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Having top pickleball gear is essential.
But with so many options to choose from, where do you start?
With that in mind, we put together this buyer’s guide for pickleball bags, to answer common questions like:
Do I really need a pickleball bag?
What are the best pickleball bags on the market right now?
What features should I be looking for in a good pickleball bag?
How much should I spend?
And, most importantly, which pickleball bag should I buy?!
Let’s dive in!
Why do I need a pickleball bag anyway?
As a player, you’ll always be packing pickleball equipment: pickleball shoes, racquet, balls, and water bottle. Instead of struggling to carry everything you make your way to the court, a pickleball tote or duffle bag can help you easily transport and access your pickleball accessories and gear.
With a pickleball bag, you can conveniently store and carry all of your equipment in one place, making it easy to check out at the court and get ready for your game.
Best pickleball bag overall: The Franklin Sports Pickleball Bag
Not wanting to leave the best until last, we decided to put it first! This is the official bag of the US Open Pickleball Championships—the most prestigious pickleball tournament on the planet!
However, this isn’t the only reason it’s one of the most popular pickleball bags available to buy today, this pickleball sling bag genuinely delivers the most awesome features.
With five color schemes to choose from, this pickleball bag for women and men has an adjustable and reversible strap, meaning you can switch shoulders from time to time.
Adding to that comfort are the padded back bumpers, which also allow airflow to keep you cool on the way to and from the courts.
At the courts, the super handy fence hook means you can clip your bag onto the fence, keeping it out of the way and off the ground.
A much-loved feature of this bag is the two smaller pockets. One of these is padded and ideal for holding sunglasses or a cell phone (as long as it is a regular-sized phone, larger models may be a tight fit!).
The second of these pockets is roomier and can be used for keys, wallets, or extra balls.
This one is ideal for a single user as it has space for a paddle, one pair of shoes, one water bottle, and your extra little bits and pieces. However, it can hold 2-3 paddles if necessary.
Coming in at between $30 and $35, depending on color choice, this pickleball bag is well priced for the quality and features it delivers.
Key features:
- Adjustable, reversible sling strap
- Tech pocket
- Fence hook
- Five color choices
Pros
- Unisex
- Handy accessory pockets
- Fence hook
- Reversible strap
Cons
- Single water bottle holder
- No space for shoes
Best pickleball backpack: The Vulcan VPRO Pickleball Backpack
Some of us prefer a strap over each shoulder, especially if the load is on the heavier side, so next up is our choice of the best pickleball backpack.
This offering is a real heavy-hitter when it comes to storage.
It’s got a lower, ventilated pocket that will fit your stinky shoes and shorts after a tough day at the courts.
Two smaller accessory pockets—one of which is felt-lined for your phone or sunglasses—and two larger side pockets for your towel, spare shorts, and water bottles.
The main, large compartment is big enough for a pair of shoes, your pickleball ball tubes, and any other number of items you might have to carry. You could easily put your laptop and a packed lunch in here, with space left over.
The coolest feature about this pickleball bag, we think, is where the paddles go. There’s a specially designed compartment right against your back, that zips all the way open from top to bottom of the bag.
This pocket is padded on both sides for comfort for your back and protection for your paddles, as well as being ventilated. It can hold two paddles comfortably even with the pickleball paddle cover on and the large front pocket can easily hold several more if needed.
Finally, this pickleball bag has a useful hook built into a special pocket, for keeping your backpack off the ground and out of the way. And if it does rain, this backpack is also water resistant—a feature we always look out for as there’s nothing worse than soggy gear!
This offering isn’t cheap, coming in at around $129, but it has everything you need for a full day's play or a tournament:
Key features:
- Ample storage space
- Ventilation to avoid smells
- Water-resistant
Pros
- Plenty of space (19" tall x 14" wide x 10" deep)
- Water-resistant
- Ventilated pockets
- Range of 7 colors
Cons
- On the pricey side
- No dedicated water bottle pouch
Best pickleball sling bag: The Athletico Crossbody Sling Bag
So what about those Pickleheads that prefer a single strap? Step aside for the Athletico sling bag!
This lightweight yet sturdy pickleball bag from Amazon fits two paddles with ease and is super comfortable with its crossbody design—especially useful if you’re biking to and from the courts.
It also features an air mesh padding to provide lumbar support and avoid getting sweaty on those summer days.
The strong, quick-release strap is adjustable from right to left, with a padded lining for your shoulder.
