Yeah, I recorded the audio before I shot the video... when I went to shoot the video I realized I didn't have any bottles of water. So I used a bottle of what I did have. My home is a home filled with the necessities, not nonsense :)
Jamie, Excellent, as always. This is a great review on commercial mobile storage options for our board games! Well done sir, very useful review. Yes, you convinced me to get the Game Topper- which I love! ... and you convinced me again on the Game Haul bag. Chris
The previous tenant at a place I moved into had left behind a large cajon bag (including straps to wear it like a backpack) and I used it for board games when I first got into the hobby. It took only a few board game meetups for the backpack straps to completely break off even though it was only maybe 60% full, followed shortly after by the main handle. Learned my lesson on that one and bought one of the now-ubiquitous Allplay bags. In any event, appreciate the video. I’ve been in the market for a bag in between the size of the aforementioned Allplay bag and my generic tote for taking a few games to friends’ houses. I was specifically interested in the Game Haul bag after also seeing it in a recent Shelfside video, and your video helped solidify that it’s perfect for what I’m looking for (assuming I’m careful with the strap 😅).
The Meinl Percussion Cajon Box Drum Bag-Standard Size-Heavy Duty Nylon with Internal Padding and Carrying Grip, Gig) is the same price as the Chromacast on Amazon and it has the handle strap that raps around the bag to give great support and the bag is better made than the chromacast. I have 3 and I love them.
I own both the 4 game and 6 game Game Haul bags and love them both. You can even turn the larger bag on its back and fit one or two larger games in there as well. Mechs vs Minions is just a tad too big to fit but the other day I had both The Reckoners and Sythe in there with some room for a few small card games to boot (although there is no carrying handle if you load games in with the bag on its back).
Nice! I do wish I had that one for this review video - but I've been waiting to do this review for a really long time and I needed to get off my duff and do it! I'm gonna stag one of those.
The Game Canopy bag's flap is designed so that people all around the table can see your stuff. While it seems we're now down to flat-flap bags, they lead to heaving to rotate the bag around or people having to walk around the table to check what games are in someone's bag. Another note, if a game slips out and forward (usually small games, or accessories), the Game Canopy flap will keep it from flying off, while all the other bags mean it'll hit the table and then bounce wherever it wants.
@@Thesecretcabal The Large version with 14"x12.5" base vs 12.5"x12.5" actually costs less... would you say there is any reason to avoid buying it vs. the standard size?
@Jamie I’ve seen many pictures with the Game Canopy bags folded down. Some completely. Others where the body has games and the front flap is unzipped, lying down, and folded flat. My question for you: If you would simply fold the front down flat after you unzipped it, could you then tuck it underneath like the other bags? I dunno. Just seems like one of those things where someone could walk by, quickly it fold down and tuck it back, and I’d be left standing there like, “Well sh*t...that was pretty easy.” Genuine question. Not trying to give you sh*t.
I'd like to throw in a recommendation for the Battle Foam X-P.A.C.K. I own three and find them to be quite convenient and durable. Currently on clearance for $29 as well.
Just looked at that bag and the design is pretty bad, IMO. Holds the games vertically and some games may not fit "perfect" and the lid could come lose and have all the parts and cards fall around in the box. Also, it only holds 2 games. Not the best design.
I recommend looking into the Board Game Garage. It has similar dimensions to the Game Canopy Deep Space, so can hold those bigger games. Beyond that, it has the same quality as the Game Canopy, but solves a lot of those design flaws you called out, and for a cheaper price (MUCH cheaper than the Deep Space). I have that and the Game Haul and between the two I'm covered. Agree that Game Haul is a great bag for the price that will cover most needs.
There's a Chromacast that will hold the over-sized games and is super affordable, I have one and use it a lot. The bag is horizontal shaped as opposed to the vertical ones shown here (I also have one of those and have been using it for years for this) with a handle on top.
Thank you for this Cajon bag idea, it's freakin genius! These are much cheaper, even here, than the titled "board game bags", and most importantly they are availible, not like the dedicated gaming bags. Also, you seem to have a great taste! I haven't tasted the quarter cask, but the standard 12y version is one of my favorites.
I know this is probably too late but careful with the cajon bags, the straps can break very easily as happened to me with only a few uses and not even at max capacity (both the backpack straps and main handle broke). Granted there’s almost assuredly some variability in quality and sturdiness depending on the bag, and maybe I was expecting too much from it, but if it breaks at the wrong time it can really damage your games.
Do you know the "Board Game Backpack" from Enhance, its amazing. I have it since 2 weeks and love it. It has a very nice surface and its so stable and could carry gloomhaven and Twilight imperium at the same time on your back. The Zippers are very strong and you could carry 4 Game Matts. xD ...
