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So you’ve stocked up all your necessary gear, but how are you supposed to get it all to the field?
One great option is a lacrosse backpack sporting all of the bells and whistles you need to store and transport your equipment and sticks in style.
Unlike a lot of other sports bags, lacrosse backpacks value versatility, convenience and ease. They are compact without sacrificing any of the space you need for everything from your pads to your stick to your helmet, in most cases.
This guide breaks down the best lacrosse backpacks on the market so you can find the perfect one for yourself.
Best Lacrosse Backpacks
We went through the best lacrosse backpacks on the market for both boys and girls, looking at every nook and cranny so you don’t have to. We will focus on the appearance, storage space, and who the bag is best suited for.
7 Best Lacrosse Backpacks:
1) Lacrosse Unlimited Overtime Backpack
Key Details
- Dimensions: 25″H x 17″W x 6″D
- Colors: Black Camo, Grey Camo, Navy Camo, Tan Camo
- Stick Holders: 2 (one on each side)
- Key Features: Additional back straps, water bottle holder
- Warranty: 30 days
The Lacrosse Unlimited Overtime Backpack is perfect for the pack-rat, older laxer who can never have enough storage space for his gear.
Six compartments including one large pocket make for enough space and compartmentalization to keep all of your gear organized exactly how you prefer. The two stick holders are great for anyone looking to bring a backup stick to games and practices.
Straps at the back allow for outside storage of your helmet without sacrificing any of the internal space at your disposal. A lap strap makes for a secure carry no matter how weighed down you may be.
This is the perfect bag for a teen and older player who can carry the weight and possesses the amount of gear this bag beckons for. Admittedly, the camouflage patterning to the exterior is not everyone’s cup of tea.
Pros
- Tons of storage space & large main pocket
- Dual stick holders
- Additional back straps useful for holding your helmet
- Super durable (based on customer reviews)
Cons
- Camouflage patterns may not be not for everyone
- On the expensive side
2) Harrow Elite Lacrosse Backpack
Key Details
- Dimensions: 18″H x 12″W x 11″D
- Colors: 12 options
- Stick Holders: 2 (one on each side)
- Key Features: A lot of space for personalization
- Warranty: 1-year (one-time replacement)
If you’re a player, coach, or parent looking for customizable options to fit the needs and colors of your team, the Harrow Elite Backpack is a great option to consider.
The expansive choice of colors and relatively bare aesthetic will fit any team’s scheme and leave room for a logo or name embroidery.
Even if you’re not in the market for your team, the Elite Backpack is not a bad way to go. Its compartments fit all of your protective gear (besides your helmet) and two stick holders are great for those of you with a backup spoon. The material and assembly are also notable for their durability.
The downside to this bag is it does not offer much beyond the basics and may not be conducive to fitting your helmet and cleats.
This is still a great option for a team purchase and will meet all of the capacity needs for girls and most boys’/mens’ equipment.
Pros
- Multiple color options
- Space for personalization
- Dual adjustable stick holders
- Heavier fabric and reinforced straps for durability
- Cushioned back for comfort
Cons
- Smaller dimensions for storage space
- No external helmet holder/straps
- More expensive than other options
3) Athletico Extra Large Lacrosse Backpack
Key Details
- Dimensions: 24″H x 15″W x 11″D
- Colors: Black, Blue
- Stick Holder: 2 (one on each side)
- Key Features: Front helmet straps, cleats pocket, water bottle holder
- Warranty: 1 year
Affordability and capacity come together to make the Athletico Extra Large Lacrosse Backpack a great option for those looking for a bag with more space.
This bag comes with all of the bells and whistles: two stick holders, a cleats compartment at the bottom, a water bottle holder, and plenty of room to fit every piece of equipment in your arsenal and then some. Even the fence hook shows Athletico has thought of everything a player needs or wants in a bag.
So where’s the rub? Durability and awkwardness are the two major drawbacks to this backpack. There has been mention of zippers breaking and the material being less than sturdy in the long run. Although it claims an ergonomic design, the sheer amount of gear you can fit in this bag makes it a difficult carry for a smaller player.
