Simple rug storage that keeps things tidy

The Shires Rug Storage Bag is a straightforward but very handy bit of kit for keeping horse rugs clean, contained and easy to move around. Shires is a well-known name in everyday equestrian gear, and this bag reflects that practical, yard-focused approach rather than anything flashy.

Available in two sizes to hold around two or five rugs, it is built around a wipe-clean outer, a three-quarter zipped lid and reinforced edges, with carry handles for moving it between yard, lorry and tack room. At this price point it sits as an affordable, functional accessory rather than a premium storage system.

Owner feedback so far is positive, with a 4 out of 5 rating from an early review, suggesting it does what it promises: keep rugs together and out of the dust without fuss.

Table of Contents

Key features

  • Soft storage bag designed specifically for horse rugs
  • Three-quarter length zip lid for easy loading and access
  • Wipe-clean outer surface for quick, low-fuss cleaning
  • Reinforced edges help the bag keep its shape when filled
  • Sturdy carry handles for moving rugs around yard or lorry
  • Small size holds around two rugs for everyday use
  • Large size accommodates roughly five rugs for bigger collections

Who this rug storage bag is best for

The Shires Rug Storage Bag is ideal for everyday horse owners who are tired of rugs ending up in untidy piles in the tack room, on the yard or in the back of the car. If you rotate between turnout, stable and cooler rugs through the seasons, having them zipped away in one place makes life noticeably easier.

It suits riders and yard owners who want a simple, mid-priced storage solution rather than investing in rigid trunks or built-in storage. The two size options make it particularly useful if you have more than one horse or like to keep spare or out-of-season rugs neatly packed away.

It will also appeal to those who travel to clinics, shows or camps and need a way of keeping a couple of clean rugs protected on the lorry or trailer. The carry handles and zip-top design lend themselves to being moved around without wrestling with loose, bulky rugs.

If you have a very small amount of kit or prefer to hang rugs individually on rails, it may feel like more storage than you need, but for most busy yards it is a practical, easy win.

What we like

The biggest plus point is how much tidier and more protected your rugs become once they are zipped into a dedicated bag. Instead of collecting dust, shavings and cobwebs on the tack room floor, they stay cleaner for longer and are much easier to grab when you need them.

The three-quarter length zipped lid makes access far less fiddly than a small opening would; you can open most of the top, see what is inside and pull rugs out without having to empty the whole bag. Reinforced edges help the bag hold its shape better, so it is easier to pack, stack and slide onto shelves or into the back of a car.

The choice of small or large capacity is another genuine benefit. Being able to pick a size that roughly fits two or five rugs means you can tailor storage to your horse or your yard, rather than ending up with one oversized, half-empty bag. The wipe-clean material is a practical touch too, as mud and dust can be dealt with quickly using a damp cloth rather than needing to wash the whole thing.

Where it could be better

This is a soft storage bag, so it will not offer the same level of crush protection as a rigid trunk or box. If you regularly stack heavy items on top, the contents may still get squashed, even with reinforced edges.

Capacity is described in approximate rug numbers rather than litres or precise measurements, which may be limiting if you have extra heavyweight or very bulky rugs. You might find that five large, lined turnouts are a tighter squeeze than expected. Clearer sizing information would make it easier to plan your storage.

The feature set is deliberately simple: there is no internal divider, labelling window or separate pockets. Those small touches can help keep different weights or sizes of rug better organised. For some riders, that stripped-back design will be fine; for more obsessive organisers, it might feel a bit basic.

Everyday use

Day to day, the Shires Rug Storage Bag is all about reducing clutter. Being able to fold rugs, stack them in the bag and zip the lid three-quarters of the way around means your tack room instantly looks more organised, and you are not constantly stepping over piles of kit.

The carry handles make it straightforward to shift the bag around the yard or between house, lorry and stable block. Even when full, the soft-sided design means it is easier to manoeuvre through narrow doors or into the back of a car than a hard plastic box of the same capacity.

Cleaning and upkeep are low-effort. The wipe-clean outer means splashes of mud, hair and dust can be brushed or wiped off without needing a machine wash. That is particularly handy when the bag lives on a busy yard. Because the edges are reinforced, it is also less likely to sag into a shapeless heap, making it easier to slide onto shelving or stack neatly with other bags.

