A cricket bag is more than just a commodity, for a cricketer it is a part & parcel of his/her identity. It not only carries the player’s required equipment, but also doubles as a friend in times of need. There is an unspoken bond between the cricketer and his/her kit bag. This partnership is far beyond the one between a customer and a product. Therefore, you need to be fully informed about what to look for while choosing the right cricket kit bag for yourself. And, that’s exactly what this article intends to do.
Things to Know Before Buying Your Kit Bag
Before jumping on to the ‘how-to’ details, it is important to know that there are varieties of options in each of the different aspects of a cricket kit bag. There are different sizes of kit bags made with the user’s specific need for space in that bag. In a comparatively larger bag, a cricketer can carry food & clothes along with the equipment required just for playing.
Kit bags are made of various materials like polyester and leather, while polyester is lighter & easier to clean, leather comes in a more posh look and is definitely more durable. Next comes the features- pockets, compartments etc. Of course, you must factor in your budget with all the other preferences. So, being thoroughly informed before making any purchase decision is always the wisest idea. Read on to find out what you need to know.
5 Key Factors to Consider before Buying a Cricket Kit Bag
Now that it is established that there are a few things to be known about before making a purchase decision with a cricket kit bag, let’s see what are the 5 key factors that must be considered first:
- Size
We have talked about the usage of a large and a small cricket kit bag. However, it is not just as simple. You need to keep in mind where and how you will be carrying the bag. It is especially important for the young cricketers and even more especially important, if it’s your first kit bag. For students who go to practice directly after school, a small bag with just enough space to carry the basic equipment is fine.
If you’re headed to the outskirts, definitely a larger one with space for some clothes will be helpful. Then again, you must keep in mind if you are carrying it by yourself and in that case, you will need the bag to be a light one. For the experienced and professional cricketers, the kit bags are branded most of the times, but that comes with a lot of other factors.
- Compartments
Next aspect to be considered is how many compartments your bag has. A cricket kit bag with multiple compartments allowing each equipment to be kept separately is the most preferred type, especially when you have multiple numbers of the same equipment like two bats, 2 sets of gloves and the likes. So, the more compartments, the better. But it has to be well-organized.
- Material
Usually a cricket bag is not something one wants to buy frequently in a small period of time. It is desirable to be able to use one kit bag of proper size and organizations to be used for several years. That is where the importance of the material comes in. Just because polyester is lighter, less expensive and easier to maintain, doesn’t mean one should blindly buy any polyester-made kit bag. Look for the most durable one, it can be polyester or canvas or leather- but it has to be a sturdy one.
- Budget
No knowledge is of any use unless you have a proper budget for making the purchase. Remember, your kit bag is not just another luggage or travel bag, neither is it a luxurious accessory to show-off. It has a distinctive functionality to serve and therefore, it is as wise to set aside a considerable amount of money as it is to not splurge on unnecessarily. Leather-made or branded cricket kit bags are surely the easiest choice given that it fits your budget, but if you can do with something less expensive, don’t stress your wallet.
- Type
There are a few different types of cricket kit bags available in the market, both online and offline. Although online shopping is undoubtedly convenient, it is wiser to purchase it after physically checking everything out. As for the type of a kit bag, there are the most common duffle bags which can be seen carried by the professional international cricket players. But there are also backpacks and the ones on wheels.
Now, some may think it is not wise to carry your cricket equipment in a backpack, but let me tell you, it is actually a super-cool type of kit bag. In fact, for the students, a small backpack type kit bag to carry just the bat & gloves & pads is enough. So, first of all, know your specific requirement properly. Sometimes, people like to carry a different bag for the gloves and caps. So, think if that is what you need.
And when it comes to the wheeled bags- for any purpose- those are the most preferred ones for the ease of carrying; however, those wheels may not be as sturdy as the bag itself. Sometimes, to accommodate that ease into your budget you may find yourself compromising with the quality. Again, the wheeled bags can be heavier than usual. Therefore, don’t jump into any decision blindly. Do a thorough check-out before making the final purchase decision.
Popular Brands of Cricket Kit Bag
Cricket being one of the most popular sports in the world and with so many big brands associated with the game throughout the world, it is only natural that there are many renowned brands associated with cricket accessories and not only with manufacturing the major equipment. If you have that ease with your budget, definitely invest into something that comes with a guarantee of quality.
Kookaburra Sport
The leading manufacturer of cricket equipment also has the most impressive collection when it comes to cricket kit bags. Of course, you can find all the various sizes and types of kit bags according to your need here. Oh and these bags are equipped with a lot of nicely organized compartments.
Gray-Nicolls
The second brand in this category is Gray-Nicolls, it is hugely popular for manufacturing the cricket equipment. Their products are famous for lasting quality and protection for your precious sporting gears. And these bags are easier to carry.
Adidas
It goes without saying that the most renowned sports brand in the world, Adidas, will be found on this list. Although Adidas is not as big with cricket as it is with football, it does provide you with all the varieties of cricket kit bags along with other equipment. These bags come in some basic designs but they surely make up for it with their legendary quality for sports equipment.
Slazenger
Slazenger makes some of the most seen cricket bats and they have a pretty good collection of kit bags too. Their products are available both online and in brick & mortar stores. And did I mention, they come in really cool style & design?
GM
GM undoubtedly sells the most stylish cricket kit backpacks. It’s not much in terms of compartments with all their designs, whereas some of the other designs meet both style & function too.
PUMA
PUMA has been enlisting some of the most popular cricketers around the world for endorsement, like Virat Kohli and Shakib Al Hasan. They back up their promotional strategies with great quality products too.
There are many other brands which may not be so big on the popularity quotient but they do provide quality products. And I cannot emphasize enough the importance of your personal requirement and budget. Remember, a cricket kit bag is not just another accessory or a style quotient.
It can be a stylish bag, but if it fails to serve the purpose, the style won’t be of any value. Moreover, especially for the budding cricketers, do not feel the pressure to impress your peers with a cool kit bag, your performance on the field should take charge of that.
