What do You Put in Your Soccer Bag? Everything You Need to Pack

Knowing what to put inside of your soccer bag is important for making sure you have everything you need for a soccer game or practice, making every soccer day stress-free and enjoyable. Having a reliable soccer bag ensures you can easily organize and carry essential soccer gear and equipment to and from training session or games.

No matter where you are in your soccer journey, youth player to college to even an amateur or professional player, a soccer bag is a crucial companion for keeping your gear organized and ready.

But just as important as having a soccer bag is knowing what to pack inside of it. That is why I have created this blog post to help you create the ultimate soccer bag checklist.

Soccer Gear and Equipment

Soccer Ball

The most important piece of soccer equipment for any player is having the correct size soccer ball based on a player’s age and playing experience. The different soccer ball sizes range from size 1 to size 5 and the soccer ball is the only piece of equipment that you really need to start playing the beautiful game.

Soccer Cleats

Your soccer cleats are your weapon on the field and you need to make sure you have the right type of soccer cleats to play your best and avoid injury. Also, consider choosing wide soccer cleats made out of high quality materials such as leather, which can mold to the shape of your feet for a custom and near perfect fit.

It is also super important to choose footwear specifically designed for each playing surface:

• Firm Ground Cleats: Designed for natural grass fields.
• Soft Ground Cleats: Designed for wet and muddy grass field
• Artificial Turf Shoes: Designed for artificial surfaces
• Indoor shoes: Designed for indoor surfaces and harder outdoor surfaces

Soccer Shin Guards and Shin Guard Sleeves

Shin guards are the most important piece of protective gear in soccer. Shin guards come in various sizes and styles, so choosing a pair that fits properly and provides enough protection is important for your performance on the field.

Everyone’s preference for shin guards is different so it is best to experiment and see what selection works best for you. It is also wise to invest in a high-quality pair of shin guard sleeves to prevent your shin guards from sliding around if you play in competitive matches.

Soccer Grip Socks

Grip socks can be a valuable piece of equipment because they are basically high quality socks with sticky grip pads that prevent your feet from sliding around which reduces the risk of getting blisters. To wear grip socks in official matches you will need to learn how to cut soccer socks and wear them like a pro, but for trainings and pickup games you can wear them as they are.

Soccer Ball Pump

Almost as important as the ball itself is the ball pump. A ball pump is used to deflate and inflate soccer balls, and it is one of the most essential pieces of equipment.

There is nothing worse than getting to a field all ready to play only to find out that your ball has no air inside and you don’t have a ball pump. Avoid this problem by investing in a high quality ball pump that is light, easy to use, and easy to transport.

Soccer Gear for Games or Training Sessions

As a soccer player it is very important to have a spare pair of training gear such as shorts and jerseys. That way you can change into your training gear before training and afterwards you can change back into your dry clothes.

Soccer Gear for Cold Weather Conditions

It is also very important to be prepared for all types of weather conditions such as by having gear to help you stay warm during cold weather. Once the gear has done its job of helping you stay warm, then you can take them off if you want to.

Soccer Headband

A soccer headband is a great way to keep hair out of your way while playing soccer or to help provide you with some more support when going to header a soccer ball.

Soccer Sandals or Slippers

After an intense match or training session, give your feet some relief with comfortable soccer sandals. Designed to provide breathability and comfort, sandals are perfect for the moments after you’ve left it all on the field and it is time to take off your soccer cleats.

Miscellaneous

Healthy Snacks

Nutrition is key to optimal performance, which is why you want to pack healthy snacks inside of your bag, such as fruits, raw honey, and raw dairy products. You can also pack high protein snacks such as hard boiled eggs and beef jerky which are perfect after a game or training session. Also, avoid junk processed food as much as possible, which can ruin your recovery, sleep, focus, and overall performance.

Water Bottle

Besides healthy snacks you also want to make sure you have a water bottle to stay hydrated. Consider using a water bottle that is made out of glass or stainless steel and avoid plastic water bottles as much as possible.

Homemade or Natural Sports Drinks

Also, avoid any mainstream sports drink, such as Gatorade and Powerade which are basically soda with some added electrolytes to make them seem healthy. If you want a healthier alternative to sports drinks either make your own sports drink or use a reliable electrolyte supplement.

Small First Aid Kit

A small first aid kit can be very useful for small things like scrapes or bruises. Be prepared with a small first aid kit that includes items like an instant cold pack, disinfectant wipes, a few large bandages, band aids, and some sort of natural pain reliever spray or lotion. Also, having an emergency ankle brace, for extra ankle protection, can also be beneficial, but do not rely on these tools and get to a point where you feel you need it to play.

Extra Plastic Bags

As a soccer player it is also important to have extra bags, such as old shopping bags or plastic bags to put your wet clothes during rainy days, dirty clothes, or muddy cleats, and keep these items separate from your dry and clean clothes.

Soccer Book

Having a soccer book inside of your bag is a great way to stay entertained and learn more about the game during your road trips to away matches, tournaments, or team training. Make sure to pick a book you are actually interested in, such as a biography of your favorite coach or professional player.

Summary

Packing your soccer bag with the right essentials is key to ensuring a stress-free and enjoyable soccer experience. This guide provides a comprehensive checklist tailored to players at all levels—from youth to professional—helping you stay organized and prepared for any game or training session.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Soccer Season?

Soccer season starts at different times of the year for different leagues around the world as well as for different age groups. To learn more about when soccer season starts check out this blog: When is soccer season?

What should you put inside of a child’s soccer bag checklist?

Some important items for soccer moms and soccer dads to put inside of their youth player’s bag include: soccer balls, soccer cleats, soccer socks, shin guards, extra clothes for training, gear for cold weather, healthy snacks, and a couple of other items that are covered on this list.