I have a smaller verzion of the Chroma Cast cajon ag that I paid $19 on Amazon for. This is nearly identical to the Gamehaul except I can usually get 5 games in plus the side pouches.
i have a question i'm curious about, maybe you can answer. there are 2 types of chromacast cajon bags, both nearly identical, you have the standard i believe which is 12.5' x 12.5' x 20' but there is a slightly larger one that's is a few dollars cheaper where i'm looking that is 12.5' x 14' x 21', which would you recommend?
Having used a bag like that and also a 6 game game haul, I will say it's worth the quality of life upgrade to go with a gamehaul or chromacast type bag if you use a bag often.
If I were taking my games places often, I definitely would go with the game haul after watching this. I am usually the host of game days and nights though so they do not travel much
Yeah I actually have grocery bags I use too. We have ones with our logo on them and I got some at conventions and they do work just fine as well. I was targeting this video to people who might be looking go to the next step.
Game haul is great and has held up awesome but you may want to check miniature market... they have some really nice bags and support game stores... maybe not amazon.
Completely agree with the Game Canopy. I bought one for my buddy and myself. It is brilliantly made and crazy high quality. That said, the strap is indeed absolutely useless. After seeing the other options, I would completely go with something cheaper.
I agree. I bought a Game Canopy last KS and while it is a nice bag, it's too expensive for what you get. The strap is awkward, and that front flap is weird. I'd steer people away from Game Canopies to much cheaper options.
I backed the Deep Space Canopy bag on Kickstarter for $159 but if I didn’t need one that size to carry Mechs vs Minions, Batman Gotham City Chronicles, Clash of Rage, Heroes of Land Air and Sea and Too Many Bones I’d of went with a cheaper option.
Here's a question: Do you really benefit from bringing 6 games? Do your games get play, or do you play 1-3 and the others were brought for nothing? I feel like the 6 game cases are great, but if you want to take less games, then it will look all smooshed because those bags depend on the games to stay rigid haha
I am all in with the Game Haul as well. I have all three versions, the big 6 game Game Haul (I use it for my Thursday morning GenCon rush), the Game Haul Game Night bag (it's what I use for weeknight game nights, and some Saturday game days), and the Game Haul Gateway (the first of their's that I bought. It's basically a game-box sized shopping bag with a clear vinyl front so you can see the games you brought, but if you want the one on the bottom, you have to empty the bag). I also have a Board Game Garage bag (www.boardgamegarage.com), a very nice bag that compares favorably to the large Game Canopy bag, without the annoying zipper location and at a lower price point.
Deep Space is the one built for those, but it's possible that you could fit some oversized games into the Cajon bags if you went vertical. That all depends on how well the game is packaged inside the box.
Uh, how come they just don’t make them with small wheels and a pop out slide handle variant like modern day canopy luggage? Haven’t they heard of causing back problems hauling heavy games? What year is this? Think and get the design right and you will be the winner. Padding and durable straps is important too for geeks.
I think I still prefer the Chromacast bag over the Game Haul bag because it holds a lot more. I bring way too many games to game night, but I like a lot of options. heh ;-)
Great review! I’m looking to transport Middara and Batman in my near future but I’ve become chronically cheap in my middle age. So I have to stick with my $2 IKEA bags for the time being.
![[Live] : ONE 169 วันนี้!! "อนาโตลี vs อูมาร์"](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/IK3YZVWuFJg/mqdefault.jpg)
"There's a mesh pouch on the side. You can throw a water bottle in there." Immediately inserts bottle of scotch. This is why I love the Secret Cabal.
Yeah, I recorded the audio before I shot the video... when I went to shoot the video I realized I didn't have any bottles of water. So I used a bottle of what I did have. My home is a home filled with the necessities, not nonsense :)
Jamie,
Excellent, as always.
This is a great review on commercial mobile storage options for our board games! Well done sir, very useful review.
Yes, you convinced me to get the Game Topper- which I love! ... and you convinced me again on the Game Haul bag.
Chris
The previous tenant at a place I moved into had left behind a large cajon bag (including straps to wear it like a backpack) and I used it for board games when I first got into the hobby. It took only a few board game meetups for the backpack straps to completely break off even though it was only maybe 60% full, followed shortly after by the main handle. Learned my lesson on that one and bought one of the now-ubiquitous Allplay bags.
