Why Every Board Game Enthusiast Needs a Board Game Backpack
If you’ve ever been the designated “game bringer” for a night with friends, you know the feeling. You’ve got shelves full of amazing board games, each promising hours of fun. You start making a list—maybe Wingspan for the bird lovers, Clank! for the adventurers, Abyss for the strategists, and a few smaller card games for quick fillers. You’re excited. Your friends are excited. And then reality hits: how are you going to carry all of them?
For years, my solution was the same as most people’s—I’d grab a normal backpack, toss in what I could, and hope for the best. But the truth is, traditional backpacks were never designed for modern board games. They were made for school books, laptops, and the occasional lunch box. They’re fine for a deck of Uno or a travel-sized game, but try fitting in today’s larger, heavier, more elaborate boxes and you’ll quickly discover their limits.
That’s exactly the problem the May The Game Board Game Backpack was made to solve.
The Problem with Regular Backpacks
Normal backpacks are a mismatch for board game transport, and it boils down to one thing: shape. Modern board games tend to come in large, square or rectangular boxes. A backpack, on the other hand, is usually taller than it is wide, designed for vertical items like books or clothes.
Here’s what happens when you try to pack a big game in a normal backpack:
It barely fits – Maybe you manage to wedge it in, but the zipper is straining, and the fabric is stretched tight around the corners.
It damages your boxes – Corners get bent, lids warp, and sometimes the box cover even tears. If you’re a collector, you know how heartbreaking that is.
It limits your carrying capacity – You might squeeze in one big box and a couple of smaller ones, but that’s it. Forget bringing a variety.
And that’s the real killer: game night thrives on variety. Nobody wants to decide in advance which single game they’ll be in the mood for three hours from now. We want options. We want to be able to say, “Okay, we’ve got time for one more—what’s next?” and actually have something to choose from.
Why the Board Game Backpack Changes Everything
A board game backpack is not just a regular bag with a fancy name—it’s a product designed from the ground up to fit the specific needs of board game lovers. The May The Game Large Backpack takes this seriously:
Perfect Dimensions – At 32 × 43 × 50 cm (about 11.8" × 16.9" × 19.6"), it’s sized to store modern game boxes flat and snug, including the largest titles.
Protection Where It Matters – Built with a 600D Oxford exterior, 210T nylon lining, and 10 mm padding, plus two adjustable internal straps to keep stacks tight and prevent shifting in transit.
Capacity That Makes Sense – The main compartment fits up to 7 big, standard games, and the seven external pockets are perfect for smaller games, score pads, pens, or accessories.
The difference is night and day. Instead of making hard choices about which games to leave behind, you can bring a balanced selection for the evening—heavies, mediums, and fillers—without risking damage.
More Than Just Convenience
It’s easy to think of a board game backpack as just a convenience upgrade, but the benefits go deeper:
Protecting Your Investment – Modern board games aren’t cheap. Between the cost of the base game and any expansions, you can easily spend $50–$150 on a single title. The May The Game backpack prevents bent corners, crushed components, and moisture-prone mishaps.
Reducing Transport Stress – Carrying multiple games in an ill-fitting bag is uncomfortable. The right backpack distributes weight well and uses ergonomic, padded straps and a reinforced top handle so your back and shoulders don’t ache.
Built for Real Loads – Tested to carry up to 20 kg (44 lbs) without strain, with sturdy zippers, reinforced stitching, and a front buckle that stabilises the load.
Different Types of Board Game Backpack
Not all board game backpacks are the same, and that’s a good thing. The right one for you depends on your collection and how you like to play.
Square-Format Backpacks – Perfect for standard Eurogame sizes (Ticket to Ride, Catan, Wingspan).
Large/Tall Models – Like the May The Game Large Backpack, designed to handle the biggest boxes while remaining comfortable to carry and easy to load.
Hybrid Bags – Some combine game storage with space for snacks, drinks, or personal items—handy for all-day events or travel. (The May The Game design focuses on game-first storage, with ample external pockets for accessories.)
Real-World Example: Game Night with a Board Game Backpack
Before I had a board game backpack, my game nights always came with compromises. I’d pick one “big game” and a couple of small ones, hoping everyone would be happy with the selection. More often than not, someone would ask for a game I didn’t bring, and I’d have to say, “Sorry, it’s on my shelf at home.”
The first time I used a dedicated backpack, it felt like a revelation. With May The Game, I packed Wingspan, Clank!, Abyss, Terraforming Mars, Azul, and several card games—all in one bag. That night, we ended up playing four completely different games. No one had to compromise, and we discovered new favorites because we had so many choices at hand.
Why It’s Worth the Investment
Some people hesitate when they see the price tag of a quality board game backpack. But here’s how I see it:
The cost of replacing a single damaged game can already be close to the price of the backpack.
It makes game nights more enjoyable and less stressful.
It will last for years, far outliving the cheaper “improvised” solutions.
When you think about the value it brings in protecting your games and enhancing your hobby, it’s one of the smartest purchases you can make as a board game enthusiast.
Choosing Your Board Game Backpack
When shopping for one, here are a few tips:
Measure Your Biggest Game – Make sure the backpack can fit your largest box flat with room to spare; the May The Game Large Backpack accommodates even the tallest, deepest boxes comfortably.
Consider the Weight – If you tend to carry a lot, look for wide, padded straps, a reinforced handle, and a stabilising front buckle.
Look for Extra Features – Seven exterior pockets (including mesh side pockets) are great for card games, score pads, pens, and accessories; internal straps prevent shifting.
Check Reviews from Other Gamers – The board gaming community is great at sharing honest feedback; look for notes on durability, comfort, and real-world capacity.
The Bottom Line
Once you’ve used a board game backpack, you’ll never go back to a regular backpack for game night. It’s the difference between awkwardly cramming a couple of boxes into a school bag and confidently walking in with a well-curated library, all safe and ready to play.
If board gaming is more than just an occasional hobby for you—if it’s something you do regularly, passionately, and socially—then the May The Game Board Game Backpack isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s essential.
Bring the games you love. Protect them. Share them. And give yourself and your friends the freedom to play whatever you want, whenever you want. That’s the real magic of a board game backpack—done right by May The Game.
