The Ten Best Board Game Bags Around

Have a game night coming up? You’ll want to make sure your games are protected and secure before you head out with the load. That’s where board game bags come in. A premium bag offers high-quality protection with features like padding, semi-rigid sides, waterproofing, spacious compartments, and useful pockets, making it ideal for transporting your board game collection.

What to Look for in a Board Game Bag

When you’re ready to find your board game bag, look for the following qualities:

• High-quality materials – The materials used to make the bag will determine one third of the equation on how long the bag will last. The materials themselves have to be able to handle a lot of wear and tear and travel to be worth it. Higher-quality materials like quality nylon and foam padding will help your bag endure.

• Durable make – The way the bag is made is another third of the equation. Double stitching or reinforced stitching, and the placement and attachment of handles makes all the difference in durability. If the connection of straps, for example, seems flimsy, most likely, the straps will rip right off if you get close to the weight capacity on the bag.

• Waterproofing – Because you’re likely to bring your games out on less than perfect nights, you want to make sure the bag is waterproof. This is the third component of quality and durability. Without waterproofing, not only will your games face potential damage, but the board game bag will weaken and become less useful fairly quickly.

• Protection for your games – Another key component for any board game bag is the assurance that your games will be protected by the bag. Many have some kind of padding to keep your games safe in a fumble or crash. Be sure to check, though, as foam padding can make all the difference between a secured board game box and pieces getting smashed to bits in a tumble. Additionally, ensure the bag can handle heavier games without compromising protection.

• Carrying options – Board game bags come with a variety of carrying options. Choose your style for the most practical use. Backpacks are great for long haul travel, especially if they have carry straps. Shoulder straps can also work well for longer-haul game nights.

• Price point – Be sure the bag you get meets your budgetary needs. Most range between $20 and $80 dollars. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll also find some great options – just make sure they come from brands you trust.

• Zipper closures – Not all board game bags use zipper closures. While technically this may be okay, we’d recommend only using bags that securely close to protect your games and keep components from flying.

• Organization – Look for bags with various pockets, including a zipper pocket, to help organize small items like card games.

• Colors and designs you like – While not as critical as carrying options and durability, you do want your board game bags to fit your overall aesthetic choices. Most bags come in a neutral black to blend in, but some have some nice shades of greens, blues, reds, and even purples. Consider these before you buy in case that aspect is a little more important than you realized.

Key Features of a Great Board Game Bag

When it comes to choosing a great board game bag, there are several key features to look for. Here are some of the most important ones:

• Durability: A great board game bag should be made from high-quality, durable materials that can withstand regular use and transportation. Look for bags made from sturdy nylon or polyester with reinforced stitching.

• Protection: The bag should have padding and reinforced stitching to protect your games from damage and scratches. Foam padding and semi-rigid frames are excellent for keeping your board games safe.

• Organization: A good board game bag should have multiple pockets and compartments to keep your games, accessories, and small items organized and easy to find. Zipper pockets are particularly useful for securing smaller items.

• Comfort: If you plan to carry your bag for extended periods, look for one with padded backpack straps or a comfortable handle. Adjustable straps can also help distribute the weight evenly.

• Capacity: Consider the size of your game collection and choose a bag that can hold all your favorite games, including larger and heavier ones. Ensure the bag has enough space for your needs.

• Style: A great board game bag should also look good and reflect your personal style. Many bags come in various colors and designs, so you can find one that suits your aesthetic preferences.

What Types of Board Game Bags Are There?

You’ll find a wide range of options out there. Backpacks, carry backs, zipper bags for individual board games, and totes all exist. Some bags can hold multiple ‘Ticket to Ride’-sized boxes, highlighting their capacity. Choose the bag most appropriate to your interests, the number of games you tend to bring along, and your price point – but also think of comfort and ease.

Backpacks are best for folks carrying several games for any kind of distance. But carry bags are probably going to be the cheapest options available. Shoulder strap bags are another great option for folks who go out and about for gaming on the regular. Ideally, you’ll find a bag that has at least two carrying options for your best possible board gaming outcomes.

Choosing the Right Bag for Your Board Games

With so many board game bags on the market, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. Here are some tips to help you make the right choice:

• Consider your game collection: Think about the types of games you play and the size of your collection. If you have a lot of large games, look for a bag with extra storage space to accommodate them.

• Think about your gaming style: If you’re a casual gamer, a smaller bag may be sufficient. But if you’re a serious gamer who attends game nights and conventions, look for a bag with more features and storage options.

• Check the material and construction: A good board game bag should be made from high-quality materials and have sturdy construction. Look for bags with reinforced stitching and durable fabrics.

• Read reviews and ask for recommendations: Check out online reviews and ask fellow gamers for recommendations to find the best bag for your needs. Reviews can provide insights into the bag’s durability and functionality.

