If you have a child or children who play youth baseball, it is important to get them the right equipment, such as bats, helmets, cleats, and gloves, to make sure that they get the most out of their playing experience. All that equipment will not do your little leaguers much good, however, if they do not have a way to transport their gear from point A to point B. That is where a solid equipment bag comes in.
In this review, we will look at the Franklin Sports Junior Equipment Bag, breaking down its different features and seeing how it stacks up against the competition.
When breaking down Franklin's Junior Equipment Bag, we will focus on several different vital product facets and give a brief idea of how the bag measures up in each corresponding one. As an important note, any of the specific design elements of Franklin's Junior Equipment Bag or any of the equipment bags mentioned in this review are primarily based on the information provided by the manufacturers and have not each individually been tested by us.
With size measurements of 6" by 34" by 9", Franklin's Junior Equipment Bag has a fairly simple design and comes in a variety of different colors. It has both a handle as well as a strap for easy carrying purposes.
It is not water resistant (many baseball equipment bags do come with that design capability), so it might not be the best idea to have the bag out in the rain for an extended period of time.
When it comes to storage capacity, a Franklin's youth bag has a main storage compartment where players can keep gear like gloves, helmets, or any other similar equipment. For bat storage, the bag has a separate bat pocket that can hold up to three bats. If players are looking for a place to store their cleats, the bag also comes with a ventilated cleat storage compartment.
You can get the bag for as cheap as $10 on Amazon, but for the most part, they go anywhere from $15 to $20, depending on where you shop.
Reviews for this product tend to be fairly mixed, ranging from exceptional to poor. Those who liked the bag praised it for its good price and its quality. Even in positive assessments, many reviewers did mention that the bag was maybe not ideal for baseball or softball, but was perfect for T-ball, where less equipment is needed.
Those who did not like Franklin's equipment bag complained of poor quality (faulty handles, zippers, etc.) and minimal storage space.
Since there are a number of different youth equipment bags on the market, we will now look at seven different bags from competitor brands.
Made out of high-density 600 Denier Oxford fabric as well as polyester, this bag, which costs around $28, is specifically crafted to ensure durability and is tear resistant and water resistant. Measuring in at 17" by 13" by 8", it can fit two bats in addition to other equipment including gloves and cleats and has space for a helmet and hat as well. It also has Velcro straps for players to put their batting gloves and an integrated fence hook for easy dugout placement.
With a vented and padded back for increased comfort, a front pocket for smaller, personal items, and a front bungee cord for extra storage capabilities, this bag is easy to personalize if players want to add their name or number. Color wise, Athletico offers bags in black, blue, red, and pink. Reviews generally leaned very positive.
Constructed from polyester for added durability, this 16" by 13" by 8" bag has enough storage in the main compartment to fit a helmet and a glove. It also has two side pockets for bat storage. With a unique camouflage design and nearly a dozen color options, the bag, which goes for about $35, has what Easton refers to as a Sport Utility 2.0 configuration that includes a fence hook for the dugout and rubberized pullers. It also has a front pocket for smaller items.
Customers seemed to be fairly pleased with this product. Those who posted negative reviews mostly complained about the bag being too small.
It is important to note that, like the Franklin equipment bag, this Easton product is a tote style bat bag and not a backpack. Because of this, it runs on the cheaper side (around $20) and has measurements of 7" by 35" by 8.5". It is made out of polyester, and the structural piping allows for added durability. Players can store up to two bats at once thanks to the zippered bat compartment, can easily stow the bags in the dugout thanks to the rugged fence hooks, and can keep anything from cellphones to keys in the smaller valuables pocket.
Though this bag, which comes in a variety of color options, tended to have better reviews than the Franklin bag, negative reviewers also pointed out that there was not enough storage space.
Made from high-quality polyester, this strong-featured baseball backpack is manufactured with ultimate storage capabilities, with measurements of 19" by 13" by 8". Players can keep their dirty cleats away from the rest of their equipment thanks to a vented shoe compartment. The two side pockets are perfect for holding two bats, and there is also a fence hook for the dugout and a front pocket for small item storage.
FavorGear particularly touts the durable and long-lasting quality of their bags, which offer heavy duty zippers as well as bar-tacks that are included in major stress points. Reviews for this equipment bag, which only come in black or pink, were fairly favorable.
Designed for both youth and adult players, this backpack is one of the sleekest on the market as far as design is concerned. Made out of 900D waterproof polyester fabric, this all-black bag is molded with PE Boards and EVA Foam that gives it a shape that pretty much looks unlike anything on the market.
It comes with a main compartment that can hold most equipment as well as a separate shoe compartment that can store cleats up to men's size 11. The bag also comes with a dual-fence hook for dugout compatibility and has two bat straps with wide-Velcro which guarantee that the bats will stay in position. The multipurpose durable net is ideal for holding additional gear.
Reviews were exceptional for the IRIDI bag, which goes for around $40, and customers specifically praised the top-notch quality and design.
Louisville Slugger specifically attempts to set itself apart from the competition with this bag by including MLB customizable options, allowing players to choose the bag design based on their favorite professional baseball team, from the Arizona Diamondbacks to the Washington Nationals.
With measurements of 17" by 11" by 9" and a price tag of around $35, this product is designed to fit two bats and has a main compartment that can fit a helmet, a glove, and a pair of cleats. The front pocket is ideal for the storage of valuables, and the J-style fence hook is for dugout accommodation, while the padded backing and shoulder straps are for added comfort.
Reviews were generally positive, though there were several customers who offered negative assessments due to the bag's handle immediately breaking as well as there not being ample storage space.
At around $30 a pop, this equipment backpack is designed for both youth as well as adult players. With sturdy polyester craftsmanship and 18" by 12.6" by 9" measurements, it has a main storage area, two side pockets for bats, a shoe compartment, and a front pocket for smaller items.
Additional features include a J-style fence hook for the dugout, a front bungee cord for added storage capabilities, and a high elastic band to put a baseball hat. Customer reviews for the Starcare bag are mostly positive.
Before choosing that perfect equipment bag for your little leaguer, it is important to take several things into consideration.
For one, you need to keep in mind what league your child will be playing in. If it is a T-ball league, then a cheaper, more bare bones bag will do, whereas a more competitive baseball or softball league may require a more expensive bag with additional features.
You also will want to take into account which style of bag your child prefers. As mentioned before, Franklin's youth equipment bag is a tote bag, but your child may favor the style and feel of a backpack. It may help to talk to other parents in your child's league to get a feel for what types of bags they are looking at.
Like with any equipment purchase, it is important to take your budget into consideration as well. It helps to take some time to shop around and find the best price possible. Depending on where you look, you can find the same bag for up to $10 cheaper than the price listed on a manufacturer's website.
Also, do not take too much stock in the brand of a particular bag. Sure, it is easier to trust a more recognizable name, but lesser known brands can be just as serviceable, depending on what your needs are.
This bag is certainly not the best on the market. But at the cheapest price, it could be a worthwhile purchase, if you are simply looking to store T-ball equipment.
If your child is in a more advanced league, however, it would probably be a better idea to look elsewhere and purchase a bag that is designed for comfort, durability, and extra storage.
After playing major league baseball, Jack Perconte has taught baseball and softball since 1988 and offered valuable coaching training too. He has helped numerous youth players reach their potential, as well as having helped parents and coaches navigate their way through the challenging world of youth sports. Jack is one of the leading authorities in the areas of youth baseball training and coaching training advice.
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