What kind of PE bag? (new Yr7 - completely clueless)

[AChickenCalledKorma]

So, we've bought the hockey shirt, polo shirt, shorts, ridiculous stripy socks, gum shield, shin pads and humungous trainers (please stop growing so fast, DD!)

But what do we put them in? Practically everything else on the uniform list is very carefully specified, but there is no mention whatsoever of any regulation PE bag. Will a drawstring bag such as she had at primary school represent social death?

Most kids at ds's school use a rucksack type bag as it won't all fit in a draw string one. What are her mates using?

DS shoves his in a carrier in the bottom of his school rucksack, on the days when he needs them. Trainers, socks, shorts and the correct top will all fit in a drawstring bag for DD.

DS1 prefers to use a drawstring bag that he can cram into his school rucksack, as he hates carrying more than one bag (long walk to school and locker is not readily accessible).

DD, also starting Y7, has a Jack Wills barrel bag (bought in sale I should add). She has a fair bit to fit in plus two pairs of trainers so needed a decent size. It will live in her PE locker most of the time except when needed at school or bring home for washing.

My DDs have holdall sports bags with an end section for trainers or astro turf shoes. Has a shoulder strap too. If you already have a rucksack for books, another for games is difficult. I would avoid a drawstring bag. A bit too primary and not a secondary look. I put a 1inch name tag on the handle as a lot have similar bags. You probably need to accommodate a fleece and maybe a towel as well! What about indoor sports kit? You could always start with a duffel bag and graduate to a holdall. Really depends if you want to keep dirty trainers separate and how often all this needs to go to school.

Mine all take drawstring bags. dd1 and dd2 have Team GB ones I bought in a mad fit of generosity last year, ds has various plain ones depending on whether it's outside kit, inside kit, or swimming. None seem to have been ostracised yet. Dd1 leaves hers in school for each half term (yuck), dd2 and ds take and bring home theirs each day as needed.

I just brought drawstring bags from sports direct, 2.99 each so it's not breaking the bank. I thought drawstring would be best as he already has a backpack bag for his school books so he can either wear both or knowing him he will dump it in his backpack

My older 2 have both used drawstring bags - I was quite surprised, thinking of them as Primary PE bags, but I think they seemed to have gone through some kind of a fashion transformation, as that's what ds (17) and dd (14) have both used, and they've told dd2 (about to start secondary) to use.

Wow, things have moved on.... We all had plastic shopping bags in secondary!

DD started with a draw string bag, but they are very difficult to find big enough. Now she often just uses a big republic carrier bag.

DD1 still manages with a big draw sting bag (which needs mending again), but she doesn't do every sport club going and doesn't have a great thick logo'd school hoddie.

DS has a sports bag (not too big; it has to fit into his locker).

DD1 still uses her primary school drawstring bag.

Thanks all - looks like it's pretty variable. Have now tracked down a parent of a Yr10, who says she has always had a drawstring bag. So we'll stick with one of those for now and wait to see whether DD accumulates enough sports kit to need something bigger!

For those looking for a drawstring bag big enough for size 8 trainers plus a whole games kit: Quadra senior gymsacs are good and long-lasting. I will try to find a link.

www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00404XYBY