In any event, appreciate the video. I’ve been in the market for a bag in between the size of the aforementioned Allplay bag and my generic tote for taking a few games to friends’ houses. I was specifically interested in the Game Haul bag after also seeing it in a recent Shelfside video, and your video helped solidify that it’s perfect for what I’m looking for (assuming I’m careful with the strap 😅).
I wish you had the Geekon bag. Would of loved to see which you think is better Canopy or Geekon!
Good call on the game haul! I've got the 6 game version and love it.
Same here and couldnt agree more!
The Meinl Percussion Cajon Box Drum Bag-Standard Size-Heavy Duty Nylon with Internal Padding and Carrying Grip, Gig) is the same price as the Chromacast on Amazon and it has the handle strap that raps around the bag to give great support and the bag is better made than the chromacast. I have 3 and I love them.
Does it hold the same amount of games as the Chromacast? I assume so, but it can't hurt to ask. heh I should look into this.
@@KabukiKid Yes, the same size
@Patrick Flanagan... Many thanks. :-)
I own both the 4 game and 6 game Game Haul bags and love them both. You can even turn the larger bag on its back and fit one or two larger games in there as well. Mechs vs Minions is just a tad too big to fit but the other day I had both The Reckoners and Sythe in there with some room for a few small card games to boot (although there is no carrying handle if you load games in with the bag on its back).
Nice! I do wish I had that one for this review video - but I've been waiting to do this review for a really long time and I needed to get off my duff and do it! I'm gonna stag one of those.
The Game Canopy bag's flap is designed so that people all around the table can see your stuff. While it seems we're now down to flat-flap bags, they lead to heaving to rotate the bag around or people having to walk around the table to check what games are in someone's bag.
Another note, if a game slips out and forward (usually small games, or accessories), the Game Canopy flap will keep it from flying off, while all the other bags mean it'll hit the table and then bounce wherever it wants.
I've loved my Chromacast cajon bag for gaming, and I found it on Amazon for $18 a while ago!
Definitely! It is certainly a good bag for the low price.
@@Thesecretcabal The Large version with 14"x12.5" base vs 12.5"x12.5" actually costs less... would you say there is any reason to avoid buying it vs. the standard size?
@Jamie
I’ve seen many pictures with the Game Canopy bags folded down. Some completely. Others where the body has games and the front flap is unzipped, lying down, and folded flat.
My question for you: If you would simply fold the front down flat after you unzipped it, could you then tuck it underneath like the other bags?
I dunno. Just seems like one of those things where someone could walk by, quickly it fold down and tuck it back, and I’d be left standing there like, “Well sh*t...that was pretty easy.”
Genuine question. Not trying to give you sh*t.
I'd like to throw in a recommendation for the Battle Foam X-P.A.C.K. I own three and find them to be quite convenient and durable. Currently on clearance for $29 as well.
Just looked at that bag and the design is pretty bad, IMO. Holds the games vertically and some games may not fit "perfect" and the lid could come lose and have all the parts and cards fall around in the box. Also, it only holds 2 games. Not the best design.
I recommend looking into the Board Game Garage. It has similar dimensions to the Game Canopy Deep Space, so can hold those bigger games. Beyond that, it has the same quality as the Game Canopy, but solves a lot of those design flaws you called out, and for a cheaper price (MUCH cheaper than the Deep Space). I have that and the Game Haul and between the two I'm covered. Agree that Game Haul is a great bag for the price that will cover most needs.
There's a Chromacast that will hold the over-sized games and is super affordable, I have one and use it a lot. The bag is horizontal shaped as opposed to the vertical ones shown here (I also have one of those and have been using it for years for this) with a handle on top.
Thank you for this Cajon bag idea, it's freakin genius! These are much cheaper, even here, than the titled "board game bags", and most importantly they are availible, not like the dedicated gaming bags.
Also, you seem to have a great taste! I haven't tasted the quarter cask, but the standard 12y version is one of my favorites.
I know this is probably too late but careful with the cajon bags, the straps can break very easily as happened to me with only a few uses and not even at max capacity (both the backpack straps and main handle broke). Granted there’s almost assuredly some variability in quality and sturdiness depending on the bag, and maybe I was expecting too much from it, but if it breaks at the wrong time it can really damage your games.
Do you know the "Board Game Backpack" from Enhance, its amazing. I have it since 2 weeks and love it. It has a very nice surface and its so stable and could carry gloomhaven and Twilight imperium at the same time on your back. The Zippers are very strong and you could carry 4 Game Matts. xD ...
Awesome, thanks. Just ordered my Game Haul bag!
Great video. I’d love to see more gaming accessory reviews.
