Every basketball player needs a basketball bag. Whether you’re playing with your friends at the nearby courts or tearing things up on the professional circuits, you need something that can effortlessly carry your basketball gear. But what elevates the best from the rest? In this piece, we cover the key features you need from your basketball bag to stay at the top of your game. 

 

Storage Space

First and foremost, your basketball bag has to have enough storage space for your gear. It should fit a regulation-sized basketball without straining the fabric, while still having enough space for your jersey, shoes, water bottle, and everything else you need to pack in your basketball bag. 

Ideally, it should also have quick-access inner and side pockets for personal items like your keys and wallet. Bonus points if it has a protective inner laptop compartment, because you might just be heading to the courts immediately after work or school. 

Adjustable Dividers

The best basketball bags have a flexible storage system - they need to be able to carry all of your gear, and do so in a neat and tidy way. The last thing you want is to open your bag and dig through everything you’ve packed trying to find that energy bar or team playbook buried at the bottom. 

That’s why adjustable or removable dividers are a must. They can be used to create compartments within the basketball bag – one for your basketball, one for your shoes, one for your bottles, and so on. Essentially, dividers help you maximize your storage space while keeping things organized, so you know exactly where everything is and you’re always ready to roll.

It can also help to invest in a sneaker case to make sure your basketball shoes get the TLC they deserve. Water resistant, tear resistant, and breathable, they’re practical in helping you protect and store your shoes, and they’ll keep your bag clean.

Durable

If you need a basketball bag, make sure it’s one that’s hard-wearing, long-lasting, and capable of handling a few knocks. Look for bags made from quality materials with seamless stitching and top-notch zips. It also helps if your basketball bag has ample padding on the inside to protect your gear. The fact is, you may well be carrying perishable or fragile items with you – like fruit for energy, bottles, or a basketball pump – and you want them to be in the same condition as when you packed them.

Comfortable

This is a no-brainer. You need a basketball bag that’s comfortable, especially if you plan to go places with it. That means it should be well-padded, with convenient handles and a comfortable and height-adjustable shoulder strap. Your basketball equipment may end up being heavy or bulky in size, but that doesn’t mean carrying it around has to be difficult or uncomfortable for you. 

Breathable

Look, let’s be honest. When you play basketball, you’re going to be running around and playing hard. And if you store your shoes and sweaty kit in your bag, it’s possible things might turn a bit funky in there. That’s why the best basketball bags are those that are breathable and have good ventilation systems. You may be working up a sweat, but your bag doesn’t need to.

Private Label – Changing the Game

So there you have it – these are the 5 key features that make the best basketball duffle bags. At Private Label, we’re changing the game, and that’s why we’ve designed duffle bags for basketball to ensure you spend more time hooping and less time sorting your gear on the sidelines. 

Some of the key features of our basketball duffle bags include:

• Ample storage space, capable of easily fitting a regulation size (29.5 inches) basketball
• Can fit up to 4 pairs of basketball shoes up to size 16 (including high tops)
• Adjustable and removable dividers to help create compartments
• Quick access inner and outer pockets
• Hidden 16” laptop compartments
• Padded insides
• Adjustable and padded shoulder strap
• TSA compliant in case you’re travelling for tournaments

We’ve teamed up with the LA Clippers and with the Detroit Pistons to create exclusive bags for their players. Read what Kyree Walker has to say about his journey to becoming a professional basketball player, and what he thinks about Private Label’s bags. 

And if you’re ready, why not check out our duffle collection and pick yourself up the official bag for basketball?