Soccer Backpack Review: Is There a Good Economical Soccer Backpack Available for Young Players?

Soccer is a sport that has made tremendous strides in the United States in recent years. There are more than three million players in the United States Youth Soccer Association alone. Much of the growth of youth soccer has taken place since the 1990's. Now parents of children three or four years old can often find organized teams that start to teach the children the basics of the game. It is a sport that is equally attractive to both boys and girls.

One of the positive aspects of youth soccer is the relatively low equipment cost for the young player who often will start playing a 4 years old. At these younger ages a modest, but good, pair of soccer shoes, a pair of shin guards, socks, a soccer ball, and a uniform and the child is good to go. Granted if the child progresses in the sport in later years competitive teams require team jackets, matching backpacks or sports bags and other paraphernalia identifying them as team members as well as a travel budget. For the starting player are there economical backpacks for them to carry their soccer equipment? This product review will look at an economical soccer backpack that provides an option compared to the more expensive name brands.

In looking for a reasonably priced youth soccer backpack there are many soccer backpacks to choose from. Some of the name brands have added features that likely are not needed by a starting soccer player. These features such as padded pockets for valuables add to the weight and bulk of the backpack. It is not unusual to find soccer backpacks weighing 2 to 3 pounds empty. Couple that with the bulk and size and additional weight when it is loaded and it is questionable that players as young as 4 years old will want to carry it. Add the premium price for a name brand and a backpack can easily cost more then much of the equipment required to play soccer at a starting level.

Product Reviewed: Soccer SMART Sack Backpack

For the entry-level young player an alternative is a new product called the Soccer SMART Sack designed by a relatively young soccer player. Who should know better when designing a backpack then someone who routinely uses one to carry his or her soccer gear? The Soccer SMART Sack is a lightweight drawstring backpack made of nylon. It is unique in that it was developed not only to carry the soccer gear but also to remind the child that it is their responsibility to gather up their soccer equipment prior to a game or practice. Many soccer moms do not look forward to the weekly hassle of 'reminding' their kids they needed to get their gear together. Coaches also do not appreciate members of their team arriving for a game without various critical pieces of equipment such as shin guards. The SMART Sack drawstring backpack also provides a handy way to store the equipment between uses.

What is differentiates the Soccer SMART Pack are that the graphics on the bag that show the various soccer gear a young player needs to take to a game or practice. The images on the backpack show soccer shoes, soccer socks, shin guards, a ball, and the ever-important water bottle. Using these as a visual reminder the child should start to assume the responsibility for getting their gear together. Parents should have no argument with that concept!

The Soccer SMART Sack is a backpack sized to handle all of these items including the ball yet will fit young kids. It is 17"W x 20"H. It has drawstrings that allow it to be worn over the shoulder. The length of these can be adjusted by knotting them. The bag is made of nylon and is light but durable since it has grommets for the drawstrings and reinforcing in the corners. The graphics also have an area where the child's name can be printed. The backpack weighs .5 lbs. and is non-rigid thus not bulky. This backpack does not have seperate compartments. It comes in red, blue, and forest green. The cost of the SMART Sack is $10 plus shipping and is available only online. More information on the SMARTSack may be found at: https://sites.google.com/site/p2pnathan/SMARTSack

Summary

In selecting a soccer backpack for a young player it is important to remember that the bulkiness, weight, and size can be important considerations easily overlooked yet can keep the player from wanting to fill and carry the backpack on their own. Typically if the child eventually moves up to a competitive team the coach is likely to require the investment in an expensive backpack as well as other attire matching the team colors and imprinted with the team logo. In the meantime, regardless of whether the soccer backpack selected is costly or economical, it can be an important aid in teaching the budding soccer star of their responsibility for taking care of their own equipment. Anyone familiar with the brand name soccer backpacks such as Adidas, Nike, and Puma knows that the prices easily can be in the range of $35 to $55. At $10 plus shipping the SMART Sack may be a good alternative for your young soccer star. While the SMART Sack won't put 'soccer moms' out of business it should reduce the amount of gentle (or not so gentle) reminding they must do.

　

Reference: https://sites.google.com/site/p2pnathan/SMARTSack