Access is similarly straightforward: unzip, fold the lid back, see all your stored rugs and grab what you need. There is no battling with a tiny opening or wrestling the last rug out of a tight corner.

Performance and features

In performance terms, the Shires Rug Storage Bag focuses on doing a few things well rather than loading up on extras. Its primary job is to keep rugs cleaner and more contained, which it achieves through a largely enclosed design with a three-quarter zipped lid. Once closed, your rugs are shielded from the worst of the dust, shavings and damp that tend to circulate in a yard environment.

The reinforced edges are an important detail. They help the bag hold a more box-like shape, which makes it easier to pack rugs in neatly and stack or stand the bag without it collapsing in on itself. That, combined with simple but sturdy carry handles, gives it a feeling of being more robust than a flimsy laundry bag, while still being soft and flexible.

The availability of two sizes is another useful feature. The smaller holds roughly two rugs, ideal for a single horse or core everyday rugs. The larger version, at around five rugs, suits multi-horse owners or those who like to keep spare, clipped-season or heavy weights stored together. This flexibility means you can mix and match bags rather than forcing all your rugs into a one-size-fits-all solution.

The wipe-clean surface underlines the bag’s yard-ready nature. Instead of absorbing grime, it can be quickly cleaned down, helping maintain a smarter, more hygienic tack room. While it does not have extra compartments or labelling features, its straightforward, open interior makes it easy to adapt to your own system, whether that is by colour-coding bags, adding tags or simply dedicating each one to a specific horse.

Value for money

At this price, the Shires Rug Storage Bag sits in that accessible, mid-range space where you are paying for solid practicality rather than luxury. It is more considered than using bin bags or old duvets, yet still far cheaper and more flexible than investing in large, rigid tack room furniture.

Given the simple but well-thought-out features – a generous zip opening, reinforced edges, wipe-clean fabric and useful size options – it represents fair value for money for most horse owners. You are essentially buying tidiness, easier transport and better rug protection, which can extend the life of more expensive rugs over time.

The early 4.0 out of 5 user rating suggests that buyers feel they are getting what they expected for the spend. If you are looking for extra organisational features such as compartments or labelling, you may need to budget more or get creative yourself. But as a straightforward storage upgrade for a busy yard, it offers a sensible balance of cost and usefulness.

Our verdict

The Shires Rug Storage Bag is an unfussy, functional solution to a problem almost every horse owner has: where to put all those rugs so they stay clean and easy to find. With a practical zip-top design, reinforced edges and wipe-clean fabric, it turns piles of bulky kit into neat, portable packages.

It is best suited to riders and yard owners who value practicality and tidiness over bells and whistles. If you want rigid protection, internal dividers or built-in labelling, you may find its simple design a little too basic. But if you are after a durable soft bag that will swallow a couple or several rugs and keep them in better condition than being dumped on a shelf, it does the job well.

Overall, it is a sensible, good-value accessory from a trusted brand, and an easy way to get your rug storage under control without reworking your whole tack room.

FAQs

How many rugs does the Shires Rug Storage Bag hold?

The small size holds approximately two rugs, while the large version is designed to take around five, depending on the weight and bulk of each rug.
Yes, the bag is made with a wipe-clean outer, so you can remove mud, hair and dust with a damp cloth rather than needing to machine wash it.
The lid features a three-quarter length zip, which opens most of the top for easy access while still allowing the bag to be largely closed to keep rugs clean and contained.
The bag has reinforced edges to help it keep its shape better than a floppy sack, but it remains a soft-sided bag rather than a fully rigid trunk.
Yes, although it is designed for rugs, the bag can also be used to store and transport other bulky items such as coolers, saddle pads or spare stable accessories.
It works well in lorries and trailers, as the soft sides, reinforced edges and carry handles make it easy to move and position, while keeping rugs tidy and protected in transit.
No, the interior is open without dividers or separate pockets, which makes it simple to pack but means rugs are stored together in one main compartment.
The bag helps shield rugs from general yard dust and splashes, but it is not a sealed waterproof trunk. It is best stored in a reasonably dry tack room or storage area.

Shires Rug Storage Bag Review

£26.00

Overall score

8/10

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