Ford provided the vehicle for this post. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This post contains affiliate links.
My kids, either currently or at some stage in their life, have all been athletes. Among the five kids, they’ve played basketball, tennis, soccer, volleyball, and probably every other sport you can think of, but the one sport that has taken up the most family hours is soccer. All five kids have played at some point and my middle daughter currently plays club soccer. We travel a bit with our team, practice all year round, play in two different leagues, and spend hours at the fields every week. With a lot of years as a soccer mom under my belt, I’ve learned that there are some things that make life on the field a whole lot easier. Whether you’re a lifelong soccer mom or just getting started, check out this list of the must have items for soccer moms … you’ll thank me when it’s 32 degrees out and you’re cozy inside a sleeping bag {wink}!
This past year, we’ve done a bit of traveling with our team. Most recently, we traveled to Tulsa to play in the final four for our premier league. A safe and comfortable car with lots of cargo space is key for team travel and we were lucky enough to get to drive the 2019 Ford Edge ST during this trip.
Aesthetically, this Ford Edge ST was awesome. With the sporty-looking black grille and the performance blue color, it was a fun car to drive. But beyond just the looks, this vehicle has so many features that make it a really great family car.
I love the size of the Ford Edge. It’s big enough to fit three kids comfortably in the back seat but small enough that it feels really easy to drive … and the amount of cargo space is excellent! When we travel for soccer, we always have a trunk full of things and we could easily have fit so much more stuff in the back of this Ford Edge.
I also love how intuitive the vehicle is. I don’t know if you’ve paid attention to the weather in Oklahoma lately but it’s tornado season. Fortunately, we were out of Tulsa before the worst of the weather hit but we did run into some nasty weather on our trip up.
We drove through hard rain and a tornado warning {yikes!} but the Ford Edge handled it beautifully. I really appreciate little features like wiper-activated headlamps and rain-sensing wipers that allow you to drive instead of fumbling for buttons and knobs. We opened up the cover on the panoramic vista roof {the clouds made it SO dark outside!} and pressed on through the crazy weather {only to get to Tulsa and have all our games postponed until the next day}.
The girls lost their first game, knocking them out of the championship, but they played hard and after late nights, early mornings, and a tough game, they were ready to crash on our way back to Dallas. Their favorite feature in the Ford Edge? The reclining seats in the the back!
A car with impressive performance, great looks, and a whole lot of comfort definitely makes soccer season easier but there are some other items that every soccer mom should have. Check out my list and then be sure to let me know what your must-have soccer mom items are!
Ten Must-Have Items for Soccer Moms
Spirit Wear
Whether you make your own or buy your team’s spirit wear, every soccer mom should have at least one team shirt in the closet!
Sleeping Bags
We play in hundred degree weather and we play in thirty degree weather and one thing I’ve learned over the years is, the soccer field can be super chilly even when you’re not expecting it. I keep cheap sleeping bags in the car at all times and we bundle up right inside them during cold games. Unlike a blanket, getting inside a zipped sleeping bag really breaks the wind and makes freezing temperatures far more tolerable. It’s an investment you won’t regret.
Folding Chairs
Not all fields have bleachers and metal bleachers aren’t comfortable anyway. Folding chairs are a must and these days you can find a huge range of chairs from cheap ones all the way up to super comfortable chairs with shaded covers. In our hot climate, I love the mesh-backed chairs that keep your back from getting quite as sweaty. The sky’s the limit on what you can find and you’re really only limited by how much you want to spend.
Sunscreen
Never forget the sunscreen … and maybe a hat! Hours of time on the field can mean a whole lot of sun damage.
Umbrella
A large golf-sized umbrella is another item that I always have in my car. It’s helpful when it’s raining but I appreciate it even more for the sun-blocking ability. Sitting under the shade of an umbrella can lower the temperature a few degrees, making even the hottest games a bit more comfortable.
Gloves
It might sound silly but gloves are one of those items that you don’t think about until you desperately wish you had some. Even the cheap dollar spot gloves can make the difference between comfortable and miserable.
And to really take things to the next comfort level, stick hand warmers in your shoes and gloves!
Rubber Boots
We’ve had so much rain during the last few seasons and I’ve sat on some super muddy sidelines and walked through some swamps to get to the fields. Rubber boots are one of my favorite items to wear to those kinds of games. Just be sure to add some warm socks if it’s chilly … and a monogram if you’re from the South {wink}.
Water Bottle
I don’t know where you live but here in Texas, it can be miserable during the summer. Hydrating is always important and having an insulated water bottle makes that way easier.
A water mister and sprayer is also a great addition. Fill it up with ice water and cool off with a bit of mist on those unbearable summer days.
Coffee Cup
For those early morning games, I have one word: coffee. And lots of it. You can grab a cup on your way to the game but having an insulated coffee cup will make that coffee stay warm much longer. And you know I always vote for a personalized version!
Sunglasses
And finally, sunglasses! Nothing’s worse than squinting across the field through an entire game. If you really want to go all out, dress up your sunnies with one of these fun ideas!
I’d love to know what you keep in your car for soccer games. What are your must-have items?
