Bags: Wison 15 vs. Babolat Aero12 vs Head

[nytennis-74]

I am looking to purchase a bag to be used as a racket bag/gym bag combo The bag needs to carry 3 rackets, change of clothes, 3 cans of balls, Water, big towel and toiletries. I narrowed it down to the 4 below and I would appreciate your advice
Wilson Tour 15 (black/white/red)- Seems solid. plenty of outside pockets- wish it had hard sides
Babolat Aero Line 9 or 12 pack - do not like the flashy look, like the solid sides and accessories. However, people complained about zipper quality and thermo-lining ripping. (I would consider 9 pack if it could fit all the stuff above since the 12 pack seems wide at 15 inches).
Murray Monstercombi (light brown)- Generally like the look/partitions not too big on color/lack of handles to carry the bag
Head Prestige 25th Anniversary Edition - Love the look -Hate that I cannot see it or return it if I do not find it functional. (ships from Canada).
Thanks for the help!!!!

 

[nytennis-74]

One of them dropped out

Just found out out that the Head Prestige Anniversary has NO accessory pockets so just dropped out of my list. Left with Babolat Aeropro/Wison Tour 15/Murray MonsterCombi (brown). Any advice is appreciated.

 

[BLX_Andy]

In my opinion it should come down to what brand you're using. Babolat racquets? then the Babolat bag, etc. etc.

 

[nytennis-74]

I have a Wilson 105S and leaning towards the Wilson Tour. At the same time, I would get the Babolat or Head Monstecombi if people suggest they are much better bag for the intended use (full gym bag and racquet balls water carrier). Thanks for your input

 

[BLX_Andy]

I would choose the Wilson 15 pack. I don't use it but a friend of mine uses it. It looks like a nice bag. Spacious but still aesthetically pleasing. I use the Federer Limited Edition 2013 15 pack bag but it's pretty expensive. But the pros of owning the bag balances out the outrageous price.

 

[nytennis-74]

I would choose the Wilson 15 pack. I don't use it but a friend of mine uses it. It looks like a nice bag. Spacious but still aesthetically pleasing. I use the Federer Limited Edition 2013 15 pack bag but it's pretty expensive. But the pros of owning the bag balances out the outrageous price.

Andy,
Thanks for the reply. I may end up getting the federer limited edition. A couple of questions, please.
1) I am going to have two three racket and most and thought I would be better off with only one thermofoil compartment since I would put gear/clothers in the other. Is the thermofoil resistent enough or it will rip with botttles, grips, ball cans and so on in there?
2) Is the middle compartment large enough to use as a gym bag? e.g. large towel, shoes, flip flops, shampoo, change of clothes and so on?
3) Would you still get the bag if you were not a Federer fan (I assume you are from your answer).
Thanks a lot for your time/help.

 

[BLX_Andy]

Andy,
Thanks for the reply. I may end up getting the federer limited edition. A couple of questions, please.
1) I am going to have two three racket and most and thought I would be better off with only one thermofoil compartment since I would put gear/clothers in the other. Is the thermofoil resistent enough or it will rip with botttles, grips, ball cans and so on in there?
2) Is the middle compartment large enough to use as a gym bag? e.g. large towel, shoes, flip flops, shampoo, change of clothes and so on?
3) Would you still get the bag if you were not a Federer fan (I assume you are from your answer).
Thanks a lot for your time/help.

Wow, I like the amount of thought your putting in this.

1) I only had the bag for little for over a month but the thermoguard shouldn't tear unless you put any sharp edges against it. You have two other pockets on the bottom of the bag (small one for valuables and large one for shoes). The middle compartment has a zipper pocket on the size and comes with a detachable drawstring bag.

2) The middle compartment is spacious IMO. It's not the size of a duffle bag but it's still pretty spacious.

3) If I wasn't a Federer fan (LOL) I would just get the regular 15 pack. No point in getting a bag meant for somebody you're not a fan of.

PS: The bag has comfortable backpack straps but does not have a shoulder strap, which some people find a deal breaker. The two external shell pieces are what got me hooked, it helps the bag keep its shape. Hope you can finalize and make your decision.

Andy from TW did a walkthrough of the bag here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm1ahY_NlCc

 

[nytennis-74]

Wow, I like the amount of thought your putting in this.

1) I only had the bag for little for over a month but the thermoguard shouldn't tear unless you put any sharp edges against it. You have two other pockets on the bottom of the bag (small one for valuables and large one for shoes). The middle compartment has a zipper pocket on the size and comes with a detachable drawstring bag.

2) The middle compartment is spacious IMO. It's not the size of a duffle bag but it's still pretty spacious.

3) If I wasn't a Federer fan (LOL) I would just get the regular 15 pack. No point in getting a bag meant for somebody you're not a fan of.

PS: The bag has comfortable backpack straps but does not have a shoulder strap, which some people find a deal breaker. The two external shell pieces are what got me hooked, it helps the bag keep its shape. Hope you can finalize and make your decision.

Andy from TW did a walkthrough of the bag here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm1ahY_NlCc

Thanks for all your help. I am sold, hardshell/pockets/same brand as my racket do it for me. Not a Federer fan, was only a Boris Becker fan way back when. Just wanted to get the best bag I could get - if only Tumi made a 15-pack...... Thanks again.

 

[Trojan1994]

I use the Wilson Tour 15 Bag

I am looking to purchase a bag to be used as a racket bag/gym bag combo The bag needs to carry 3 rackets, change of clothes, 3 cans of balls, Water, big towel and toiletries. I narrowed it down to the 4 below and I would appreciate your advice
Wilson Tour 15 (black/white/red)- Seems solid. plenty of outside pockets- wish it had hard sides
Babolat Aero Line 9 or 12 pack - do not like the flashy look, like the solid sides and accessories. However, people complained about zipper quality and thermo-lining ripping. (I would consider 9 pack if it could fit all the stuff above since the 12 pack seems wide at 15 inches).
Murray Monstercombi (light brown)- Generally like the look/partitions not too big on color/lack of handles to carry the bag
Head Prestige 25th Anniversary Edition - Love the look -Hate that I cannot see it or return it if I do not find it functional. (ships from Canada).
Thanks for the help!!!!

and also have Babolat 6 and 9 racquet bags...The Wilson Tour 15 is generally a much better design/layout than the Babolat 6 & 9 for me. I belong to a Swim and Tennis Club so I bring along 9+ racquets, 2 cans of balls, flip flops & goggles for swimming, a full size US Open Towel, a fleece vest, hard sunglass case and other little items.

The Tour 15 has 2 accessory pockets(Large and Small) on Both Sides of the bag. Inside one of the Large Accessory Pockets is a zippered pocket for phone, wallet, etc.

My Babolat bags only have a Large and Small Accessory Pocket on one side of the bag. The Small Pocket is much smaller than the Wilson's Small Pockets, i.e. an I Phone 5 just squeezes into it.

The only aspect I like better with the Babolat bags is that the Shoulder Straps are on the top of the bag, i.e. same side as carry handle whereas the Wilson's Straps are on the bottom so if court is dirty/wet, shoulder straps are in contact with ground when you set it down.

Regards,

Tony