The variety of other pockets includes a felt-lined tech pocket and a couple of larger pouches for towels or spare clothes.
A particularly cool feature of these pickleball bags is the hidden anti-theft pocket built into the back of the bag, ideal for cash or credit cards.
Finally, it includes an external mesh water bottle pocket in case of leakages with a cord lock system so you don’t lose it along the way. $40 buys it, which is a fair price for the quality of the product.
Key features:
- Adjustable, reversible sling strap
- Tech pocket
- Fence hook
- External water bottle pocket
- Secret, anti-theft pocket
Pros
- External mesh water bottle pocket
- Secret anti-theft pocket
- Lightweight
- Great for cycling
Cons
- Won’t fit your shoes
Best pickleball duffle bag: The Pickleball Fanatic Duffel Bag
When it comes to duffle bags for pickleball, this one is hard to beat.
It has a large main compartment with space for several paddles, balls, and as much gear as you could need for a day on the courts.
It also features a separate, large side pocket that’s ideal for isolating your court shoes or dirty gear and an extra large water bottle pocket on the front of the bag.
This pickleball bag can be carried using the two handles on top, or used as a shoulder bag using the padded removable shoulder strap.
It comes in gray, green, or royal blue and retails at Pickleball Central for around $30.
Fun Fact: the word ‘duffel bag’ comes from the town of Duffel in Belgium where a type of coarse woolen cloth was produced to make the first examples of this style of the bag!
Key features:
- Large exterior water bottle pocket
- Padded, removable shoulder strap
- Isolated dirty gear compartment
Pros
- Versatile
- Large capacity
- Dirty shoe section
Cons
- A limited number of pockets
- Cheaper build quality
Best paddle bag: The Onix Pro Pickleball Paddle Bag
So far, we’ve looked mainly at bags that can carry a few paddles and some gear for a day of pickleball. Now we’d like to show you our pick for a dedicated paddle carrier—a bag that’s designed with the care of your paddle in mind.
The offering features two inner compartments which hold three paddles each. These compartments are located in the middle of this highly-padded bag for ultimate protection.
They also have a thermal lining to keep the temperature from varying too much and damaging your precious paddles!
All these features don’t come cheap, with this one retailing at just over $100.
Key features:
- Ideal for travel
- Keeps your paddles safe
- Hold six paddles
Pros
- Great Pickleball Travel Bag
- Loads of storage, 21’ x 13’ x 12’
- Thermal lining and extra padding
Cons
- Bulky
Best adjustable pickleball bag: The Sucipi Pickleball Backpack
Riding a bike, jogging, or taking the bus to the pickleball courts can change how we wear our bags, so an adjustable option on our list was a must.
The Sucipi is as versatile as they come, incorporating a cool function that we absolutely love—the zip-apart strap.
This snazzy design feature means the bag can be carried as a crossbody bag as well as a normal backpack, depending on your needs. The crossbody option can also be moved from right to left, using the quick-release buckle.
The bag has all the necessary compartments, including an extra large water bottle holder, a hidden security pocket, and space for three paddles in a padded compartment.
The selection of colors and designs was a real eye-catcher for us, with some super-funky prints available. And for under $30, we think this pickleball bag from Amazon is a real bargain.
Key features:
- Zip-apart strap to convert between backpack and sling bag
- Heavy-duty zippers
- Wide range of prints options
- Affordable price
Pros
- Adjustable Strap
- Large water bottle holder
- Padded compartment
Cons
- Cheaper build quality
Best spacious bag: The ONIX Pickleball Backpack
Time to bring out the big guns, with this super spacious offering from Onix.
This pickleball backpack has enough space for half a dozen paddles as well as towels, spare shirts, and a couple of pairs of shoes! It also has a separate “dirty section” for after a sweaty session, and breathable mesh on the front and back for ventilation.
Up to four paddles can slide into the rear pocket against your back, with plenty of space for more in the main section. It also has smaller pockets along the sides for snacks, valuables, and spare balls.
At $50 this Amazon pickleball bag gives you plenty of bang for your buck.
Key features:
- Good value for money
- Tons of space
- Holds four paddles
Pros
- Breathable mesh material
- Isolated pocket for dirty gear
- Large, 20’ x 14’ x 5’
Cons
- No water bottle holder
- Single color option
- No fence hook
Best compact bag: The Pickleball Fanatic Sling Bag
On the other end of the spectrum, we have this neat pickleball bag from Pickleball Central. This one is a super lightweight, portable option, that doesn’t skimp on features.