Even so, Athletico’s consumer-friendly, one-year warranty and satisfaction guarantee give you time to try out the bag to find out if it works for you.
This is probably not the best option for a girls lacrosse player. The amount of space and added compartments probably aren’t necessary for most girls.
Pros
- Front helmet straps to save internal space
- Affordable, especially for the size and quality
- Fence hook for off-ground storage
- Water-resistant material for moisture protection
- Cleats compartment for cleanliness and convenience
Cons
- Thinner shell makes personalization difficult
- Some durability questions
- May be too big for younger players
4) Athletico Youth Lacrosse Bag
Key Details
- Dimensions: 19.5″H x 14″W x 10″D
- Colors: Black, Blue, Pink, Red
- Stick Holder: 2 (one on each side)
- Key Features: Helmet holder, cleat pocket, water bottle holder
- Warranty: 1-year
The smaller relative to the Athletico Extra Large Backpack above, the “Youth” bag is better suited for a younger player or those with less gear to lug around.
This backpack sports all of the same features as its bigger brother but sacrifices its size and a supportive hip strap. Even though it is scaled down, the backpack may still be a tough carry for a smaller player when it is fully loaded.
The cleats pocket is the highlight feature for both sizes of the backpack. It works great in keeping your dirty cleats separated from the rest of your gear while also being vented to help them dry.
There are also some more questions brought up with this bag’s durability, though. One purchaser had the backpack show up with a missing stick holder which calls into question the sturdiness of the feature. Additionally, the water bottle holders may not fit your larger bottles—this is definitely a skinny plastic bottle type of pocket.
Still, for the price point, features, and satisfaction guarantee, the Athletico Backpack is a quality option.
Pros
- Front helmet straps to save internal space
- Fence hook for off-ground storage
- Water-resistant material for moisture protection
- Cleats compartment for cleanliness and convenience
Cons
- Thinner shell makes personalization difficult
- Some durability questions
- Can be big for very younger players
5) STX Lacrosse Sidewinder Backpack
Key Details
- Dimensions: 19.25″H x 14″W x 9″D
- Colors: Black, Columbia/Black, Red/Black
- Stick Holder: Adjustable side straps for one
- Key Features: Accessory pocket inside, heavy-duty base
- Warranty: 30 days
The STX Sidewinder is a minimalist backpack with a smaller frame best suited for a younger lacrosse player or someone who prefers a more compact bag.
Two large compartments easily fit protective gear and cleats with additional space to keep your lacrosse balls. The outside stick holder makes for easy spoon storage without causing any awkwardness in how it all carries.
The main drawback comes with helmet storage. The dimensions of the bag are not conducive to larger helmets so this may not be the bag for your young lacrosse player to grow with. There is also a lack of outer straps in addition to the stick holder that can be used for helmet storage.
This is the perfect bag for someone who does not need any extra frills and wants easy-to-maintain and durable storage for their gear.
Pros
- Adjustable stick straps to fit all shaft sizes
- Space for embroidery & personalization
- Mesh interior to avoid moisture build up
- Durable, stiff nylon for a longer life expectancy
Cons
- May not fit your helmet
- No water bottle holder
- No additional outside straps beyond those for the stick
6) Brine Blueprint Lacrosse Backpack
Key Details
- Dimensions: 20″H x 15″W x 5.5″D
- Colors: Black, Grey/Black, Forest Green, Grey, Red, Blue
- Stick Holder: Yes, adjustable side straps for one
- Key Features: Front helmet carabiner
- Warranty: 30 days
The Brine Blueprint is a great bag for girls lacrosse and the younger boys lacrosse players in your household. It has a compact, smaller design that makes it easier to carry for a smaller frame.
One large main compartment and a smaller front pocket make it easy to keep track of your gear and not lose anything in the extra space. A front carabiner helps to supplement the smaller interior size, perfect for carrying your helmet.
The minimalist style leaves plenty of space for exterior personalization to give the bag your own individual or team flare.
If you are looking for a backpack for your younger boys lacrosse player to grow into, this may not be your best option.
