Top 10 Best Basketball Backpacks in 2024

There are a lot of options in terms of sports for the children and even for adults who want to practice as a hobby. The most popular and the most accessible one is basketball. Basketball does not require a lot of gear and it is very easy to learn how to play. It does require a bit of skill but since it is a sport that relies on two small teams on the court, players can also bond and socialize.

Leaving aside all the positive aspects of the game, gear plays, and important role. Even if not much is needed to start playing basketball at a casual level, it is important to be prepared a bit. A good backpack might not be the first thing on the list but it surely counts. Any backpack is good enough to carry the gear but there are special basketball backpacks that offer enough space for shoes and in some cases, they can even carry the ball. Some of these backpacks can be used for other sports as well such as soccer but their utility remains the same.

They need to offer enough storage space for the gear and they need to be resilient. It does not matter all that much if they are waterproof or not but if they are it can be a great bonus feature. For our list, we selected 10 different basketball backpacks out of the few models that are available. There are not that many brands that make dedicated basketball backpacks which is why the search has proved to be a bit challenging. With these things in mind here are the top 10 best basketball backpacks in 2024.

Best Basketball Backpacks in 2024

10. Kolako Sports Backpack

Kolako Sports backpack is an affordable model that should be a great companion for any active individual. It is a simple backpack but with a special mesh on the back that serves as an extra pocket for a basketball. It is relatively large and offers plenty of storage space including room for a 15-inch laptop. If it is going to be used during a hot summer day, the backpack will prove to be quite comfortable due to the heat dissipation and good air permeability.

When someone hears that something is not very durable, they might look away but truth is told, the Kolako is still a good backpack. It will not survive intense usage and carrying a lot of weight but if it is used just for carrying sports equipment and maybe a laptop it should be just fine.

9. Wilson Evolution Basketball Backpack

Not everyone needs a really large backpack. The Wilson Evolution basketball backpack is a compact model that offers just enough space to carry the essentials. It can fit a full-size basketball and a few extra items. It is not meant to carry a lot of stuff and it is not particularly affordable but it is very convenient and practical.

The backpack is not bad in any way and it is not as small as some would expect but there are other models that are both more affordable and just as well built. The design of the backpack makes it quite appealing. Its side pockets are very well placed while the top opening allows access to the interior compartments.

8. Bagland Basketball Backpack

Bagland offers a great basketball backpack with a good and practical design. It has a lot of pockets and a large removable mesh pocket that can be used to carry a ball. Storage space is different. In fact, it is large enough to carry a tennis racquet and still has room for more. It can be used to carry shoes, helmets, balls and even a laptop as it is large enough and has padding for the inner compartment.

The backpack makes it very easy to carry a lot of equipment. The removable pocket for the ball is very useful but it holds in place using two plastic clips that do not seem very durable. They are strong enough to hold the ball but they seem very easy to break. As long as they are used properly they should survive just fine.

7. K-Cliffs Basketball Backpack

K-Cliffs makes a lot of great sports equipment. Their basketball backpack offers a great deal for the price as it is inexpensive and quite functional. It has a dedicated rear compartment for a ball and it has plenty of room to store clothing, shoes and other items, including a full-size baseball bat. The model is made out of a polyester fabric that will prove to be durable and uses metal zippers.

Despite everything the backpack looks and feels cheap. In fact, it is cheap and its design shows it. The material from which is made is not bad but it could be much better. The storage space distribution makes it very practical but what recommends it the most is the fact that it is very inexpensive. If the budget is a problem than this model will prove to be the best choice.

6. Nike Club Team Swoosh Backpack

Nike Club Team Swoosh backpack is a decent pick for the ones that need something reliable to carry their gear. It is a simple backpack made out of polyester but it does not look or feel cheap despite being affordable. It is available in several different colors and features a large top opening that allows for one ball to be stored inside the backpack.

The backpack is quite comfortable to carry but it seems that the padding on the back causes the person carrying it to sweat a lot. It is not something that would go well during the hot summer heat, especially the black version. The other versions are identical but black tends to heat up much more. Storage space is decent and can hold a basketball and some gear.

