Dance bags are an essential accessory for every dancer. With a dance bag, you can store your dance wear, pack up your snacks, and organize your accessories all in one place, ensuring you have everything you need each time you arrive at the studio.
The Bloch Multiple Compartment Dance Bag is the ideal pick for advanced dancers, the Mosiso Sports Duffel Bag is a versatile option for beginners, and the Grit Dance Tower is the complete package for any competition dancer.
Additionally, you want your dance bag to meet your dancing needs and fit your personal style all while meeting your budget. This is why it is important to learn about the features of different options, what items to organize in the compartments, and where you can purchase your dance bag.
Who should use this bag?
Young dancers with many costumes who are traveling to competitions or performances.
Pros
- Stands freely on its own
- Treaded wheels for smooth travel
- Durable and washable polyester material
- Holds 10+ garments
- Door accessory pockets
Cons
- Expensive
- Accessories such as mirror and organizing trays are sold separately
- Design is geared toward younger, female dancers
Who should use this bag?
Dancers with a maximum of nine costumes who are traveling to competitions or performances.
Pros
- Comfortably fits between 6-9 costumes
- External storage pockets for accessories
- 360 degree spinner wheels
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Fits less costumes than the dance tower
- Expensive
- Few accessory pockets for added organization
Who should use this bag?
Dancers that have many costumes and are traveling to competitions or performances.
Pros
- Original design that allows for a privacy curtain to be added with additional cost
- Weather resistant
- Adjust to different heights - 56” or 59” - making it suitable for different costume lengths
- USB port
- Fits up to 10-17 costumes
Cons
- Shimmery/sparkling design isn’t every dancers preference
- Expensive
- Very large and may not fit in people’s cars
Best Dance Bags for 11 Other Unique Situations
The Dance Angel Suitcase is the top pick for dancers who are traveling through the airport with costumes. This suitcase has an integrated costume rack that extends to 46-inches tall and 31-inches wide. The rack is large enough to comfortably hold 10 costumes at once.
When you are traveling through the airport, this suitcase allows you to fold the rack inside and zip it up. Your costumes remain organized and safe, but your bag transforms into an ordinary carryon suitcase. The dimensions of the suitcase are only 22” X 14” X 9”, which means it will fit in an airplane’s overhead bin.
The suitcase has wheels so you can easily roll it through the airport. Also, there are pockets on the front and inside the suitcase for you to organize your shoes and other accessories.
The Bloch Multiple Compartment Dance Bag is a top pick for professional dancers because it was designed with the dancer’s specific needs in mind. The bag features multiple compartments for transporting accessories to and from competitions or shows. The bag has separate sections for shoes, wet clothes, dry clothes, and even comes with a water bottle holder.
Bloch’s compartment bag is made of polyester, which is washable and weather resistant. The bag has a long shoulder strap that can be slung sideways over your torso for maximum comfort. Additionally, the zipper ends are lockable to make you feel safe leaving your belongings on the locker room bench or in the corner of the studio.
The Mosiso dance duffel is a great pick for those dancers who are just starting out. It is simple, affordable, and versatile should you decide dance isn’t for you and you want to move onto a new sport.
The bag has a waterproof zippered pouch for cosmetics and other small items such as your phone or wallet. There is a ventilated shoe compartment and adjustable straps to make the bag easy to carry around. The bag’s design is great for dancers but can also be used for traveling, camping, or other sports as well.
The JIANYA dance bag is a great option for kids. The bag has 12 different patterns to choose from. The patterns range from pink mermaids to blue camo, ensuring there’s an option for each young dancer’s taste.
The bag measures at 18.1” X 8.3” X 9.4” and weighs just over a pound. This means the bag is light enough for kids to carry around and spacious enough for all their dancing accessories. The bag is made of polyester, which is durable and even washable when needed.
The Kernorv costume bag is the best pick for dancers who are transporting costumes to competitions or performances. Also, this bag is 43 inches long and able to comfortably hold several costumes while traveling. The bag has multiple zippered pockets to store your shoes, tights, and other accessories.
This costume bag is made of Oxford cloth, which is breathable, durable, and washable. A downside is that this bag is not waterproof. When you are transporting it outdoors, it would be best to zip it inside another suitcase to ensure your costumes are safe.
The KMV Carry-On Duffel is the best pick for dancers who are looking for a compact bag that still checks all the boxes. This bag has three easy-access pockets on the front and one pocket in the back for your smaller items such as your phone, wallet, makeup, or bobby pins. Additionally, there is a large main pocket that is perfect for clothes, warm up gear, and your dry shoes.
Two unique features of this bag are the trolley sleeve and shoe compartment. The trolley sleeve allows you to slip this bag over rolling luggage for easy handling while traveling. Also, the shoe compartment is unique for this bag because of its size. Although the bag is compact and small, there is still a space to put your shoes after a long day of class or rehearsal.
