates and protective gear out to the field without running the risk of misplacing anything. The main compartment of this bag is specially shaped to fit roller or ice skates and it is vented to help control odor. The bag also comes with terry cloth skate blade covers so that if you do have ice skates they won’t damage the bag’s 900D polyester material.
The top compartment has a drawstring opening that opens large enough to fit a helmet too. You probably won’t be able to fit a full set of pads in there but you can fit a 15-inch laptop into the built-in padded compartment. You get two external water bottle pockets as well.
As for the construction of the bag, it is made quite well with a molded water-resistant base that won’t fail on you after a year like your old school bag. The shoulder straps are nicely padded as well but I think this bag could benefit from a hip belt as well because of its size.
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11. Best Disc Golf Backpack: Dynamic Discs Trooper
Pros:- Holds 18+ discs
- Comfortable shoulder straps
- Rigid design
Cons:- Limited number of pockets
- Finicky zippers
- Handle could use more padding
Disc golf might not be the most popular sport out there but it’s been my go-to destresser the last decade. That said, it wouldn’t be nearly as relaxing of a game if I didn’t have my Dynamic Discs Trooper Backpack to get me from hole to hole. This is a must-have accessory for those who like to bag the perfect disc for every line since it can hold over 18 discs in its main compartment. The top compartment is great for storing a speaker, a birdie bag, and maybe a few beers too.
But there is also the water bottle pocket and side accessory pocket as well. One of my favorite things about this bag, though, is its rigid design. The bag keeps its form no matter how light you pack it and its bottom-heavy design keeps it standing up straight (most of the time). I do wish the handle had a little more padding but other than that this is the best disc golf backpack in its price range.
What Is a Sports Backpack?
If you've made it this far, it's probably already occurred to you that you need a discrete backpack for all the gear you are collecting around your favorite sport. And you may be surprised just how many sports have their own dedicated bag designs.
For sports like baseball and lacrosse, they have kit bags that are properly shaped to carry your equipment. Sports with minimal gear like soccer, basketball, or volleyball can all use the same style of large, top-loading backpack. But what sets them apart?
Land's End offers a list of helpful differentiators between normal backpacks and sports backpacks. But I'll save you a click and list them here. For one, they absolutely have to have a water bottle pocket. But more importantly, a typical sports bag has a space for cleats or smelly uniforms. Finally, they also have to have special compartments so you can easily access larger accessories like a bat, helmet, or ball.
These differences can seem minor but they make all the difference when you need to not only organize but also transport a large amount of sports gear.