Pros
- Smaller with minimalist design
- Front carabiner for carrying helmet
- Multiple color options & space for personalization
Cons
- No extra storage space
- Relatively plain design (could be a positive for some)
7) Erant Lacrosse Backpack w/ Stick Holder
Key Details
- Dimensions: 19.5″H x 14″W x 10″D
- Colors: Black
- Stick Holder: 2 (one on each side)
- Key Features: Cleat pocket, helmet holder
- Warranty: 30 days
If you’re looking for a lacrosse backpack for a younger player, the Erant Lacrosse Backpack may be the perfect choice.
This bag packs everything you need: two stick straps, a helmet holder, a cleats pocket, and enough compartments to make sure all of your gear makes it to and from the field. A locker/fence hook on the back also leaves your bag high and dry during those inevitably wet early season months.
The only problem we’ve seen with this backpack is that it can be inaccessible when fully loaded and a bit too top heavy for a smaller user.
Despite those drawbacks, this is the most affordable backpack on our list that does not skimp on storage or frills. This backpack should fit a player’s needs from youth to high school and beyond.
Pros
- Vented cleat pocket for cleanliness
- Dual stick holders
- Multiple open storage pockets
- Locker/fence hook for easy storing and drying
Cons
- Inaccessibility when fully loaded
- Can be top heavy with two sticks and a helmet
- Lack of color and customization options
Advantages of Lacrosse Backpacks
1) Easier to Transport & Store Than Full-Sized Bags
The greatest advantage of going with a backpack over a full-sized lacrosse bag is the ease of transport and storage. A backpack can provide all of the space for gear that you require without the rigidity and clunkiness of a full-sized bag, giving you more storage options when not in use.
The backpack fit is also much easier to lug around than a single strap bag, especially for a younger, smaller user. The ergonomic design makes the daunting endeavor of getting your gear to and from the field a bit less taxing so you can use all that extra energy during the game.
2) Most Fit All Your Equipment
As mentioned above, even though it is a backpack, these options do not skimp on the space or amount of your gear it can hold. External holders for your helmet and stick straps make up for the smaller design.
It is important to keep in mind that not all backpacks sport helmet and stick carriers, so be sure to do your research if these are elements you require in a bag.
3) Can Use for Other Purposes
This cannot be understated: the best part of a lacrosse backpack is that at its core it is still a backpack. This means that its use is versatile beyond the lacrosse field.
It can be your book carrier to school or hold all of your hockey gear when the cold winter months are afoot. Several of the bags listed above are also noted for their adaptability to field hockey as well.
If you’re looking for an all-purpose carrier, a lacrosse backpack is a very good way to go.
4) Cheaper Than Full-Sized Bags
Backpacks are cheaper than their full-sized counterparts…A LOT cheaper in some cases. In recent years, the price point, storage options, and versatility have grown the lacrosse backpack market into the common sense option for most players.
A backpack is not just cheaper than a full-sized bag but meets most capacity needs with the added value of convenience that gives it much more bang for your buck.
5) Long Pole Approved
For those of you exclusively playing long pole, a backpack is definitely preferable to a full-sized bag as either way you will likely be carrying your stick. Unless specific to a long pole, a full-sized will not accommodate the internal storage of your stick.
The backpack offers all of your gear storage needs with the ease of transport that frees up both hands to carry your long pole around safely.
Disadvantages of Lacrosse Backpacks
1) Don’t Carry as Much as Full-Sized Bags
The most obvious knock: a backpack does not match the capacity of a full-sized lacrosse bag.
This comes into play if you have multiples of equipment that you want to take with you to the field. A backpack is really meant for the minimal needs that you have on any given day without extra options.
This is something worth considering if you are looking for a carrier that will hold all of your equipment year-round. In such a case, a full-sized bag may be preferable.
Additionally, backpacks are convenient for an extra few balls and maybe some additional hardware for your stick, but if you are the kind of person that likes to pack away balls in the tens and a complete do-it-yourself kit for stick fixes, a backpack may not offer the space you require to supplement your pads and cleats.
2) May Not Match Team Bags
Even though a backpack may be convenient for you, it may not be the carrier your team requires or suggests. Your team may supply you with an official bag that features the team branding so that everyone looks uniform rolling into games, so it’s best to check with your coach before choosing a lacrosse backpack.
