The Ultimate Squash Bag(s)

I am particular about my bags. The number one thing is that it has to be functional and easy to use. I don’t want to be looking for things. I don’t want to be wondering if I brought the (fill in the blank) or not. I don’t want to panic thinking I forgot my glasses or my phone when they are just buried in the dark cavern nylon folds.

At the moment I use an awesome Oakley computer backpack that once held two racquets and a recently acquired next to new racquet bag I just happened to come across at Value Village until I find my perfect bag to carry it all.

But at this stage of my journey, I just don’t know why the bags don’t seem to be remotely designed for the basics needs of squash players (or tennis players for that matter).

The majority of racquet bags are great for carrying racquets, but then the rest of the bag seems to be one giant pocket and one or two accessory pockets. There always seems to be something important missing. What is it that I’m missing?

I won’t lie, I have sketched out designs for various bags more than once. But I am not a person who could sew such a thing so apparently I’d be making mine out of cardboard and duct tape.

Short of paying someone a small fortune to custom make one, I am willing to compromise on certain things. Carrying more than a couple of racquets is one thing. But the shoes is another. I am getting those court shoes in and out of my bag multiple times each week. And goggles. And what about the drinks we need? And the easy access to the stuff we all need, club pass, wallet, phone, etc.

I have an amazing backpack that didn’t break the bank for camera gear. I know it’s possible. Can’t someone create a bag that makes sense?

Stuff We Carry

• Racquet(s)
  • I don’t want a bag to be any bigger than I need it to be, but sometimes you want to carry more or sometimes fewer racquets. A racquet bag could be extended with a zipper like the way some luggage bags expand outward. Does it have to be thermal regulated or is that just a tennis thing? I really don’t know. I guess it can’t hurt but squash players are not outside in the heat the way tennis players are.
• Goggles
  • A non-crushable, but scratch resistant pocket for goggles (or any other glasses). If you are playing singles at a high level maybe you’re not wearing goggles but most of us should be. And for sure playing hardball doubles you have to wear goggles no matter how good you are. And maybe you need glasses, or wear sunglasses. That pocket is not going to waste.
• Balls
  • Easy (and quick) access pockets for balls. We always need them to play of course, but sometimes break sometimes, too, so we need to get another one. Plus squash balls are small and black. They can be hard to see. I don’t want to be digging around in a dark cavern for them.
• Shoes
  • Please: a separate compartment for shoes that doesn’t require you taking everything out of your bag to get the shoes back in every time (sigh). Like this is a serious irritation for me multiple times a week. I don’t want to be fighting the rest of my stuff. Nor do I want them swinging around dangling off my pack by their shoe laces. I’ve seen separate shoe bags around (why? Just no, if I have to ut them in a bag inside a bag I’ll opt for something cheap). A shoe tunnel is pretty good, but then you re going to have a fight with the rest of your stuff. A separate stand alone structured pocket that they can slide easily into regardless of what you have in the rest of the bag. I’m going to do some thinking for the designers here: put that compartment under the racquet handles maybe *(Oh, just discovered technifibre has sone this for one of their bags – I show it later in the article). Or imagine this: a simple panel on the outside that pops out like a drawbridge and collapses when not in use. Or even one of those net panels like soccer bags have for the ball. Or a shoe clip to clamp shows to the outside. Air those shoes. It’s possible!
• Drinks (x2)
  • Outside pockets for drinks or a spill proof pocket. I carry water at a minimum, but sometimes I bring a caffeinated drink (usually hot tea), often a sports drink or coconut water during play to replace electrolytes, and then a follow up carb/protein drink for immediately after a demanding session. If I were to choose, I want to know I have got my drink bottle(s) just by looking at my bag. A thermos could be tucked away in the corner on the inside. It really could. But I would compromise for something leak proof.
• Wallet – zipped away. Where I can find it.
• Phone
  • Quick access pocket for your phone (there is only so fast you can sprint off court to answer it – or get your bag off your shoulders to get at it before they hang up – it better be easy to get to).
• Keys
  • Loops. LOOPS! You don’t have to know what they’re for – just put them on the bag. I have loops on my backpack straps and I love them. I use carabiners and lanyards to clip my keys and club pass on my bag. This is a big stress saver, etc. The pass is always there and I don’t have to worry about it. I can always find my keys. I want it on every bag from now on.
• A club pass.
  • This could be a slim slide-in pocket on one of the straps. (Or attached a loop on the strap. Just put loops on the straps).
• A couple of extra pockets of different sizes for other stuff, outside and inside
  • A couple of organizer pockets for small stuff (ear buds, grip tape, spare phone charger, bandaids and bandages, sweatbands, camera, notes, whatever – there is always something extra we need to bring for something!).
• Change of clothes
  • You think you could just wear your warm up hear to the court. But in the summer it’s hot to get the court, but cool inside the court especially between games. Plus, sometimes I want clothes you can change into if we’re going out after. It doesn’t have to be a big space – just enough space.
• Food storage
  • Oh if I only had room for snacks, oh yes, please (and didn’t forget that they were in there – window?). Ideally leak proof because, you know accidents happen, or you have garbage and nowhere to throw it out right away.

