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Whether you are a die-hard hiker, a skier or a snowboard baby, investing in a carrier for your footwear can help make your life a whole lot easier. Boot bags provide storage for outdoor gear in the off-season and make it easy to carry your boots when you are heading out for your sport or taking a trip and bringing them with you. Here are some tips for selecting the right one for you:

• Be sure and check out the size of the bag. If you wear size 13 boots, you’ll want to be sure they will fit inside before you buy. If you have tiny feet, you won’t want a gigantic bag if you can avoid it. If big bags are all that is available, get one that has two compartments and store other items in the second one.
• Go for water-resistant bags. If you’ll be tracking around in the snow, you will want to be sure your other stuff stays dry. This is also a good move if you are a hiker who goes out in all weather. Just because it is cold outside it doesn’t mean there won’t be mud. Water-resistant bags make wiping up easy.
• If you are a mountain climber and want to invest in a bag, consider getting one with a reinforced bottom for better durability. They hold up well when placed on snow.
• Look for easy grab handles or a sensible strap for convenient carrying.
• Go for bags with additional pockets. The more you can fit in one bag, the less you will have to carry overall.
• Search for reinforced materials at places such as the seams and handles. This type of bag will likely hold up better.

There are a few different types of volleyball bags out there that might be useful to the player, depending on what they need and where they play. Here is a breakdown on some of the choices to help you decide which one might be right for you or your team:

• Tournament ball bags. These large mesh bags hold multiple balls (typically in the 10 to 15 range), have reinforced bottoms and sturdy handles for easy carrying. Perfect for teams that travel a lot or even just for keeping them all in one spot at someone’s house.
• Backpack-style bags. These bags cinch at the top with a drawstring and have straps so they can be worn “backpack style” for easy transport. They hold somewhere around 5 balls. Great for beach practice if you don’t want to give chase right away when someone gets a little carried away. Many have mesh incorporated into the design for ventilation.
• Multi-purpose bags. These usually have a bag compartment and a ball attachment at the side. Often used by serious players, these have room for personal gear as well as one ball. A great individual bag choice.

Other options exist, but these are some of the most popular bags out there right now. All of these can help make your life easier when you go to transport gear, so making a choice between them really depends on your personal needs as a player.

Whether you are headed out to the X Games to watch the latest tricks or just going down the block to the skate park, having all your gear with you is a must. Skateboard bags can be a super way to make sure you don’t leave something behind when you go to practice, compete or hang out with friends.

A good bag won’t drag you down with weight, but will have some smart features to help you bring your stuff along. Items like water bottle holders and good straps to secure your board are important things to look for. Great extras include smart design features that allow you to plug and play your tunes without digging through the bag and safe zip pockets to hide a few dollars in case you need an energy bar after going hard all afternoon.

If you tend to ride at dusk or in the evening, be sure to check the bag for reflective strips, or make your own using reflective tape. After all, safe riding is good riding. It can also be a smart idea to put your name and phone number inside somewhere just in case the bag gets lost. Skateboard bags are also a great investment if you want to bring more than one board with you to practice; you can ride one and strap the other one in.

If you are new to hunting or if you are looking for the just the right gear, there are some things to keep in mind. Different features will appeal to different hunters, but there are some great gear choices out there for those who enjoy getting out in the woods to challenge themselves and hone their skill. Here are some thoughts on hunting bags:

• You’ll want to blend. Camouflage fabrics or natural colors are a must-have feature when it comes to hunting. All the cool gear in the world can’t make up for blowing your cover.
• You’ll want to eliminate excess weight. Let’s face it, hunting bags are typically loaded with the necessities; you don’t want the bag to be heavy before it’s packed.
• You’ll want a durable bag. Balancing durability with a lightweight bag can be a challenge, but newer fabrics exist that can accomplish that if you look around a bit.
• You’ll want multiple storage compartments. One large center compartment won’t do it for most hunters. You need spots made for ammunition and other items.
• You’ll need protection from rain. Waterproof bags are the best choice as you never know when a storm will blow up or when you may get a bit of drizzle in the great outdoors.

Good lacrosse bags aren’t found very easily, but the Under Armour Cradle Stick Bag is one of the best out there. Specifically crafted for women, this bag is the perfect wrapping for your gear, protecting it well while still being attractive when carried.

Made specifically to carry one lacrosse stick, this is the ideal bag to both store your stick in and transport it. The heavy duty nylon rip-stop material protects it well during a trip and also keeps the dust and grime off of it at home. Mesh panels are built in for a bit of ventilation, and there is also a fleece pocket to store keys or valuables in if need be. The adjustable shoulder strap makes sizing it a snap, and the main storage area has perfectly engineered spots to stash your goggles, gloves and other small items.

