Best Soccer Backpack With Ball Holder: What to Look For, Sizes by Age and Which Type to Buy
A soccer bag is where the whole kit either lives together or gets lost piece by piece. The right one has a ball holder that actually holds a size 5, a ventilated boot compartment that keeps mud off the clothes, and a size the child can carry to school and to training. Here is what to look for, how big the bag should be at each age, and the types that work.
The five features that matter
- Ball holder that fits a size 5. Many "ball pockets" are sized for a size 4 at best. Look for an external net or a bottom cage rated for size 5 if the player is over twelve.
- Separate ventilated boot compartment. Mesh panels or drainage holes; otherwise the whole bag smells by October.
- Padded laptop or book sleeve if the bag goes to school. A single bag for school and training is what most teenagers actually want.
- Padded, adjustable straps and a chest clip for younger children; a loaded soccer bag is heavy.
- Water-bottle pocket that fits a 32 oz (1 L) bottle.
Size by age
| Age | Capacity | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 5 to 8 | 15 to 20 L | Small backpack with external ball net; the child carries boots and water, parent carries the rest |
| 9 to 12 | 25 to 30 L | Backpack with boot compartment and ball cage; fits school books if needed |
| 13 and over | 30 to 40 L | Full backpack or duffel with ball holder; goalkeepers need the larger end for gloves and padded gear |
Backpack, duffel or drawstring
- Backpacks are right for anyone who walks or cycles to training and for school-plus-training days.
- Duffels carry more and open wide; better for goalkeepers and for players driven to every session.
- Drawstring sacks are fine for under-8s with boots and a bottle, and as a spare for muddy boots inside the main bag.
Our picks
By type and age. Links open current Amazon results.
Soccer backpack with ball cage and boot compartment, 25 to 30 L
The school-and-training bag for nine to twelve-year-olds.
Small soccer backpack with ball net
Light, chest clip, room for boots and a bottle.
Large soccer backpack, 35 L plus, laptop sleeve
Fits a size 5, boots, books and a laptop.
Soccer duffel with ball holder and boot pocket
Wide opening, room for gloves and padded gear.
Drawstring soccer bag
Boots and a bottle for under-8s, or a muddy-boot liner for any bag.
Charcoal deodoriser bags
Drop one in the boot compartment and forget the smell.
Keeping the bag from smelling
Empty it after every session, boots and guards out to dry, damp kit into the wash the same day. A charcoal deodoriser pouch in the boot compartment costs little and works. Wash the bag itself on a cold cycle every couple of months if the label allows.
Can a soccer backpack be used as a school bag?
Yes, if it has a padded sleeve and the ball is left at home on school days. Most 25 to 30 L soccer backpacks are designed for exactly that.
What size bag does a goalkeeper need?
At least 35 L, or a duffel: gloves, padded trousers and a spare top take more space than an outfield kit.
Use the starter kit checklist in the Gear Lab to make sure everything that goes in the bag is the right size.
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