Wish list for design consideration

While your at it, Bag Manufacturers, there are a few design considerations

• Make the inside a light colour – it’s dark inside a bag
• Give the bag a bit of structure. If it bag walls flops then it becomes yet another aspect you have to manage to find your stuff.
• Good zippers – goes without saying
• People bike to courts – the racquets should not be hitting the back of your head.
• Soeaking of which – if the bag is going to be in different positions, make sure the inside contents stay put. Velcro straps or flaps?
• This is a nice-to-have and not a have-to-have but I’d like my bag to lie down so I can get into it easily, and stand on its own upright. There have been multiple times when I have had to ref a game at matches and move around with my bag. I don’t want to be taking up a lot of floor space. I think it’s possible by giving it some structure and making it bottom heavy

That’s my wish list.

And finally I am all about ease of use, good organization, and just the right size. But, er, if it’s too much money, I’m not buying it.

Well one can dream, but now I have to live in reality. Here are some ones I’ve been looking at that you might find interesting, too.

My top choice for a bag for 4 racquets

L 930 tennis Artengo bag by Decathlon

Without seeing it in person, thought the L 930 tennis Artengo bag by Decathlon was pretty good within my price range with its thermo insulated pocket that fits a 2 L water bottle and separate shoe pocket and a reasonable-ish price ($100 CAD). Not sure if there are very many accessory pocket. But there’s just one picture so I can’t really get a good look at it. Or buy it online. Or really, buy it anywhere. It’s out of stock. Arrgh.

Decathalon made a cute little starter racquet bag I have for a really great price and that bag held up – I appreciate that. Plus they made a cute tennis dress that former world number 3 french player Camille Serme wore – also at a great price. So I have a loyalty to Decathalon for making reasonable priced sportswear options you can’t get anywhere else.

https://www.decathlon.ca/en/p/8487756/l930-tennis-bag#/

If this bag come back in stock I’ll give it a look for sure.

Xamsa Incognito 6R Bag

The Xamsa Incognito 6R Bag came recommended by more than a few squash players on reddit and their site says the bag was designed by squash players.

I like it’s sleek compact design, subtle branding, its shoe carrying ventilated pocket, quick access to phone, with an exterior pocket and a couple of token inside pockets for your pass and keys, perhaps.

I wouldn’t know until I could actually see it in person, but it looks like your shoes would hang from the top when you wear it on your back. That would help minimise the fight to get them in the back as everything would settle in the opposite direction. Of course there are grab handle at the top and the end, so you might carry it as a duffle, but like many racquet bags, the large pocket where you are likely to store most of your clothes and other things, opens right up.

No cooler feature, no anti-crush, anti-scratch goggle pocket, interior is black sadly, won’t stand up on it’s own, and no drinks pocket. But the price point at $80 CAD is pretty good. I feel these guys got as close to my wish list in many ways by trying to make a quality bag for a lower price. You might be willing (Ok, I might be willing) to compromise on a few things.

Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5Ih7QYZXOI

I think this is a Canadian company or at least they are based on Canada which definitely ups the interest for me, personally.

Tecnifibre Rackpack

These bags are popular for a reason. They have a reasonable price point, have multiple pockets, can be worn on your back.

It has a lot of the qualities I was looking for: light coloured interior, a shoe compartment that has some structure, section dividers to keep things organized and really easy to access everything. As a squash or tennis duffle bag, it’s great.

I think this video does a great job showing you the bag. But my concern would be if you were wearing this bag while biking to the court things smaller things might fall out of the sections. You could consider keeping everything in bags within the compartments, but then you start to lose the quick and easy access feature.

Babolat Team Line Maxi Tennis Backpack

So my annoyance with babolat is that the canadian site does not have a squash section. Tennis, Badminton, Padel and Pickleball, sure. No Squash. But I digress.

This is a three racquet bag and not four, but it’s three tennis racquets. Does that means you could fit four squash racquets? Who knows.

This looks like a nice bag from what I can see based on the video.

