Custom Bats Cricket Forum
Equipment => Other Gear => Topic started by: Kulli on May 01, 2017, 10:01:02 AM
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Any strong thoughts on the best duffle bag out there?
I have two and they're both decent but have features that annoy me.
Ton duffle is hard wearing and very comfortable to carry, but has no usable pockets and not much protection for bats.
The red ink is thinner material and lacks the cushioned backboard that makes carrying the TON comfortable, but it has 2-3 useful pockets and a good bat cave.
Any duffles out there that tick all the boxes?
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The new red ink duffle is improved and has greater padding/ improved materials. Also a few little tweaks in the design from what was already there. Will be worth a look when they are available in a few weeks time
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Nobody used one they are super happy with?
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Been using GN Legend duffle, very well built, lots of compartments, very well organized and very comfortable on the shoulders. If I want to be too fussy I would like another small pocket & would like it to be about 10% bigger which would eliminate need of a full wheelie bag.
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GN Supernova for me mate. As a keeper, I can get everything in there. Also has a cave for 3 bats.
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@Kulli
I've got the Legend. It is simply brilliant. You can get enough in without it becoming ungainly. Properly thought out and designed.
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Cheers, I am a CB'er so rarely travel with less than 23 bats but otherwise don't need anything huge so sounds like the Legend could be the bag for me. Next question is where do I get one cheapest?
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I'm a big fan of the new Predator duffle, similar to the legend but with more pockets, ridiculously comfortable to carry too.
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I'm a big fan of the new Predator duffle, similar to the legend but with more pockets, ridiculously comfortable to carry too.
Saw that, alsothat you can get access to the main section through the top, that's more important to me than leather handles I think.
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This may be helpful if you haven't seen it before: http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=41684.0 (http://custombats.co.uk/cbforum/index.php?topic=41684.0)
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I currently have a Kookaburra Pro Players duffle and it's annoying as hell!
Don't get me wrong it has loads of room for stuff, but the area meant for clothing at the top becomes a nuisance when you want to get into the main compartment to get pads and bats out. You kind of have to 'flip it out' and if you have a load of clothes in there, it becomes a nuisance.
The credit card / money compartment is also in the main compartment, so you have to continuously flip the top bit out just to get access meaning a 2 second job becomes a 30 second one.
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GN Supernova for me mate. As a keeper, I can get everything in there. Also has a cave for 3 bats.
Good solid back to it?
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I currently have a Kookaburra Pro Players duffle and it's annoying as hell!
Don't get me wrong it has loads of room for stuff, but the area meant for clothing at the top becomes a nuisance when you want to get into the main compartment to get pads and bats out. You kind of have to 'flip it out' and if you have a load of clothes in there, it becomes a nuisance.
The credit card / money compartment is also in the main compartment, so you have to continuously flip the top bit out just to get access meaning a 2 second job becomes a 30 second one.
preach my brother
not the best thought out bag in the world, its a good bag and has served me well for the past couple of years but I feel my duffle experiment is coming to an end, back to the wheelie I feel...
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Cheers for all the feedback, both good and bad, will have a shop around and see what else I can find out before buying.
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Good solid back to it?
As solid as Cook's batting average mate
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preach my brother
not the best thought out bag in the world, its a good bag and has served me well for the past couple of years but I feel my duffle experiment is coming to an end, back to the wheelie I feel...
I like the idea of a duffle - just need to find the right one! One of my team mates has one where you can completely unzip the top compartment off of the duffle bag. Think that is a good idea. That way i can keep my clothes and kit completely seperate and if i want to get my pads out I can do so in seconds and similarly if i just want to get changed I can get my clothes out. Kind of like a boot bag.
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I have a Slazenger Tour XR Wheel Duffle from SD and it's solid. Plenty big enough with two internal bat pockets and one external one that I just use for sidearm and bits and bobs. Wheels are handy too.
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I know the Supernova duffle gets rave reviews on here, but I'm thoroughly underwhelmed by mine! That might just be me being miserable though, as I've never been happy with any bag I've owned.
It's great that it holds three bats, but the pockets on the sides intrude into the main pocket and they aren't particularly large.
It would be perfect if the main pocket was just that, with the side pockets having their own space, rather than reducing the space available inside the bag. An extra couple of pockets for clothes and accessories wouldn't go amiss either, and now I think of it a valuables pocket...
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I'm going back to the Supernova duffle from my Legend duffle at the weekend. It's too small, takes too much packing and the helmet compartment would be perfect if I had a head like a six year old! Apart from that it's very nice :D
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I have a Slazenger Tour XR Wheel Duffle from SD and it's solid. Plenty big enough with two internal bat pockets and one external one that I just use for sidearm and bits and bobs. Wheels are handy too.
@langer17 Can please share some pics of your Slazenger Tour XR duffle. I have a older version of Slazenger Tour wheelie duffle and loved it.
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What is wrong with you all? (Keepers excluded) :) I manage to fit all match kit including 2 pairs of gloves, 2 pairs of shoes, whites, etc in one of them thar GN junior sized duffles! Very comfortable and easy to live with finding kit/ stashing phones, keys/ etc. I guess if you are a regular sized human then Edge's adult version would do nicely ;) :)
I never said it didn't fit, the pocket situation just doesn't satisfy my OCD...
