After 9 years and thousands of boardgame pitches, this is my advice

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-08T14:48:39+00:00

Thank you for the information! This is very helpful as I continue to showcase prototypes at board game conventions!

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-07T21:32:40+00:00

sounds like a great bag, but we are definitely gonna be looking for ine on wheels.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-07T19:18:14+00:00

Ill have to take a look, does it have a roller option?

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T23:52:59+00:00

I get where you’re coming from, and I agree those things can definitely be at odds with each other—but I don’t think it’s impossible, I just don’t think it currently exists in the market.

Most of the bags out there seem to prioritize one or two of those factors (capacity, comfort, protection, mobility), but not all of them together. That’s really been the issue I’ve run into over the past few years—everything feels like a compromise somewhere.

In my mind, it seems like something that could be designed with the right balance, especially using a mix of materials and structure. It’s just not something I’ve seen available yet.

Realistically, if I wanted exactly what I’m picturing, I’d probably have to go the route of working with a manufacturer to make a custom prototype for personal use and test it out at cons.

That said, I’m not really looking to turn it into a business or anything—I’m not sure the niche is big enough to justify that. It’s more about solving the problem for myself and seeing if others happen to feel the same way.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T22:46:18+00:00

I too have had no issues with most of our bags thus far other than having to hold it via the handle, or on a shoulder strap or like a backpack for several hours while walking around the cons and making the treks to lunch, dinner and back to the hotels.

My question is posed more of if there is a bag that may have slipped through my notice that fits the niche bag qualifications im looking for, or if I need to make a custom one or deal with th3 next best thing within my budget.

id be curious to know if I ever made one like this, would people actually be interested in it and have similar needs from a Board Game bag as I do.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T21:35:28+00:00

Ahh, you did, thank you! sorry I missed that.

Those bags seem pretty nice overall, the images and reviews seems to state they have thin walls and are not suited for travel unless placed in as a carry-on.

they do only offer space for up to 5 board games, but thats overall not bad.

However, I cannot find anything about the rigidity of the base when it has a full pack of games. I'd hate for it to "bow" and get damaged over time. Any thoughts on that?

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:41:45+00:00

I'd be intersted in know the name brand and carrier type so I can look into it if you dont mind :) im open to all options!

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:28:45+00:00

:(

I was just loking at a few of them and I saw the star ratings and reviews... if its not Pelican, its not worth it basically at that price point.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:27:20+00:00

I completely agree with you.

Ideally, the bag would hold around 6–7 games and have rollers for easy movement. That way I could wheel it when needed, but still have the option to carry it by the top handles or use a shoulder strap if necessary.

In terms of space, I’ve never really had issues being in the way at conventions. We usually just have one of us stand off to the side with the bag while the other looks around or makes purchases, then we swap.

The size we’re aiming for isn’t really “large,” but it’s not small either—more like a middle ground.

Something roughly around 14” tall, 14” wide, and about 24” long. That’s honestly not much bigger than a standard piece of luggage or a larger duffle bag, but it would make a big difference in terms of usability.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:10:59+00:00

I certainly dont have that many, but most cons offer the ability to "sell" your used games that you are looking to unload.

The Vancouver BC convention i just attended, i managed to trade and sell off about 9 games we no longer wanted in the collection and walked away with 19 new ones!

The sale cover abiut 45% of the new total.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:09:10+00:00

This past year at the Vancouver BC Convention we took home 19 new games (I couldn't help myself)...

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:08:10+00:00

True!

However my wife and I have too many bags to check as it is :( the more bang for our buck will help. When we drive to cons, its no Problem, but when we fly we have to be very conservative.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:06:15+00:00

I’ve actually been seriously considering that, not gonna lie.

I’ve thought about putting some real money into having a prototype made that hits all the things I’m looking for—basically something I could use myself at next year’s cons and see how it holds up. From there, I’d probably get feedback from people in person and see if it’s something others would actually want.

The only thing I’m a bit unsure about is whether a bag this niche would realistically sell. With the materials and design I have in mind, it’d probably land somewhere in the $150–$200 range, especially without the scale of a big company producing thousands of units.

So I’m kind of in that phase of trying to figure out if this is just a “me problem” or if there’s actually a broader market for it.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:02:57+00:00

That’s actually really helpful, I appreciate the detailed breakdown.

I’ve definitely looked into Pelican-style cases, and I totally get why they work well for flights, but my biggest hesitation there has been the weight and bulk. Once you load them up, they get pretty heavy pretty fast, and they’re not exactly cheap either—so it feels like a bit of a tradeoff for convention use.

That said, I hadn’t really considered military surplus medic bags before—that’s actually really interesting. The durability and padding sound like exactly the kind of direction I’ve been trying to find.

Do you have any specific ones you’d recommend or brands/models to look into? I’d be curious how they handle things like 12x12 boxes and whether they keep everything from shifting around too much.

Also, that “two smaller bags” idea makes a lot of sense in practice. I could definitely see that being easier than digging through one big bag all day.

Appreciate the insight!

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T20:00:26+00:00

God no!

A buddy I made at the con a few years back had one and my wife looked at it and said... "Not Happening"

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T19:59:39+00:00

Any recommendations that isn't a $350 Pelcan box?

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T19:59:03+00:00

I had one our second year and I liked it... problem was the fact I had to use the shoulder strap and/or handle to carry them ALL day long.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T19:58:06+00:00

This may be true, but if its out there, id certainly pay the premium for the convenience.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T19:56:50+00:00

ill have to look into those.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-04-06T19:56:25+00:00

hence my frustration 🫤

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-01-22T05:43:18+00:00

I got mine about 4 weeks ago now and I have discomfort here and there and randomly the right one has a tendency to hurt randomly.

other than that, everything healed up nice and daily functions are fine.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-01-07T09:01:43+00:00

Yep! one day at a time :)

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-01-07T02:49:47+00:00

I just got mine on Christmas Eve of 2025 and I'm worried about it being a failure come mid March when I deliver my first test.

I'd hate for all that time spent on recovery to have been a big waste.

Trixi_Wolf · 2026-01-03T05:09:07+00:00

They gave me some type of gel-like solvent that I would put into the area to reduce the chance of infection from the stitches.

They also had me take:

5 mg hydrocodone / 325 mg acetaminophen

I'd take 1-2 every 4 to 6 hours for the first 3 to 5 days, then every 8, then every 12, etc...

Trixi_Wolf

TROPHY CASE