This backpack carries 3 tennis racquets and has ton of accessory pockets so easy to keep yourself organized as long as you have a dedicated use for each pocket. Light coloured interior. The shoe pocket at the bottom looks like it would be easy to get shoes in and out – super large opening. It is its own separate pockets without it

4 Pockets inside – one could carry water bottles in two these I think which I don’t know how much I’d like this to be on the inside – thinking leaking again. Some of the Amazon reviews suggested that zippers broke. That’s going to be an issue for a bag that’s going to see a lot of use and wear and tear.

You might be able to pick one up on Amazon -> https://amzn.to/3Rv1EYl (affiliate link to Amazon, if you buy anything we would get a small commission, but it’s entirely your choice!). But it doesn’t look like babolat carries it anymore.

Tennis Warehouse demonstrates the bag.

Cancha Bag Pro

Now in theory the following bag is totally up my alley because I LOVE the idea of modular design. You can just get the racquet bag and if you want to attach extra storage with molle attachment system.

But at a price point of $231 just for the racquet bag itself? I’d have to stop and think a minute. You might already have other molle bags you could attach. But if not, you are forking out another $100 for a wet bag and then $80 for the smaller one you see here on the left? That said, buying it individually would add up to over $400, but you could get the whole thing together for $372. Well. I can appreciate it from afar.

I don’t know anything about this bag, and to be fair you’ll have to do your own research on this one. But damn, it’s a good idea, isn’t it?? How long before someone figures out how to make it cheaper?

https://canchabags.com/products/cancha-racquet-bag-pro

But wait… what about the ADV bag…

Large cooler – will you look at that! Pack your shoes in at the other side.

ADV Jet Pack Tennis Bag

Oh boy. Love this bag. Even though it’s clearly a tennis bag, I’d be willing to compromise. If I had the money.

At about $324 CAD ($250 USD) I just can’t justify it no matter how great it is. It’s not made for my demographic (the ones that trade financial security for freedom). It might be made for you, though. But damn. I can still crush on it. It’s so close to the dream.

Have a look at the ADV Jet Pack Tennis 4 (or 8 if you are so inclined) racquet bag.

This somewhat unassuming grey racquet bag (at least from this side) can be worn on your back and contains a cooler. A cooler! Big enough to pack an icepack, a lunch or multiple drinks – yes!

It has the much desired separate shoe compartment, although I’d have to use it to see if it’s just as much of a pain to use as the one I have. It is on the bottom of the bag, meaning when you wear it, I’m guessing everything falls on top. Still hoping for that pocket where the shoes just go in without competing with the contents on the other side. This shoe compartment doesn’t convince me it’s any better than any other but then I can’t test yet.

But still its separate and that’s still good. If it has a removable vecro’d foam divider section on the side protecting it it might be just right. But they don’t mention that so I guess not. I’d be willing to make that modification if it worked though. You know, with cardboard and duct tape, I guess.

A secret hideaway compartment for dirty clothes – like what?? This is just so amazing. I love it, and I love how they done it. I think you could also put something like this under the straps on the bag providing some cushioning when wearing it, but whatever. It’s freaking awesome regardless.

Several outside pockets of different size (check!) , one includes some organizer pockets. A bright nterior colour that you can see things against. Yes, yes, yes!

Also, it is water resistant and bike friendly (so no racquets hitting your helmet when you ride I assume?). I hadn’t thought about it being water resistant. I don’t like to ride my bike in the rain. But it’s not going to hurt.

It’s probably ideal for tennis because of those hooks to hook it to the fence and work out of it from there (you got to like that is you play tennis but useless for squash – what about pop-out little stand legs like some golf bags have – ok, that’s probably not practical – but can it stand up on its own – that would be cool)? But if not, not a deal breaker – you can still lay it down and use it too.

I don’t know if I would love the straps on the top because I’d hate to be fussing with them when getting stuff out of the main compartment. I’ve had a duffle bag that had a shoulder strap that I found annoying when getting into the bag. I’ve seen some that go under the bag when it’s lying down which make more sense to me for a squash court setting. And I don’t know if there is a grab handle on the top if it’s lying down you could use to lift it up and carry it like a duffle – but don’t know if you need one with the handle at the end and the backpack straps though. I’d have to try it out.

But it’s that cooler, that shoe compartment, that secret stash away clothes pocket with pull-put lining, along with the good size exterior pockets that have me sold. In theory, that is.

You might have more disposable income than I do (I’ve trade freedom for money so don’t feel too sorry for me). If you do, or you are just curious check out the site to learn more. https://www.advtennis.pro/products/adv-tennis-bag . They are doing some other good stuff with their business too, so it’s worth a look.

You heard it here.

But I didn’t see a nice soft non-crushable pocket for squash goggles. So, uh, I guess, um, I won’t buy it…

…(it’s on my Christmas list though – hit, hint…)