I don’t recall ever having a “hockey bag” in my childhood. I don’t even know what it is. As a kid, my sports bag was usually filled with stuffed animals, a few toys, some snacks, and my trophies – ha! Now that I’m a teenager, my bag is filled with all of the essentials: Chapstick, a hair dryer, waterproof makeup, a flashlight, a whistle, a flammable liquid detector, paracetamol, ibuprofen – you get the idea.
While on the surface my bag might look identical to yours, trust me when I say that there is a lot more going on inside. Before we begin, it’s important to note that this article is going to be quite the informative read not just for hockey fans but for anyone who is interested in the topic of hockey equipment and bags. Now that you’re curious, let’s have a quick look at my bag.
Table of Contents
The History Of Hockey Bags
It seems that hockey bags have been around for as long as hockey players have been playing the game. Back in the day, players would strap their sticks over their shoulders and use their hands to carry their gear. It wasn’t until the 1940s that the first hockey bags started becoming popular. In fact, one of the first hockey bags was officially called a rucksack and was designed by a man named Carl Unverzagt. This model was inspired by the military rucksacks that pilots would use to transport their flight gear in. Unverzagt designed the rucksack to hold all of the equipment needed for a hockey player – including their skates! – and to also double as a pillow when laid flat on the ground. In 1948, the Chicago Blackhawks used Unverzagt’s design for their ice hockey team and it became an instant hit. Since then, pretty much every hockey player has used a rucksack as their sports bag. Even some modern day players still use them!
The Essential Elements Of A Hockey Bag
Here’s the thing about bags… they’re not made equal. While some bags are perfectly adequate for the purpose for which they were designed, others aren’t built to last more than a couple of years. It’s crucial to know what kind of bag you need for the kind of activity you’re planning on doing. Some players opt for a slushy bag, which is designed to withstand the cold and wet condition of the ice. Others prefer a raincoat bag, which provides better protection from the rain. Some people even use their bags to transport their chairs and stools to and from the arena! This is why it’s important to build a bag that is perfect for your needs. You don’t want to end up carrying around a heavy bag that is causing you pain any more than you want to carry around a luxury item that is weighing you down.
A Note On Decoration
Some people like to decorate their bags with stickers, pictures of animals and maps of exotic places. While I don’t mind some sweet stickers on my bag, this is not something I would recommend. The last thing you want to do is peel the stickers off during a game. It’s also worth noting that decoration of any kind – including stickers – will seriously weaken the bag’s structure. If you’re going to be carrying this bag around for an extended period of time, you might want to skip on the decoration and go for a simple, no-frills look.
How To Pick The Right Bag For Yourself
If you’re really trying to choose a bag that’s right for you, you need to take a few things into consideration. The first is the size of your hands. As I mentioned above, not all bags are made equal, and depending on how you hold your hands while using the bag, you might find that it’s a bit too small or too large for you. The second thing you need to consider is how much weight you need to be carrying. Remember, your bag is going to be carrying all of the weight associated with your hockey gear, so you want to make sure that it’s equipped to handle this responsibility. The third thing you need to consider is your budget. As a kid, I never had a problem spending money on hockey equipment and toys. These days, however, being a responsible adult and a budgeting person has certainly helped. I try and make sure that I’m spending money wisely and on things that I need while also keeping an eye on my wallet. The last thing you want to do is buy something you don’t need just to have something to carry around in your bag.
Why A Duffel Bag Is The Best Choice
I’ve been in many hockey rinks over the years, both old and new, and I’ve seen many different kinds of bags used by the players. The one thing I’ve never seen or even heard of is a hockey bag, until recently.
I’ve been collecting hockey bags for a while now and have compiled a list of everything that is great about them. First, let’s discuss the pros.
Ultimate Carrying Capacity
Every bag on this list is going to have a maximum carrying capacity. This is due to the fact that bag makers don’t make huge allowances for the fact that some players are larger than others. For example, if you have a smaller hand, you might not be able to grip the bag’s handles comfortably and the weight of the items inside is going to be more than what your arms can bear. This is why every bag is made with a capacity of carrying at least 50 lbs – anything more and it becomes difficult to walk. When you consider the maximum weight that most professional hockey players have to carry at any given time, the fact that these bags can carry up to 100 lbs is quite an achievement.
Room For Everything
One of the things I like most about hockey bags is how much room they have inside. You can fit just about anything in there. It’s amazing how much gear one person can fit into a bag that is only a couple of feet high and a couple of feet wide. It’s also worth noting that this is the type of bag that is easy to clean. If you have a lot of sweaty gear to carry around, you might find that the bag is not as easy to keep clean as you’d like. The best thing about this type of bag is how much space you have for supplies. If you’re going to be using the bag for a long time, you might want to invest in a waterproof bag liner, which can help with keeping your gear clean and dry.
Airline Travel
If you’re traveling by plane, you need to know whether or not your bag is allowed aboard the plane. Some bags are bigger than others and the wings don’t fit comfortably inside. If you’re going to be checking a bag at the airport, you might want to get the one that is the right size for you. It’s also worth noting that when you’re traveling by plane, you’re restricted to what kind of baggage you can bring with you. This can be tricky if you want to bring a sports bag, especially if you’re trying to check it at the airport. In most cases, you’ll be able to bring a small suitcase as your checked bag. This is why it’s crucial to know what size bag you need before you leave for your trip. If you don’t have Internet access at the airport, it’s also worth looking into whether or not your phone will be checked too. Some phones are excluded from being checked as hand luggage and this can save you a lot of trouble if you’re at the airport without access to WiFi.
The Cons Of A Duffel Bag
While there are many pluses to a duffel bag, one must also be aware of its short comings. First, let’s discuss the cons.
- Not Made Of Waterproof Material
- No Pocket For Stowing Extra Items
- Takes Up A Lot Of Space
- Cannot Be Confined To One Place