I'd like to have separate skate pockets, good ventilation, and it needs to be durable; I don't want to have to buy another one any time soon, because buying bags is so much less fun than new sticks or skates. :D Right now I'm leaning towards either the Warrior Dolomite bag (38x16x16) or the RBK 5k (40x18x16).
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Experiences with Different Hockey Bags
Warrior MacDaddy Equipment Bag
Third New Bag in since March(Warrior MacDaddy Equipment Bag): About 2 1/2 weeks ago I purchased the Warrior MacDaddy Bag (it's the bigger version of the Dolomite Bag, and I can't stand it. Somehow it's height / length /width ratios make the bag balance poorly on my shoulder. It just feels more cumbersome than a loaded hockey bag should (probably like trying to carry a dead body in a suitcase...) or moving a large refrigerator, etc. It doesn't have any useful inside pockets.
The external skate pockets/goofy side pockets - if you take a look at both the MacDaddy and the Dolomite bag on warriorhockey.com are designed for a visual appeal since the curvature reduces functionality/ergonomics. Both of the side pockets are curved towards the center of the bag instead of having normal vertical access (probably part of the visual design) so to put your skates in or when you are trying to get something from inside the pockets requires you to either struggle reaching in around a curved surface area and pull whatever out against this extra resistance, or it requires more zipping open than necessary on most bags...for most convenience it necessitates opening both zippers up (depending on where you have the pair of zippers located). It has both a shoulder strap and two center mounted straps for carrying with your hands or Urkel pant type effect up on your shoulder (the opposite of Zakk Wylde and his guitar strap.
I noticed from "technophile's" post that he was looking for "good ventilation" which i thought meant he was looking for venting aside from the little drain type holes. The bag does not have a mesh area which roller guys especially should consider to help air out their equipment. All in all I was very disappointed with the bag, and really should have known better than to purchase it - it was a spur of the moment impulse buy. Much of my disappointment was due to my own misjudgment especially considering that I was already considering purchasing a Fury, SMI, Eagle, or MIA "pro style" bag.
The only gripe I have about most of those bags is what I think TBLFan also mentioned is the lack of a D-Opening. Those openings are very convenient, useful, functional manner not a fad type feature like a cell phone pocket or "special" mp3 player holder might be... so...if you aren't at all picky and just want the warrior logo on something other your sticks or gloves, etc. the macdaddy or the dolomite might be for you - but otherwise look elsewhere.
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The Warrior bag is plenty roomy and so far I'm pretty happy with it; I'll use it for a month and then maybe post a real review.that can be one plus, and in the macdaddy room is even less of a problem, but lots of bags out there have lots of room. There are a lot better choices out there, unless the looks, brand, etc. really grab you.
Easton Backpack Bag
I got an Easton backpack bag. Holds everything and makes walking thru doors and past a mass of hockey players waiting to get on the ice easy!
RE: hockey backpacks - *sigh* I'm still not used to these.. I know lots of lils like using them...is this some kind of rebellion against the super liberal consumer advocates who first made a big deal about kids not using both straps because it would impair their spinal development, etc. (causing some manufacturers to put in warnings against the dangers of using one strap -OR - was this to rebel against those same liberals saying that kids should use wheel bags because using a backpack at all is dangerous...)
MSH Bag
You should get an MSH bag. I would but.... and I still will if given the opportunity...
Fury Bag
A couple of days ago (4th bag purchase in the last 2 months) was a Fury Bag that I saw at a LHS. I looked for it in their newest Fury catalog, but it wasn't there. Unlike the one TBLfan described this one does have an internal skate or accessories velcro pocket. This model is some kind of hybrid wheel/equipment bag. It's not as large as most wheel bags...it's about the size of a larger player's bag. It also has a clear ID Pocket, side handles for ease of loading in and out of trunks, wheels, two narrow rails to give structure to the bag's underside (i guess for wheel mode), and a textile/non-rigid handle. it does not have the rigid telescoping handle, nor does it have the heavy duty plastic skid plate that some wheel bags have in the wheel section or underside - this is nice because it keeps down weight. At first I didn't realize it was a wheel bag, and when i first found this out it actually almost stopped me from purchasing it until I realized it was essentially a pro style bag with wheels added on for when you are in old man mode. Hopefully, this bag will hold me over until I can get a MSH SMI Bag.
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I have the fury bag...I like how the bag doesn't have protruding pockets but it could use an internal accessory pocket so I don't have to use a toiletries bag.
*Note: my bag before I started the bag buying spree was an Old Winnwell Bag (about 17 years old).
Material Considerations
Like TBLfan, I also like the idea of heavier fabrics, but I don't know enough about materials to compare the weights in denier properly. I get it when comparing the same material, but Denier only tells you the weight, not the strength to weight ratio, pliability/flexibility, etc. - if you are comparing a given 600 denier polyester it is conceivable that it is stronger than 1000 denier Cordura (not that it is - since i've ever done the comparison or read something that did). Most people do know that just because something weighs more doesn't mean it is stronger (e.g. titanium v. steel). I wish I had complete accurate data of the comparison between Cordura, Polyester, and Nylon, and even the material that MIA is claiming to use : Tonto Polyester PVC coated, and Mercury 1000D polyvinyl.
Fabric:
- SMI - 600 Denier Polyester
- Fury - 1200 Denier Nylon
- Gear - 1000 Denier Cordura
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