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I've got a Kooka d5 that arrived today...will try it out over and weekend and provide my thoughts!!
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Fair enough, my OCD hates pockets and likes everything neatly stacked in one main and one small valuables pocket :)
Where do you keep your bat repair kit, I have twine, scissors, tape, shoo goo, super glue, sandpaper, spare grips, cut up spare grips, etc to go somewhere!
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Edge's adult version would do nicely ;) :)
Oh yeah? Is this designed for very, very specific accessories?
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I've been using duffles for the last few years but have always had issues with build quality - seams splitting, straps coming off or in the case of one the bottom falling out!
So far, I've had a kookaburra (pro with the drawstring), shamrock, gn1000 and my current one is a B&S - in which the seams in the straps are starting to go.
As a result I'm considering another bag but just wondered which would be considered best for build quality?
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I suppose build quality is subjective to how much you fill up your bag. The new top Kookaburra pro d1, is said by Its Just Cricket, to made of the highest quality materials. Whether or not this means the build quality is better O dont know
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I liked the look of the legend but think due to the lack of top opening that I'll go for the predator. Will let you all know how it goes.
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How come access from the top is so important?
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Just easier to get things like pads in and out in a straight line rather than round a corner I figured.
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My ton elite has lasted 3 seasons with no fraying/snags/holes/broken zips. If it had a small compartment for valuables it would be virtually perfect.
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In terms of value for money the woodworm duffle is untouchable £24 and its ridiculously big. I dumped my Woodstock wheelie as it wouldn't fit in my boot, yet the duffle does and it's bigger.
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I have been using the GN supernova duffle and Slazenger duffle(picked up from sportsdirect). Supernova has been my preferred choice and it does manage to carry a lot of stuff!
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My ton elite has lasted 3 seasons with no fraying/snags/holes/broken zips. If it had a small compartment for valuables it would be virtually perfect.
Agreed, plus also a small one for odds and ends like bat repot stuff.
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I got a Supernova a couple of weeks ago. Not perfect (agree about the pockets) but pretty damn good. Fine for a normal match day - although I'm not a keeper.
I'm off on tour from tomorrow and it's packed with kit (pads, gloves, bat, helmet, boots, 2 x sets of whites, base layers etc) plus clothes and gear for 5 days.
Can't argue with that!
Seems great quality too.
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I've been using a Predator 3 from GN for this season's midweek games. I've been carrying the team keeping kit, my clothes and a bag of LMS shirts and it has managed to carry everything really effectively. I've been surprised at the quality too.
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I think these questions are always so difficult to answer. Everyone will have an ultimate bag for them. Some like lots of pockets and organising things, others like a big bag with lots of space. Each to their own!
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I personally love my Kookaburra Pro D1 duffle. The side pockets for batting pads are really handy for someone who likes an organised kit bag like myself. I carry a fair kit of kit but can still get more in if need be. I carry 3 pairs of gloves and 2 pairs of spikes along with my other kit and it fits comfortably
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Still loving my NB duffle, loads of room for two bats, pads, 2 pairs of gloves and little bits of training gear.
It's also got two massive side pockets for 2 pairs of spikes and kit.
I think it only cost me 35 from Owzat, although thats about 2 years ago now.
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I've had a few duffles including the ECB, Kook Players and my current Supernova.
I've come to realise my ideal bag will have a bag cave for three bats like the Supernova, side pockets like the ECB (Ton etc.) for pads and be variant of a Grit Ice Hockey bag. I've only just come across these but I think if they could be adapted for cricket they'd be ideal.
They'd have to be narrower for a start and also include the bat cave and pads sleeves as mentioned but picture it open in front of you. A nice fold out mat to stand on. A top shelf with two elastic mesh compartments for your helmet, gloves and shoes. Then a large elastic mesh pocket (so stuff doesn't fall out while stood up) for the rest of the gear. For me that's fielding pads, box and stippers plus whites so for me maybe it's best split vertically (or horizontally) in two. Odds and sods can be kept in the front flap pocket compartments.
Maybe this has been done before for cricket (BB/Slaz?) but reckon you'd have a decent organised standup duffle with wheels so it can pulled or carried. I think the mesh holes at the back could work too or am I nuts?
What do you guys think?
Let this Hockey mom give you an idea (or two) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziIiTRw8PNg (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ziIiTRw8PNg)
Or this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n49BuXtJ1Vc (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n49BuXtJ1Vc)
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Firstly... First video :o :o :o :o hubba hubba!!!
Secondly - i wonder what their shelf is made out of, skate boots are heavy and they dont seem to bend... Where as the shelves in stand up bags collapse in the wind! If the h4l stand up bag had that as well as some sort of triple zip system. Imagine being able to unzip just the top or just the bottom or all of it. Also a spacious boot section for 2 pairswithout making it too much taller?
Or similar to the aero with a boxed out inner section?
