Bag of Holding | Illustration by Evyn Fong
How many decks are you taking out to your friend’s place for Commander night? How’re you getting them there? Carrying around a loose handful of deck boxes, dice, and tokens shoved into your pockets, playmat tube balanced on your head?
If any of this rings true, it may be time to invest in an MTG deck bag. But how will you know which is the best? What sort of features should you look for in an MTG deck bag? Check out our handy-dandy buyer’s guide here!
The Best Overall MTG Deck Bag
The Pirate Lab card game backpack is the best overall MTG-specific deck bag. Its capacity is nearly perfect, fitting 15 to 20 deck boxes (depending on size) plus a playmat tube, and it’ll still have three more pockets for a binder, laptop, or tablet, and all of your tokens and dice!
This bag is expensive at over $120, but you get what you pay for in the backpack market. For a high-quality, long-lasting deck bag, you can’t do much better than a Pirate Lab’s bag.
- Our MTG Backpack can hold up to eighteen 120-card deck boxes or twenty-five 90-card deck boxes. Plus, it features velcro dividers to make the interior infinitely customizable.
- The Card Game Backpack doesn't just hold deck boxes. Secure your rolled playmat with the inner compartment velcro strap, and bring a 9-pocket card binder or laptop in the padded rear compartment.
- Plus, this TCG backpack fits all your accessories like notepads, dice, and figurines in the two exterior zippered compartments for easy access.
- This deck bag includes two removable velcro dividers that run the length of the backpack and four smaller horizontal dividers to secure deck boxes for sophisticated MTG box storage.
- Water-resistant 1000D fabric, self-healing waterproof zippers, and heavy-duty Pirate Lab zipper pulls keep your collection safe in MTG carrying bag.
Buyer’s Guide
There are several things to consider when shopping for an MTG deck bag. The fact of the matter is your deck bag has to hold your cards and keep them safe while you travel. A simple school backpack might technically hold all your cards, but you need something that keeps each of your decks safe and tightly packed.
The best bags have spaces specifically for deck boxes, playmats, dice, pens… everything you’d need to ship out for some Magic. They’re also the most secure, offering protection from the elements as well as the forces of gravity.
A bag or backpack is still an investment, and a good bag can be used to transport all sorts of goods, not just Magic and Magic-adjacent products. The most versatile bags include modular interiors and offer uses outside of moving your cards. A lot of players opt for a camera bag since they offer similar features and are sized appropriately.
Often overlooked, a bag’s style should factor into your bag-browsing experience. It’s not hard to customize a bag to fit your personal style, but it never hurts to purchase one that’s close. The best styled backpacks include options for colors, patterns, or are easily customizable.
There’s also the price to consider. Most cheap bags do the minimum required to stash your cards but lack the fancy bells and whistles a premium deck bag would have. Think about how much you’re willing to spend on a new bag and start from there.
The “Cadillacs” of MTG Deck Bags
Ultimate Guard Ammonite Anti-Theft Backpack
If you can spare no expense and desire only the best deck transportation on the market, then look no further than Ultimate Guard’s Ammonite anti-theft backpack. This over $400 bag features the most secure straps and zippers you’ve ever seen with RFID-secure pockets, anti-shock foam and padding, and space for deck boxes and gaming accessories galore.
The Ammonite’s only real con is its price. Sure, you’re getting probably the best deck backpack possible, but for the same cost as an Alpha printing of Llanowar Elves.
- Anti-theft: contents are not accessible from the outside, incl. Hidden zippers
- Several hidden compartments for wallets & cards
- Rfid-secure pockets
- Reflecting safety stripes and luggage strap
- Anti-shock-foam and extra padding for additional safety
ENHANCE Storage Case
On the more manageable side of the expensive, ENHANCE’s trading card storage case backpack is a sufficiently high-quality alternative.
The modular interior includes a mesh zipper to keep the decks in place, even when the bag is opened from a standing position. It has a sleeve for a 9-pocket card binder (which doubles as a tablet or small laptop sleeve), a side pocket with a strap (for your playmat or your water), and two exterior pockets with an abundance of space for various tokens, dice, notepads, and more!
If the full backpack size isn’t for you, it’s also available in a smaller shoulder bag variety.
Some might find the gold zippers and details a bit gaudy, though, and reviews have mentioned the modular interior can be finicky to work with.
- HOLDS UP TO 7,600 SLEEVED CARDS: Store and organize all your favorite card games including deck boxes and sleeved cards! Compatible with Magic the Gathering, Cards Against Humanity, and more TCGs
- REINFORCED PADDED INTERIOR: Premium scratch resistant interior loaded with adjustable reinforced dividers keep your cards and deck boxes in place and safe from impacts, drops, and more
- CARD DEFENDER SCREEN: Organize your cards and lock them into position using the zippered Card Defender Screen which prevents decks and cards from shifting around during travel
- EASY-ACCESS POCKETS: Exterior pockets large enough to store various card games and accessories including MTG tokens, notepads, pencils, life counters, and much more
- 3 YEAR WARRANTY: We believe in the quality of our products and back every ENHANCE product with a 3 year Manufacturer Warranty
The Best Budget MTG Deck Bag
Ultra Pro Gaming Case
The Ultra Pro gaming case is hard to beat if you’re looking for something simple and effective.
