Im looking for a new catcher bag for my son. One of his team mates got a e2 bag that my son likes. I just can't see paying 200.00 for a catcher bag. I really like to get a good bag for a good price.
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The good news is you don't need to pay $200.
The first decision is wheels or no wheels. My son went through the wheels phase, and discovered that most the time he was carrying it anyway because he wasn't on pavement. So no wheels anymore for him.
The second decision is whether to get one with a separate compartment for bats. He had an All Star bag which was great until the bat compartment ripped while we were out of state. In fairness to the bag, he had about 7 bats in it because we found a deal on wood bats at a showcase.
The third decision is how he is going to carry it. If he is walking any distance my son usually carries his bag by putting a strap over each shoulder so that the bag is on his back, parallel with his body. This distributes the weight evenly. This means that the hand straps have to be long enough. Some guys use a shoulder strap - personal preference.
He just got a new Rawlings bag to replace the duct taped All Star bag. No wheels, no shoulder strap, no external compartments. Just a black bag with two padded straps.
The first decision is wheels or no wheels. My son went through the wheels phase, and discovered that most the time he was carrying it anyway because he wasn't on pavement. So no wheels anymore for him.
The second decision is whether to get one with a separate compartment for bats. He had an All Star bag which was great until the bat compartment ripped while we were out of state. In fairness to the bag, he had about 7 bats in it because we found a deal on wood bats at a showcase.
The third decision is how he is going to carry it. If he is walking any distance my son usually carries his bag by putting a strap over each shoulder so that the bag is on his back, parallel with his body. This distributes the weight evenly. This means that the hand straps have to be long enough. Some guys use a shoulder strap - personal preference.
He just got a new Rawlings bag to replace the duct taped All Star bag. No wheels, no shoulder strap, no external compartments. Just a black bag with two padded straps.
Like TwoTex my son started off with the wheeled bag and found himself carrying it everywhere and not wheeling it. He switched over tot he All Star bag last year and (knock on wood) it has been great. No tears or holes in it. He said the bag is lighter than the wheeled bag. He also like the compartment that are in the All Star bag to separate everything and keep your gear organized. A place for everything. Good luck in your search.
I know they are expensive but my son loves his E2 bag. Has had it for 3 years of travel/club ball and now in HS. Very durable - hold everything - extra clothes/gloves etc (comes in handy with extra clothes when you play in Colorado)
FYI - big wheels allows you to wheel it anywhere - grass - rocks - gravel - dirt.
My son has the No e2 and it rolls extremely well because it is wide and has very wide wheels. Previous rolling bags were carried often because of the smaller wheels. On the bad side, it is a big bag so don't even think about it fitting in a school locker, it is heavy so it difficult to carry if you are somewhere you can't roll it (stairs, gravel, etc.). Lastly, the zippers could be sturdier. One broke fairly quickly when my son tried to force it a little when putting his shin guards with knee savers into the outside pocket. I did get it on sale for a lot less and don't know if I would spend $200 for it because of the zippers.
We bought and subsequently threw out an E2 bag about a year ago. We traveled heavily, lots of airline flights etc, so it took a beating only the airline baggage handlers can dish out, but it was trashed in one fall season. We have since purchased a non-baseball, soft side, rolling bag from a luggage company. Same abuse as the E2, much cheaper, and lifetime warranty.
We had similiar bad experience with E2 bag. Zippers did not hold up to the strain of how full the catchers bag gets. Lasted one season and was shot.
My son has had the All Star bag and prefers it. His bag stays much cleaner as it is not pulled through the dirt and dust all the time. Much lighter when full than any wheeled bag he has used in the past.
My son has had the All Star bag and prefers it. His bag stays much cleaner as it is not pulled through the dirt and dust all the time. Much lighter when full than any wheeled bag he has used in the past.
My son has used many different bags over the years, including the E2 bag, some were very pricy and they never seemed to last more than a year. I found a plain heavy duty canvas duffle bag online. I just made sure that it was large enough for bats. I think I paid 50 bucks and he's used it for 2 years now and it's still in good condition. No cool pockets or mesh or anything but very sturdy.
My son apparently uses the easton cruiser "OGIO Engineered" team bag . He got another this year, last year's bag lasted about 120 games and several flights and is still useable. Its a pretty big bag with wheels.
The "catcher" specific bags don't hold up very well and are overpriced. My son uses a hockey bag - no wheels - and it's held up better than any bag he's ever had. He's been using it for 2 years now (soph and junior summer, fall, and spring). I believe his is made by Warrior.
