Catchers carry more gear than anyone else on the field, and packing it all up is its own kind of workout. Trust me, I’ve done the carrying and the managing, and neither one is easy.
Every other position just needs a glove and maybe a bat or two. A catcher has to haul a chest protector, a helmet, and shin guards on top of that, plus extras like knee savers and thumb guards. It’s no wonder catchers need a bag that can actually keep up. The tricky part is that a good catcher’s bag is one more expense on top of gear you’ve already paid a lot for.
I’ve seen plenty of catchers try to get by with a regular duffle bag instead. It sort of works, but it’s neither comfortable nor practical once you load it up. A bag built specifically for catcher’s gear is the smarter route. I’ve cycled through more catcher’s bags than I’d like to admit over the years, so when I recommend one, it’s coming from actual use, not a spec sheet.
So here’s the short answer: yes, you can fit your catcher’s gear in a Boombah catcher’s bag. For the longer answer, like which Boombah bag is the best pick and how to pack it efficiently, keep reading. I’ll keep this as tight and useful as I can.
Why Go with Boombah Bag?
If you’re not familiar with the brand, Boombah makes custom sporting goods, apparel, and equipment. The company was established in 2003 and is based in Yorkville, Illinois. It’s still a lot younger than giants like Nike or Adidas, but it’s built a loyal following among baseball and softball players. Its catalog covers cleats, bags, baseball gear, and even umpire equipment.
Boombah also branches out into other sports like basketball, volleyball, football, and soccer. You might assume a brand built around custom gear charges a premium, but that’s not really the case here. Boombah is one of the more affordable options in the catcher’s gear bag space without skimping on quality, and that price-to-performance ratio is a big reason I keep recommending it.
So, if you are looking for the best rolling catcher’s bag, this brand should be the first one on your mind. I also ran the standard, non-catcher Boombah Rolling Superpack through a full review if you want to see how the same build quality holds up outside the catcher-specific version.
How to Put Your Catcher’s Gear in a Boombah Catchers Bag?
Boombah Catchers bags are perfect for carrying all your catcher’s gear easily and efficiently. It does not matter whether you are buying the Superpack Hybrid or the non-hybrid Superpack Catcher’s Bat Bag, as both of them have similar storage options for your gear. Keep in mind though the Hybrid model is a bit larger. The main compartment is for your catcher’s mitt, helmet, and chest protector. You can access it by opening the top zipper on the bag. Make sure you put the chest protector in first, as it takes the most space. Then put your helmet in, with the mitt going in last.
You will find a separate compartment for your shoes or cleats, which you can access by opening up the zippers. This is the feature I love most about this bag. Because of this design, you can mostly contain the smell and dirt in a single compartment. And since the shoe compartment is easy to access, you can regularly wipe it using antiseptic wipes. You will find a large mesh pocket on both sides of the bag, along with two hook and loop straps slightly above it. That pocket is designed to hold your baseball bats. This bag can hold a total of four bats, two in each pocket, securely.
Finally, to carry your shin guards, you get a separate mesh side pocket on both sides of the bag. This pocket is collapsible and flexible enough to carry your entire shin guard pretty comfortably. Other than that, a small compartment at the front of the bag holds all your extra items. You can keep a few accessories or key items that you need for or after the game in that compartment.
How Do You Clean a Boombah Bag?
Whether you buy a Boombah bag or a catcher’s bag by some other brand, the truth is it will inevitably get dirty. Carrying your dirty cleats, baseball bats, and helmets to and from the field is no small feat for any bag. Catcher’s bags are built to survive longer and ward off bad smells better than most, but they still need a real cleaning after a while.
Personally, I like to wash my bag once every two or three months. In the meantime, I keep a few small scent beads in the main compartment. It won’t eliminate the smell entirely, but it holds it off quite well until the next cleanup day.
Washing your Boombah bag from time to time is essential to keep it from getting too stinky. So how exactly do you clean one? Skip the machine washer. Boombah recommends handwashing your bag whenever it needs a thorough clean, and the process isn’t too different from cleaning the rest of your catcher’s gear. For simplicity’s sake, I’m walking through this using the Boombah Superpack Hybrid Rolling Wheel catcher’s bag.
- The first step is to empty out the contents of the bag, turn it upside down, and give it a couple of firm shakes. It will knock out any loose dirt or mud stuck inside the bag. You can also use a firm brush to clean the insides of the bag.
- Then take a bowl of lukewarm water and add some mild detergent to it. Use a sponge or towel to soak up the water and work it into the fabric. Alternatively, a solution of water and soap also works wonders. I personally use scented soaps to great success.
- Pay extra attention to the shoe compartment and the bottom seams, since that’s usually where grime and odor settle in deepest.