This standard case has six deck box-sized slots for cards and a zipper to close it up and not much else. The cardboard insert isn’t modular, so it won’t be as versatile as some other deck bags on the market, but you could just as easily remove it altogether and insert your own dividers.
It comes in the classic gamer colors (black and red) and includes a pouch sized for a small 9-sleeve binder. It also won’t break the ban, and gets the job done.
- Country Of Origin: China
- Package Height Of The Item Is 1.0"
- Package Length Of The Item Is 1.0"
- Package Width Of The Item Is 1.0"
Quiver Time Card Case
A small step up from that price point goes a long way. The Quiver Time card case carries up to 1,000 unsleeved cards and is manufactured with water-resistant zippers and leather.
Its modular Velcro and acrylic dividers let you keep cards separated and easily sorted, plus it comes in a variety of colors! It won’t fit a trade binder, but the mesh pouch can still fit various tokens and dice.
- Premium Card Deck Box Case: Your Quiver Card Holder Case holds over 1350 unsleeved playing card, includes 2 sturdy Acrylic separators, 3 Velcro dividers & 2 removable corner pads to sort & store cards or decks.
- Smart Trading Card Storage Box Case : the Quiver Trading Card Case Storage is compatible with: Magic Commander (MtG card storage), Yugioh, Pokemon, Digimon, Flesh Blood and other trading cards, baseball card, football etc.
- A great Gift Idea: Looking for the perfect MTG accessories for the MTG fan in your life? Look no further than this magic deck carrying case for cards, magic the gathering card case. It's the perfect way to keep your loved ones'.
- Deck Box Card Storage Case: The Quiver trading card deck case large capacity cases will fit up to 9 deck boxes, has a convenient mesh pocket to safely store accessories, cushioned corner pads to protect your cards against bending.
- Convenient Combo Match - The Orion playmat tube is the perfect match for the Quiver collectible trading card cases, providing a secure and convenient way to transport your playmat alongside your cards.
The Most Secure MTG Deck “Bag”
If you’re looking to transport some valuable cards while ensuring they’re professionally graded condition endures, might I recommend the CardKingPro graded card hard storage case? This 15-pound mammoth case can fit over 250 “slabbed” cards, and one can only guess how many regularly sleeved cards or deck boxes that translates to (hint: a lot).
The polycarbonate exterior and faux suede interior make this the smoothest possible ride for your cards, and the locking hatches mean no one’s riffling through your cards without you. The case’s modular foam inside guarantees a snug fit for its contents, meaning your cards won’t shift a millimeter in transit. These cases are available in multiple sizes and range in price from $80 to $200.
Here’s the deal: this product isn’t for everyone, or really anyone save the MTG collector in your life who enjoys rolling up to an FNM and clicking open a briefcase like they’re in Pulp Fiction.
- WHO'S IT FOR: Perfect for serious card collectors and card investors who want to protect and secure their valuable card collections.
- CAPACITY / COMPATIBILITY: Graded Cards (Check the compatibility image for more details) This case, which we call KingCollector, is designed to hold your graded cards, whether they are PSA, Becketts, BGS, CGC, Toploaders, One-Touch, Boulder Boxes, Satin Towers or even Saver 1/Saver 2, Semi Ridge Sleeved Cards... our case can hold them all!
- LOCKABLE / FOAM BLOCKS: Simply add any padlock to secure your case. Each case includes 12 foam blocks to segment and secure your cards.
- HIGH QUALITY: Strong polycarbonate exterior, super strong interior construction, soft faux suede, strong heavy-duty handle, locking hoops, heavy duty hinges, ball corners.
- IMPORTANT FACTS: This product is high quality and therefore heavy, it weighs 15 lb (7k) when empty. The lid is permanently attached to the product, meaning it is not removable. There are no card dividers included with this KingCollector case
The Best Deck Bag Alternatives
Cwatcun Backpack
Ultimately there’s no reason your search should include only bags branded for MTG use when it comes to deck transport. A lot of players use camera bags since they typically include padded modular interiors for carrying fragile equipment.
The Cwatcun camera backpack retails for a huge deal compared to the Magic-specific bags. Its modular backpack includes a waterproof shield and a strap designed for a tripod that can easily carry your playmat tube. And now you’ve got a reason to pick up photography, another extremely expensive hobby!
- 【Large Capacity】 ①The camera backpack is compatible with Canon Nikon Sony and other brand cameras and 13" IPAD; ②It holds and protects 1 SLR / DSLR camera bodies, 3 ~ 5 lenses, 1 flash speedlite, 1 tripod and other photography accessories.
