What's in A Bag?

[awall 0]

Do any of you give much thought to your bags? Are all bags created equal?

When it comes to regular bags I have a reputation for being rough on 'em. On more than one occasion I have been known to over stuff them which usually causes bursting at the seams. My collection of pads and hockey equipment is growning to the point that I could finally justify getting my first hockey bag.

The only recommendation I got from a friend was that I should look for a bag that had stiff sides so it wouldn't fall closed so easily when you took everything out of it. I looked around but really didn't find much on the internet as far as reviews go so I just started looking around and looked for one that just looked shiny.

I found a few bags on Hockeymonkey.com that looked good, specifically the CCM 1152. The only drawbacks were that they all seem to come with the Hockeymonkey logo painted on which I'm not too crazy about. I was not sure if I should go with wheeled or unwheeled so I went the lazy route and got wheeled. Now here's the kikcker. I have noticed that there are plenty of on-line stores where I can buy hockey equipment, and they all seem to offer their goods for about 1/2 of what I can get at my FLHS. I had a crisis of conscience about buying on-line vs. buying from my local mom&pop shop, I like to support my FLHS just to keep the money in the community. Besides it is really nice when I walk in and the owner knows my name and is friendly, I'm willing to pay for that.

Anyway Hockeymonkey had this bag I liked and I coulnd't find it anywhere in town and really didn't want to wait for them to order it. I figured if I was gonna order it I might as well do so and get a little discount and have it delivered to my doorstep.

Besides when I had my FLHS order my skates I was starting to become an annoyance by calling them up and asking "are they in yet?" Now you know why they know my name.

Ok so I place my order on-line thinking this is great 1/2 off, no taxes, I'm finally getting a good bargin. I place the order and notice the line that mentions that the bag is considered oversized for shipping purposes, no probelm that can't mean much. I fill everything in and then I look at the total and my draw drops. What happoned to my discount! It's not like I life in BFE! Now I see why hockey equipment is so deeply discounted on-line because once you add shipping for it you make up the difference. What really got my attention was when I thought just for grins I would see what 3 day shipping would cost. Its a good thing that defibrulators are starting to become common place now because I needed a quick zap to get back up off the floor after that price. Needless to say I decided to go with the cheaper ground shipping and will just have to wait patiently.

In case you're curious 3 day shipping was gonna make my $50 bag cost $150.

[jjtt99 0]

I lot of guys will give you a hard time if you get a bag with wheels as it's kind of wimpy.

As for other features. Pockets are good -- the more the better.

You also want a bag that has skate pockets that point your blades upward. This way they are less likely to get damaged when the bag is dropped to the ground, and you won't have water sitting on them either.

Good luck!

JJ

[Chadd 916]

I absolutely hate my CCM bag and would never recommend one similar to what I had. Within 4 days half of the zippers broke or ripped. I was told if I paid for shipping that I could send it back and they would check to see if they would repair or replace it. Shipping would have cost more than a new bag, so I didn't bother.

I look for size and quality of construction. I prefer metal zippers and strap hardware.

[freq019 0]

I have a jofa bag and the shoulder strap died quickly and it did not go alone it tore some nice holes into the side pockets where it was attached. The zippers are fine in I had to say something positive and the hand straps still work.

[hip check 0]

I have one of the heavy vinyl bags, nothing fancy at all. It has one big zipper, has a tiny name tag pocket on it. It tough as nails, fits all my gear with a bit of space to spare. It doesn't let moisture/water in (or out, for those that don't air out their gear!). It's lasted longer than any other bag I've owned.

[Chadd 916]

I have one of the heavy vinyl bags, nothing fancy at all. It has one big zipper, has a tiny name tag pocket on it. It tough as nails, fits all my gear with a bit of space to spare. It doesn't let moisture/water in (or out, for those that don't air out their gear!). It's lasted longer than any other bag I've owned.

The Eagle team bags like that are nice.

[illpaseo116 0]

zippers are broken on my CCM bag as well, and not from overstuffing either, they were just crap. I'm in need of a new bag desperately. I really like the new mission bag, but i'm not ready to drop $60 on a bag right now.

One of the cool features i see now are bags with mesh laundry bags included. A good idea so you can just toss stuff in there and not have to worry about it gettin lost in there. I love opening my bag and finding the sock thats been marinating in there for a few weeks

[mik3 1]

I had one of the old brown and gold ccm tacks bags when it was the top of the line about 6-7 years ago, zipper lasted all of one use. I just use an itech 1500xl right now, had it over a year, it still looks brand now. never had any sort of problems at all with it. could use another accessory pocket, but wanting an extra little pocket is a lot better than dealing with seams splitting.

[Chadd 916]

zippers are broken on my CCM bag as well, and not from overstuffing either, they were just crap. I'm in need of a new bag desperately. I really like the new mission bag, but i'm not ready to drop $60 on a bag right now.

One of the cool features i see now are bags with mesh laundry bags included. A good idea so you can just toss stuff in there and not have to worry about it gettin lost in there. I love opening my bag and finding the sock thats been marinating in there for a few weeks

I bought a couple of laundry bags at target for a couple of bucks each. They're great when I remember to throw them in the hockey bag.

[ktang 34]

If you have long distances to walk (e.g. I walk to some of my games from my house) and get a wheeled bag, make sure that it is stiff along the bottom. If it bends you will end up dragging the bottom along the ground, until you stiffen it up (I screwed in a wooden frame for my wheeled bag). Also, a rubber / plastic shield along the bottom corner where the wheels are will protect against rocks and branches.

Other things I wanted for my bag:

- big enough to hold all my padding + skates + equipment + shower stuff + jerseys + helmet etc.

