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For many bunheads, performance in shows, competitions or conferences is what makes all of the long, hard, hours of rehearsal worth it. It’s through performance that a dancer can grow literally by leaps and bounds. But participating in these events on stage means that often you have to have a lot of stuff with you backstage. One of the best ways to carry and organize all of your stuff will be in a garment duffel or rack bag and we have made a list of our top favorites.
This stuff can usually include multiple costumes, tights, shoes and hair accessories, not to mention everything to do your hair and makeup plus all of the “extras” for emergencies. Often in competition settings, backstage can be extremely crowded and participants find themselves competing for limited space long before they ever step out on stage. Dressing rooms are not only crowded, but are usually chaotic especially if a few quick changes are involved. Any bunhead participating in such events will want a bag or duffel that accommodates all of these things. The bag should not only be able to hold all of the stuff, but it should help keep everything organized, accessible, and wrinkle free if possible. That’s why duffles or bags with garment racks to hang costumes on can be necessary for competition or really any performance.
We have looked at a lot of different bags and have narrowed it down to what we think are some of the best out there. We looked at mobility, organization, durability and whether or not the rack would actually hold up costumes. However, if you have a lot of heavier, longer costumes, these types of bags may not be what you need. In that case you may want to consider folding, stand-alone racks that can hold more weight. But if you are looking for a fold-up, mini dressing room on wheels, then here are our top picks:
#1 – Our #1 choice is The ORIGINAL Dream Duffel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076CTK786. This is THE bag for dancers who do lots of competitions or shows with multiple costume changes. This 27” duffel is the perfect size to hold costumes, shoes, accessories and all of your other performance necessities. The telescoping garment rack sets up quickly and then locks into place. The horizontal bar of the rack is sturdy and will have no trouble supporting the weight of your costumes (approximately 6-9 costumes, however some reviewers said they had no problem with 10 or more). There are interior mesh pockets to help with organization, and 2 exterior pockets, one of which is an insulated snack pocket. It also has an exterior pocket to hold a small folding stool, a nice feature since sometimes finding a place to sit backstage can be tricky. This bag rolls easily and has a retractable push button handle. This is a sturdy, strong bag and is popular backstage at dance and ballet competitions.
If you have to fly to your next competition, check out the smaller, carry-on version of this duffel here: https://www.amazon.com/dp. It has many of the great features of the larger duffel, but in a smaller size so you can carry it on eliminating the worry that your bag will get lost en route.
#2 – Coming in at #2 is the Mavii Costume Rack Duffel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QRKY4WB. This bag has many of the features of our #1 pick, but at a little more than half of the price. This 28 inch bag has an extendable garment rack that is able to hold 15 lbs. It has a molded, drop-bottom compartment which allows the bag to stand on its own when fully packed. It has 3 large exterior pockets, including one that is insulated, as well as a long exterior pocket to store a folding stool. It has easy glide wheels and a pull out handle for rolling. When you’re not using this bag, it collapses down to 6 inches high for easy storage.
#3 – Our #3 choice is the Travolution Duffel https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07ZZRRVCB with the extendable garment rack that holds up to 10 lbs. Along with its roomy interior, this bag has three, zippered pockets on the outside in addition to the zippered mesh pocket on the inside to hold shoes or accessories. The garment rack is easy to assemble and take down with the bracket design and can be secured with screws. This wheeled, 28 inch duffel has a telescopic handle that locks at 2 heights. The bag is light-weight, but will still hold up to lugging it around backstage at competitions. When you are not using it, it collapses down to 6 inches making it easy to store. It is a really good garment duffel at this price point.
#4 – Our final choice at #4 is the Pink And Black Suitcase by Litz Dance Bags https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07RKR77WR. Unlike the bags above, this 29” rolling suitcase has an internal, 21 inch, garment rack. If you’re costumes aren’t too long, this might be the best option for you. With four large, mesh, interior pockets you can keep accessories and shoes organized. The suitcase has six wheels making it sturdy and easy to roll, push or pull. This is a great option if you don’t want to worry about assembling a rack or if it will stay standing for that matter.
Any of our top picks above will make great options if you are involved in competitions, shows or other performances where you are required to carry a lot of stuff. Having it all in one place and knowing that it is organized and easy to find will help you focus on your performance on stage and not on what’s happening backstage.