Due to its spaciousness and longevity, the Horizon duffel bag is the perfect pick for adults. This bag is built to last and can be with you for years to come.
The Horizon duffel bag has three exterior pockets to hold water bottles, coffee mugs, makeup, and cell phones. Also, there is a large side mesh compartment for shoes to air out after class. At 19.5″ x 12.5″ x 11″, the interior compartment is large enough to fit a change of clothes, towel, and your warm-up gear for class.
The HYCOO gym bag is an amazing pick for women. With its multiple compartments, sleek design, and high functionality, this bag isn’t just great for dancers, but it can be used by a multitude of athletes.
The HYCOO bag is made of high density water resistant materials that separate its two main compartments. This means that you can easily separate your dry items from wet items.
In addition to the wet and dry compartments, the bag also has a separate shoe compartment where you can store your dance shoes without any of your other items getting stained or dirty. At 23 X 46 X 21 cm, this bag is spacious, but not overly large. It is the perfect size to carry for your weekly class needs or for a weekend trip to a workshop or competition.
This customized dance bag is the perfect pick for dancers looking for something more personal. When you go to buy this bag, you are able to add your name as well as another line of text of your choosing to be embroidered onto the front. You also get to pick from green, orange, pink, purple, navy, blue, black, dark green, and yellow.
The personalized dance bag comes with shoulder straps. They measure 17” X 13.5” and are perfect for ballet shoes, change of clothes, snacks, and a water bottle. They are also great for team events to show your team colors and team spirit.
You may wonder why a basketball backpack would be ranked in our list of top dance bags. But, before you write this one off, let me say, basketball backpacks are a personal favorite.
These bags are built with multiple compartments, durable materials, and are sturdy enough to stand up on their own. Also, the backpack is designed with basketball players in mind so the compartments are breathable enough to allow sweaty dance shoes and clothes air out after class.
The Meir backpack is designed with waterproof materials so you don’t have to worry about it getting rained on while traveling to class. There is a spacious ventilated zippered pocket in the front that’s the perfect place for your shoes. The straps are sturdy and padded which makes carrying this backpack around very comfortable and easy to travel with.
The Bloch duffel bag is a top pick for ballet dancers because of the bag’s large central compartment and breathable mesh bag where you can keep your pointe shoes after class. The mesh bag feature is especially important because pointe shoes need to dry out or else you risk damaging the shoe and getting injured.
Bloch’s duffel bag comes in black, which is gender neutral and able to be used by a range of ballet dancers. The bag has long, supported shoulder straps in addition to shorter handling straps. There is an end pocket for additional storage of smaller accessories and a removable key ring.
What is a Rolling/Rack N Roll Dance Bag?
If you are a dancer who has a lot of costumes to transport to performances or competitions, then a dance bag with a built-in hanging rack might be your best option. Dance bags with racks allows you to avoid the hassle of the dressing rooms all while keeping your costumes wrinkle-free and accessories well organized.
A rolling dance bag with a rack is essentially a dressing room on wheels. They are rolling suitcases or duffel bags that when unzipped have their own costume rack, mirror, and organization pockets. These bags are intended for dancers who have lots of costumes they are transporting to competitions or performances.
These bags are ideal for dancers who either don’t want to deal with the stress of the changing rooms or whose competition areas don’t have their own dressing rooms to get ready in. Additionally, when shopping for a dance bag with a rack, you will want to look for a dance bag with lots of compartments for organizing your accessories as well as easy assembly.
Do You Need a Dance Bag?
Are you attending a weekly dance class that requires specific shoes and attire? If your answer is yes, then odds are you would benefit from having a dance bag.
A dance bag helps you organize your shoes, clothes, and accessories in one place. It ensures that when you arrive at class you haven’t forgotten anything. It also gives you a secure place to store your belongings and keep them from getting damaged while you are in class.
What to Look for When Buying a Dance Bag?
When you begin shopping for a dance bag, you want to consider what size bag you need, what features you need the bag to have, and price range you can afford.
Size of the Dance Bag
First, think about what you will be putting in your dance bag. If you are an advanced dancer who is spending hours each week at the studio, you probably need to fit multiple pairs of shoes, a lot of snacks, several changes of clothes, and a plethora of accessories. To fit all these necessities you will need a spacious bag with lots of compartments.
But, if you are a new dancer, you probably only have a few items to fit into your bag and can get by with a more compact and affordable option.
Dance Bag Features
You want to make sure that your dance bag has a mesh or ventilated compartment for your shoes. If you keep your sweaty shoes in a zippered, sealed compartment after class, your bag will get smelly and stained.
You want to make sure that your dance bag has enough pockets to keep all your items organized. Make sure that your dance bag has a strap that feels comfortable when you carry it.
Lastly, consider the material of your dance bag. Is it durable? Is it weather resistant? You want your dance bag to hold up.
