The 10 Best Bowling Bags
Special Honors
Storm 6-Ball Rolling Thunder Not only can the Storm 6-Ball Rolling Thunder handle, that's right, up to six balls, it even offers room to stash your shoes, which is no small feat. And even though it can hold a lot of weight, it rolls easily thanks to robust five-inch wheels with smooth bearings. stormbowling.com
Yves Saint Laurent With one of this designer's offerings, you might not be the one on your bowling team with the most practical or functional bag, but at least there's a good chance that you can brag that yours was the most expensive. Available in black or brown, modest users will appreciate the understated look of these solid-colored options. ysl.com
Editor's Notes
April 05, 2021:
We moved through this round of updates without making a lot of major changes, but we did remove the Motiv Vault due to availability issues. Our replacement for this loss was the Hammer Premium, which is even more expensive than the model from Motiv, but stands out from the crowd with a notably large six-ball capacity.
If that’s a bit on the big side, but you still think you’d like a large option that can accommodate several bowling balls, then you might have better luck with our specialized list of rolling bowling bags. Other related rankings that we maintain, which you might be interested in, include categories like bowling pins, bowling ball racks and bowling shoes for men.
February 20, 2020:
Although the large size and multiple pockets are enticing, the Kaze Sports 3 has been known to have zipper issues, so we have elected to remove it at this time. We also opted to remove the BSI Taxi Single Tote; the foam ring tends to compress with use, which can be frustrating. But the BSI Deluxe remains a good option, with all the touches you could want: a detachable shoulder strap, separate shoe compartment, nifty organizer pocket, and more. There's also the similarly sized Pyramid Path Pro Deluxe, and we've added its larger cousin, the Pyramid Path Double. Both come in a stunning range of color choices, including some fun print and multi-color options. If you need something even larger, there's the Storm 3 Tournament, which will hold three bowling balls, but not a pair of shoes — although an optional shoe bag attachment is available for separate purchase. Finally, we added the Motiv Vault, as well. It is sleek and made to high quality standards, with the elevated price tag to match.
Why Use A Bowling Bag?
And, there are other things that you'll have to bring along, as well, like grip tape, cleaning solutions, and brushes.
In order to transport your bowling equipment safely, you're going to need a bowling bag. It's crucial to use a bag that's designed specifically for holding heavy balls if you want to avoid any accidents, such as torn fabric or damaged equipment.
Whether you're hauling one ball or several, there's a bag out there that is certain to meet your needs. Bowling bags are crafted to support cumbersome, bulky items, and since they're made from tough material and often feature reinforced stitching, they stand up quite well to wear and tear. Basically, if you choose to pack your ball into a backpack or a messenger bag instead of a bowling bag, you're putting your stuff at risk.
Even novice bowlers ought to consider purchasing their own equipment. Remember: the balls at your local alley are probably not ideally suited to your unique grip and strength. Once you've decided you want to improve your bowling skills, it's time to invest in a ball and a bag. These items will help you step up your bowling game in a big way.
Once you have your very own bowling ball, which will weigh in at between nine and 16 pounds, you'll want to pick up a dedicated bag. After all, it isn't in any way practical to carry a bowling ball across town in your arms. And, there are other things that you'll have to bring along, as well, like grip tape, cleaning solutions, and brushes. As you can see, it's unlikely a typical handbag will be able to accommodate all of these supplies.
Choosing a bowling bag can be difficult thanks to the range of options on the market, but as long as you know what you're looking for, finding the right one will be a much easier task. Take into account your preferences and search for the bag that will allow you to stop worrying and start focusing on becoming the bowler you've always wanted to be.
Features To Watch For
When it comes to bowling bags, the first thing to think about is how many balls you plan on transporting. Most bags are designed to accommodate one ball, though there are plenty of selections that can transport two or even three at a time. In short, make sure to purchase a bag that can hold everything.
Larger bags are a smart choice if you're a part of a couples league and would like to be able to carry your ball along with your partner's.
Larger bags are a smart choice if you're a part of a couples league and would like to be able to carry your ball along with your partner's. In the same vein, bags containing more than one ball can be quite heavy — more than 30 pounds, potentially — which means it would be wise to select a product that comes with attached wheels. It's much easier to roll 35 pounds through a bowling alley than to carry it over your shoulder.
Those who intend to tote more than one ball at a time may opt for a bag that features separate ball compartments. An option with padded dividers is a good choice if you don't want to have to worry about damaged equipment.
On the topic of padding, whether your bag contains one ball or more, you'll need a shoulder strap that is sufficiently cushioned. As mentioned previously, a ball or two combined with other belongings can make for a pretty heavy bag. There's no reason to carry a bag with a strap that cuts into your shoulder when there are plenty of models out there with soft straps for comfort.
Pockets are another feature to keep in mind. If you like to carry your personal sundries with you but don't want to take more than one bag, find one that has lots of pockets. With pockets, you can separately store things like car keys and sunglasses in addition to other bowling supplies.
If style is a priority for you, you're in luck. There are tons of fashionable bags that will help you stand out from the crowd. As you shop, you'll notice that bowling bags come in an incredible number of colors and designs. Some boast a retro look, while others have a sporty appearance. No matter your taste, there's a bag out there that will suit your preferences.
A Brief History Of Bowling
Believe it or not, bowling has been around for quite a while. Even in the days of ancient Egypt, folks enjoyed rolling balls to knock over various objects from a distance. There's also evidence that citizens of the Roman Empire had engaged in similar activities.
By the 13th century, bowling greens were established in several regions in Europe. The game was, in fact, an outdoor sport until the 1400s when lawn lanes in London were enclosed to create the first indoor bowling areas.
There's also evidence that citizens of the Roman Empire had engaged in similar activities.
As bowling grew in popularity across Western Europe, leaders became concerned that the sport might be too great a distraction for the working class and cause a decrease in productivity. Gambling was tied to the sport, too, as participants and onlookers would routinely take bets at bowling events. King Henry VIII went so far as to ban everyone but the wealthy from playing.
The 20th century was an important time for the sport. In the Western world, bowling had attracted many fans. Detailed rules were developed and the handicap approach became widely used in the 1910s. Additionally, nine-pin bowling had given way by that time to the 10-pin version we all know and love.
Today, bowling is a recognized sport in over 90 countries. The rules typically dictate (in 10-pin bowling) that 12 strikes in a row will result in a perfect score of 300 points — a difficult feat to achieve by any account. There are, however, at least five types of pin bowling and even more varieties of target bowling, so the rules of the version popular in your neck of the woods may differ slightly or significantly from the ones mentioned here.