How Have Basketball Players Carried Their Gear Historically?

There is no question that the gear of a basketball player is quite essential.  It is ideal for a basketball player's gear to be top-notch when it comes to longevity and durability.  Of course, the importance of style, trendiness and fashion comes into play when it comes to a player's gear. 

Given the importance of a basketball player's gear, there is no doubt that a major significance must be placed on how a player carries their gear.  The game of basketball has changed and evolved in many ways overall.  There has also been an evolution in the way that basketball players have carried their gear over the years.  We will go over that in this piece. 

For a historic look at how basketball players carried their gear, let's take a trip back to the 1950s.  Back then, basketball players typically carried their gear in a duffel bag or a gym bag. 

One could see that basketball players adopted the duffel bag early given that considering that the first duffel bags were issued in World War II.  More updated versions of the duffel bags were produced soon after.   Gym bags during the 1950s had really big handles, yet they were not lengthy overall. 

In the 1970s, duffel bags entered the mainstream as an item that could be used daily.  Basketball players typically carried their gear in a duffel bag during this time.  Basketball players generally used the duffel bag as a gym bag daily.  During this period, synthetic fibers and colors were added to duffel bags.  The duffel bag was generally made of canvas or nylon and was large enough to fit a basketball, shoes, and other items.

In the 1990s and 2000s, basketball players would still typically carry their gear in a duffel bag. They also would begin to carry their gear backpacks. Some players also used a rolling suitcase to transport their gear.

The adoption of the rolling suitcase by basketball players was very quick as well.  Even though the rolling suitcase was originally invented in 1972, the final version of the rolling suitcase wasn't completed until 1987. 

Today, most basketball players still carry their gear in a backpack or duffel bag.  However, more and more players are choosing to use  specialized basketball backpacks. Basketball backpacks are designed to hold basketballs, shoes, and other gear. 

In the coming years, I predict that basketball backpacks will become the most popular option for avid basketball players looking to carry gear.