In the old days, you got a heavy, canvas duffel bag, usually a hand-me-down from the football program, and that was your gear bag. That was everyone’s gear bag! Big. Canvas. Duffel. That was it, and it was actually pretty glorious. But now? Now there are as many gear bags as there are sticks on the market, and it’s not so simple anymore. But there are answers – and we have them!
The Truth About Lacrosse Gear Bags – 4 Important Questions
Can I Carry This Bag?
The most important, and often under-asked question about a gear bag is – can I carry this bag?
If you can’t carry the giant monster alpha max bag because it’s too big for you, then you need a smaller, more manageable bag. This applies to grownups and kids alike. Lacrosse players, at every age, should carry their own gear. Parents can carry water and snacks and things like that in their own “gear bag” if necessary, but kids carry their own gear. It is also important to consider where you will carry it when it is fully loaded. If you will be making long treks between fields with all your gear, will you be switching it from shoulder to shoulder every minute or two?
How Much Gear Do I Carry With Me?
If you bring one helmet, one pair of gloves, one set of pads, two sticks, a bottle of water and your cleats to game, then you don’t need a giant bag. You might even be able to use a backpack as your gear bag.
Do you bring attack and goalie gear to every game? Do you bring extra gloves in case a teammate forgets theirs? For these reasons and others, you may need a bigger gear bag. Again, think of what you need to carry to be fully prepared and find a bag that fits those size needs.
Do I Need a Lot of Pockets?
Now that you have decided one what size bag you need, you can begin to think of the bells and whistles. You might still want a simple duffel bag. Those are available in a variety of sizes. Backpack gear bags are also available in a lot of sizes. And so are bags with 60 different pockets or chambers.
If you carry 20 screws, a screwdriver, extra ball stops and a ton of other stuff, you probably want compartments. If you just bring your gear, maybe a duffel bag is better. It’s all about your needs and how the bag can meet them, so find a bag that works for you.
How Tough Do I Need My Bag to Be?
The last thing about lacrosse gear bags is toughness. Your bag will be thrown about, piled on, pushed, prodded, opened and closed a thousand times. Basically, your bag will be given the business. Find something that is tough, made well, and can take the abuse. Especially when considering the size from earlier, will you be using a smaller bag that is completely filled? You will want to be sure it has some quality zippers. Otherwise, you will be replacing it in no time, even if it worked great for you on all other counts.
If you will be leaving it on the sideline in bad weather, waterproof bags may seem appealing. There are very few truly waterproof bags out there, and most that do exist are quite expensive. But if you truly need something that can stand up to the elements, travels well, and can take all the abuse you throw at it, look at a large hiking bag from a company like Patagonia, the North Face, or REI. These bags cost a pretty penny but can take serious abuse, and while they aren’t lacrosse bags, they will serve you well out in the field.
Take Care of Your Equipment
You want a gear bag to protect your lacrosse equipment from the elements so they can treat you well for years to come. Why wouldn’t you do the same with your lax head?
FlexForce has created a unique product that is specifically designed to prevent heads from pinching, widening them back to the correct, desired distance to give you that extra edge and provide your equipment with the longevity you need. Home remedies for the pinching problem have popped up over the years, but they don’t offer the same guarantee or consistency that FlexForce does.
Tuna cans and hockey pucks can’t be counted on, but FlexForce can.
