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Best Lacrosse Bags (2026): Backpacks, Duffels, Stick Bags and Wheelie Bags

Prices updated November 2, 2026.

A lacrosse player carries more gear than almost any other athlete: helmet, gloves, shoulder and arm pads, cleats, a stick or two, balls, water, and often a long pole. The right bag keeps it organized, gets it dry between practices, and saves parents from finding gloves in the car. This guide covers the main bag types, how to choose the right size, how to carry sticks and poles, and every lacrosse bag in our daily price check, with prices checked October 29, 2026.

The short answer

Most players are best served by a lacrosse backpack with a stick holder and a separate cleat compartment. We track the Overtime adult lacrosse backpacks at $79.99 (in black, Black-Ops, grey camo and navy) and the Overtime junior backpacks at $49.99 (black, Carolina blue and Smile) for younger players. The Lacrosse Unlimited School Backpack is $39.99.

If a player carries a lot of gear or travels, a duffel holds more: the UNLTD Duffel Bag is $39.99 and the Lacrosse Unlimited Duffle Bag is $54.99. The STX Takeaway Wheelie Bag ($159.99) is the big-capacity option for tournaments and goalies. Defensemen who travel with a long pole can use the STX Travel D Pole bag ($49.99).

Lacrosse backpacks

Lacrosse backpacks are the most popular style because they free up both hands and usually have a stick sleeve or straps that hold one or two short sticks upright behind the player's head. Most also have a ventilated or separate compartment for cleats and wet gear, which keeps the rest of the bag from smelling.

Adult backpacks fit a full high school or adult kit: helmet (often clipped to the outside or carried separately), gloves, pads, cleats and a water bottle. Junior backpacks are scaled down for youth players, who have smaller gear and shouldn't be carrying an oversized pack. The Overtime lineup comes in both adult ($79.99) and junior ($49.99) sizes.

When comparing backpacks, look at whether the helmet fits inside or attaches outside, how the stick is held, whether there's a separate cleat area, and how easy the bag is to open wide for drying gear.

Duffel bags

Duffels hold more and are easier to pack bulky gear into, because they open wide. Many players use a duffel for the full kit and a small backpack for school. The trade-off is carrying: a heavy duffel on one shoulder is less comfortable than a backpack over a long walk from the parking lot.

A duffel is a good choice for goalies (with bigger gear), players who carry two sets of pads for box and field, and coaches carrying team equipment. The UNLTD Duffel ($39.99) and Lacrosse Unlimited Duffle ($54.99) cover this.

Stick bags and pole bags

Stick bags are long, narrow bags that hold several sticks, useful for players who carry a game stick and a backup, or families with multiple players. The USA Stick Bag ($34.99) and The Original by SLB ($39.99, including an LE Cheetah version) are in our tracker.

Long poles are the hardest thing to carry, especially when traveling. The STX Travel D Pole bag ($49.99) is designed to carry a defensive long pole. If you fly to tournaments, check the airline's rules for sports equipment before you go.

Wheelie bags

Wheeled bags like the STX Takeaway Wheelie Bag ($159.99) are popular with goalies, whose gear is the bulkiest, and with players who travel to tournaments with multiple days of gear. They're overkill for a youth player going to weekday practice, but they save a lot of effort on tournament weekends.

Ball bags and small bags

Coaches and players who do their own shooting practice often use a dedicated ball bag; the Maverik Rookie Lacrosse Ball Bag is $44.99. For small items, a drawstring bag (LU Drawstring Bag, $19.99) or a utility bag (Nike Utility Bag, $22) is handy for mouthguards, tape, extra strings and a pocket-adjusting tool.

Sizing a bag for the player

Youth players (roughly under 11) usually fit everything into a junior backpack. Middle schoolers vary; if their gear has moved to adult sizes, move them to an adult backpack. High school and adult players need an adult backpack or duffel. Goalies at any level usually need a duffel or wheelie bag because chest protectors, goalie gloves and leg pads take up a lot of room.

Buying a bag one size up is fine; unlike gear, a bag doesn't need to fit snugly. But a full-size adult backpack on a small child is heavy and awkward, so don't go too big for young players.

Keeping gear (and the bag) from smelling

The fastest way to ruin a bag is to leave wet gear zipped inside. After every practice, open the bag and take out gloves, pads and the helmet to air dry. Use the cleat compartment for cleats only. Every few weeks, wipe the inside of the bag and let it dry fully open. Gear sprays and dryer-safe deodorizers help, but drying is what actually prevents odor.

Where to save

Bags rarely go on deep sale, but colorways and team-branded versions do get marked down. Each card below links to Lacrosse Unlimited and to an Amazon search for the same bag, so compare before you buy.

What to pack in a lacrosse bag

A simple checklist keeps players from showing up without something important. Protective gear: helmet, gloves, shoulder pads or liner, arm pads or elbow pads, and a mouthguard (required in most leagues). For goalies, add the chest protector, throat guard and goalie gloves. Footwear: cleats, plus turf shoes if the team practices on turf or indoors. Sticks: the game stick and, if possible, a backup. Small items: extra shooting strings and sidewall string, athletic tape, a small screwdriver for the head screw, and a few balls for warmups. Comfort: a full water bottle, a snack, and a towel.

Parents of young players often keep a spare mouthguard and a spare set of strings in a small pouch inside the bag, since those are the items most often forgotten or broken right before a game. A drawstring or utility bag inside the main bag keeps small items from disappearing into the bottom.

Lacrosse backpacks (8)

The most popular style.