Some athletes live for the thrill of competition while others are motivated by the satisfaction of a job well done. No matter what kind of athlete you are, you likely depend on and already own an assortment of sports gear to help you achieve your personal best both in and out of the game. As sports equipment and technology continues to evolve, however, it is important to keep up to date with the latest and most necessary sports accessories you should have. In this guide, we explore some of those must-have accessories to give you the competitive edge going into next season.

Necessary Sports Accessories

Though many of the products and techniques we use today have existed for some time, sports equipment is quickly changing. In fact, there has been more innovation in the past few years alone than in the last half-century. Now is the perfect time to learn more about those athletic accessories and essentials, so you can use them to your advantage.

• Equipment Bag: It may seem obvious, but we thought we should start with the most important accessory. Every athlete needs a well-made bag to carry his or her athletic apparel and sports equipment. There are many different options out there for you to choose from, but you should look for a bag that is durable, lightweight, convenient, and easy to transport. You could end up with the most ruggedly made and spacious bag on the market, but it would be a shame if you sprained your back or injured yourself trying to carry it. The right-sized bag will provide plenty of space to store socks, mouthguards, headbands, and all the other essentials you don’t want to get caught without.

• Warm-Up Apparel: There is a reason why you see athletes on the field and the court wearing warm-up suits. As you may already know, the warmer your muscles are, the longer your body can retain freedom of movement without strain or increased risk of injury. Custom team hoodies and pullovers also impart a sense of professionalism, but warm-up suits are much more than just for looks. When it comes to short-term inactivity, hoodies and workout pants can keep a player primed and ready to go while he or she waits for the whistle. The right warm-up apparel can also help you avoid pulled muscles and other injuries that might keep you on the bench or even out for the rest of the season.

• Water Bottle: Adequate hydration is key to maintaining your health, especially as an athlete. We lose a lot of fluids through sweat and physical activity. By keeping a water bottle in your bag, you can better regulate body temperature, help your body digest food, and do so much more. The ideal water bottle will be slender enough to fit comfortably in your hand and hold enough liquid to prevent you from visiting the water fountain or hydration station so often.

• Cooling Towel: Regardless of whether you live in a warm climate, summer sweat sessions and pre-season training can be brutal. From running long distances to powering through drills, it is important to keep your body cool. In fact, the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention recently reported that heat illness during sports activities continues to be a leading cause of death among young athletes. In addition to staying hydrated, one step you can take to prevent poor thermoregulation is stocking up on cooling towels to keep your core body temperature low while exercising in the heat.

• Cap or Hat: When it comes to training, the necessity for a hat is often overlooked. Just as you need to stay hydrated and cool while you work out, a well-made cap or hat can keep your face safe from harmful ultraviolet rays.

• Base Layers: Compression apparel seems to be ubiquitous now, but some athletes fail to realize why all those compression sleeves, shirts, and leggings are necessary. Base layers such as these are specially engineered to ensure moisture management, muscle compression, protection, and thermal control. Compression layers are thought to hold your muscles firmly in place and improve blood flow to those muscles, so you can boost your athletic performance.

• Headbands: There is nothing worse than the salty sting of sweat dripping down into your eyes. Whether you play on the field or on the court, a sport headband is sure to keep sweat at bay and other distractions, such as flyaway hairs.

Hopefully this list of necessary sports accessories gives you a better idea of all the essentials you should have on hand to be prepared for the game at any level of competition. Dynamic Team Sports proudly offers a wide selection of custom team uniforms and athletic accessories that can help you focus on performing to your best abilities. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our vast selection of products.