What Should Be in Your Hockey Bag?
The best hockey bag is the one you can pack the same way every week. A repeatable system means fewer forgotten mouthguards, fewer wet shoes left in the car and less time searching for a glove five minutes before pushback.
In this guide
For a normal field player, your core match-day bag should contain: stick, hockey shoes, shin guards, mouthguard, glove, match kit, hockey socks, water bottle and weather layer. Add penalty-corner protection if required and carry small spares that can solve common problems quickly.
At a glance
- Pack the non-negotiables first: stick, shoes, shin guards, mouthguard and playing kit.
- Add role-specific protection — especially face mask/PC gloves if you defend penalty corners.
- Keep a small “save the session” pouch with spare laces, grip/tape and basic personal essentials.
- Separate wet/dirty kit from dry clothing after the game.
- Empty and air the bag when you get home; the bag is for transport, not long-term damp storage.
The complete field-player checklist
Playing equipment
Clothing
Practical extras
Pack in zones, not one big pile
A simple three-zone system makes a big difference.
Zone 1: dry and clean
Keep match clothing, spare layers, valuables and anything you want to stay dry away from shoes and used protection.
Zone 2: equipment
Stick, glove, shin guards, mask and other hard kit should be easy to reach without emptying the whole bag.
Zone 3: dirty/wet
Shoes, wet socks and post-match clothing should go into a ventilated or separated compartment where possible. If your bag has no separate section, use a washable wet-kit bag and unpack it as soon as you get home.
Match day vs training day
Training is usually simpler, but that is exactly when players forget protection.
If penalty corners are part of training, bring the same protective equipment and practise the same routine you expect to use in a match.
Choose the right bag format
HockeyDirect’s current bag collection spans more than just traditional long stick bags.
Stick sleeve
Best when you only want to protect/carry one or a small number of sticks and transport the rest of your kit separately.
Stick bag
The classic hockey option. Current HockeyDirect stock includes a large number of stick-bag designs, from slim models to larger multi-pocket bags that also carry shoes and protection.
Backpack / rucksack
Good for commuting and lighter kit. Check how the stick attaches or whether it needs a separate sleeve.
Holdall / duffle
Useful if you prefer a conventional sports bag and carry the stick separately. Easier to organise clothing and shoes in larger compartments.
Goalkeeping bag
A separate category with much greater volume. Goalkeeping kickers, legguards, helmet, body armour and hand protection require dedicated storage and transport.
Current HockeyDirect bag brands include adidas, Grays, Gryphon, JDH, Kookaburra, Mercian, Naked, Osaka, Ritual, Shrey and TK, so choose around capacity/layout rather than brand loyalty alone.
The small emergency pouch
You do not need to carry a workshop. A tiny pouch can solve most avoidable equipment problems:
- spare shoe laces;
- a small roll of grip/tape;
- spare hair ties if used;
- a few plasters/dressings only as appropriate to your personal/club first-aid plan;
- spare mouthguard case;
- a couple of safety pins only if permitted/appropriate for clothing repair and stored safely.
Do not improvise structural repairs to cracked sticks, face masks or other protective equipment at pitch-side.
Wet-weather packing
British hockey means planning for water.
Before the match:
- put dry after-match clothing in a separate waterproof bag;
- carry a towel;
- use a cover/compartment for valuables;
- keep the mouthguard case somewhere clean rather than loose beside muddy shoes.
After the match:
- isolate wet clothes and socks;
- knock/brush loose pitch debris from shoes where practical;
- open the bag at home;
- remove shin guards, gloves and masks to dry fully;
- dry the stick and inspect it before storage.
Penalty-corner defender bag add-on
If you defend PCs, create a dedicated protection bundle so nothing is forgotten:
- face mask;
- left/right PC glove as used by your role;
- permitted knee/body protection if used;
- spare/checked straps where the manufacturer supplies replacements;
- labelled bag/section so another teammate does not take the wrong size.
England Hockey currently strongly recommends face masks when defending penalty corners, so the mask should be treated like a core match item for those defenders rather than an optional afterthought.
Junior bag checklist
For juniors, keep the system simple enough that the child can learn to pack it themselves.
Pack in this order
Write the list inside the bag or save it on the phone. Independence is easier when the order never changes.
What should stay out of the bag between sessions?
Do not permanently store damp:
- hockey shoes;
- shin guards;
- gloves;
- mouthguard in a sealed wet case;
- wet clothing;
- goalkeeper foam/protection.
Moisture and heat are enemies of comfort, hygiene and many materials. Transport in the bag, then air-dry according to the product instructions.
Frequently asked questions
How big should a hockey bag be?
Large enough for your real kit without forcing items into damaging bends, but no larger than you need to carry comfortably. Goalkeepers need a dedicated high-volume solution.
Can I put my shoes in my stick bag?
Yes if the bag has enough room and preferably a separate/ventilated shoe compartment. Keep dirty soles away from clean clothing where possible.
Should I keep my stick in the bag at home?
A stick bag is fine for transport/storage when the stick is clean and dry. Do not seal a wet, dirty stick into damp kit for days.
What spares should I carry?
Spare laces and grip/tape offer the most value for very little space. Add personal essentials relevant to your own routine.
Where should the mouthguard go?
In its own ventilated case, in a clean pocket away from dirty shoes and wet kit.
What should a penalty-corner defender always check?
That the mask fits, straps are intact and all role-specific hand/body protection is present before warm-up.
What should I unpack first when I get home?
Wet clothing, shoes, shin guards, glove and mouthguard. Open compartments so the whole bag can dry.
Choose a bag around how you actually travel to hockey
A school player, commuter and goalkeeper need very different storage. Shop HockeyDirect hockey bags and compare stick capacity, compartments and carrying style before choosing.