Far from being a dull carrier, this stylish bag comes in several color accent options as well. Choose from the standard black or navy, or liven things up a bit and go with a pretty pink instead. The Under Armour emblem is embroidered on the bag, serving as a reminder of both the quality construction and the respected company name. If you are looking for a good lacrosse bag that is simple and well-designed, this is a great option.

Not all gym tote bags are created for dancers, but there are a few that were designed with them in mind. If you are looking for a bag that will make you feel like doing pirouettes, try out the Nike Dance Tote and you’ll be turning heads as well.

The exterior pocket on this bag has a zipper and is the perfect spot to stash your ballet shoes. If tap dance is your thing, there is plenty of room inside the bag for those shoes as well–with space leftover for any additional items you may need to bring with you. A small hanging, zippered pouch inside the bag provides the perfect hideaway to stash spare ponytail holders and bobby pins, making the transition from dressing room to dance studio a snap. Coming in at only 1lb, the bag also insures you won’t waste extra energy carrying around a lot of weight before class.

Although the Nike Dance Tote makes a super dance bag, it can also double as a gym bag as well, so it’s really a super investment. The comfortable, padded strap and audio pocket with cord portal are additional features that make this bag the one to beat. That way you can let tunes get you in the mood to soar across the floor. Lightweight and practical, this bag will work well for the dancer or the health club regular.

As summer approaches, so does barbecue and picnic season. And with barbecues and picnics comes summer games - specifically badminton.

What is it about badminton that continues to delight? That’s hard to say. The sport, however, has a rich history traced back to ancient Greece and Egypt and is enjoyed today by many from professional players to school children. In fact, badminton is an Olympic sport.

A typical badminton set will include lightweight racquets, at least 1 or 2 shuttlecocks, and possibly a net. The playing area can be easily set up on any moderately sized lawn or open area. A badminton set that includes a racquet carrying case is ideal for storing the set when not in use.

If you play a team sport or are a coach for one, there are some things to consider incorporating into your travel routine that will help keep things organized. Having team bags, assigning duties to various players and keeping a checklist with needed travel items can all contribute to having a team that runs smoothly. Let’s take a closer look at what each of those entails:

• Team bags. These come in two types: those for individual players and those that carry gear. Purchasing the same style of bag for all the players can help keep things together when traveling. It also has the benefit of giving the team a more polished look. Other bags to invest in are ones that carry gear such as balls, bats, protective pads and other things you may need to bring along for a trip.
• Assigning duties. If everyone knows what to do when you are packing up, you’ll get to leave on time or early. There will also be less bickering if everyone has a specific duty to take care of. Examples include packing equipment, loading bags and making sure everyone is there before you go.
• Packing checklist. This handy item can be brainstormed by team members or created by the coach and used time and again for trips. Make sure to include key items such as medications, identification and uniforms.

Did you ever go to the beach and wind up getting something wet that shouldn’t get water anywhere near it? It isn’t a good feeling and can be pretty expensive too, depending on the item. If you are looking for good snorkeling bags, or just some that will keep your other gear dry while you get wet, here are some kinds to consider:

• Waterproof cell phone bags. Made of heavy duty clear materials, these handy bags close up tight, protecting your cell phone from water and sand. Some come with adjustable neck lanyards for easy transport. Certain designs also allow you to talk on the phone through the bag — how cool is that? There are similar options for PDAs and GPS devices too.
• Waterproof camera bags. These handy bags are typically made to fit a 35mm camera or a regular sized digital camera. Protecting your photos is important around the water and this does the trick.
• Wet/dry bags. There are a variety of these bags made, and they come in many different shapes, sizes and colors. The essential feature is the separate areas for wet and dry clothes and gear, allowing you to go into the water, change clothes and put the wet stuff away. Some of the better bags include drainage or ventilation for the wet clothing.

If you are a runner looking for the perfect bag then keep reading. The North Face offers its Photon running bag, and it has every feature you could need for either a short–or a longer run. Features such as an air mesh waist belt help keep you cool, and the three point adjustable strap insures you have a good fit when you hit the road.

Superior running bags will have a built in spot for you to bring water or your favorite drink along. The Photon’s is at a great angle so that it jostles around less and it also comes equipped with bottle stabilization features such as molded control panels. Better still, the bottle itself has been included for your convenience and for a perfect fit.

Carrying your personal gear such as a good luck charm for a race or keys for the car isn’t a problem with the Photon either. There is a zip pocket with a key clip where you can tuck important items away safely and forget them for the run. Add to all of this some reflective accents for safety and you have the perfect running bag. The North Face has always been on the cutting edge when it comes to outdoor gear, and this bag is a great example of what happens when everything goes right in terms of design.