A cricket bag is where your kit lives, so it needs to protect your bat, pads, gloves, helmet and boots while making match day easy. VKS stocks wheelie bags, duffle bags and hybrid wheelie duffle bags for juniors and seniors from GM, Gray-Nicolls, Infinity, Kookaburra, New Balance as well as the Pro-Tek range, priced from under £20 up to £139.99.
Choosing the right cricket bag for yourself or your child comes down to three things: how much kit you carry, how you travel to matches, and whether you want to carry your bag or roll it. This guide breaks down the difference between wheelie, duffle and hybrid bags, walks through every brand VKS stocks, and helps you pick the right size for an adult or a junior player.
Wheels Are Now Standard on Top-End Bags
Cricket kit has grown heavier over the years, with bigger bats, more protective gear and often a second pair of shoes. Because of this, almost every premium cricket bag now comes with wheels built in, from the GM Original Wheelie Duffle to the Infinity IXN 950. A wheelie bag means you can roll a full senior kit across a car park or through a station without carrying the weight on your shoulder.
VKS stocks three main styles of cricket bag, and understanding the difference is the fastest way to find the right one for you or your child.
| Bag Type | How You Carry It | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Wheelie Bag | Rolled on built-in wheels with a pull handle | Players with a full senior kit, multiple bats or those travelling by car |
| Duffle Bag | Worn on the back like a rucksack, using padded shoulder straps | Players walking to nets, cycling, or travelling by public transport |
| Wheelie Duffle (Hybrid) | Carried on your back or rolled on wheels, whichever suits the moment | Players who want the flexibility of both styles in one bag |
Duffle cricket bags have become increasingly popular over the last few seasons. They are compact, sit upright rather than lying flat, and use multiple internal compartments to keep your bat, pads, gloves and shoes separated and organised. Because they are worn on your back, they are easier to carry up stairs, onto trains or across muddy outfields than a bag you have to drag or carry by hand.
A pure wheelie bag still makes sense if you are carrying a genuinely large kit, such as two bats, full protective gear and spare clothing for a weekend of cricket, or if you simply prefer not to carry any weight on your back. A wheelie duffle hybrid gives you both options in a single bag, and this style now makes up a large part of the range from GM, Infinity and Kookaburra.
Quick Decision Guide
Junior player, walking to nets or school cricket: choose a compact junior duffle or a small junior wheelie bag such as the Infinity IXN 100 or Kookaburra KD100.
Junior player with a full kit, travelling by car: choose a junior wheelie duffle such as the Infinity IXN 200 or Pro-Tek 2500 Series.
Adult club cricketer, one bat and standard kit: a mid-size duffle or wheelie duffle such as the GM 707 or Infinity IXN 600 covers everything you need.
Serious player with multiple bats and a full kit for away matches: step up to a large wheelie bag or premium hybrid such as the GM Original Wheelie Duffle or Infinity IXN 950.
Beyond bag type, think about how much kit you are actually carrying. A junior player with one bat, one set of pads and gloves needs far less space than a senior player carrying batting and wicket keeping kit together. Check how many bat sleeves a bag has if you own more than one bat, and look for a separate, ventilated shoe compartment to keep muddy boots away from clean kit.
VKS stocks cricket bags from six brands: GM, Gray-Nicolls, Infinity, Kookaburra, New Balance and our own Pro-Tek range. Each brand has a slightly different focus, so here is what to expect from each.
GM's range runs from the entry level 707 through to the premium Original Wheelie Duffle, giving you a clear step up in size and features as you spend more.
| Model | Type | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| GM 707 Duffle | Duffle | £49.99 | Club cricketers wanting a compact, carry-on-back bag |
| GM 707 Wheelie | Wheelie | £54.99 | Players who prefer to roll rather than carry their kit |
| GM Diamond / Rival Wheelie Duffle | Wheelie Duffle | £39.99 | Budget-conscious players wanting a hybrid design |
| GM 808 Duffle | Duffle | £69.99 | Regular players wanting extra compartments over the 707 |
| GM 909 Wheelie | Wheelie | £74.99 | Players wanting more capacity in a traditional wheelie |
| GM Players Edition Duffle | Duffle | £124.99 | Serious players wanting GM's top duffle specification |
| GM Original Wheelie Duffle | Wheelie Duffle | £139.99 | Players wanting GM's largest, most premium bag |
Gray-Nicolls covers everything from a simple ball bag through to a full players' wheelie duffle, with a strong range of junior specific options.
