What’s the best thing that you can use to fill your punching bag? There can be many answers to this question. But none of them are absolute. You know what we’re talking about, right?
Different punching bag filler materials provide different performances. From sand as filler to shredded rags and foam, each of them is used by different trainers.
Acquiring sand is no issue, but soft fillers such as shredded foam and rag fibers are of different types in terms of softness and density. Beginners and casual trainers might prefer only soft fillers or soft fillers mixed with sand as this blend tends to be better as holding the shape.
Table could not be displayed.5 Punching Bag Filler Review
You may find different kinds of filler for punching bag on the market, and become confused about which one to buy. This heavy bag filler review might help.

1. Shredded Memory Foam Fill Xtreme Comforts
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Foams as filler is a good choice and even better if mixed with other materials. This shredded foam filler from Xtreme comforts is firm but soft. When evenly filled all through the bag, it doesn’t sink to the bottom easily, which is a nightmare for punching bag users.
Usually, the denser the filler, the more resilient it is, and that’s the case here too. You need to experiment while filling up the bag for the right amount of resilience. The foam is durable; it doesn’t lose its volume easily under pressure from all kinds of strikes you through at it. But of course, it will give in one day.
In terms of safety, this checks all bars. It doesn’t have any toxic elements or heavy metals in it. The ozone stays safe from it, so you can guess it’s quite eco-friendly, but don’t go throw it away on the ground when you dump it.
Longevity wise, it will last a long time as it’s stated before that it doesn’t lose its volume easily. It feels more comfortable than styrofoam or polystyrene materials. And if you see it getting clogged together, just open the bag and re-fluff it; it’ll be back to normal.
Pros
- Safe from toxic materials
- It doesn’t lose its volume easily
- Durable and long-lasting
- Eco-friendly
Cons
- Not waterproof
2. IZO Home Goods Shredded Memory Foam Fill
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This is another foam filler, and it’s from IZO Home Goods. It’s not specifically a punching bag filler material, but it works quite well if used properly. Usually, trainers mix these shredded foam or rag fiber with sifted sand to help the punching bag hold its shape well.
Soft filler materials are not prone to sink to the bottom due to their lightweight. But using this foam as standalone filler might take a huge amount to fulfill your needs. It’s light and fluffy, so even if you fill the bag and make it highly dense, it won’t feel uncomfortable practicing on it.
The shredding is done in such a manner that the shredded bits don’t have any sharp edges on them. And the shredded bits are free from small particles, which are nice because these particles create a hazard in the house. In terms of chemical components, the material is free from any toxic or harmful materials.
So this also checks the bars of green technology. It’s not waterproof, so beware. But it doesn’t clog up easily, even if it happens to be clogged, you can open the bag and fluff it up in minutes.
Pros
- Free from tiny particles of foam
- Light and fluffy
- It doesn’t easily sink to the bottom
- Holds its shape
Cons
- Not for experienced trainers
- Not waterproof
3. Sandbag Training Workout Universal Fillers
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For a bit of change, at number 3, we’ve got a universal filler from Iron Core Athletics. It’s different than all of the fillers we have on this list as it’s a filler for sand and water, meaning it cannot be used as a standalone filler. Rather you have to fill it up with sand or water.
The whole thing is made of strong vinyl material and completely secured from leakage. There are different sizes of this filler bag, so it will fit any power punching bag from different companies.
If you use water to fill this up, you’ll get a punching bag of 60 pounds and might be a bit wobbly. But using sand to fill this pouch will give you the highest resiliency or weight of 80 pounds. The shape of this workout filler bag is such that the sand inside won’t sink down easily if evenly filled.
Moreover, the construction is very strong to be thrown and slammed around when using it without a fitness bag. But there’s no handle on them, so transporting them without fitness bags is a bit hard. More strength training for you then!
Pros
- High durability
- Can be thrown and slammed
- It can be used in different sized bags
- Waterproof
Cons
- It doesn’t come with sand or water
4. YAWPED Fine High Density Shredded Memory Foam
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High-density foams are preferable as a heavy bag filler as they are the least prone to sinking to the bottom. And this shredded memory foam from YAWPED is exactly that type of foam. The foam is shredded in a way that the pieces are very soft whilst holding its shape quite well.