Price of the Dance Bag
If you are an advanced dancer who can confidently say you will be dancing for many years to come, consider investing some extra money in your dance bag up front. This will pay off in the long run. A higher priced bag typically means higher quality materials that are sure to last for several years.
If you are on a budget or a beginning dancer, don’t worry about going for the most expensive dance bag. Instead, look for bags that are smaller, on sale, or available at discounted prices on platforms such as FaceBook Marketplace.
What are the Best Dance Bag Brands?
The best brand of dance bag is largely dependent on your dancing needs. Bloch is a standby dancewear company that has a wide range of options that are designed with dancers in mind. However, many sportswear duffel bags and/or backpacks, such as Mosiso or Mier, have proven to be great choices as well.
Dance Bag Types
Duffel Bag
Uses:
- Best choice for weekly use
- Holds dance class essentials (shoes, snacks, clothes, etc.)
- Versatile – can also be used as overnight bag, gym bag, or carry on luggage
Unique features:
- Typically the most compact dance bag choice
- Has many compartments for optimal organization
- Mesh/ventilated compartments for dance shoes
- Comfortable, padded straps that make it easy to carry
Rolling Bag
Uses:
- Used by dancers during performances or competitions
- Best for those with multiple costumes
- Personal pop-up dressing room
Unique features:
- When folded up it turns into a rolling suitcase or duffel for easy travel
- Own costume hanging rack
- Multiple compartments and trays to organize accessories
- Can hold between 6-17 costumes at a time, depending on the bags size
Suitcase
Uses:
- For dancers in need of a more durable bag
- For dancers are traveling to performances or competitions
- For dancers whose weekly dance items exceed the capacity of a smaller duffel
Unique features:
- Weather resistant
- Sturdy design that lasts years
- Typically has wheels so the bag can be rolled
- Able to hold lots of dancing accessories in its many compartments
- Typically comes with a warranty in case of damage
Costume/Garment Bag
Uses:
- For traveling dancers who are responsible for transporting their own costumes to competitions or performances
- Used by dancers who will have a dressing room rack/makeup counter backstage
- For dancers with less than six costumes to transport
Unique features:
- Keeps costumes upright and wrinkle free
- Protects costumes from inclement weather
- More affordable and compact than a rolling bag
Where to Buy Dance Bags?
There are several places you can buy a dance bag, but the two most common are online or at your local dance or sporting goods store. You could also consider looking on Facebook Marketplace or at your local Goodwill for a gently used bag at a discounted price.
Online
There are multiple online stores where you can find a range of dance bags, such as Amazon, Discount Dance, or Bloch. Shopping online is convenient, less time consuming, and gives you the opportunity to browse through other shoppers’ product reviews.
Local Dance or Sporting Goods Store
You can also find your perfect dance bag by browsing the options at your local dance or sporting goods store. Ask your dance instructor about stores near your studio or do a simple Google search to locate some options.
Facebook Marketplace or Thrift Store
If you’re a dancer who is concerned about budget or in search of a more unique bag, maybe consider browsing through Facebook Marketplace or a local Goodwill. These are great resources where you can find discounted bags that other dancers aren’t likely to have.
How Much Do Dance Bags Cost?
The price of dance bags varies depending on the type of bag you are buying.
- The rolling/rack n roll dance bags are the most expensive and are typically priced between $300-$400 USD.
- Dance duffels are most common for weekly classes and are priced between $30-$75 USD.
- Costume bags, which are used for competitions and performances, range from $30-$100 USD.
- Dance suitcases, used when dancers are traveling to competitions, workshops, or performances, are typically priced over $100 USD.
Best Accessories for Dance Bags
You want your dance bag to be well organized with all your dancing essentials. Some necessary items to keep in your bag are:
- Dance shoes
- Warm up booties
- Extra Leotard
- Extra tights
- Brush or comb
- Bobby Pins
- Hair ties or scrunchies
- Deodorant
- Tampons
- Snacks
- Water bottle
- First aid – band aids, neosporin, toe tape
- Lambs wool or toe pads for pointe dancers
How to Care for Your Dance Bag?
There are two components to consider when caring for your dance bag.
- First, you want to keep your dance bag organized so that you are able to find all your items when you arrive at class or performances. You can keep your bag organized by assigning each compartment to a specific group of items. For example, one pocket could be for hair products and another could be for hygiene and/or first aid.
- Second, it is time to give your bag a cleaning if you notice it is starting to get stained or smell. You clean your bag depending on the type of material the bag is made from. Many dance bags require you to hand wash them by gently scrubbing it with a cold, damp washcloth and some unscented soap.
Further Reading
If you enjoyed this article, you may find our article on The Best Dance Warm-up Booties: Pros, cons & sizing guide useful. In our Warm-up Booties article we can help you find the best warm-up booties for your dance bag.