- 【Multiple Protection】 ①Scratch and water-repellent 900D polyester fabric protects your camera security; (it can play a certain waterproof role in light rain,unable to play a waterproof role in heavy rain). ②5 pieces of 18mm thick padded removable dividers is fit and stable, protect your camera from shocking, combine freely and make full use of backpack space; ③The stress position of the camera bag adopts bar-tack technology, which can withstand a weight of 50 kg (110.2 lbs) and is more durable.
- 【Ultra-lightweight and Compact】 ①Outer dimensions: 15x 6.5x 16.9 inches; Internal dimensions: 10.3x 9.1 x 13.7 inches; ②Only 1.87lb(0.85kg); Lightweight and easy to carry. ③Hidden zipper design of the front pocket and side high-elasticity mesh bagbest for your daily accessories storage, like storage card, water bottle, umbrella, trekking pole etc.
- 【High Quality】 ① Cwatcun alloy zipper won't rusty within 3 years,and won't break within 5 years; ② Lengthened shoulder strap width is 2.5 inches, thickness is 0.5 inches, easy to adjust; ③Webbing material: high elastic decompression memory foam is comfortable and breathable.
- 【Perfect Services】 One-year warranty: If there is any quality problem within one year, we will replace a new one for you; The 30-year factory with more than 6000 employees who specialize in the bags industry, worthy of your trust!
Student Jansport
Or, if you’re like me, you’ve opted for the tried-and-true Student Jansport. We’ve all seen them around from our school days; the classic single-pocket backpack that’s functional, comfortable, and not-too-flashy. Sure, there’s no modular foam interior to hold your deck boxes upright and sure, there’s no fancy waterproof shield, but there’s a variety of styles to choose from with different pockets and designs.
They’re reportedly not the most comfortable bag out there, but a Jansport gets the job done nonetheless
- Your Forever Pack: Always Be Ready For School With The Jansport Superbreak Backpack For Boys And Girls! The Perfect Size For All Your Essentials And Always In Style, This Boys' And Girls' Backpack Is Functional And Convenient With Timeless Style.
- Ready For Anything: These Teen Backpacks For Girls And Boys Are Made With Durable 600 Denier Fabric To Ensure They Are Strong, Abrasion-Resistant And Water-Repellant! With Sturdy Zippers And A Coated Interior, Our Small Backpack Always Has Your Back.
- Hold All Your Essentials: Not Too Big And Not Too Small, These School Bag Backpacks For High School Feature One Main Compartment To Hold Your Books, Notepads And More, And Our Cool Backpacks Have A Front Utility Pocket With A Built-In Organizer.
- Express Yourself: Featuring A Simple, Classic Silhouette That Always Looks Amazing, The Jansport Backpack For School Is Available In Over 30 Different Colors And Prints! Our Unisex Bookbags For Girls And Boys Are Perfect For Anyone'S Unique Style.
- Comfort And Convenience: Made To Be Reliable And Ultra-Lightweight, Our School Backpack For Girls And Boys Is Always Ready To Go With A Web Haul Handle! Perfect For Everyday Use, These High School Backpacks Have Padded 15-Inch Drop Shoulder Straps.
Custom MTG Deck Bags
The market is pretty slim when it comes to fully customizable deck bags. The best you’ll see will be the bags with modular interiors like Pirate Lab’s black card game backpack, but that shouldn’t stop you from accessorizing your own.
Be it buttons, patches, pins, or keychains, there’s no shortage of simple ways to specialize your bag to showcase your style. Etsy’s got no shortage of Magic themed patches and buttons, and a lot of your favorite MTG content creators have merch stores you can purchase from to support them directly.
- Our MTG Backpack can hold up to eighteen 120-card deck boxes or twenty-five 90-card deck boxes. Plus, it features velcro dividers to make the interior infinitely customizable.
- The Card Game Backpack doesn't just hold deck boxes. Secure your rolled playmat with the inner compartment velcro strap, and bring a 9-pocket card binder or laptop in the padded rear compartment.
- Plus, this TCG backpack fits all your accessories like notepads, dice, and figurines in the two exterior zippered compartments for easy access.
- This deck bag includes two removable velcro dividers that run the length of the backpack and four smaller horizontal dividers to secure deck boxes for sophisticated MTG box storage.
- Water-resistant 1000D fabric, self-healing waterproof zippers, and heavy-duty Pirate Lab zipper pulls keep your collection safe in MTG carrying bag.
Zip Up!
Tidy Conclusion | Illustration by Bastien L. Deharme
The perennial problem of transportation has plagued Magic players for what feels like centuries. If you’re like me, you’ve moved your decks from location to location in any number of unsafe conditions.
I’m guilty of several heinous card-transportation crimes, including but not limited to loosely rubber-banded cards in my hoodie pocket and scattered deck boxes in the back seat of my car. Don’t let yourself (or your friends) live like this. Invest in a high-quality MTG deck bag and reap the rewards for years to come!
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