5. Nike Hoops Elite Max Air Team 2.0 Basketball Backpack

Nice Hoops Elite Max Air Team 2.0 basketball backpack falls under the premium category. It has a higher price tag but also offers better quality. The model is made using only polyester and it is somewhat waterproof. Storage is fairly decent and can hold a large basketball. On the sides, the backpack has water bottle pockets and two large zippered pockets.

Some users expressed concern about the durability of the backpack. The fabric from which it is made is very thin and there are concerns that the backpack might fall apart if it is used to carry a lot of weight. Their design is appealing and they do feel as if they are durable but the thinness of the fabric can be a bit concerning.

4. Fashion Helpers Sports Athletic Backpack

Fashion Helpers is a brand that might not sound familiar to many. Their sports athletic backpack is an affordable and quite decent backpack. It has decent functionality, and storage space and it is quite lightweight. The model has a mesh pocket on the back for a regular basketball and two side mesh pockets for water bottles. The main compartment is fairly large but it lacks any kind of padding.

Not having padding on the interior is both a good and a bad thing. The good part is that the backpack will not cause the user wearing it to sweat. The bad part is that the backpack lacks any kind of protection for fragile items. If for example it will be used to carry a laptop as well, the laptop will not be protected in any way.

3. Nike Hoops Elite Max Air Team Backpack

Nike Hoops Elite Max Air Team backpack is a very popular model due to its built quality and functionality. It has a large opening at the top that allows for storage of one basketball and several side pockets. The model is made out of a durable fabric using polyester and it is also water-resistant. For the shoulder straps, mesh material with padding has been used to reduce sweating.

There is not much to complain about the backpack. It has everything one would expect from a backpack that needs to carry a basketball and some gear. If there is one thing negative to say about the backpack is its price. It is not expensive but also it is not exactly cheap. Maybe if it was a bit cheaper it would have scored higher in our ranking.

2. Under Armour Trance Sackpack

Under Armour Trace backpack is a bit different from your average backpack. It actually looks like a sack but works as a backpack. It has thin mesh shoulder straps that reduce sweating and a small side pocket. Not having an interior with compartments means more bulk storage space. It can hold a basketball, clothes and even a pair of shoes without any problem.

The drawstring at the top has a design effect as it makes the backpack look like a sack. Still, it is not a very good way to keep things inside secure. It has plenty of storage space but the drawstrings need to be tied securely. The build quality is decent and it looks like it can support a lot of weight but the shoulder straps might not be very comfortable in such a situation.

1. Diadora Squadra Backpack

Diadora Squadra backpack is one of the most popular picks for active individuals. It is a sports backpack with a special zippered compartment for a ball, placed at the back where we usually have a pocket. It is made out of durable nylon with PVC backing. The backpack has a simple and ergonomic design and can be found in a wide selection of colors.

The dedicated ball pocket is integrated into the backpack. It actually takes away from the storage space which leaves less for other items such as clothing or shoes. It is still a decent backpack as long as it is used for what it was designed for. The fabric used is very durable and it is surprisingly lightweight.

What Backpack Works Best For A Basketball Player?

The number of backpacks that are dedicated to basketball is limited. Manufacturers prefer to make more all-purpose backpacks and some do have a dedicated pocket for a ball. Some might not fit a basketball inside but there are enough models to choose from. Here are some key points to look out for when searching for a basketball backpack.

• Does it have a dedicated pocket for the ball? Not all backpacks have a dedicated spot for the ball. The ones that do not have a dedicated space should be large enough to fit a standard basketball.
• Does it have room for anything else? Odds are nobody carries just a basketball. The backpack should be able to hold at least a pair of sneakers and still have a bit of extra room.
• Is price important? Not everyone is willing to spend hundreds of dollars on a backpack. There are some decent picks on the cheaper side of things but it is important to get a backpack that is not overpriced and it does not feel too cheap or it will just tear apart faster than expected.