Having a large enough backpack to hold all your Magic the Gathering gear is the best way to protect and store your collection and decks. This is especially true if you plan on traveling and competing at your local and national competitions.
Having a backpack is definitely a must have accessory for the MTG enthusiast. Backpacks come in a wide variety of sizes, colors, and functionality which can make it difficult to choose the best one that suits you and your needs. We sifted through the market and brought you a list of the best backpacks to store your decks, binders, and accessories like dice and playmats.
In our comprehensive guide to the best backpacks for MTG, we’ll show you the best backpacks on the market and give you some advice when it comes time to choose. Let’s get started.
IN A HURRY? HERE’S OUR TOP PICKS…
| Name | Our Rating | Price |
|---|---|---|
ENHANCE MTG Backpack Playing Card Case | 5/5 | Click for Price |
| Pirate Lab Black Card Game Backpack | 4.5/5 | Click for Price |
| Ultra Pro Citadel Backpack | 4/5 | Click for Price |
1- ENHANCE MTG Backpack Playing Card Case
The first backpack on our list is the ENHANCE MTG Backpack and is our top pick. Where can we even start? This backpack is a behemoth when it comes to card storage. It can hold a total of over 7000 cards. It’s marketed towards Magic the Gathering, but can work well for most card games on the market.
The inside of the backpack is lined with a reinforced padded interior which is scratch resistant and is given reinforced dividers to help keep your deck boxes and cards in order from accidental drops, impacts, and more.
If having dividers on the inside wasn’t enough, there is also a card defender screen on the inside that is used to lock and protect your cards in place. This screen is simply placed and removed with a zipper for ease of use.
There is also an abundance of exterior pockets and storage space to hold various accessories and other pieces of gaming equipment.
The makers of this backpack also back their product with a 3 year warranty as they trust and believe in the quality of their product. The main downside to this product is that it is slightly overpriced. There are many other backpacks on the market that are much cheaper and can hold your cards just as well, if not maybe even better.
What we like
- Tons of storage space that can hold over 7000 cards
- Card defender on inside
- 3 year limited warranty
- Tons of exterior pockets
What we don’t like
- Very expensive
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
2- Pirate Lab Black Card Game Backpack
The next backpack on our list is the Pirate Lab Black Card Game Backpack. At first glance, this is a nice and sleek looking backpack in all black which can appeal to the masses. Let’s move onto what really matters, and that’s the storage space of this backpack.
Pirate Lab’s backpack can hold up to 18 120-card deck boxes, or 25 90-card deck boxes. Also this is not as much storage as the ENHANCE backpack, the storage space should more than suffice. On top of having card storage space there is also special storage compartments on this backpack for things like binders, laptops, and even a rolled up playmat.
On top of having extra storage space for those items, there is also space for other things like dice, notepads, and more. Included on the inside is also two removable velcro dividers that run the entire length of the backpack along with four smaller horizontal dividers to help keep everything organized and protected from moving around.
The outside of the backpack was also created with protection in mind. With water-resistant 1000D fabric, self-healing waterproof zippers, and heavy duty Pirate Lab zipper pulls, your backpack will be able to protect and secure your cards for years to come.
What we like
- Water-resistant
- Tons of storage space
- Extra compartments for accessories
What we don’t like
- Pricey
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
3- Ultra Pro Citadel Backpack
Up next on our list is the elusive Ultra Pro Citadel Backpack. Ultra PRO is a huge name in the industry, and for good reason. They are one of the original companies to provide protection for all things collectible since the early 1950’s. At first glance, this backpack as quite a few external pockets for a water bottle and a rolled up playmat.
One thing that helps with the comfort of this backpack is the padding on the portion that rests on your back. This coupled with the wide, thick straps help to ease the burden on both your back and your shoulders while wearing this backpack.
The top of the backpack has small storage pockets for accessories like usb cables, a phone, and anything else that is small. The main storage compartment can be found in the middle. This is where you can store your binders, deck boxes, and even a laptop.
The bottom of the backpack is also made with a waterproof material to help prevent your backpack from absorbing water in case of accidental spills or if you are playing on or near wet conditions.
What we like
- Good price
- Good storage space
- Waterproof bottom
- Extra storage space for accessories
What we don’t like
- Quality of backpack is slightly underpar
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
4- Defender Card Game TCG Backpack
The next backpack on our list is the Defender Card Game TCG Backpack. This is another great backpack with a lot of storage space. It comes with multiple different compartments that can be resized with the included padding and dividers.
The coolest thing about this backpack is that almost everything is customizable. The deck box and card sections of the backpack are all able to be moved around and reorganized to your personal preference and liking. There are also separate sections and compartments that will fit a laptop, card binders, and other multiple pockets for small accessories for things like usb cables, chargers, and more.
The creators of this backpack also took comfort into mind when they designed it. It comes with contoured padded shoulders straps to help relieve pressure when the backpack is fully loaded.
The outside of the backpack is weatherproof. Weatherproof is slightly different than waterproof. With weatherproof material, you can expect your backpack to stay dry while traveling in the rain or snow. It is a high quality material that helps prevent excess moisture buildup.
