1. Spacious Main Compartment
2. Padded Shoulder Strap
3. Durable and Water Resistant
4. External Side Pocket
5. Internal Mesh Pockets
6. Sturdy Handle
7. Helmet Carry Compartment
8. Stick Holder
9. Cleats Compartment
10. Equipment Organizer
11. Ball Storage Pocket
12. Laptop Sleeve
13. Insulated Cooler Compartment
14. Bottle Holders
15. Luggage Pass-Through
Spacious Main Compartment Keeps All Your Coaching Essentials Organized
As a lacrosse coach, having a bag that can carry all your gear and equipment in an organized fashion is a must. The main compartment of a quality lacrosse coach’s bag should be roomy enough to hold day-to-day coaching necessities like practice plans, playbooks, coaching tools, medical supplies, water bottles, and more with space left over. Look for a bag with a large main compartment around 30″ long x 15″ wide x 12″ deep or bigger to have ample storage for clipboards, cones, ball pumps, and other bulky items. Interior features like mesh pockets, dividers, and zippered pouches help keep smaller items in place and easy to find. Having one large open space allows you to customize the layout and pack gear efficiently. Some bags have a removable shelf or partition to separate clean and dirty gear. Others have an expandable cinch top to accommodate extra equipment. Prioritize an expandable main compartment with sturdy fabric, like polyester or nylon ripstop, that won’t lose its shape over time. The ideal lacrosse coaching bag has a voluminous central compartment to consolidate all your coaching gear in one organized, portable package.
Durable and Water Resistant Exterior Withstands Heavy Use
Lacrosse coaches require gear bags that can stand up to heavy daily use in all weather conditions. Look for bags made with durable, water-resistant materials to keep your equipment protected. The best lacrosse coaching bags have a abrasion-resistant bottom and sides made of thick 1680D ballistic polyester or heavyweight nylon. These heavy-duty fabrics resist tears, scuffs, and moisture. Prioritize a bag with water-repellent coatings and covered zippers to keep rain out of the interior. Avoid cheaper bags with thin material prone to ripping. Seek out reinforced stress points and bar tacking at potential wear areas like straps and grab handles. Sturdy stitching throughout prevents seam failures. Metal hardware like buckles, clips, and zipper pulls should be rust-resistant. Some bags have a integrated rain cover that deploys to shelter the entire bag. Others are made of tarpaulin fabric that’s naturally waterproof. Look for wide, padded shoulder straps made with wicking mesh to avoid digging into your shoulder when loaded. Well-constructed lacrosse coaching bags can endure the strain of repeated use in all conditions. Prioritize durable 1680D polyester or similar heavy fabric, double stitching, YKK zippers and heavy-duty clips and buckles. With the right materials, your coaching bag can handle years of daily use without any tearing, leaking or damage.
Sturdy Handle Provides a Secure Grip When Carrying Full Gear Bag
A sturdy carry handle is an essential feature for any lacrosse coach’s gear bag. You need to be able to comfortably lift and carry a fully loaded bag between the field, locker room, and your vehicle. Prioritize bags with a thick padded and reinforced handle sewn securely to the exterior. Avoid flimsy handles that can tear away from the bag. The handle should be made of durable material like leather or nylon webbing and double stitched for strength. Look for wide handles of at least one inch that won’t dig into your palms, even when carrying heavy equipment. Wider handles disperse weight more comfortably without cutting into your hands. Some handles are adjustable, allowing you to carry the bag by hand or over the shoulder. Others have a wrap-around design with velcro closure to keep the handle centered on top of the bag when not in use. Seek out a bag with a rigid handle attachment point reinforced by an internal metal frame or plastic insert. This prevents the weight of the bag from causing the handle to sag over time. Test the handle by packing the bag fully and carrying it around. An ideal lacrosse coaching bag has a wide, padded, and reinforced handle capable of easily lifting 30+ pounds of gear without bending, twisting or discomfort.
Helmet Carry Compartment Keeps Gear Organized and Protected
The best lacrosse coaching bags include a dedicated compartment specially designed to carry helmets. Storing helmets loosely in the main gear section can lead to damage as items shift during transport. A separate vented helmet carrier keeps your helmets protected while allowing air circulation. Look for a compartment large enough to fit multiple helmets, usually one on top of the other. Prioritize bags with thick padded walls or removable foam inserts to cushion helmets and prevent chips, cracks, and dents. Some bags have removable divider panels or Velcro straps to secure helmets in place during travel. Others have a drawstring closure, zippered flap, or lid that covers the helmet storage area. This provides an additional layer of padding and protection. Seek out bags with wide helmet compartments at least 6 inches deep to accommodate most helmet brands and sizes. The compartment opening should be positioned conveniently on one end or side of the bag for easy access. A few high-end bags even allow you to access helmets through the back panel while keeping the rest of the bag closed. A specialized helmet compartment simplifies packing, prevents damage, and keeps dirty helmets isolated from clean gear. For optimal organization, choose a lacrosse coaching bag with a large, padded helmet carrier capable of holding multiple helmets securely in place.