| Model | Type | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Team 250 Wheelie (Junior) | Wheelie | £54.99 | Junior players needing a properly sized wheelie bag |
| Players Academy Wheelie Duffle (Junior) | Wheelie Duffle | £54.99 | Juniors wanting the flexibility of a hybrid design |
| Coach Cricket Bag | Duffle | £64.99 | Coaches and players wanting a practical, no-frills carry bag |
| Players Select Wheelie Duffle | Wheelie Duffle | £74.99 | Club cricketers wanting a mid-range hybrid bag |
| Classic Prestige Wheelie | Wheelie | £94.99 | Senior players wanting Gray-Nicolls's largest traditional wheelie |
Infinity offers the widest range at VKS, with the IXN collection running in clear numbered steps from a compact junior wheelie right up to a high-capacity players' bag holding four bats.
| Model | Type | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| IXN 100 | Wheelie | £36.99 | Juniors or seniors wanting a compact, easy-to-handle wheelie |
| IXN 200 (Junior) | Wheelie Duffle | £39.99 | Juniors needing a compact hybrid bag with wheels |
| IXN 350 / 450 | Duffle / Wheelie Duffle | £49.99 | Players wanting a lightweight everyday bag |
| IXN 500 | Wheelie | £54.99 | Players wanting a spacious, durable individual wheelie bag |
| IXN 700 | Duffle | £59.99 | Players who carry their bag more than they roll it |
| IXN 600 | Wheelie Duffle | £64.99 | Players wanting premium organisation in a hybrid bag |
| IXN Team Wheelie | Wheelie | £69.99 | Clubs and coaches transporting shared team equipment |
| IXN 900 | Wheelie Duffle | £84.99 | Players wanting a full-featured hybrid with extra storage zones |
| IXN 800 | Wheelie | £89.99 | Touring players carrying extensive kit and clothing |
| IXN 950 | Wheelie Duffle | £109.99 | Serious players carrying up to 4 bats and a full senior kit |
The IXN 950 is Infinity's flagship hybrid, holding up to four bats across two dedicated compartments alongside a ventilated shoe tunnel, while the IXN 100 sits at the other end of the range as a compact wheelie suited to juniors or seniors who want a smaller bag.
Kookaburra's WD range gives a simple choice of wheelie duffle sizes, alongside dedicated junior wheelie and duffle options.
| Model | Type | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| KD100 Duffle (Junior) | Duffle | £16.99 | Young juniors needing a simple, affordable first bag |
| 9500 Wheelie (Junior) | Wheelie | £33.99 | Juniors wanting a compact, rolling bag |
| WD6000 Wheelie Duffle (Junior) | Wheelie Duffle | £36.99 | Juniors with a fuller kit who want the hybrid design |
| WD4000 Wheelie Duffle | Wheelie Duffle | £59.99 | Club cricketers wanting a dependable mid-range bag |
| WD2000 Wheelie Duffle | Wheelie Duffle | £74.99 | Senior players wanting Kookaburra's largest hybrid bag |
New Balance offers a smaller, sport-inspired range with a clean, understated look, including a combo wheelie duffle for adults and a dedicated junior combo model.
Pro-Tek is VKS's own cricket bag brand, built to give players genuine quality without paying for outside brand marketing. The range runs from an affordable junior duffle through to a full-size premium wheelie duffle.
| Model | Type | Price from | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 Series Duffle (Junior) | Duffle | £31.99 | Junior players needing an affordable first bag |
| 2000 Series Duffle (Junior) | Duffle | £34.99 | Juniors wanting more room than the 1000 Series |
| 2500 Series Wheelie Duffle (Junior) | Wheelie Duffle | £49.99 | Juniors wanting the flexibility of wheels and straps |
| 3500 Series Wheelie Duffle | Wheelie Duffle | £64.99 | Senior players wanting Pro-Tek's largest hybrid bag |
Junior cricketers usually carry less kit than seniors, so a full-size adult bag is often unnecessarily bulky and heavy for a child to manage. VKS stocks dedicated junior bags from GM, Gray-Nicolls, Infinity, Kookaburra, New Balance and Pro-Tek, sized and shaped for younger players rather than simply being a scaled down adult bag.
