What can I do to get the most play out of my bag?
A: There are three simple things to keep in mind:
- Proper break in.
- Proper use.
- Proper maintenance.
Q: How do I break in a footbag?
A: Richie Abshire has provided us with specific instructions for his bags that are applicable to all of our freestyle bags:
Most Abshire bags come in a 40 gram filler mix. Weight will change the life and performance of your footbag. The weight allows the bag to break-in and have a long life. Breaking in an Abshire is easy. Roll between your fingers for a few minutes until you feel the bag is over all looser than when you purchased it. Now, go play with it. Rushing the material [break in] will cause your bag to fall apart.
To this we would add that the hand break-in process must be a gentle one! Basic kicks are always a good way to evenly and slowly break in a bag.
Q: What’s the best way to use or treat a footbag in order to get the most life out of it?
Above all else, there is one critically important thing to remember when using your footbag: Only use your hands to pick it up! This is especially important information to impart to the casual hacker who is not familiar with circle etiquette (particularly if they are wearing something like combat boots) as one misguided toe scrape can immediately end the life of your footbag. Also, we don’t recommend “sky hack” (booting the bags as high as possible): Our freestyle line of bags is intended for use as professional sports equipment. Using it discerningly can greatly increase its lifetime. Keeping your footbag clean will also improve it’s lifespan. Even with the best of care, your footbag is eventually going to develop holes. We recommend our Supertacker repair glue for this (available for shipment only within the United States).
Q: How do I wash a footbag?
A: The following is adapted based Richard Abshire’s suggestions:
Use cold water and mild hand soap. Gently ring out until all the dirt is washed out (this can take a few soapings if it’s been a while since the last wash). Be careful because it’s easy to have a tendency to twist the bag vigorously: When the bag is wet, these harsh actions can destroy a bag instantly. Next dry with a towel, cloth or paper and let the remaining moisture dry on its own.