Cleats Compartment Keeps Dirty Shoes Separate
After practices and games, lacrosse cleats are often muddy or dusty and need to be kept isolated from clean gear in your bag. The best coaching bags include a designated cleats compartment to prevent cross-contamination. Prioritize bags with a separate zippered opening and interior storage sleeves or pockets sized specifically for shoes. Felt-lined walls help prevent scratches and damage to cleats. Some bags have removable mesh storage sacks that cinch closed to contain dirty shoes. Others have built-in ventilation to allow air circulation and drying. Look for compartments large enough to hold multiple pairs of shoes in case you need to transport equipment for multiple players. Cleats compartments should be positioned on the ends or sides of the bag for convenient access. Structured shapes help shoes maintain their form instead of getting crushed under larger gear. Bags made of ripstop nylon or other water-resistant fabrics prevent mud and dirt from transferring to the other interior sections. With a specialized cleats pocket, you can pack footwear safely without worrying about grease and dirt soiling your coaching materials and clean uniforms. Prioritize lacrosse bags with a designated ventilated, protective compartment tailored to the size and shape of athletic shoes.
Ball Storage Pocket Provides Quick Access During Practice
Having lacrosse balls readily available is key for running efficient practices and drills. The best coaching bags include dedicated exterior ball pockets that allow quick access when you need balls at a moment’s notice. Prioritize bags with at least one zippered pocket sized to securely hold 2-4 balls. The pocket should be positioned on the end or side of the bag for easy reach. Mesh paneling allows you to see how many balls are inside at a glance. Some bags have multiple ball pockets so you can separate balls by type or designate certain pockets for clean vs dirty balls only. Look for wide openings that make it easy to add or remove balls one-handed during play. Avoid bags where you have to fully unzip and rummage around to find the right ball. Elastic closures keep balls from bouncing out while still allowing you to grab one without needing to zip and unzip constantly. For convenience, choose a bag with an exterior ball pocket made of stretch mesh that retains shape and provides visible storage. When leading drills and exercises, you want lacrosse balls right at your fingertips. A dedicated ball pocket with quick-access positioning ensures you can keep practice moving efficiently.
Bottle Holders Keep Hydration Handy During Games and Practice
Staying hydrated is critical for lacrosse coaches who spend long hours on the field in all weather conditions. A coaching bag designed with convenient water bottle storage helps you stay energized and focused. Prioritize bags with elasticized holsters or side pockets specifically sized for standard sports drink bottles. Mesh fabric allows you to easily see and access bottles without needing to open the bag. Look for two bottle holders positioned on either end for ambidextrous access from both sides. The holders should be angled forward so you can grab water smoothly without taking off the bag. Avoid bags where bottle storage compresses and crushes your drinks. Some bags allow you to route bottle tips through holes at the top of pockets for one-handed drinking access. Others have insulated bottle holders that keep drinks cool and prevent condensation from leaking into the bag. Reflective accents help with nighttime visibility. For quick hydration during action, choose a coaching bag with angled mesh bottle holsters on the front sides. Well-positioned bottle holders let you grab water easily without slowing down during hectic games and practices.
Luggage Pass-Through Slides Over Suitcase Handles For Easy Transport
For lacrosse coaches who travel frequently, being able to stack your gear bag securely atop rolling luggage is a major convenience. Seek out coaching bags with integrated luggage pass-through straps on the back panel. These allow the bag to slide over the handle of your suitcase for easy transport without separation. The straps should be designed to fit comfortably over most standard luggage handle sizes and shapes. They keep the bags stacked tightly together, preventing sliding and flopping that can cause equipment to spill out. Prioritize wider straps made of durable material like seatbelt webbing – thin flimsy straps are prone to tearing under heavy weight. Make sure the straps are reinforced at the seams for added strength under load. Some bags have zippered pass-through panels that allow full enclosure around the luggage handle. Others have open straps with a velcro closure to keep them tucked away when not needed. For smooth maneuverability, test rolling your stacked bags to ensure proper clearance and stability. The right luggage pass-through system allows you to move efficiently through crowded airports without juggling multiple separate bags. When traveling for tournaments and games, this convenient feature helps streamline transporting all your essential lacrosse coaching gear.