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Whilst we're on the subject, what is the general consensus on duffles with wheels?
I've got the option for this, but personally don't see when they would be put to use? (Both the supplier and I agreed on this point). I've used duffles for the last 5/6 years instead of a wheelie, but can't recall a time where it hasn't been slung over my back - but @Jaffa's comment has me curious.
Wouldn't be surprised to see a few brands with wheelie duffles this year though!
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Surely the straps would get caught up in the wheels?
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This is the example I was sent by the supplier:
(https://i.imgur.com/HMDnOEv.jpg?1)
My main concern was the wheels catching the back of your legs? Could probably put some sort of padding in there, but not sure this would totally mitigate the issue?
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My giant puma bag has wheels on one end. And i use them to drag the thing along when the terrain allows. One thing to watch for though is the strain/flex that puts on the unsupported length of the bag. I had a couple of rivets pull out of the plastic support strips that run along the base of the bag. Possibly Due to me dragging it down stairs.... Besides that though, overall ive been happy that the wheels are there.
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Is that an actual wheelie, rather than a duffle though @manno?
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Ok my understanding of a "duffle" bag has always been of one with the carry straps on the top. Seems a duffle in cricket terms refers to backpack style of bag?
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Ignore my earlier post :)
Cricket much to my embarassment, has clearly decided to re-invent the term duffle.... haha
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Haha no worries, had me confused for a second and all - far too early to be up and thinking about duffles!
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Hubba hubba!
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Looking at the design path Grit have taken they've gone from a hard plastic based design to Flex idea with supporting rods.
So I see two variants of this design. One with a hard base plus wheels and a pull out handle for those of us that need more space or a smaller duffle with the Flex rods. So long as the idea of a stand up tower with loading shelves is used I reckon you're onto a winner. The fold out flap you can stand on so you don't have to stand on your towel is a bonus.
You can see how much changing room space is saved in this vid. (about 2mins in)... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrvYYUBfuA (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrvYYUBfuA)
So Neon, world domination in the cricket bag market looming for you?
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I agree with you Adam about the wheels hitting the back of your legs. The duffles I’ve had have had the straps lower so the bad sits a bit higher up your back. The straps seem quite high up on your sample which is probably to stop them catching the ground if you wheel it. But like you say it will mean it’s sitting lower down when on your back meaning it could catch your legs
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Definitely worth looking into @Jaffa - the tiered duffle certainly has me intrigued at least! Certainly would make better use of the interior space.
For the record that wasn't my sample, pretty good idea who's it is but wouldn't want to speculate!
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There must be a reason as to why noone has done the ultimate bag yet?
I believe if you buy a duffle you want it solely to be a bag to put on your back and a wheelie is to be dragged like a suitcase.
I think the next thing would be an aero style bag that has 4 wheels like the suitcases do now.
I prefer a bag that can hold everything in an organised way as if it can slip under the changing room benches then a bonus.
I would like to have access to everything without pulling everything out first. Hence my orignal suggestion of a seperate zip on the bottom to get to my pads if i just wanted them.
Edit: if i could draw/had access to some design tool id have a go
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I’ve got duffles due in mid-Nov that have a separate full length bat “cave/pocket” for 2 Bats at the rear before getting to the main section. 2 full length Side pockets, + a central front valuables pocket and bottom boot pocket. For me this ticks all boxes in what I personally need in a duffle whilst not filling up the space in a car boot that a wheelie requires.
For me as above the whole point in a duffle is so that you carry it on our back and avoid dragging it. Makes getting up and down stairs much easier and won’t suffer the issue of getting dragged over gravel etc that wears through materials typically causing holes.
If anyone is interested I’m happy to offer a little CBF pre-order discount for those looking to get in early. 👍
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Slazenger have done a wheeled duffle for a while now. Has its advantages but adds weights and makes it less comfortable to carry. You'd really almost need to have them on the other side from the carry straps.
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The one thing my supernova lacks is a small section/pocket inside the front pocket for money, keys & phone. I’m not a wallet user so trying to get my money back out the pocket after a game is a nightmare
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The one thing my supernova lacks is a small section/pocket inside the front pocket for money, keys & phone. I’m not a wallet user so trying to get my money back out the pocket after a game is a nightmare
The previous affinity one had 2 small inside pockets built into them for phone and one for keys/money (to avoid scratching your phone screen). They weren’t immediately obvious tho unless u really looked 🤔
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I’ve got duffles due in mid-Nov that have a separate full length bat “cave/pocket” for 2 Bats at the rear before getting to the main section. 2 full length Side pockets, + a central front valuables pocket and bottom boot pocket. For me this ticks all boxes in what I personally need in a duffle whilst not filling up the space in a car boot that a wheelie requires.
For me as above the whole point in a duffle is so that you carry it on our back and avoid dragging it. Makes getting up and down stairs much easier and won’t suffer the issue of getting dragged over gravel etc that wears through materials typically causing holes.
If anyone is interested I’m happy to offer a little CBF pre-order discount for those looking to get in early. 👍
sounds good to me. i do like ayrtek kit and its been a while since i bought any kit