It has a small mesh pocket on one side, to hold a pickleball ball or small water bottle, as well as a front, velcro-close pocket for your cell phone and wallet.
The main compartment can hold up to three paddles, and the cushioned strap has a large clip buckle. It comes in three colors, and at $25, it won’t break the bank.
Key features:
- Lightweight
- Extra pockets
- Cushioned strap
- Holds three paddles
Pros
- Compact and light
- Comfortable strap
Cons
- No fence hook
- No shoe storage
Budget pick: The Game On Pickleball Sling Bag
For pickleball players on a tighter budget, this tote bag is a strong choice.
It’s got everything you need—a large zippered pocket for two to three pickleball or racquetball paddles and a few balls, and a smaller pocket for your personal items and some snacks.
This simple pickleball bag is made of heavy-duty polyester to stand up to some hard days on the courts, while at the same time being super lightweight.
It even features some padding to protect your paddle and keep you comfy, and for under $20 bucks we think this is an excellent budget pickleball bag for anyone.
Key features:
- Lightweight
- Strong material
- Under $20
Pros
- Lightweight, yet durable
- Affordable
Cons
- No water bottle storage
- No fence hook
Most stylish pickleball bag: The Vera Bradley Cotton Women’s Pickleball Bag
That’s right—you can even get your women’s pickleball bags in a gorgeous Vera Bradley print! What better way to arrive at the courts in style than with this stunning, elegant bag, in a range of iconic prints?
These sling-backpack-style pickleball bags are not designed specifically for the sport, but they’re just the right size for a pickleball paddle, and we love them.
They're made from washable, recycled cotton and have two zip pockets as well as a ring for your keys and a hidden security pocket for valuables.
Key features:
- Machine Washable
- Gorgeous prints
- Security pocket
Pros
- Made from sustainable cotton
- Hidden zip pocket
- Lightweight
Cons
- No space for shoes
- No water bottle holder
How to choose the best bags for pickleball
When choosing the right pickleball bag, here are 9 things to keep in mind:
Quality
The number one thing to look for when choosing a pickleball bag is the quality of the materials, the stitching, and the zips. The last thing you want is your bag falling apart when it's full of your gear.
Comfort
If you’re a true Picklehead, you spend a lot of time carrying your gear to and from the courts, so a pickleball bag that’s comfortable to carry is a must.
Look for padded straps, soft padding on the back and lumbar area, and breathable material where it comes in contact with your body.
Compartments
Keys, phone, wallet, clean socks, dirty socks, water bottle, towel, and balls, not to mention the actual paddles (and snacks—never forget the snacks).
You’re going to need some order in your life and plenty of compartments will bring out your inner Marie Kondo.
Adjustability
As we mentioned above, your pickleball bag needs to be adaptable to varying methods of transport. If you sometimes ride a bike and sometimes jog to the courts, make sure your bag can keep up!
Durability
In the same vein as quality, the durability of your bag is crucial, especially if you plan to use it for years to come.
Size
Before choosing your pickleball bag, consider how many paddles you really plan to carry in it.
Are you hoping to pack all the gear for you and your partner? Or the whole family? Will head straight to the courts from the office? Are you like us and need a whole section for snacks?
Price
This one’s a no-brainer, choose a pickleball bag within your budget, with the best price/benefit ratio.
Type
Do you need a pickleball bag that you can also carry your laptop in? Or does it need to double up as a beach bag at the weekend? There are different types to choose from: sling bags, duffle bags, backpack bags, drawstring, or tote bags. Choose the one that fits your needs and preferences.
Style
Finally, who doesn't want to look good on their way to the courts? But does that mean subdued and classy, or outrageously flashy?
Choose the style, color scheme, and print that best suits your personality.
There are many types and styles of bags to choose from, from pickleball duffel bags to over-the-shoulder sling bags, to sport backpacks that can carry all your gear.
Bottom line
So that concludes our rundown of the best pickleball bags money can buy! We hope it’s been of use to you in your search for the perfect pickleball bag for your needs.
And don’t forget, these pickleball bags can also make great gifts for the picklehead in your life. We even included one of the picks above on our Top 23 Pickleball Gift List.
We always love to hear recommendations from our fellow Pickleheads, so if you have any pickleball bags you’d like to suggest for our list, drop a comment below.