For a young child just starting out with one bat and basic kit, a small duffle such as the Kookaburra KD100 or Pro-Tek 1000 Series keeps things light and manageable. As a junior progresses into full hardball cricket with pads, a helmet and more clothing, a junior wheelie or wheelie duffle such as the Infinity IXN 200 or Gray-Nicolls Team 250 gives them enough room without the bag being difficult to handle.
Budget: Under £50
Kookaburra KD100 and 9500, Infinity IXN 100, 200 and 450, Pro-Tek 1000 and 2000 Series, and GM's Diamond and Rival Wheelie Duffles. Ideal for juniors and first bags.
Mid-range: £50 to £90
GM 707 and 808, Gray-Nicolls Players Select and Coach, Infinity IXN 500 to 800, Kookaburra WD2000 to WD4000, and Pro-Tek 3500 Series.
Premium: £90+
GM Original Wheelie Duffle and Players Edition, Gray-Nicolls Classic Prestige, and the Infinity IXN 950. The largest, most feature-packed bags for serious players.
For most club and school cricketers, a mid-range wheelie duffle gives the best of both worlds: you can carry it on your back for short walks and roll it when your kit gets heavier over a full season. Junior players benefit most from a properly sized junior bag rather than a small adult one, since it keeps the weight manageable and the kit organised. If you play regularly and carry two bats or a combined batting and wicket keeping kit, it is worth investing in one of the larger hybrid bags such as the Infinity IXN 950 or GM Original Wheelie Duffle, since the extra compartments genuinely make match day easier.
Our team at 31 Bond Street, Ealing has been fitting out club and junior cricketers with kit bags for over 50 years, and we are always happy to talk through which size and style suits your season.
What is the difference between a wheelie bag and a duffle bag?
A wheelie bag is rolled on built-in wheels with a pull handle, while a duffle bag is carried on your back using padded shoulder straps. Wheelie bags suit players with a larger kit, while duffle bags suit players who walk, cycle or use public transport to get to matches.
Do all cricket bags have wheels?
No, but most of the larger, higher priced bags now include wheels, either as a pure wheelie design or as part of a wheelie duffle hybrid. Smaller, budget duffle bags are typically carried by hand or on your back without wheels.
Which cricket bag is best for a child?
A dedicated junior bag, rather than a small adult one, is best for a child. Junior bags such as the Infinity IXN 200 or Kookaburra KD100 are sized and shaped for a smaller frame, so they are easier for a young player to carry and manage.
Can a duffle bag fit a full cricket kit?
Yes, most duffle bags at VKS include separate compartments for a bat, pads, gloves, helmet and shoes. Larger duffle models such as the Infinity IXN 700 are designed specifically to hold a complete senior kit while remaining comfortable to carry on your back.
How many bats can a cricket bag hold?
This varies by model. Compact bags such as the Infinity IXN 100 hold a single bat, while larger hybrid bags such as the Infinity IXN 950 hold up to four bats across two dedicated compartments. Always check the bat sleeve count before buying if you own more than one bat.
Is a wheelie duffle bag worth the extra cost?
Yes, for most players a wheelie duffle hybrid is worth it, since it gives you the choice of carrying or rolling your kit depending on the situation. It is a practical middle ground between a pure duffle and a pure wheelie bag.
Which brand makes the best cricket bag?
GM, Gray-Nicolls, Infinity, Kookaburra, New Balance and Pro-Tek all make well-built cricket bags at VKS. Infinity offers the widest range of sizes and styles, while our own Pro-Tek range gives strong value without paying extra for outside brand marketing.
