Umpire Equipment Bags Buying Guide

Sep 25th, 2019

Which umpire equipment bag is best?

See Most Popular | View Highest Rated | Read Our Recommendations Below

overview

Because an umpire packs a lot of gear, clothing and accessories, you will need a large bag. A regular old duffle bag or one-compartment bag will not do.

Because umpires don't want to throw their soft clothing in with their hard umpire protective gear and dirty shoes, the double-compartment bags are the way to go.

Because most umpires umpire in different locations, umpires need to be mobile with wheels on their large bag.

From there, the best umpire bag is up to your preference on size, telescopic (or pull-out) handle and bonus features.

First, there is a trade-off between size and handle. If you want the most room, bags have a handle at the end, and are not telescopic. The longer the bag, the more weight a handle would have to support so this is counter-productive.

The best in largest bags (without a telescopic handle) are:

The best telescopic handle wheeled bag, there are smaller options:

The best with bonus features:

  • Integrated Shoe Compartments: Found on Champro, Diamond and Wilson Umpire Bags
  • Folding Bags: Force3 Umpire Bags
  • Laundry Bag: Champro Umpire Bag

MORE IN UMPIRE TRAVEL

If we're talking travel, additional items will help protect items and/or keep them tidy and neat within your equipment bag:

Your Turn

Tell us your umpire equipment bag and travel tips in the comments below.

About the Author

Picture of Jim Kirk

President Jim Kirk

Jim is a leading expert, educator and author on umpire gear, safety & appearance. After playing baseball at Centre College, he worked as a high school umpire during the Elbeco shirt years. He became involved in E-Commerce while working on an MBA in the early 2000s and bought Ump-Attire.com in 2006, He eventually led it to the leading umpire gear & attire retailer worldwide and a “Best Places to Work in Louisville” honor in 2020. He maintains long-standing relationships with Minor League Baseball Umpire Development & Training Academy and the National Association of Sports Officials (NASO). He serves as an adviser to UMPS CARE Charities, the charity of MLB umpires, served as a 2-term board of director from 2012-2018, and was named their 2015 Ambassador Award recipient. A supporter since the inception of the Wounded Warrior Umpire Academy, he was named to their Board of Directors in 2020.

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