And the main source of the shredded bits is unused and new foams, which makes sure that the filler lasts a long time in the bag. Old and recycled foams lose their shape and volume faster than sand castle breaks.
To make optimum use of this product as your punching bag filler, you should add sifted dry sand with it. This blend of sand and shredded soft fillers is the best way to prevent clog and sogging.
Thanks to the safe chemical elements used in the foam, the shredded bits are free from foam dust and other harmful particles. No toxic materials or gases are found inside, so you can use it without worrying about health.
Pros
- High density
- No harmful particles
- Safe for all
- Soft on touch but stays firm
Cons
- There’s a certain smell of the foam, and some might be sensitive to it
- Not for experienced trainers
- Not waterproof
5. Foamcraft Shredded Memory Foam Fill
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This shredded foam filler from Foamcraft is up there in terms of quality. The foam’s density is rich, which makes it durable and long-lasting. Filling your punching bag with these shredded foam pieces will need a lot of it. So make sure to calculate the amount.
Although you can use this filler as a standalone filler for your punching bag, mixing it with materials such as sand is a better option as you don’t need to buy a lot of it. Sifted sand and a soft filler blend well, creating a stable filler blend that doesn’t lose its shape while giving a firm feel.
But beginner trainers can use the soft shredded foam only for a more comfortable experience. The foam bits are chemical-free as they should be. Likewise, the fillers don’t get soggy from absorbing moisture easily. Even if that does happen, it takes little time to make them dry.
And we have to mention that in these times of environmental awareness that the bag is dust and foam particle-free protecting your surrounding air from pollution. Moreover, no toxic materials were found.
Pros
- High-density foam
- No dust particle
- Eco-friendly
- It doesn’t become soggy easily
Cons
- Not for experienced trainers
- Not waterproof
What Makes a Perfect Punching Bag Filler
When purchasing any product, there are some points that determine which one you should buy. And these points apply to punching bag fillers too. We discussed them briefly below.

Material
The material for soft fillers such as shredded rugs and foams should be dense and structurally strong. It should not lose its volume easily during the sessions of practice. Moreover, the main components of the material should be the least harmful to you and your surroundings.
Meaning that they should not contain any types of toxic or heavy metals that might go into the body and harm you.
Size
Soft filler materials should be less than 2-3 inches in width and height. But it should not be as small as nuts because the filler needs to hold its shape during the hard striking sessions.
Shape
The fillers should not have any sharp edges around them that might create empty spaces between the filler pieces. These empty spaces don’t allow the filler to stay evenly and cause the sinking of the materials to the bottom of the bag.
Source Material
The soft fillers can come from any source such as rugs, foams, clothes, etc. All of these will work, but foams work better as they are structurally stronger and hold their shape without any problem.
Warranty
Warranties are a good thing to keep an eye on. A product with a warranty means two things; the first one is that you’re getting security for your money, and the second is that the company has confidence in its product.
Cost
These don’t cost much compared to other components of a punching bag, but due to the amount, the shipping cost might be high. So look for low shipping rates as the quality of these bag fillers is quite similar. You can’t go wrong with these.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here we have some of the most commonly asked queries regarding top 5 punching bags:
Q: Is this the best option to fill a punching bag?
Ans: This is one of the best options for filling a punching bag, especially for beginner trainers.
Q: Are these suitable for beginners?
Ans: Yes, all of the bag fillers listed here are suitable for beginners as they are soft but firm in touch. Beginners need to be comfortable for their first few months of practice.
Q: How much should be the filler density inside the bag?
Ans: It depends on your needs. Fill it and experiment with the number of fillers. There’s no general rule that you can follow, but you can stop when you reach your needed weight.
Q: Should I mix sand with it?
Ans: Again, it depends on what your training needs to gain the optimum result. Mixing it with sifted sand is a good idea for strength training as it gives a much harder surface.
Q: Will these hold their volume under pressure?
Ans: Yes, all of the bag fillers are quite strong structurally as long as water or high moisture content don’t get inside.
Final Words
Now that you know which punching bag filler offers what, in terms of quality and performance, you can safely proceed to your purchase. Keep the buying suggestions in mind, and share if you feel positive about it.
Last update on 2023-11-28 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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