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WHICH FOOTBAG?

Footbags Have Personality!

Some are zippy and springy, others are slower & more mellow.
Some footbags can be a bit of both.

Attributes: Filling Type

Our footbags are filled with either plastic beads, sand, or metal pellets. 

  • Plastic bead is suited to fast and poppy footbags.
  • Sand and metal pellets are heavier than plastic. This increases stability and capacity for stalling (catching on the foot) the footbag. 

Attributes: Pop & Stall Ratings

Each footbag has a Pop Rating and a Stall Rating, both are rated out of 10, e.g 7 / 10.

The Pop Rating is an indicator of the footbag’s speed and spring off the foot.
The higher the rating, the faster, springy-er, and zippy-er the footbag will be.

The Stall Rating is an indicator of the footbag’s capacity to stall.
(Stalling is when the footbag stops, or its momentum is delayed, on a part of the body; usually top of foot, neck, chest, and head.)

The higher the rating, the greater the capacity for stalling.

Attributes: Fill Gauge

The Fill Gauge indicates how much filling is in the footbag, e.g. 65% Full.

A higher percentage is likely to result in a faster and poppy-er footbag, though this is relative to the filling type.

Attributes: Size

My footbags are mostly between 50-60 mm in diameter.
The larger footbags can be easier to track, smaller footbags help with more intricate tricks.

Types of Footbags

  • Tricks & Stalls (freestyle).
  • Circle Kick – Kicking and passing with friends.
  • Multi-Purpose – good for a bit of freestyle and circle kicks.
  • Beginner Friendly – for those starting out on their footbag journey

    Tricks & Stalling (Freestyle)

    If you like tricks and stalling the footbag on your foot, then you should consider the sand or metal filled footbags.
    A footbag with fewer panels will  ‘pancake’ better on your foot.
    For more advanced tricks, a slightly smaller footbag is popular.
    An excellent stalling footbag will have between 6-32 panels with a Stall Rating of 10 / 10 and a Pop Rating of 1 / 10.

    Circle Kick

    For kicking in a circle with friends, you’ll benefit from a faster, more responsive footbag, that pops off your foot.
    A slighty firmer plastic filled footbag is a good choice.
    More panels equals a rounder footbag, so, advise choosing a footbag with 26-122 panels.

    Look for:

    • Pop Rating: 7-8 / 10
    • Fill Gauge: 60-70% full
    • The firmer the footbag, the faster and poppy-er it’ll be.

    Multi-purpose

    For a footbag that can do a bit of everything, consider a footbag filled with a mix of plastic and metal.

    Alternatively, consider a loosely filled larger plastic filled footbag.

    Look for:

    • Fill Gauge: 50-60% full
    • Pop Rating of 5-6 / 10
    • Stall Rating of 4-6 / 10

    Beginner Friendly

    If you’re starting with one footbag, choose a larger, slightly looser footbag. This will be easier to track and slower, therefore easier to control.

    Look for:

    • Pop Rating: 5-6 / 10
    • Stall Rating: 4-6 / 10
    • Fill Gauge: 55-60%

    Another good option is to choose two contrasting footbags, one for circles, and the other for tricks and stalling.

    FOOTBAG CARE TIPS

    Keep it dry

    Moisture can damage stitching and fillings over time.

    If your footbag gets wet:

    • Air dry it naturally
    • Avoid direct heat or dryers
    • Don’t store it damp in a bag or car
    • Clean gently

    For dirt or dust:

    • Wipe with a damp cloth
    • Use mild soap if needed
    • Avoid harsh detergents or soaking

    Amara (artificial suede) bags benefit from gentle cleaning.

    Break it in gradually

    New footbags often feel stiff. Regular use softens the material and evenly distributes the filling. Avoid over-stretching or aggressively kneading stitched panels.

    Store properly

    Keep your footbag:

    • Out of direct sunlight
    • Away from excessive heat
    • In a cool, dry place

    Heat can dry out materials and weaken stitching.

    Rotate bags

    If you play frequently, rotating between multiple bags helps them keep shape longer and reduces seam wear.

    Watch rough surfaces

    Concrete, asphalt, and coarse gravel wear out footbags quickly. Grass, timber floors, gym floors, and smooth pavement are much gentler.

    Refill or repair if needed

    High-quality stitched footbags can sometimes be:

    • restitched
    • patched
    • refilled

    before needing replacement entirely.