Thanks! Yeah I've been thinking of doing some more. I'll keep my eyes open on more topics to cover
I have a smaller verzion of the Chroma Cast cajon ag that I paid $19 on Amazon for. This is nearly identical to the Gamehaul except I can usually get 5 games in plus the side pouches.
i have a question i'm curious about, maybe you can answer. there are 2 types of chromacast cajon bags, both nearly identical, you have the standard i believe which is 12.5' x 12.5' x 20' but there is a slightly larger one that's is a few dollars cheaper where i'm looking that is 12.5' x 14' x 21', which would you recommend?
I use a Meinl cajon bag and I love it. I think it was $15 and holds 7 TTR sized games!
I wish there was a criteria for storing the bags themselves.
I use a blue Ikea bag and it works great
Having used a bag like that and also a 6 game game haul, I will say it's worth the quality of life upgrade to go with a gamehaul or chromacast type bag if you use a bag often.
If I were taking my games places often, I definitely would go with the game haul after watching this. I am usually the host of game days and nights though so they do not travel much
Yeah I actually have grocery bags I use too. We have ones with our logo on them and I got some at conventions and they do work just fine as well. I was targeting this video to people who might be looking go to the next step.
@@Thesecretcabal, well then you did your job. I had never heard of any of these options, but if I get a bag I am going with your recommendation
Game haul is great and has held up awesome but you may want to check miniature market... they have some really nice bags and support game stores... maybe not amazon.
Great Video! Buying a Game Haul right now. :)
Completely agree with the Game Canopy. I bought one for my buddy and myself. It is brilliantly made and crazy high quality. That said, the strap is indeed absolutely useless.
After seeing the other options, I would completely go with something cheaper.
I agree. I bought a Game Canopy last KS and while it is a nice bag, it's too expensive for what you get. The strap is awkward, and that front flap is weird. I'd steer people away from Game Canopies to much cheaper options.
I backed the Deep Space Canopy bag on Kickstarter for $159 but if I didn’t need one that size to carry Mechs vs Minions, Batman Gotham City Chronicles, Clash of Rage, Heroes of Land Air and Sea and Too Many Bones I’d of went with a cheaper option.
Here's a question: Do you really benefit from bringing 6 games? Do your games get play, or do you play 1-3 and the others were brought for nothing? I feel like the 6 game cases are great, but if you want to take less games, then it will look all smooshed because those bags depend on the games to stay rigid haha
the Cajon bag works just fine for me...from car to room, from room to car....works for me!!
I am all in with the Game Haul as well. I have all three versions, the big 6 game Game Haul (I use it for my Thursday morning GenCon rush), the Game Haul Game Night bag (it's what I use for weeknight game nights, and some Saturday game days), and the Game Haul Gateway (the first of their's that I bought. It's basically a game-box sized shopping bag with a clear vinyl front so you can see the games you brought, but if you want the one on the bottom, you have to empty the bag). I also have a Board Game Garage bag (www.boardgamegarage.com), a very nice bag that compares favorably to the large Game Canopy bag, without the annoying zipper location and at a lower price point.
"water bottle" @ 9:37, riiiiiiiggghhhhtttt.
Restoration Games What? Did I misspeak or something? :)
Restore that water bottle to what it once was, Restoration Games!
Would you recommend any of these for larger size games? Or is Deep Space the only one that fits them well? Ex. Lisboa, Mechs v Minions
Deep Space is the one built for those, but it's possible that you could fit some oversized games into the Cajon bags if you went vertical. That all depends on how well the game is packaged inside the box.
Rats...wish GeekOn was in the mix. Would love to see the comparisons. Still great vid, now I know what to look for in bags.
Uh, how come they just don’t make them with small wheels and a pop out slide handle variant like modern day canopy luggage? Haven’t they heard of causing back problems hauling heavy games? What year is this? Think and get the design right and you will be the winner. Padding and durable straps is important too for geeks.
What a great video. Just the information I need. Perfect. Thanks.
I think I still prefer the Chromacast bag over the Game Haul bag because it holds a lot more. I bring way too many games to game night, but I like a lot of options. heh ;-)
Yeah me too. I always bring 10 games and play 2. I feel more secure knowing I have options :)
Ty. Really well done.
Thanks!
You guys are badass! I'd like to have a beer with y'all sometime!
More then happy with my Chromecast. Got it for just under 20 bucks on Amazon. The extra 30 for the large gamehaul isn't needed for me. Good vid!
Great review! I’m looking to transport Middara and Batman in my near future but I’ve become chronically cheap in my middle age. So I have to stick with my $2 IKEA bags for the time being.
Very interesting, subbed.
I transport my games in an IKEA bag (1€)
What no GeekOn?
Bro just save me $150!