Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I have this bag for both of my sons. The mesh front ball pocket lets them easily recognize wether they left their ball on the field after practice without me having to force them to inventory the bag before we get to the car. The side pockets are deep enough for a cleat and a shin guard each or a water bottle and a bag of personal snacks on each side. The top compartment is great for gloves, a balaclava or a skully. The interior compartment is roomy enough for cleats, socks and shin guards even with the ball compartment filled. On game day I still have room to shove assorted food items, keys, compact umbrella's and all manner of jackets and small blankets into these bags. It has exceeded my reasonable expectations. Update 2013: I reviewed this bag shortly after purchase last year(September 2012). After over one year of use, both bags are still going strong, though a bit ditrier than when first purchased. My boys are not easy on gear. These bags have been tossed, dropped, dragged, kicked and stepped on. All zippers and pockets are intact and showing no tell-tale signs of future failure. For those of you who have more demanding expectations and are planning a soccer tournament at the pinnacle of Everest, ruck marching your youth league through the Panamanian jungles, or rapelling over Victoria Falls with full kit in tow, I'll share the following; My primary goal with this bag purchase was to empower my kids to be more responsible for their gear. The main aim was that they not lose their soccer balls every season. Well, my 7 year old managed to leave his ball at a field because he had stuffed his similarly colored jacket into the ball compartment. So, be warned, this bag is not perfect and is no substitute for personal responsibility. Lucky for him Santa was already replacing his favorite ball with a hand stitched beauty he admired online. There may be other bags out there that are better, but I count this particular bag as a organizational savior for my parental sanity, while trying to cram in dinner, homework and practices. Anything that makes life easier is a win Update August 2016: Four Years of hard use later...The ball compartment has started to tear at the top where it meets the inner bag compartment. Thats it, no holes in the bag, no broken zippers, no ripped straps, no other problems whatsoever. I retired the bag last month, as my youngest wanted his team bag with coordinated uniform coloring and his number on the back. However, just last night as he was trying to shove his ball into the narrow ball compartment of the team bag after camp, I asked him if he wanted his old bag back for practices and keep the team bag for games. He sighed, looked up and said yeah, then looked down at his new bag with disdain. This thing is the Soccer equivelant of a U.S. Army A.L.I.C.E. Pack, 1 each, it won't die.