What we like
- Additional space for accessories
- Good price
- Weatherproof
- Ergonomic design
What we don’t like
- Not the best storage space
- Quality isn’t up to par with other backpacks
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
5- USA Gear PRO Magic the Gathering MTG Deck Bag Travel Case
The last backpack on our list is actually a travel back. The USA Gear PRO Magic the Gathering MTG Deck Bag Travel Case is a great alternative to a backpack, especially if you are on a budget. This bag does a great job for card storage as it is able to hold up to 1200 sleeved cards.
On top of being able to hold all those cards, it also has space for things like tokens, notebooks, dice, counters, and much more.
You will find that the inside of this bag is very roomy and will be able to hold a large amount of items along with its elastic strap to help secure your items in place.
The inside of the bag is lined with a special scratch resistant material. This lining will help protect your cards and decks from abrasive damage during transportation. The outside of the bag is weather resistant which will help keep your bag dry in cold or humid environments.
What we like
- Very good price
- Tons of storage space
- 3 year limited warranty
- Weather resistant outside
- Scratch resistant inside
What we don’t like
- Can be difficult to fit deck boxes and binders in place
Check Price and Reviews on Amazon
What to Look For in a Backpack for Your MTG Cards
To find the best backpack for your needs, consider the following major aspects before finalizing a purchase.
Card Storage
One of the most important traits to look for when purchasing a backpack for your MTG cards is the actual card storage space. Always look for the card capacity details and choose accordingly to how many cards or decks you think you will be needing to carry with you.
Additional/Extra Storage Locations
Many backpacks will have additional storage space, especially out the outer sides of the backpack. Some additional storage mechanics to look out for is a spot for your playmat. Many backpacks will offer a spot designated for a rolled up playmat.
Other storage locations to look for are spaces to put things like laptops, dice, and other peripherals.
Best Backpack Brands
ENHANCE
The ENHANCE brand is all about improving, complimenting, and bringing innovative ways to level up the gaming lifestyle. When it comes to the tabletop and card game scene, ENHANCE brings some of the best products to the table. Their passion in everything games is what helps them push the boundaries of what’s possible.
This is why their brand name is the name it is. They are simply here to ENHANCE all of our gaming experiences with the high quality products that they bring to the market.
Ultra PRO
Ultra PRO is one of the leaders in the industry when it comes to anything collectible card game related. They have tons and tons of products that range from card sleeves, binders, top loaders, binder pages, deck boxes, and so much more.
Ultra PRO has probably been in the game longer than almost any other brand in the market. They have been designing and manufacturing high quality products since the early 1950’s which has allowed them to pave a path for themselves in this industry.
Their products can be found in just about any retail store that you walk into, that’s how big their name is. They market and sell their products through a top-tier network of over 100 distributors all around the world from North America, to Europe, and Asia
Pirate Lab
Pirate Lab’s main focus it to make the best carrying cases for gamers. With this thought in mind, they have brought together both real players as well as industrial designers to innovate and create some of the best cases possible.
All of their cases are designed by them which helps make each and every part of their cases perfect. You wont find any premade backpacks with their logos put on them like some other companies like to do.
Having their own factory also helps them control all aspects of quality control which means every single ingredients that goes into making their products is regulated by them.
FAQs
What Is the Best Backpack for Magic the Gathering Tournaments?
We believe the best backpack is the ENHANCE MTG Backpack. It has the most amount of storage you will find in a backpack for your Magic the Gathering cards, offers exceptional protection on the inside with a clear zippered card defender that locks everything into place.
It also offers a ton of additional space and compartments for accessories and anything else that you need to bring with you to tournaments.
How Tight Should Your Backpack Straps Be?
Your backpack straps should be adjusted to be snug towards your upper back. The lower the backpack is, or the more slack you have, the more you put your lower back at risk. This is especially true if you have a fully loaded backpack with all your cards, binders, and accessories.
Why Do Backpacks Hurt My Back?
There are a few reasons as to why your backpack is hurting your back. One of the main reasons for a backpack hurting your back is that it is not properly adjusted.
Another reason your backpack may be hurting your back is because it is too heavy. Having a backpack that is too heavy as well as not adjusted properly can lead to lower back pain.
If your back is adjusted correctly, then make sure that all the items inside the backpack are placed in a fashion where the heaviest items are on the bottom of the backpack. This helps distribute the weight proportionately.
Final Thoughts
Our top pick for the best backpack for your Magic the Gathering cards is the ENHANCE MTG Backpack Playing Card Case. It offers superb card storage, protection, and comes with a 3 year limited warranty.
The runner up backpack on our list is the Pirate Lab Black Card Game Backpack. It has exceptional storage space, costs less than the ENHANCE backpack, and even offers waterproof protection. The main difference is that this backpack will not be able to hold as many cards.
Whichever backpack you choose for your Magic the Gathering cards, we hope this guide has been helpful in your purchasing decision. Thanks for reading!