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Mesh & Climate Guide

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Choosing the Right Ball Sack

The right ball sack depends on three things: the mesh, the climate it lives in, and whether you need it to stand on its own.

A micro-mesh sack that's perfect for a dry elementary-school gym will be a mildewed mess after a winter in a Clark County storage container. And a heavy knotted net is overkill for kindergarten PE. This guide covers what we've learned in 17 years of making ball sacks, so you can buy once and buy right.

Mesh material swatches in several colors and weaves

Want to feel the difference? Request a free swatch card on your quote or visit our showroom.

Mesh Materials

Every material we stock, side by side. Strength is rated 1–5 on our in-house load and abrasion tests.

MaterialFeelStrengthAbsorbs WaterBest For

Climate Ratings

Every sack carries one or more climate ratings, based on how its mesh, cord, and hardware hold up through a full season of real-world storage.

Pacific Northwest tip: If your sacks are stored in a shed, a container, or a car trunk between October and May, choose a Wet & Rainy rated sack. Standard nylon mesh absorbs water and will mildew if it's put away damp.

Self-Standing vs. Drawstring

Both have a place on the equipment shelf, and most programs use some of each.

Drawstring Sacks

The classic ball sack. Light, packable, and inexpensive, so you can buy one per team or one per coach.

  • Fold flat for storage and travel
  • Carry over the shoulder with the drawstring
  • Lowest cost per sack, from $7.29 at gross pricing
  • Best for: teams, travel, handing out at the start of a season
Shop Drawstring

Self-Standing Sacks

Spring-steel rims, fiberglass stays, or tripod legs hold the sack open and upright, even when it's empty.

  • One-handed loading and unloading during drills
  • Won't tip or roll balls across the gym floor
  • Doubles as a sideline target or collection station
  • Best for: PE classes, practices, sideline ball management
Shop Self-Standing

How Many Balls Fit?

Approximate capacities with fully inflated balls. Our rule of thumb is one 12–15 ball sack per team of 12 players.

SackSoccer #5BasketballVolleyballTypical Use
Single-Ball Player Sack111Player giveaways, camps
Coach's Backpack63–45Small-sided practices, walk-ons
Classic Drawstring12–15812One team
StandUp Framed181215PE classes, drills
Jumbo Drawstring25–301522Two teams, clinics
Rolling Cart Sack362430Gym storage
Equipment Room Hammock40–50 mixed ballsEquipment rooms, closets

Stock Colors

Colors can be mixed within an order and still count toward your tier. Custom Pantone-matched mesh is available on orders of 144+.

Still Not Sure Which Sack You Need?

Tell us your sport, your storage, and your headcount, and we'll recommend a sack. It's free.

Ask a Sack Specialist   Shop All Sacks