The 15 Best Backpacks for Athletes
If you're a dedicated athlete, then you have seen that a regular backpack is not as useful for carrying your things. But choosing a backpack that's specially designed to cover your sport's needs is not always easy. There are many on the market with numerous characteristics. There are some things you definitely need, like waterproof material and compartments to separate things. Other specific requirements might depend on the sport you're practicing, especially if you need to carry your gear with you.
Here are the 15 best backpacks for athletes.
Under Armour Hustle 3.0
Under Armour is one of the biggest brands for athletic items in the entire world. It started out in the basement of Kevin Plank. Plank was a student at the University of Maryland, and he was part of the football team. He would get tired of having his shirts soaked in sweat after practice. From this, he got the idea of making shirts with synthetic fabric that had moisture-wicking characteristics. After he managed his first big sale to Georgia Tech, the word spread, and the rest, as they say, was history.
Now, Under Armour has expanded its options to include very practical backpacks. One of the great options they offer is the Under Armour Hussle 3.0. One of its great features is a separate compartment for your dirty clothes, which is the main thing needed for athletic backpacks. This allows you to have your work things and your food, if necessary, in the same bag without everything getting mixed together. The material is very resistant, and the shoulder straps are quite comfortable, making it ideal if you have a loaded bag. The price might be slightly more than you would like, but the quality and practicality make it worth it.
Adidas Defender II Hussle Bag
Adidas is one of the biggest sports' brands in the entire world, and number one on the European continent. It was founded in 1924 by the Dassler brothers, and they started out in their mother's laundry room. After Jesse Sprinter won four gold medals in 1936 at the Olympics wearing their shoes, the brand exploded. However, in 1945, after the company survived World War II, the two brothers had a fallout, and they went their separate ways. Adolf –also known as Adi – founded Adidas, while his brother Rudolf founded Ruda, which later became Puma.
Adidas started selling products different from shoes, including very resilient sports' bags. The Adidas Defender II is not exactly a backpack, but it's a great way to carry all of your sport's necessities. We do have to say that it could have more compartments, which would make it more practical if you have to carry other things. However, it does have a separate compartment for dirty clothes, which is very much necessary. The material is extremely durable, and the bag is not expensive, making it a very attractive option. On the downside, the shoulder strap can be uncomfortable when you carry too much weight. Furthermore, it makes a sound that might become annoying easily as the day goes by. Its durability and great capacity make it a big favorite.
Under Armour SC 30 Undeniable Backpack
The Undeniable backpack has Stephen Curry's signature on it. With Curry being one of the biggest NBA players at the moment, we can only imagine he knows what he's talking about. This backpack is one of the most stylish ones on this ranking. Thanks to its bottom made of water-resistant nylon, it can withstand the roughness of everyday use. However, the design shows consideration for your needs with a special sleeve for your laptop. The straps are very comfortable, and the backpack has a special compartment for your dirty clothes and sufficient space for a soccer ball or a basketball. Furthermore, it has special pockets for water bottles, helping you stay hydrated during your practice.
Diadora Squadra Backpack
Diadora was founded in 1948 by Italian shoe manufacturer, Marcello Dianeli. He had been working in shoes for his entire life, and with the help of his wife, he started his own brand. At first, they would sell shoes, especially destined for mountain climbing. After skiing became popular, they started manufacturing ski boots as well. As the years went by, the brand expanded, and it now produces everything from athletic shoes to clothes to backpacks. One of these made it into our ranking.
The Diadora Squadra Backpack has a feature that makes it very attractive to many athletes. Its front pocket is ventilated and separate from everything else, and it easily fits a basketball or a soccer ball. This way, you can protect the rest of your items from a ball that has touched the floor numerous times. Furthermore, the material is highly resistant, and there's more than enough space for water bottles on the side. However, the main compartment is not as spacious as other models, which won't allow you to fit things like books or something else you might need for the rest of your day.
Nike Club Team Swoosh
Nike started as Blue Ribbon Sports, and it was founded by Bill Bowerman and Phil Knight. Knight was an athlete in the University of Oregon track team, and Bill was his coach. They started selling Japanese shoes. As they grew, they started to manufacture their own shoes and became Nike. Before releasing their first advertisement, they patented the Swoosh design that the brand is known for. Today, it's the number one brand in the world thanks to the great quality of their products.
Nike kept it very simple in the design of this comfortable and durable backpack. With an only-black color availability and a front pocket with a side water bottle holder, it doesn't look too impressive. However, the real magic is inside, with numerous compartments perfect for holding different things. This includes a compartment specially designed for your dirty clothes. The bottom is waterproof, and the rest of the backpack is rain resistant. There's also a flap for you to use if it starts raining. Thanks to the nylon used for creating this backpack, you can be assured that it will last you for years.
Soccerware Drawstring Gym Bag
This brand is focused on bringing honor to its name, focusing mainly on soccer-oriented products. They're based in Dallas, Texas, and their aim is to become the largest soccer distributor in the United States. Considering that soccer is an emerging sport in the country, they saw the new need in the market and decided to embrace it. Their products tend to be more affordable than most while maintaining very good quality.
This middle-sized bag is perfect for holding your soccer ball and a few other things, but it's not as spacious as other models we have described. It's very lightweight, and it has the proper ventilation to make sure your dirty clothes don't leave everything smelling. A drawback from this design is the strings, which don't make it as comfortable to carry. Furthermore, due to its shape, it can't stand on its own. However, the material is durable and waterproof, making it a very good option.
Speedo Large Teamster
This brand was founded in 1914 in Australia by Alexander MacRae. He started manufacturing socks, and it wouldn't be until 1927 that he started fabricating swimwear. Their designs were not considered very proper at the time as they showed too much skin. Athletes, however, quickly embraced them as they had much more mobility on the water. Clare Dennis set an Olympic record in 1932, making the brand known worldwide. Controversially, she was almost disqualified for the skin showed due to her swimwear. Since then, the company has expanded and has continued to innovate on the fabric used for its designs.
This bag is one of the most versatile, and it makes keeping your things organized very easy. It comes in many colors, and it has both internal and external compartments. This allows for a multitude of options for you to pack your bag, and it covers different needs you might have. If you need to carry your laptop, there's a pocket designed especially for that. Furthermore, it has a detachable compartment in which you can store your dirty clothes and carry them back home separate from the rest. The bottom is completely waterproof. This backpack might be on the pricier side of the spectrum, but it's more affordable than other brands as well-known as this one.