- After wiping the inside of the bag thoroughly, you should already notice the smell dissipating. However, if the smell still persists, you can apply a bit of disinfectant spray or fabric deodorizer inside the bag.
- Once you are done cleaning, leave the bag out in a well-ventilated area. Let it dry up overnight. For best results, turn the bag inside out. It will help the interior dry out faster.
If you want to delay the cleanup day as much as possible, keep a couple of antiseptic wipes in your bag. After each game or practice session, use the wipes to thoroughly clean your gear before you put it in the bag. This is a foolproof way to make sure your bag stays clean as long as possible.
Which Boombah Bag is Good for Catcher’s Gears?
A catcher’s bag, as I said before, requires careful consideration. With so many variables to think about, like size, carrying comfort, and space allotment, landing on one perfect option is quite tough. When I was looking for the perfect Boombah bag, I remember juggling between two options: the Boombah Catchers Superpack Hybrid Rolling Bat Bag and the Boombah Catcher’s Superpack Bat Bag. I ended up settling on the former rather than the latter, even though I had to spend a bit more on it. I’ll tell you exactly why I decided to spend the extra money.
My Pick: Boombah Catchers Superpack Hybrid Rolling Bat Bag
The main difference between the Superpack Hybrid and the standard Superpack is the addition of rolling wheels. You already know how heavy a bag gets once it’s loaded up with a full set of gear. The wheels on the Hybrid make it way easier to move around compared to the non-hybrid version. The best part about the hybrid design is that the shoulder straps are removable, so you can turn it into more of a travel bag without feeling the strain on your back.
Looking at the overall build quality, you’d be hard pressed to find much to complain about. It’s made using 1000 Denier fabric, a rugged material that’s extremely durable and resistant to water. The material is also quite soft and comfortable to the touch. The base features a molded plastic chassis to keep the bag from slumping once it gets heavy.
Two strong fence hooks are installed on the back of the bag to hang it on a fence. This bag initially caught my eye because of its spacious design. Boombah lists the dimensions at roughly 23.5″L x 13.5″W x 9.5″H, which is more than enough to handle all your gear plus a couple of extra accessories like knee savers or thumb guards. The back holds four baseball bats total, two on each side. Since the bats sit outside the main compartment, they’re not fully protected against the elements. If you’re carrying a wood bat, I wouldn’t leave this bag exposed in the rain.
Some other catcher’s bags, like the Bownet Commander Softball and Baseball Catcher’s Bag, build the bat holster inside the bag to protect it from snow or rain. But unlike the Superpack Hybrid, the Bownet Commander runs quite a bit more expensive. Given that price gap, this design tradeoff on the Superpack Hybrid isn’t a dealbreaker for me. The two outside mesh pockets on either side of the Boombah bag are perfect for keeping your shin guards secured, and they collapse flat when you’re not carrying any. There’s also enough interior space to carry small items like a water bottle or your wallet.
Another feature I really like is the separate cleat storage compartment. After a rough training session or a game, your shoes are going to get dirty, and keeping them in the same compartment as the rest of your gear just makes everything smell. The divided compartment keeps your bag clean for longer.
Boombah pricing shifts by colorway and season, so I won’t quote you an exact number here. Check the current listing before you buy, but in my experience it lands in a fair middle range compared to other high-end rolling catcher’s bags, especially once you factor in the wheels and the extra room. It also comes in a wide range of color combinations. I’ve been happy with the quality of the zippers. The straps could use an upgrade, in my opinion, but for what you’re paying, I’m not complaining.
If the budget doesn’t stretch that far, I understand. In that case, I’d suggest getting the Boombah Catcher’s Superpack Bat Bag instead. It skips the wheels but shares many of the same features at a lower price point.
Wrapping Up
Think of it this way: you’ve been saving up for a while to get the good catcher’s gear you can find. You packed it up, hopped in the car, and headed to the field to show it off to your coach and friends. Then, out of nowhere, your bag decides to give out on you. I don’t think I need to paint a more vivid picture of the perils of skipping a good catcher’s bag. But I also understand that dropping more money on a bag after you’ve already bought all your other gear is a tough sell.
Thankfully, a Boombah bag costs less than most other high-end options, and it can fit your whole catcher’s kit safely inside. There’s no real reason not to pick one up. I hope you now know exactly what you can, and can’t, fit in a Boombah catcher’s bag. Cheers!
With 4 years of Division II experience, a .272 career batting average, .410 on-base percentage, and 7 home runs, I’m now in my fifth season. I’ve played baseball since age 3, alongside future MLB Draft picks, and I aim to pursue a career in baseball professionally, be it playing, coaching, or scouting.