• Consider the price: Board game bags can range from affordable to very expensive. Set a budget and look for a bag that meets your needs within that range. Remember, a higher price often means better quality and more features.

Popular Brands for Board Game Bags

Here are some popular brands for board game bags:

• Mayday Games: Known for their high-quality, specifically designed board game bags that cater to gamers’ needs. Their bags often feature padded backpack straps and multiple compartments for easy organization.

• Board Game Bliss: Offers a range of stylish and functional board game bags that are perfect for game nights and conventions. Their bags are designed with both durability and aesthetics in mind.

• Game On!: Provides durable and comfortable board game bags with multiple pockets and compartments. These bags are great for gamers who need to carry a variety of games and accessories.

• The Game Bag Co.: Specializes in creating custom board game bags that fit your unique gaming style. Their bags often include great features like padded backpack straps and zipper pockets for added convenience.

• Tabletop Treasures: Offers a variety of board game bags with great features, including padded backpack straps and zipper pockets. Their bags are designed to protect your games while making transportation easy and comfortable.

These brands offer a range of options to suit different gaming styles and preferences. Be sure to check out their products and read reviews to find the best bag for your board game collection.

The Ten Best Board Game Bags

Board Game Backpack from BoardGame Tables

A high-quality, specialized backpack from the folks who know, the BoardGame Tables Backpack is one of the absolute best, affordable board game bags out there. Its interior includes 20 x 12 x 12 inches of usable space, comes with padded straps, a horizontal handle, and a luggage strap for any form of carrying, and provides padding on all sides to protect your games. The bag holds 12 x 12 games securely without movement, has some smaller zippered pockets, and includes heavy-duty, reinforced zippers to keep all things snug. It’s also water resistant for safer transport of your games. The bag is designed to carry heavier games without sustaining damage, ensuring your valuable components are well-protected.

The Board Game Backpack from BoardGame Tables comes in Amethyst Purple, Carbon Fiber Black, Fern Green, Professor Brown, Ruby Red, and Sky Blue.

Enhance Board Game Shoulder Bag

Designed with board game and tabletop RPG gamers in mind, the Enhance Board Game Shoulder Bag has loads of storage pockets and the interior usable dimensions of 12.5 x 12.5 x 12.5 inches. The interior fits all 12 x 12 board games perfectly, while providing space for dice, maps, play mats, card decks, water bottlers, and more. The bag can hold up to 22 pounds of goods, with the reinforced structure made of hard polymer for a semi-rigid frame. You’ll also note that the bag has foam padded walls for protecting your games and accessories for bumps in transit or the accidental drop. The zipper pocket is particularly useful for organizing small items like card games. When the bag isn’t in use, it collapses down for easy storage. The bag also has adjustable straps for easy fitting, and comes with a 3-Year warranty.

High-End Enhance Board Game Tower Backpack

For an even higher-quality board game bag, consider grabbing the Enhance Board Game Tower Backpack. This premium bag provides you with even more storage and space and all the best qualities of the Enhance brand. The usable interior includes 12.5 x 12.5 x 21 inches of space, with multiple zipper and mesh pockets for toting your dice, deck boxes, water bottlers, playing mats, maps, or other accessories. This board game bag is intended specifically for multi-genre gamers who engage with all types of gamers, from tabletop RPGs to collectible card games, and the latest in standard-style board games.

The interior dimensions work perfectly for 12 x 12 inch board game boxes and allow up to 7 of these, or several smaller game boxes. The backpack has a rigid polymer sheet frame, with padded foam walls to protect your games, while holding up to 60 pounds of weight. The bag also has a built-in chest strap to help ensure you can carry the backpack without strain on your back. You’ll also find an internal elastic strap to help secure your games within the bag. The Enhance Board Game Tower Backpack comes with a 3-Year warranty.

Budget-Friendly Lightweight Board Game Bag from GameBoard Tables

If you’re more in the market for a super budget-friendly option without the frills, consider the 12 x 12 x 12 lightweight board game bag from Boardgame Tables. The bag secures up to 20 pounds worth of board games with a zipper top, and wraparound handle straps to fully support the bag. The bag is water resistant, has reinforced stitching, and works perfectly for quick, easy carry of your favorite games on a game night. The lightweight board game bag from GameBoard Tables comes in black, light blue, purple and red, and folds away easily when not in use. It can hold multiple ‘Ticket to Ride’-sized boxes, making it ideal for transporting popular board games.

The Ultimate Board Game Backpack from Guilt-Free Gaming

The Ultimate Board Game Bag was crafted specifically with board gamers and RPG players in mind, intended to become the ultimate solution for board game transport and storage. The game bag comes with removable dice trays and miniature foam inserts to safely allow for transport of your game components. The bag has a large capacity with 12 x 13 x 17 inch interior storage to ensure plenty of 12 x 12 games fit. Plus the outer pockets intentionally allow for protected carrying of mats and maps, pencils, water bottles, and other pieces. Remove the dice tray (which attaches via zipper) and instantly your dice are ready to play.