- small enough to fit in my car's trunk

- lots of small interior pockets, for the mouthguard, tape, MiracleStone, extra laces, slash guards, etc.

- one separate section for clean clothes, one separate section for laundry, and main section for pads. One separate section for the helmet seems to be a newer idea.

- a waterproofed interior, so that I can sponge off the gunk and funk once in a while.

- tough, 2-way zippers on a top-opening, 3-sided flap; it's easier to get to the interior pockets that way.

- lots of straps (both ends, both sides, top shoulder strap) so that I can move the bag around easier. Reinforcements for all strap attachments; preferably the straps wrap all the way around the bag.

- Vented skate pockets that are big enough for your skates.

- tough nylon exterior (don't know the grade), and all seams double-stitched and waterproofed.

- padded shoulder strap with the right length.

- grommetted vent holes, but not on the bottom, to help the bag air out (if the holes are on the bottom, water in the dressing room from melting ice or the showers can leak into the bag).

- non-flashy exterior.

- low price.

[Langenbrunner15 0]

ONe kid on my team doesnt have a whelled bag and hes a jelous moron who thinks he carrys our team and he just likes to bag on all of us.

I have the Easton one.

[Knotfan1 0]

Dont get a ccm 752 bad there peices of crap i think . I hate the wheely bags so much there very stiff and hard ont he bottom of the bag there not flexible when. Exspecially when going through doors or taking down stairs i wish ihad got and normal bag.

[Slapshot91 0]

zippers are broken on my CCM bag as well, and not from overstuffing either, they were just crap. I'm in need of a new bag desperately. I really like the new mission bag, but i'm not ready to drop $60 on a bag right now.

One of the cool features i see now are bags with mesh laundry bags included. A good idea so you can just toss stuff in there and not have to worry about it gettin lost in there. I love opening my bag and finding the sock thats been marinating in there for a few weeks

I think I have the bag u are talking about. I wouldnt get it again it ripped in 2 weeks and the side pocket zipper broke off in 1 week.

[hersheybears35 0]

Had a Nike Team USA bag, used that for a couple of years with no problems, bought a Louisville Inertia wheeled bag because it was a closeout, had scuffed it up by dragging it over curbs on the way into the arena, but nothing horrible to report on it. If it`s a big, roomy bag that holds everything without being overstuffed, is comfortable to carry or pull (whichever you prefer ), has whatever type of pockets or liner that you want, has a decent zipper ( I prefer metal to plastic) and can fit through doors without a problem, it`s a good bag.......

Two of the best bags I owned were a Cooper, which lasted about 15 years until the zipper went south, and a Koho with the Jagr/68 logo on it, have had that for about 10 years and use it for my roller stuff, had a small hole that a local seamstress sewed up for $2.00

[Accord 0]

I have the CCM 1152 bag from hockey monkey and I was walking into a game one day when all of a sudden the shoulder strap broke right off and my bag fell to the ground. Not only did it break, but it ripped out all of the reinforcements and whatnot that were holding the strap down onto the bag and now where's a hole there. CCM makes horrible bags, I will never buy another bag made by CCM.

[sherwood21 0]

I have my team's custom ordered bags, who knows who it is by. It does have the old school colored straps though, if we order them again next year I want to get those again. Really, all I look for in a bag is 2 compartments, one for gear, one for towels, wax, visor spray, shoes, tape, etc.

[LetsGoWings13 0]

alls I really care about is a padded strap, skate pockets, extra compartments and for the bag to be HUGE.

[kosydar 0]

Two bags I've had have really stuck out as good. First off, the Itech Pro Team bag. It has one big compartment with internal skate and other compartments. Its a real nice bag. The other is the good old Team Canada bag that I bought at a Costco up in BC for around $10. Its tough as nails, and has some good features.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

My Eagle bag is absolutly AWESOME. I'm sure it's the best bag on the market if you are not looking for skates pockets, just a BIG zip and that's it.

[MNdgame 0]

My Eagle bag is absolutly AWESOME. I'm sure it's the best bag on the market if you are not looking for skates pockets, just a BIG zip and that's it.

Anwhere I could buy one of those online? Also the new RBK bags look nice, atleast the non-wheeled one does(www.hockey2.com has them).

[Louie 28]

I have one of the heavy vinyl bags, nothing fancy at all.  It has one big zipper, has a tiny name tag pocket on it.  It tough as nails, fits all my gear with a bit of space to spare.  It doesn't let moisture/water in (or out, for those that don't air out their gear!).  It's lasted longer than any other bag I've owned.

The Eagle team bags like that are nice.

I have a Pens one that I got from Goalie Heavan its in great shape after a year.

[Kovy_Ribs_Fedo 3]

I have one of the heavy vinyl bags, nothing fancy at all.  It has one big zipper, has a tiny name tag pocket on it.  It tough as nails, fits all my gear with a bit of space to spare.  It doesn't let moisture/water in (or out, for those that don't air out their gear!).   It's lasted longer than any other bag I've owned.

The Eagle team bags like that are nice.

I have a Pens one that I got from Goalie Heavan its in great shape after a year.

me too, after a year and a couple of months, it still in perfect shape or so.

[Cavs019 710]

My tackla has lasted a solid 7 years...

[jimmy 194]

The CCM bags suck. I've warranteed more than 1/2 that I sold, all zipper problems. That said, the Pro-Tack bag is much better, but it's $89. Still, most bags made today don't last long, perhaps 1 season.

[KingPest19 0]

ive got a Graf bag thats pretty good size skate pockets a vented end pocket shoulder strap and two hand straps. Ive had it about 4 years now and all ive seen wrong with it is a litte tear in one of the skate pockets. Thin had held up incredibly well. IIRC it ran me in the 50- 60 dollar range