A footbag is a small, round, hand-stitched bag that you kick and keep in the air with your feet — no hands allowed. “Hacky sack” and “footbag” refer to the exact same object. If you grew up calling it a hacky sack, you already know what a footbag is.
Why there are two names
“Hacky Sack” started as a brand name. It was trademarked in 1972 and later owned by Wham-O, the same company behind the Frisbee. Like “Kleenex” or “Band-Aid,” the brand name became the everyday word for the whole category. “Footbag” is the neutral, sport-wide term the community and competitions use. So when you see “footbag” on a specialty site and “hacky sack” on a big-box shelf, they mean the same thing.
What a footbag actually is
At its simplest, a footbag is fabric panels sewn into a ball and filled with something heavy enough to control — usually sand, plastic pellets, or metal beads. The fill and the panel count decide how it feels. Sand-filled suede bags land softly and hold still on your foot, which is why they’re the choice for stalls and tricks. Lighter crocheted or pellet bags bounce more and are better for casual circle play.
Colorado Footbags makes sand-filled footbags from Ultra Synthetic Suede in two builds: a 14-panel OG at 58 grams, and a 32-panel CORE Edition for players who want a rounder, more precise stalling surface.
Which name should you use?
Use whichever your friends use. If you’re searching to buy one, “footbag” tends to surface specialty makers and better-quality bags, while “hacky sack” surfaces mass-market options. Knowing both terms just helps you find the good stuff.
Quick answers
Is it called a hacky sack or a footbag? Both. “Hacky Sack” is a brand name that became generic; “footbag” is the general and sport term.
Why do they call it a hacky sack? The creators trademarked the name “Hacky Sack” in the 1970s; “hacking” referred to casually kicking the bag around.
What is a footbag made of? Fabric panels — synthetic suede, leather, or crocheted cotton — sewn together and filled with sand, pellets, or beads. Colorado Footbags uses Ultra Synthetic Suede with purified natural sand.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is a footbag (hacky sack)?
A footbag, commonly called a “hacky sack,” is a small round bag kicked and kept in the air with the feet — no hands — in the sport of footbag. “Hacky sack” and “footbag” mean the same thing. Colorado Footbags makes premium sand-filled synthetic-suede footbags.
Is it called a hacky sack or a footbag?
Both. “Hacky Sack” is a brand name (Wham-O) that became generic; “footbag” is the general and sport term for the same object.
Why do they call it a hacky sack?
The creators trademarked the name “Hacky Sack” in the 1970s. “Hacking” referred to casually kicking the bag around, and the brand name became the everyday word for the whole category.