Barn Bag - Suggestions?

[brego]

I am looking for suggestions for a “barn bag”

I don’t have a locker or storage space at my current barn so I end up carting all of my stuff to and from in my arms in multiple trips or reusable grocery bags. To make matters worse, I also work there - I TA some of the lessons (I ride at a very big lesson barn).

Wondering if anyone else has had this problem? or has a solution?

I am not too picky about brand/colour, I just need it to have enough space to fit my helmet, some grooming supplies and a separate compartment where I can stash my boots.

I would really appreciate any suggestions or advice!

[outerbanks77]

Tall boots or short boots? If tall Id get one of those boot/helmet combo bags and then a separate bag for the grooming gear. Ice seen heavy duty tool backpacks at Lowe’s. If short boots you might look at rolling tool bags from Lowes or Home Depot. The rolling bag could also work for tall boots if you stand them up and leave the top open.

[TinFoilHat]

so i currently use the SmartPak brand backpack and it has a spot for my helmet and it is HUGE so it could very easily fit a good amount of grooming supplies.

only thing it doesn’t cover that I still tote is my riding boots. i found a boot bag on Amazon though for like $17 bucks and i’m going to get that so that i truly only have 2 things to carry.

[Zevida]

This bag is huge and amazing and extremely handy - they included it free with recent orders. Can easily fit your boots (in or out if a boot bag), helmet, layers, water bottle, and room for more, and it’s dirt cheap so order a few! My absolute new favorite bag to carry stuff to and from the barn.

Woven Stable Bag

[EVneo]

https://scoutbags.com/products/cabana-boy-extra-large-tote-bag?variant=43262437720292 these bad boys are great, too. The black trim around the top is stiff, so it holds its shape, but the sides are soft so collapse down if needed. I have one that lives in my trunk as my catch all for barn things (usually laundry).

[anon15718925]

For human clothing I have a duffel bag from some brand called Newhey that I got on Amazon years ago that’s still going strong, just a huge plain black bag with pockets for almost anything. I don’t think it’d fit tall boots but you could probably fit paddock boots and half chaps (helmets I just carried by the chinstrap or put on as soon as I’m out of the car at the barn but you could fit one in there if there’s not a ton of other stuff) in the shoe compartment, I’ve fit ankle boots that are basically the same proportions as paddock boots in there before.You could probably fit a few (for sure at least a flat curry and a hoof pick) brushes in the side zipper pocket on the outside - I can cram a hair dryer in that pocket on mine, it’s a squeeze but it fits.

As far as a specialized bag for horse gear I know they make some backpack style bags for again, the human stuff, not so sure about the grooming supplies.

I had a little wooden crate that I put a really dark colored wood stain on for my grooming stuff but I just wanted it to look fancy and while I did take it back and forth to the barn back when I still had a horse it was more to keep my stuff from getting mixed up with everyone else’s stuff (crummy boarding barn, lot of communal brushes and mine looked similar) and wouldn’t be as practical as a bag. (Looked really pretty though, now just sits in my closet with the brushes in it for whenever I may need it again…)

[chestnutmarebeware]

Does Ikea still provide those huge blue shopping bags that are shaped like a big duffle bag, are made of tarp material and have nylon-webbing handles/straps? I have about five of those that are at least 13 years old now (the last time I lived near an Ikea store), and I still use them to carry heavy items in. One or two of those would work perfectly!

[Xanthoria]

This should do the trick for boots (separate area) and everything else:

https://www.statelinetack.com/item/ariat-duffle-boot-bag/E017513%20NVRD/?srccode=GPSLT&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkMGcBhCSARIsAIW6d0ADO7l7k6Ojhr7e7H6KX2UqcTJC4wrCJqPkVsW-DQ3qjJscfH9dHeAaArfOEALw_wcB

[furlong47]

I just use an old Jansport backpack that has lots of pockets. The biggest pocket has my helmet (inside its drawstring bag) and some girths and my crop (which sticks out). The other big pocket holds grooming tools. The larger of the two small pockets has spurs and gloves, and the smallest pocket in front has little things like hair ties, bandanas, etc. There’s another small pocket higher up which has other small things like my dee savers, and I’ll put my phone in there if I’m taking it into the barn. Even with all of that stuff in it there is plenty of room for more. There are also mesh pockets on the sides for a water bottle.

In this case you’d still need a separate boot bag, and I also have my saddle and pads in their own bag. But with a backpack I have two free hands to carry those.

The purpose made ringside bags are nice, but I think they are very expensive when an ordinary backpack can do the same job.

[brego]

Thank you for all the suggestions!!

[Zevida]

The ones I posted from Equestrian Stockholm are just like that.

[sascha]

Large rolling file case or sewing machine case - both $$ but you may be able to find used online. Loads of room for everything and a boot bag will lie nicely on top. And if you end up carting a saddle back and forth they are generally tall enough to let you sit your saddle on top, especially if the height is raised a bit by a boot bag.

They last for many, many years and you can easily customize the inside with Tupperware containers to keep items separated into compartments. Only drawback is you can fit a LOT of stuff in them, too much stuff. lol

[S1969]

If not tall boots I’d consider looking at triathlon transition bags. There is a separate compartment for a wetsuit that could be used for paddock boots. Helmet is strapped to the outside and many have compartments inside where you can open and see everything in there without digging.

[Scribbler]

I like duffel bags with wheels if the parking lot is smooth enough, I guess q back pack if it’s not.

You can stack all your gear together and measure roughly the circumference to decide on a size. There are a lot of luggage options out there, at different price points. I’d go for something with just one big compartment but maybe pockets roo are bonus.

[Baybear]

What about getting one of those trunk organizers? they have gobs of different styles on Amazon. Ages ago I got a Kensington gear bag which I used for eventing. They still have them at Smartpak - Kensington Zipper Show Tote

[Bebe_Falcon1]

I actually keep a stylin’ laundry hamper (round, fabric with wire around the circumference) for all the crap I like to keep in the car (plus riding helmet) and it lives in the trunk. It’s nice because it’s got good vertical storage space meaning the rest of the trunk stays nice and clear for hauling other stuff. A basket from HomeSense would do the trick too.

Because your boots are probably dirty, I’d have one of those clip hangers so you can clip them together and have a handle to carry them by.