The bag is made from 600d Tarpaulin, meaning it’s weather-resistant and durable, with a military-esque design for extra ruggedness. You’ll also find the bag has a dedicated laptop section for bringing along your devices. The bag was designed for ergonomic functionality and comfort, with adjustable straps, and plenty of padding to keep everything safe and comfortable. Additionally, it is designed to carry heavier games without compromising protection.

Small Game Gear Bag from USA Gear

A small capacity board game bag comes in the form of the Gear Bag from USA Gear. The rugged, weather-resistant exterior is made from tightly woven ripstop nylon, with padding in the walls to protect games on impact, as well. The bag has two large compartments, with 12 x 15 x 6 inches of usable space and a zippered divider between the two compartments for easy access. The bag has a sturdy carrying handle and a removable shoulder strap so you can choose how to carry this smaller bag. The bag also has some zippered pockets on the outside, perfect for small card games and accessories. The zipper pocket is especially useful for organizing small items like card games. The USA Gear Bag comes with a 3-year warranty.

Game Haul Board Game Shoulder Bag from Top Flight Fun

Holding up to four 12 x 12 x 3 inch games, the Top Shelf Fun Game Haul Shoulder Bag is a great choice for any gamer on the go. The bag is made from a durable nylon and polyester blend, with reinforced stitching and 10 millimeter padding for protection. The shoulder straps are designed for ergonomic comfort and are adjustable, and the carry handle gives options for carrying by hand instead of shoulder. The bag can load up to 35 pounds. The Game Haul Shoulder Bag also has several side pockets with elastic to secure smaller games, water bottles, maps, and other accessories for your game night. And on the top, another small compartment holds deck boxes, accessories, or notepads. The bag holds games horizontally to help protect pieces from clashing in boxes. It can also hold multiple ‘Ticket to Ride’-sized boxes, making it perfect for transporting popular board games.

Board Game Storage Bag with Zipper Seal Bags

For folks less keen on the boxes themselves (or who’ve had them break or disappear!), the Board Game Storage Bag with separate zipper seal bags is a great option. The carry bag measures 14.3 x 10.6 x 10.2 inches for plenty of storage space. Each zipper bag measures 12.4 x 8.7 x 1.4 inches, providing plenty of room for board game components in each. The zipper bags are great for storing individual games, collections of smaller games, puzzles or accessories. They come in different colors for easy identification – while the larger carry bag has a clear window on the front. Each zipper bag has an easy carry handle, and the carry bag has handles on both sides for easy carrying and storage. Additionally, the carry bag features a zipper pocket that is useful for organizing small items like card games.

Tabletop RPG Bag

Intended specifically for tabletop RPG players, like D’n D enthusiasts, the Tabletop RPG Bag is custom-designed with pouches for miniatures, multi-functional compartments and pockets, and high-quality materials to protect it all. The main compartment was designed with TTRPG books in mind, meaning the dimensions fit most common book sizes, as well as handling a heavy load, and the miniatures’ pouches are meant to protect and organize your character models for transit. The bag is also designed to carry heavier games without compromising protection.

Additionally, the backpack has multiple compartments and pockets for notebooks, maps, dice, and other gaming accessories you might pull out during a campaign. The backpack is intended to withstand lots of use, resisting water and wear-and-tear equally. The bag also has thick straps and a breathable back cushion to make carrying and transit easy and comfortable. And the backpack itself looks pretty darn good, so that never hurts!

6-Pack Clear Zipper Bags for Games and Toys

For those needing additional board game bags for their loose games, collections, and accessories, the large capacity zipper bags make for the perfect solution. These work in many of the board game bags mentioned, or store easily in a chest, drawers, bins, or on shelves to keep your games organized. Each bag measures 11.8 x 8.6 x 3.9 inches for plenty of storage for components, boards, and accessories. The bags are made of PVC, with metal zippers for durability, while being dust- and waterproof. The zipper pocket is especially useful for organizing small items like card games.

Conclusion

Now that you’ve seen the best choices for your board game bags and backpacks, consider the types of gaming you do most, how many games you typically bring along, and what your budget is. Some are super cheap (under $20), while the rest range from a reasonable price point to a higher-end selection. Consider your best gaming circumstances and think of the hoped-for gaming future for your needs. And if you don’t have the budget right now, grab one of the inexpensive options and plan on one of the higher-end choices when your budget lends itself more freely.

Also Read: Best Board Game Storage Tips and Hacks (That you really need to know)

Frequently Asked Questions